US6388043B1
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Shape memory polymers
Assignee: GKSS Forshungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
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Filing: 1999-02-23
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Granted: 2002-05-14
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Expires: 2019-02-23
Abstract
Abstract Shape memory polymer compositions, articles of manufacture thereof, and methods of preparation and use thereof are described. The shape memory polymer compositions can hold more than one shape in memory. Suitable compositions include at least one hard segment and at least one soft segment. The Ttrans of the hard segment is preferably between -30 and 270° C. At least one of the hard or soft segments can contain a crosslinkable group, and the segments can be linked by formation of an interpenetrating network or a semi-interpenetrating network, or by physical interactions of the blocks. Objects can be formed into a given shape at a temperature above the Ttrans of the hard segment, and cooled to a temperature below the Ttrans of the soft segment. If the object is subsequently formed into a second shape, the object can return to its original shape by heating the object above the Ttrans of the soft segment and below the Ttrans of the hard segment. The compositions can also include two soft segments which are linked via functional groups which are cleaved in response to application of light, electric field, magnetic field or ultrasound. The cleavage of these groups causes the object to return to its original shape.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Langer
- 👤 Andreas Lendlein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K5/00; G01K5/48; G01K5/483; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/003; C; C08; C08L; C08L101/00; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B2017/00871; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S525/00; Y10S525/903; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/70; Y10S977/754
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
12 words
A shape memory polymer composition having at least two shapes in memory.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
12 words
A shape memory polymer composition having at least two shapes in memory.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
The composition of claim 1 comprising: a) at least one hard segment which has a T trans between −40 and 270° C., b) a first soft segment which has a T trans at least 10° C. lower than that of the hard segment(s), which is linked to at least one hard segment, c) a second soft segment, linked to at least one of the hard segment or first soft segment, which has a T trans at least 10° C. less than the T trans of the first soft segment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composition of claim 2 wherein the T trans of the hard segment is in the range of between 30 and 150° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composition of claim 3 wherein the T trans of the hard segment is in the range of between 30 and 100° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composition of claim 2 wherein the T trans of the first soft segment(s) is at least 20° C. below that of the hard segment(s).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition of claim 2 wherein the T trans of the second soft segment(s) is at least 20° C. below that of the first soft segment(s).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the shape memory polymer comprises a thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises multiple segments, and the molecular weight M n of at least one of the segments is between about 500 and 10,000.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the shape memory polymer is selected from the group consisting of graft polymers, linear polymers, and dendrimer polymers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises hard and soft segments and the hard segment comprises cyclic moieties.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composition of claim 10 wherein the moieties are selected from the group consisting of crown ethers and cyclic oligopeptides.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the shape memory polymer is biodegradable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The composition of claim 12 wherein the polymer comprises hard and soft segments and at least one of the hard and soft segments is selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxy acids, polyorthoesters, polyether esters, polyesters, polyamides, polyesteramides, polydepsidpetides, aliphatic polymrethanes, polysaccharides, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and copolymers thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composition of claim 13 wherein the polyether ester is selected from the group consisting of oligo (p-dioxanone) and its copolymers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises at least two soft segments and the segments are connected via a linkage that is cleavable by application of a stimuli selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, electric field, magnetic field, and light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises at least one hard segment and at least one soft segments, wherein the ratio by weight of the hard segment:soft segment is between about 5:95 and 95:5.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The composition of claim 1 comprising a thermoset polymer that comprises at least two covalently crosslinked soft segments, wherein a first soft segment has a T trans between 250° C. and 40° C.; and a second soft segment linked to the first soft segment has a T trans at least 10° C. less than the T trans of the first soft segment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composition of claim 17 wherein the first soft segment has a T trans between 200° C. and 0° C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The composition of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the soft segiments contains a crosslinkable group, and wherein at least one of the soft segments are linked by formation of an interpenetrating network or a semi-intepenetrating network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 17 wherein the soft segments form a mixed interpenetrating network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composition of claim 17 wherein the soft segments form a shape memory semi-IPN consisting of a thermoset polymer having at least one soft segment and a homo- or copolymer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composition of claim 21 wherein the resulting semi-IPN has a highest T trans in the range of 200 and −40C.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 21 wherein the thermoset polymer is degradable.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The composition of claim 21 wherein the homo- or copolymer or thermoset copolymer is degradable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composition of claim 21 having a multi shape memory where the number of shapes in memory is the same as the number of thermal transitions of the polymer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composition of claim 1 comprising a shape memory IPN comprising an interpenetrating network of thermoset polymers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The composition of claim 1 comprising a shape memory mixed-IPN comprising a thermoplastic elastomer containing at least one hard segment and at least one soft segment and a thermoset containing at least one soft segment.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
96 words
A shape memory polymer composition comprising: a) at least one hard segment which has a T trans between −30 and 270° C., b) at least one soft segment which has a T trans at least 10° C. lower than that of the hard segment(s), which is linked to at least one hard segment, wherein at least one of the hard or soft segments includes a functional group which is able to form a crosslink that can be cleaved under application of a stimuli selected from the group consisting of light, electric field, magnetic field, and ultrasound.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
96 words
A shape memory polymer composition comprising: a) at least one hard segment which has a T trans between −30 and 270° C., b) at least one soft segment which has a T trans at least 10° C. lower than that of the hard segment(s), which is linked to at least one hard segment, wherein at least one of the hard or soft segments includes a functional group which is able to form a crosslink that can be cleaved under application of a stimuli selected from the group consisting of light, electric field, magnetic field, and ultrasound.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
A shape memory polymer composition comprising hard and soft segments wherein at least one of the hard and soft segments undergoing solid to solid state transitions wherein the polymer has two or more shapes in memory.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
A shape memory polymer composition comprising hard and soft segments wherein at least one of the hard and soft segments undergoing solid to solid state transitions wherein the polymer has two or more shapes in memory.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
A shape memory polymer composition wherein the polymer has a physical crosslink on the basis of ionic interactions involving polyelectrolyte segments or supramolecular effects based on highly organized hydrogen bonds and wherein the polymer has two or more shapes in memory.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
A shape memory polymer composition wherein the polymer has a physical crosslink on the basis of ionic interactions involving polyelectrolyte segments or supramolecular effects based on highly organized hydrogen bonds and wherein the polymer has two or more shapes in memory.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for forming a shape memory article with two or more shapes in memory comprising: a) preparing a shape memory polymer composition comprising: i) at least one hard segment which has a T trans between −30 and 270° C., ii) a first soft segment which has a T trans at least 10° C. lower than that of the hard segment(s), which is linked to at least one hard segment, iii) a second soft segment, linked to at least one of the hard segment and first soft segment, which has a T trans at least 10° C. less than the T trans of the first soft segment; b) heating the composition above the T trans of the hard segment; c) shaping the composition to form a desired first shape; d) cooling the composition to a temperature below the T trans of the hard segment and above the T trans of the first soft segment to harden the hard segment while keeping the first and second soft segments in a melted or amorphous state; e) shaping the composition to form a desired second shape; f) cooling the composition below T trans of the first soft segment and above the T trans of the second soft segment to fix the second shape; g) shaping the composition to form a desired third shape; and h) cooling the composition below the T trans of the second soft segment to fix the third shape.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for forming a shape memory article with two or more shapes in memory comprising: a) preparing a shape memory polymer composition comprising: i) at least one hard segment which has a T trans between −30 and 270° C., ii) a first soft segment which has a T trans at least 10° C. lower than that of the hard segment(s), which is linked to at least one hard segment, iii) a second soft segment, linked to at least one of the hard segment and first soft segment, which has a T trans at least 10° C. less than the T trans of the first soft segment; b) heating the composition above the T trans of the hard segment; c) shaping the composition to form a desired first shape; d) cooling the composition to a temperature below the T trans of the hard segment and above the T trans of the first soft segment to harden the hard segment while keeping the first and second soft segments in a melted or amorphous state; e) shaping the composition to form a desired second shape; f) cooling the composition below T trans of the first soft segment and above the T trans of the second soft segment to fix the second shape; g) shaping the composition to form a desired third shape; and h) cooling the composition below the T trans of the second soft segment to fix the third shape.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the composition is shaped by extrusion or injection molding.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising heating the composition above the T trans of the second soft segment to return the composition to the second shape.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 33 further comprising heating the composition above the T trans of the first soft segment to return the composition to the first shape.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 34 further comprising heating the composition above the T trans of the hard segment, thereby causing the composition to lose the memory of the first and second shapes.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of forming a composition with a shape in memory comprising: a) preparing a polymeric composition comprising: i) at least one hard segment which has a T trans between −30 and 270° C., ii) at least one soft segment which has a T trans at least 10° C. lower than that of the hard segment(s), which is linked to at least one hard segment, wherein at least one of the hard or soft segments includes a functional group which is able to form a crosslink that can be cleaved under application of a stimuli selected from the group consisting of light, electric field, magnetic field, and ultrasound; b) heating the composition above the T trans of the hard segment; c) shaping the composition to form a desired first shape; d) cooling the composition to a temperature below the T trans of the hard segment and above the T trans of the soft segment; e) shaping the composition to form a desired second shape; and f) fixing the second shape by forming cleavable crosslinks.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of forming a composition with a shape in memory comprising: a) preparing a polymeric composition comprising: i) at least one hard segment which has a T trans between −30 and 270° C., ii) at least one soft segment which has a T trans at least 10° C. lower than that of the hard segment(s), which is linked to at least one hard segment, wherein at least one of the hard or soft segments includes a functional group which is able to form a crosslink that can be cleaved under application of a stimuli selected from the group consisting of light, electric field, magnetic field, and ultrasound; b) heating the composition above the T trans of the hard segment; c) shaping the composition to form a desired first shape; d) cooling the composition to a temperature below the T trans of the hard segment and above the T trans of the soft segment; e) shaping the composition to form a desired second shape; and f) fixing the second shape by forming cleavable crosslinks.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising g) forming the composition into a third shape and cooling below T trans of the soft segment.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 37 further comprising returning the composition into the second shape by heating above T trans of soft segment but lower than T trans of hard segment.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 38 further comprising returning the composition into the first shape by application of a stimulus selected from the group consisting of light, electric field, magnetic field, and ultrasound.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of any of claims 1 , 28 or 29 comprising polymer blends.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The composition of claim 30 , wherein a polycationic metal salt links at least two segments, wherein the link formed can be cleaved using an aqueous solvent.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the shape memory polymer comprises a covalently crosslinked polymer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
71 words
The composition of claim 1 further comprising a shape memory thermoset polymer which comprises at least one covalently crosslinked soft segment, the covalently crosslinked soft segment having a T trans between −30 C and 270 C and comprising a functional group which is able to form a second crosslink which can be cleaved by application of a stimuli selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, electric field, magnetic field, and light.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 27 wherein the thermnoplgstic elastomer is degradable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-05-13 | 2005-11-12 | 2006-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-13 | 2009-11-12 | 2010-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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