EP0441322A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Segmented copolymers of epsilon-caprolactone and glycolide
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1991-02-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-02-05
Abstract
Abstract Crystalline copolymer comprising the reaction product of: a) a predominant amount of a high molecular weight prepolymer of ε-caprolactone and glycolide, and b) the balance glycolide. A surgical device such as a surgical filament, in particular a surgical suture, prepared by injection molding or melt spinning the crystalline copolymer.
Inventors
- 👤 Rao S. Bezwada
- 👤 Dennis D. Jamiolkowski
- 👤 Shalaby W. Shalaby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:39
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08G; C08G63/00; C08G63/02; C08G63/06; C08G63/08; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06166; A61L; A61L17/00; A61L17/06; A61L17/10; A61L17/105; A61L17/12; A61L31/00; A61L31/04; A61L31/06; A61L31/14; A61L31/148; A61B2017/00004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A crystalline copolymer comprising the reaction product of : a) a predominant amount of a prepolymer of ε-caprolactone and glycolide wherein the inherent viscosity of the prepolymer is between about 0.6 to about 2.0 dl/g as measured in a 0.1 g/dl solution of HFIP at 25°C, and b) the balance glycolide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
The crystalline copolymer of claim 1 wherein the amount of the prepolymer is between about 55 to about 95 mole percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The crystalline copolymer of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inherent viscosity of the prepolymer is between about 0.8 to about 1.6 dl/g.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The crystalline copolymer of any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the mole ratio of ε-caprolactone to glycolide in the prepolymer is between about 70:30 to about 30:70, preferably between about 60:40 to about 40:60.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The crystalline copolymer of any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the prepolymer conversion of monomer to prepolymer is greater than 95 mole precent, preferably greater than 98 mole percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The crystalline copolymer of any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the amount of the prepolymer is between about 60 to about 80 mole precent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A surgical filament prepared by melt spinning the crystalline copolymer of any of the claims 1 to 6.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The surgical filament of claim 7 wherein the Young's Modulus is less than 21 x 10⁸ Pa (300,000 psi), preferably less than 10.5 X 10⁸ pa (150,000 psi).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical filament of claim 7 or 8, wherein the straight tensile strength is at least 35 x 10⁷ Pa (50,000 psi).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The surgical filament of any of the claims 7 to 9, wherein the knot tensile strength is at least 21 x 10⁷ Pa (30,000 psi).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical filament of any of the claims 7 to 10 in the form of a monofilament.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The surgical filament of claim 11 in the form of a suture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical filament of claim 12 wherein the suture is attached to at least one needle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A surgical device fabricated from the crystalline copolymer of any of the claims 1 to 6.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4605730A
Cited
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