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EP0441322A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

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
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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 14:42
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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