US5252701A — Segmented absorbable copolymer

Claim 1

Independent Claim 149 words

A copolymer comprising a bioabsorbable, segmented molecular architecture having at least two different ester linkages, the segmented molecular architecture comprising a plurality of fast transesterifying linkages having a segment length distribution of greater than 1.3, and a plurality of slow transesterifying linkages, with the proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages consisting essentially of glycolate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate and caproate linkages, the segment length distribution of said fast transesterifying linkages is up to 2.0 and the number average segment length of said slow transesterifying linkages is greater that 2.5 linkages per segment and with the further proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages consisting essentially of lactate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate linkages, the lactate linkages comprise greater than 60 to less than 80 mole percent of the copolymer.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 149 words

A copolymer comprising a bioabsorbable, segmented molecular architecture having at least two different ester linkages, the segmented molecular architecture comprising a plurality of fast transesterifying linkages having a segment length distribution of greater than 1.3, and a plurality of slow transesterifying linkages, with the proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages consisting essentially of glycolate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate and caproate linkages, the segment length distribution of said fast transesterifying linkages is up to 2.0 and the number average segment length of said slow transesterifying linkages is greater that 2.5 linkages per segment and with the further proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages consisting essentially of lactate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate linkages, the lactate linkages comprise greater than 60 to less than 80 mole percent of the copolymer.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 13 words

The copolymer of claim 1 wherein said fast transesterifying linkages comprise lactate linkages.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 13 words

The copolymer of claim 1 wherein said fast transesterifying linkages comprise glycolate linkages.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

The copolymer of claim 1 wherein said fast transesterifying linkages comprise lactate and glycolate linkages.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

The copolymer of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein the slow transesterifying linkages are selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate, caproate and dioxanone linkages.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

The copolymer of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein said slow transesterifying linkages comprise trimethylene carbonate linkages.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The copolymer of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein said slow transesterifying linkages comprise caproate linkages.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 33 words

The copolymer of claim 2 wherein the lactate linkages have a crystallinity of less than about 40 percent based on differential scanning calorimetry and a melting point of less than about 170° C.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 33 words

The copolymer of claim 3 wherein the glycolate linkages have a crystallinity of less than about 30 percent based on differential scanning calorimetry and a melting point of less than about 215° C.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 76 words

A copolymer comprising a bioabsorbable, segmented molecular architecture having a plurality of lactate linkages, the segment length distribution of said lactate linkages being greater than 1.3, the crystallinity being less than about 40 percent based on differential scanning calorimetry and the melting point being less than about 170° C., and a plurality of trimethylene carbonate linkages, with the proviso that the lactate linkages comprise greater than 60 to less than 80 mole percent of the copolymer.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 76 words

A copolymer comprising a bioabsorbable, segmented molecular architecture having a plurality of lactate linkages, the segment length distribution of said lactate linkages being greater than 1.3, the crystallinity being less than about 40 percent based on differential scanning calorimetry and the melting point being less than about 170° C., and a plurality of trimethylene carbonate linkages, with the proviso that the lactate linkages comprise greater than 60 to less than 80 mole percent of the copolymer.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 202 words

An article of manufacture selected from the group consisting of a molding resin, extrusion pellets, film and a controlled release device, each of the articles in said group comprising a copolymer, the copolymer having a bioabsorbable, synthetic, segmented molecular architecture, the segmented molecular architecture comprising a plurality of fast transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of lactate and glycolate linkages, and mixtures thereof, the fast transesterifying linkages having a segment length distribution of greater than 1.3, and a plurality of slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate, caproate and dioxanone linkages, with the proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages predominately comprising glycolate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate and caproate linkages, the segment length distribution of said fast transesterifying linkages is up to 2.0 and the number average segment length of said slow transesterifying linkages is greater than 2.5 linkages per segment and with the further proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages consisting essentially of lactate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate linkages, the lactate linkages comprise greater than 60 to less than 80 mole percent of the copolymer.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 202 words

An article of manufacture selected from the group consisting of a molding resin, extrusion pellets, film and a controlled release device, each of the articles in said group comprising a copolymer, the copolymer having a bioabsorbable, synthetic, segmented molecular architecture, the segmented molecular architecture comprising a plurality of fast transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of lactate and glycolate linkages, and mixtures thereof, the fast transesterifying linkages having a segment length distribution of greater than 1.3, and a plurality of slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate, caproate and dioxanone linkages, with the proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages predominately comprising glycolate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate and caproate linkages, the segment length distribution of said fast transesterifying linkages is up to 2.0 and the number average segment length of said slow transesterifying linkages is greater than 2.5 linkages per segment and with the further proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages consisting essentially of lactate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate linkages, the lactate linkages comprise greater than 60 to less than 80 mole percent of the copolymer.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 13 words

