US5502092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable material
Assignee: NeoMend Inc
•
Filing: 1994-02-18
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Granted: 1996-03-26
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Expires: 2014-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A process for forming biocompatible porous matrices of bioabsorbable materials comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving the bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying the molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, the first phase being the bioabsorbable polymer and the second phase being the volumetric orientation aid; and d) removing the volumetric orientation aid while the solution is solid; to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer. Also matrices formed by the process and devices made with such matrices.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas H. Barrows
- 👤 Myhanh T. Truong
- 👤 Paul R. Suszko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/50; A61L27/56; A61L27/14; A61L27/18; C; C08; C08L; C08L67/00; C08L67/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/70; Y10S977/788; Y10S977/795
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; and d) then alter said solidifying removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix; to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; and d) then alter said solidifying removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix; to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said bioabsorbable polymer is a solid at 37° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said bioabsorbable polymer comprises one or more of the following: polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polydioxanone, poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(trimethylene carbonate), polyesteramide, polycaprolactone, a copolymer of such polymers, or a mixture of such polymers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said molten solution comprises at least about 20 volume percent of said volumetric orientation aid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said molten solution comprises between about 20 and about 97 volume percent of said volumetric orientation aid and between about 80 and about 3 volume percent of said bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said volumetric orientation aid is a solid at 20° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said volumetric orientation aid degrades to yield similar biodegradation products as said bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said volumetric orientation aid comprises one or more of a monomer or a dimer precursor of said bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said volumetric orientation aid has a weight average molecular weight of less than about 1,000.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said volumetric orientation aid is succinic anhydride.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said volumetric orientation aid is L-lactide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
99 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution by reducing the temperature of said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; d) shaping said orientation matrix; and then e) removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
99 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution by reducing the temperature of said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; d) shaping said orientation matrix; and then e) removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 12 wherein said solidifying is done by spraying said molten solution into a fluid stream.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said spraying is done by spraying said molten solution into a heated gas.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; d) shaping said orientation matrix; and then e) removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; d) shaping said orientation matrix; and then e) removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; d) removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix by leaching with a solvent to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
89 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; d) removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix by leaching with a solvent to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 16 wherein said leaching comprises continuous extraction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 16 wherein said solvent is compatible with said bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
78 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; d) removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix by sublimation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
78 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; d) removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix by sublimation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising combining a voiding agent with said molten solution before solidifying said molten solution.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 20 wherein said voiding agent is a solid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 20 wherein said voiding agent is substantially insoluble in said molten solution, in said bioabsorbable polymer, and in said volumetric orientation aid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 20 wherein said voiding agent is removed from said orientation matrix via leaching.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 20 wherein said voiding agent comprises particles of one or more of the following: sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or calcium chloride.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 20 wherein said voiding agent is soluble in water.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 20 comprising placing said voiding agent in a mold prior to placing said molten solution in said mold.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 20 wherein said voiding agent comprises particles having an average size of from about 50 to about 1000 microns.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
102 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; d) then after said solidifying removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer; and e) soaking said biocompatible matrix in a plasticizing solution comprising plasticizer and solvent.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
102 words
A process for producing a biocompatible porous matrix of bioabsorbable polymer, said process comprising: a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer; b) dissolving said bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution; c) solidifying said molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, said first phase being said bioabsorbable polymer and said second phase being said volumetric orientation aid; d) then after said solidifying removing said volumetric orientation aid from said solid orientation matrix to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer; and e) soaking said biocompatible matrix in a plasticizing solution comprising plasticizer and solvent.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 28 wherein said plasticizer is one or more of: glyceryl triacetate or a citrate ester.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 28 wherein said solvent is one or more of: acetone or cyclohexane.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 28 further comprising compressing said biocompatible matrix while said matrix is soaked with said plasticizing solution.
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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) | 1999-03-26 | 1999-09-25 | 2000-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-26 | 2003-09-25 | 2004-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-09-25 | 2008-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |