INFLATION MEDIA FOR IMPLANTS

1 . A inflatable implant comprising

at least one inflation channel for forming an inflatable structure of the inflatable implant; and

an inflation media disposed within the at least one inflation channel, wherein the inflation media comprises a mixture of an epoxy resin and a hardener, the mixture is configured to have an average viscosity of less than about 100 cps at about 37° C. over the first 10 minutes after mixing, and gel at about 37° C. in less than about 2.5 hours after mixing to form a gelled mixture.

2 . The inflatable implant of claim 1 , wherein the gelled mixture has a tensile strength of greater than about 20 MPa when fully hydrated.

3 . The inflatable implant of claim 1 , wherein the mixture reaches at least about 70% cure in less than 20 hours.

4 . The inflatable implant of claim 1 , wherein the mixture exhibits less than about 10% creep when it is substantially completely cured.

5 . The inflatable implant of claim 1 , wherein the mixture has a fatigue life longer than about 600 million cycles when loaded at 1.5 MPa.

6 . The inflatable implant of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the inflatable implant is maintained at a temperature below 42° C.

7 . The inflatable implant of claim 1 , wherein

the epoxy resin comprising a first compound having at least one N,N-bis(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)aniline segment and a second compound having at least two oxirane groups on a backbone of no more than five carbons; and

the hardener comprising at least one cycloaliphatic amine.

8 . (canceled)

9 . (canceled)

10 . (canceled)

11 . (canceled)

12 . (canceled)

13 . (canceled)

14 . (canceled)

15 . (canceled)

16 . (canceled)

17 . (canceled)

18 . (canceled)

19 . (canceled)

20 . (canceled)

21 . (canceled)

22 . (canceled)

23 . (canceled)

24 . A prosthetic valve implant delivery system comprising:

a deployment catheter comprising an inflation tube and a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure in communication with the inflation tube; and

an inflation media of any one of claim 1 for inflating the inflatable structure through the inflation tube.

25 . The prosthetic valve implant delivery system of claim 24 , wherein the deployment catheter has an inner diameter of 18 French.

26 . A method of implanting a prosthetic valve within the heart, the method comprising:

translumenally advancing a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure to a position proximate a native valve of the heart;

mixing the epoxy resin and the hardener in the inflation media of any one of claim 1 to form an epoxy mixture; and

inflating the inflatable structure with the epoxy mixture.

27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the epoxy mixture is formed ex-vivo and delivered to the inflatable structure.

28 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the epoxy mixture has an initial viscosity of less than about 50 cps after mixing, and is soluble in an aqueous environment.

29 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the epoxy mixture has a tensile strength of greater than about 40 MPa after becoming fully hydrated.

30 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the epoxy mixture cures to a semi-solid gel in less than about 4 hours at about 37° C.

31 . A method of treating a patient, comprising:

advancing a deployment catheter to a position proximate a native valve of the heart, the deployment catheter comprising an inflation tube and a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure in communication with the inflation tube;

deploying the prosthetic valve at the cardiovascular site;

inflating the inflatable structure with an epoxy mixture comprising the inflation media of any one of claim 1 through the inflation tube; and

detaching the deployment catheter from the prosthetic valve and removing the deployment catheter from the patient.