US5028339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Polymer matrix and method for retaining reactants in a polymer matrix
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-02-09
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Granted: 1991-07-02
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Expires: 2010-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A method for holding a reactant in a polymer includes combining reactant, hydrogel monomer and a quenching surrogate in a solvent, whereby the solvation of the reactant and the monomer is reduced. The monomer is then polymerized to form a polymer matrix formed around the reactant with sufficient intimacy to replicate the molecular shape of the reactant without chemically attaching to or embedding the reactant. The reactant remains accessible for reaction. More than one reactant may be retained by a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix retaining the reactant is also described. The polymer matrix may be sorbed on a substrate, coated on a substrate, cast into shapes or otherwise made available for reaction.
Inventors
- 👤 William T. Clark, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:06
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J20/00; B01J20/28; B01J20/28014; B01J20/28026; A; A61; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/36; A61M1/3679
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A polymer matrix comprising a hydrogel polymer and a reactant retained by the polymer, wherein the hydrogel polymer is formed around reactant molecules with sufficient intimacy to replicate the molecular shape of the reactant, to retain the reactant without chemically attaching to or embedding the reactant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
A polymer matrix comprising a hydrogel polymer and a reactant retained by the polymer, wherein the hydrogel polymer is formed around reactant molecules with sufficient intimacy to replicate the molecular shape of the reactant, to retain the reactant without chemically attaching to or embedding the reactant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A polymer matrix according to claim 1 wherein the formed polymer exhibits profound dispersion-force affinity for the reactant and the polymer retains the reactant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A polymer matrix according to claim 2 wherein the polymer is crosslinked.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A polymer matrix according to claim 3 wherein the polymer contains about 20% to 80% by weight of water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A polymer matrix according to claim 1 wherein the size of the interstices of the polymer matrix is larger than the molecular size of the reactant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A polymer matrix according to claim 1 wherein the size of the interstices of the polymer matrix is smaller than the molecular size of the reactant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A polymer matrix according to claim 1 wherein the hydrogel polymer comprises a polymer formed by a plurality of different monomers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A polymer matrix according to claim 1 wherein the reactant comprises a plurality of different reactants.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A polymer matrix comprising hydrogel polymer wherein the hydrogel polymer replicates the shape of reactant molecules, said reactant molecules then being removed to leave behind phantom shapes which are able to retain reactant molecules of the same shape when said reactant molecules are solutes in a fluid which contacts the phantom shapes in the hydrogel polymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A polymer matrix comprising hydrogel polymer wherein the hydrogel polymer replicates the shape of reactant molecules, said reactant molecules then being removed to leave behind phantom shapes which are able to retain reactant molecules of the same shape when said reactant molecules are solutes in a fluid which contacts the phantom shapes in the hydrogel polymer.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of retaining a reactant in a polymer matrix comprising: combining a reactant, hydrogel monomer and a quenching surrogate in a solvent whereby the solvation of the reactant and the monomer is reduced; and polymerizing the monomer to form a polymer matrix formed around molecules of said reactant with sufficient intimacy to replicate the molecular shape of the reactant, to retain the reactant without chemically attaching to or embedding the reactant.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of retaining a reactant in a polymer matrix comprising: combining a reactant, hydrogel monomer and a quenching surrogate in a solvent whereby the solvation of the reactant and the monomer is reduced; and polymerizing the monomer to form a polymer matrix formed around molecules of said reactant with sufficient intimacy to replicate the molecular shape of the reactant, to retain the reactant without chemically attaching to or embedding the reactant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the polymer contains about 20% to 80% by weight of water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 11 further comprising crosslinking the polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 10 further comprising removing reactant molecules from the polymer matrix whereby the polymer matrix retains phantom shapes of said reactant molecules.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 13 further comprising: contacting the polymer matrix retaining phantom shapes with reactant molecules of the same shape as the removed reactant molecules; and retaining said reactant molecules contacted with the polymer matrix in said phantom shapes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 13 further comprising: separating molecules by providing a polymer matrix with phantom shapes of a target molecule; transporting a mixture of different types of molecules through the polymer matrix; and retaining the target molecule in said phantom shapes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 10 comprising retaining a plurality of different reactants in the polymer matrix.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-01 | 1994-12-31 | 1995-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-01 | 1998-12-31 | 1999-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-01 | 2002-12-31 | 2003-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |