A radially expandable device having a body constructed of a generally
inelastic, expanded fluoropolymer material is described. The body is
deployable upon application of a radial expansion force from a reduced
diameter, collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration having a
pre-defined and fixed increased diameter. The body has a singular,
unitary construction of generally homogenous material that is
characterized by a seamless construction of expanded fluoropolymer
material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and is
preferably constructed through an extrusion and expansion process. The
body is further characterized by a microstructure of nodes interconnected
by fibrils in which substantially all the nodes of the body are oriented
generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body. The
monolithic construction of the body and the orientation of the nodes,
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body, yields a radially
expandable device that predictably and dependably expands to a
predefined, fixed maximum diameter that is generally independent of the
expansion force used to radially expand the device. In addition, the
microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils provides at least one
predetermined flow rate of fluid therethrough over a range of fluid
pressures.