The article of claim 11 wherein said fast transesterifying linkages comprise lactate linkages.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 13 words

The article of claim 11 wherein said fast transesterifying linkages comprise glycolate linkages.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 15 words

The article of claim 11 wherein said fast transesterifying linkages comprise lactate and glycolate linkages.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 22 words

The article of claim 11 wherein said slow transesterifying linkages are selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate and caproate linkages.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 9 words

The article of claim 11 comprising a molding resin.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 8 words

The article of claim 11 comprising extrusion pellets.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 8 words

The article of claim 11 comprising a film.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 182 words

An article comprising a sterile surgical element manufactured from a copolymer, the copolymer having a bioabsorbable, synthetic, segmented molecular architecture, the segmented molecular architecture comprising a plurality of fast transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of lactate and glycolate linkages, and mixtures thereof, the fast transesterifying linkages having a segment length distribution of greater than 1.3, and a plurality of slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate, caproate and dioxanone linkages, with the proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages predominately comprising glycolate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate and caproate linkages, the segment length distribution of said fast transesterifying linkages is up to 2.0 and the number average segment length of said slow transesterifying linkages is greater than 2.5 linkages per segment and with the further proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages consisting essentially of lactate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate linkages, the lactate linkages comprise greater than 60 to less than 80 mole percent of the copolymer.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 182 words

An article comprising a sterile surgical element manufactured from a copolymer, the copolymer having a bioabsorbable, synthetic, segmented molecular architecture, the segmented molecular architecture comprising a plurality of fast transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of lactate and glycolate linkages, and mixtures thereof, the fast transesterifying linkages having a segment length distribution of greater than 1.3, and a plurality of slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate, caproate and dioxanone linkages, with the proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages predominately comprising glycolate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate and caproate linkages, the segment length distribution of said fast transesterifying linkages is up to 2.0 and the number average segment length of said slow transesterifying linkages is greater than 2.5 linkages per segment and with the further proviso that for said fast transesterifying linkages consisting essentially of lactate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate linkages, the lactate linkages comprise greater than 60 to less than 80 mole percent of the copolymer.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 35 words

The article in any one of claims 12 to 15 or 19 wherein the sterile surgical element comprises at least one filament, the filament having a Young's modulus of from about 100,000 to 700,000 psi.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 8 words

The article of claim 20 comprising a monofilament.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 10 words

The article of claim 21 comprising a suture or ligature.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 50 words

The article of claim 22 wherein the suture or ligature has a diameter of from about 0.02 to 0.70 mm; a Young's modulus of less than about 500,000 psi; a tensile strength of from about 50,000 to 150,000 psi; and an elongation to break of less than about 50 percent.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 10 words

The article of claim 11 comprising a controlled release device.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 10 words

The article of claim 24 comprising a plurality of microspheres.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 14 words

The article of claim 24 in combination with a pharmaceutically or agronomically active ingredient.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 12 words

The article of claim 24 in combination with a polypeptide or protein.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 165 words

A process for manufacturing a copolymer having a bioabsorbable, segmented molecular architecture, the process comprising: employing sequential addition of at least two different cyclic ester monomers in at least two stages, the first cyclic ester monomer selected from the group consisting of carbonates and lactones, and mixtures thereof, and the second cyclic ester monomer selected from the group consisting of lactides and mixtures thereof, the sequential addition comprising: I. first polymerizing in a first stage at least said first cyclic ester monomer in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of from about 160° to 220° C. to obtain a first polymer melt; II. adding at least said second cyclic ester monomer to the first polymer melt; and III. second copolymerizing in a second stage said first polymer melt with at least said second cyclic ester monomer to obtain a second copolymer melt; and transesterifying the second copolymer melt for up to about 5 hours at a temperature of greater than about 180° Centigrade.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 165 words

