US4605730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical articles of copolymers of glycolide and ε-caprolactone and methods of producing the same
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1985-06-10
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Granted: 1986-08-12
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Expires: 2005-06-10
Abstract
Abstract Novel copolymers of ε-caprolactone and glycolide useful in making surgical articles and particularly surgical sutures having Young's modulus of less than 250,000 psi. New and improved polymerization methods for producing the novel ε-caprolactone and glycolide copolymers.
Inventors
- 👤 Shalaby W. Shalaby
- 👤 Dennis D. Jamiolkowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 19:06
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08G; C08G63/00; C08G63/02; C08G63/06; C08G63/08; A; A61; A61L; A61L17/00; A61L17/06; A61L17/10; A61L17/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A process for producing a copolymer of glycolide and ε-caprolactone comprising: forming a low molecular weight pre-polymer of ε-caprolactone and glycolide, said pre-polymer comprising more than 50 weight percent of ε-caprolactone, and being produced at a temperature of below 220° C., and adding additional glycolide to said pre-polymer and polymerizing said mixture containing the additional glycolide at a temperature above 140° C. for a period of time sufficient to produce a conversion to copolymer of at least 80 percent and copolymer having a crystallinity of at least 5 percent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A process for producing a copolymer of glycolide and ε-caprolactone comprising: forming a low molecular weight pre-polymer of ε-caprolactone and glycolide, said pre-polymer comprising more than 50 weight percent of ε-caprolactone, and being produced at a temperature of below 220° C., and adding additional glycolide to said pre-polymer and polymerizing said mixture containing the additional glycolide at a temperature above 140° C. for a period of time sufficient to produce a conversion to copolymer of at least 80 percent and copolymer having a crystallinity of at least 5 percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the pre-polymer has at least 60 weight percent ε-caprolactone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the low molecular weight pre-polymer is produced using metal salt or metal oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein from about 0.004 to 0.02 weight percent of catalyst is used.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein the catalyst is stannous octoate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 5 wherein a conversion to copolymer of at least 90 percent is obtained.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1989-08-11 | 1990-02-10 | 1990-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-11 | 1994-02-10 | 1994-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-11 | 1998-02-10 | 1998-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |