Patent US4633725A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0321176B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Molecularly oriented thermoplastic member and process of forming same
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson Professional Inc
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Filing: 1988-12-13
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Granted: 1995-02-08
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Expires: 2008-12-13
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Deger Tunc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:22
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C55/00; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L31/00; A61L31/04; A61L31/06; B29C55/005; B29C55/02; B29C55/04; A61B17/72; A61B17/80; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B2017/00004; B29K; B29K2067/00; B29K2067/04; B29K2067/046; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0059
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
The process of forming a self-supporting high strength thermoplastic member comprising the steps of: providing a thermoplastic polymer capable of being absorbed in an animal body; melting the thermoplastic polymer; cooling the thermoplastic polymer to a temperature below its glass transition temperature to cause nucleation and to form a self-supporting member; reheating the self-supporting member to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polymer, but below its melting temperature; applying tension to the self-supporting member during said reheating step; cooling the reheated self-supporting member while maintaining the tension applied thereto; and discontinuing the application of tension after the self-supporting member has cooled to permit the self-supporting member to relax.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
The process of forming a self-supporting high strength thermoplastic member comprising the steps of: providing a thermoplastic polymer capable of being absorbed in an animal body; melting the thermoplastic polymer; cooling the thermoplastic polymer to a temperature below its glass transition temperature to cause nucleation and to form a self-supporting member; reheating the self-supporting member to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polymer, but below its melting temperature; applying tension to the self-supporting member during said reheating step; cooling the reheated self-supporting member while maintaining the tension applied thereto; and discontinuing the application of tension after the self-supporting member has cooled to permit the self-supporting member to relax.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of Claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic polymer is melted by processing it in an extruder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein tension is applied to said member during said initial cooling step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the initial cooling step is performed by exposing the member to a cooling fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of Claim 4 wherein said cooling fluid is air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of Claim 4 wherein said cooling fluid is water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of Claim 6 wherein the water is applied by spraying.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of Claim 6 wherein the member is cooled by immersing it in a water bath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of Claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic polymer is melted by processing it in an injection molder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of Claim 9 wherein the thermoplastic polymer is molded into the shape of a rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the ends of said rod are annealed before said reheating step.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said member is preheated during said reheating step prior to the application of tension.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the step of applying tension is performed by effecting relative longitudinal movement between two spaced points on said member at a given rate until a predetermined load is applied, and then gradually reducing the rate of said relative movement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the final cooling step is performed by exposing the member to a cooling fluid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of Claim 14 wherein the cooling fluid is water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of Claim 3 wherein the tension applied to said member during said initial cooling step is at a draw ratio of 3 or less.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 16 wherein the tension applied to said member during said reheating and final cooling steps is greater than the tension applied during said initial cooling step.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 16 wherein the tension applied to said member during said reheating and final cooling step is at a draw ratio of between 3 and 10.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to any preceding claim wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a polylactide polymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 19 wherein the tension is applied to the self-supporting member at a controlled rate at a draw ratio of from 2 to 12 times the original formed length of the member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
99 words
A self-supporting high strength member obtainable by a process according to any preceding claim formed of a thermoplastic polymeric material capable of being absorbed in an animal body, said self-supporting member having a shape defined by final length and cross-sectional dimensions, the final dimensions of said self-supporting member being substantially different than the initial dimensions of a preformed member, the final length of said self-supporting member being at least twice the initial length of said preformed member and the final cross-sectional dimension of said self-supporting member being less than 50% of the initial cross-sectional dimension of said preformed member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
Use of a self-supporting high strength member according to claim 21 for the manufacture of a bone fixation device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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