A process for manufacturing a copolymer having a bioabsorbable, segmented molecular architecture, the process comprising: employing sequential addition of at least two different cyclic ester monomers in at least two stages, the first cyclic ester monomer selected from the group consisting of carbonates and lactones, and mixtures thereof, and the second cyclic ester monomer selected from the group consisting of lactides and mixtures thereof, the sequential addition comprising: I. first polymerizing in a first stage at least said first cyclic ester monomer in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of from about 160° to 220° C. to obtain a first polymer melt; II. adding at least said second cyclic ester monomer to the first polymer melt; and III. second copolymerizing in a second stage said first polymer melt with at least said second cyclic ester monomer to obtain a second copolymer melt; and transesterifying the second copolymer melt for up to about 5 hours at a temperature of greater than about 180° Centigrade.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 40 words

The process of claim 28 wherein the employing substep I comprises first polymerizing in the first stage from about 80 mole percent of said first cyclic ester monomer, the remaining mole percentage, if any, comprising said second cyclic ester monomer.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 29 words

The process of claim 29 wherein said employing substep I comprises first polymerizing in said first stage up to about 90 mole percent of said first cyclic ester monomer.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 40 words

The process of claim 28 or 29 or 30 wherein the employing substep II comprises adding more than about 80 mole percent of said second cyclic ester monomer, the remaining mole percentage, if any, comprising said first cyclic ester monomer.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 21 words

The process of claim 31 wherein said employing substep II comprises adding 100 mole percent of said second cyclic ester monomer.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 206 words

A process for manufacturing a copolymer having a bioabsorbable, segmented molecular architecture, the process comprising: employing sequential addition of at least two different cyclic ester monomers in three stages, the first cyclic ester monomer selected from the group consisting of carbonates and lactones, and mixtures thereof, and the second cyclic ester monomer selected from the group consisting of lactides and mixtures thereof, the sequential addition comprising: I. first polymerizing in a first stage at least said first cyclic ester monomer in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of from about 160° to 220° C. to obtain a first polymer melt; II. first adding at least said second cyclic ester monomer to the first polymer melt; III. second copolymerizing in a second stage said first polymer melt with at least said second cyclic ester monomer to obtain a second copolymer melt; IV. second adding at least said second cyclic ester monomer to the second copolymer melt; and V. third copolymerizing in a third stage said second copolymer melt with at least said second cyclic ester monomer to obtain a third copolymer melt; and transesterifying the third copolymer melt for up to about 5 hours at a temperature of greater than about greater than 180° centigrade.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 206 words

A process for manufacturing a copolymer having a bioabsorbable, segmented molecular architecture, the process comprising: employing sequential addition of at least two different cyclic ester monomers in three stages, the first cyclic ester monomer selected from the group consisting of carbonates and lactones, and mixtures thereof, and the second cyclic ester monomer selected from the group consisting of lactides and mixtures thereof, the sequential addition comprising: I. first polymerizing in a first stage at least said first cyclic ester monomer in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of from about 160° to 220° C. to obtain a first polymer melt; II. first adding at least said second cyclic ester monomer to the first polymer melt; III. second copolymerizing in a second stage said first polymer melt with at least said second cyclic ester monomer to obtain a second copolymer melt; IV. second adding at least said second cyclic ester monomer to the second copolymer melt; and V. third copolymerizing in a third stage said second copolymer melt with at least said second cyclic ester monomer to obtain a third copolymer melt; and transesterifying the third copolymer melt for up to about 5 hours at a temperature of greater than about greater than 180° centigrade.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 40 words

The process of claim 33 wherein the employing substep I comprises first polymerizing in the first stage from about 80 mole percent of said first cyclic ester monomer, the remaining mole percentage, if any, comprising said second cyclic ester monomer.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 29 words

The process of claim 34 wherein said employing substep I comprises first polymerizing in said first stage up to about 90 mole percent of said first cyclic ester monomer.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 42 words

The process of claim 33 or 34 or 35 wherein the employing substeps II and/or IV comprise adding more than about 80 mole percent of said second cyclic ester monomer, the remaining mole percentage, if any, comprising said first cyclic ester monomer.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 23 words

The process of claim 36 wherein said employing substeps II and/or IV comprise adding 100 mole percent of said second cyclic ester monomer.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 25 words

The process of claim 28 or 30 or 33 or 35 wherein the employing step comprises polymerizing in the presence of a metal coordination catalyst.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 23 words

The process of claim 28 or 30 or 33 or 35 wherein the employing step comprises polymerizing in the presence of an initiator.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 28 words

The process of claim 39 wherein said employing step comprises polymerizing in the presence of an initiator selected from the group consisting of a monofunctional and polyfunctional alcohol.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-10-11	1997-04-12	1997-10-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-10-11	2001-04-12	2001-10-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-10-11	2005-04-12	2005-10-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Segmented absorbable copolymer

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