US4906379A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hydrophilic article and method of producing same
Assignee: Membrex Inc
•
Filing: 1988-01-28
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Granted: 1990-03-06
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Expires: 2008-01-28
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a matrix comprising molecules of a suitable polymer which provides solely on the surface of the matrix sufficient uncharged substituted amide groups to render the surface hydrophilic. The invention also provides an article of manufacture comprising the matrix. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of producing a matrix having a hydrophilic surface which comprises treating molecules of a suitable polymer so as to provide solely on the surface of the matrix sufficient uncharged, hydrophilic substituted amide groups to render the surface hydrophilic. Another embodiment of the invention concerns improved methods of filtration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, dialysis, prevaporation, sieving, affinity chromatography, affinity purification, affinity separation, or affinity adsorption which comprises using the article of manufacture.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard T. Hodgins
- 👤 Edgar Samuelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:14
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D67/00; B01D67/0081; B01D67/0093; B01D67/00931; B01D71/00; B01D71/06; B01D71/40; B01D71/42; B01D71/421; B01J; B01J20/00; B01J20/30; B01J20/32; B01J20/3202; B01J20/3206; B01J20/3208; B01J20/3212; B01J20/3231; B01J20/3242; B01J20/3268; B01J20/3272; B01J20/3274; B01J20/3276; B01J20/328; B01J20/3282; B01J20/3285; B01J20/3291; B01D2323/00; B01D2323/30; B01D2323/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 79
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
A matrix comprising molecules of a nitrile-containing polymer which provides solely on the surface of the matrix sufficient uncharged, substituted amide groups to render the surface hydrophilic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
A matrix comprising molecules of a nitrile-containing polymer which provides solely on the surface of the matrix sufficient uncharged, substituted amide groups to render the surface hydrophilic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
A matrix of claim 1, wherein the polymer is a homopolymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
A matrix of claim 1, wherein the polymer is a copolymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A matrix of claim 3, wherein the uncharged, substituted amide groups are attached to less than all the monomers of the copolymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A matrix of claim 1, wherein the polymer is blended with other polymers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A matrix of claim 1, wherein the polymer is grafted to another polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A matrix of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic surface has a contact angle of less than about 30 degrees when measured in a pH between 2 and 12.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A matrix of claim 7, wherein the hydrophilic surface has a contact angle less than about 15 degrees.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A matrix of claim 1, wherein the substituted amide groups are derived from nitrile groups of the nitrile-containing polymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A matrix of claim 1, wherein the substituted amide groups are grafted to the polymer or attached to monomers which are grafted to the polymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
A matrix of claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises an acrylonitrile-type monomer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A matrix of claim 11, wherein the acrylonitrile-type monomer is acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A matrix of claim 12, wherein the substituted amide groups comprises N-methylolamide groups.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A matrix of claim 13, wherein the N-methylolamide groups are defined from nitrile groups of the nitrile-containing polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A matrix of claim 13, wherein the N-methylolamide groups are grafted to the polymer or attached to monomers which are grafted to the polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The matrix of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of ligands attached to a portion of the substituted amide groups.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A matrix of claim 16, wherein each of the ligands comprises a bio-selective affinity group.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
A matrix of claim 16, wherein the bio-selective, affinity group comprises a nucleic acid, polynuclotide, monosaccharide, polysaccharide, lipid, amino acid, peptide, protein, hormone, vitamin, metabolic co-factor, drug, antibiotic or a combination thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A matrix of claim 17, wherein each of the ligands comprise a coupling molecule disposed between the substituted amide group and the bio-selective affinity group.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The matrix of claim 1, wherein molecules of the polymer are crosslinked to other such molecules.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A matrix of claim 20, wherein the substituted amide groups are N-methylolamide groups and wherein the crosslinking is by means of a methylene-bis-amide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
A matrix comprising molecules of a nitrile-containing polymer having reactive pendent groups which provides solely on the surface of the matrix sufficient uncharged, hydrophilic polar groups to render the surface hydrophilic, the polar groups having been obtained by derivatization of the reactive pendent groups of the polymer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
A matrix comprising molecules of a nitrile-containing polymer having reactive pendent groups which provides solely on the surface of the matrix sufficient uncharged, hydrophilic polar groups to render the surface hydrophilic, the polar groups having been obtained by derivatization of the reactive pendent groups of the polymer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
A matrix of claim 22, wherein the reactive pendent groups are nitrile groups.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
A matrix of claim 23, wherein the polar groups are substituted amide groups.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A matrix of claim 24, wherein the polymer comprises an acrylonitrile-type monomer and the substituted amide groups comprise N-methylolamide groups.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A matrix of claim 25 further comprising a plurality of ligands attached to a portion of the N-methylolamide groups.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
A matrix of claim 26, wherein each of the ligands comprises a bio-selective affinity group.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A matrix of claim 25, wherein the molecules of the polymer are crosslinked to other such molecules by means of methylene-bis-amide.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
An article of manufacture comprising the matrix of claim 1 or 22.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
An article of claim 29, wherein at least a portion of the exterior of the article comprises the hydrophilic surface of the matrix.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
An article of claim 29, wherein the hydrophilic surface of the matrix defines pores.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
10 words
An article of claim 31, wherein the article is porous.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article of claim 32, wherein the article is a filter, membrane, bead, non-spherical particle, hollow fiber, solid fiber, rod, fabric, screen or separation medium.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article of claim 29, wherein the article is a porous membrane, the polymer comprises acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile, and the substituted amide groups are N-methylolamide groups.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article of claim 34, wherein the molecules of the polymer are crosslinked to other such molecules.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
10 words
An article of claim 29, wherein the article is non-porous.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article of claim 36, wherein the article is a bead, non-spherical particle, hollow fiber, solid fiber, rod, sheet, or separation medium.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
An article of claim 36, wherein the polymer comprises acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile and the substituted amide groups are N-methylolamide.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article of claim 38, wherein the molecules of the polymer are crosslinked to other such molecules.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of producing a matrix having a hydrophilic surface which comprises treating molecules of a nitrile-containing polymer so as to provide solely on the surface of the matrix sufficient uncharged substituted amide groups to render the surface hydrophilic.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of producing a matrix having a hydrophilic surface which comprises treating molecules of a nitrile-containing polymer so as to provide solely on the surface of the matrix sufficient uncharged substituted amide groups to render the surface hydrophilic.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 40, wherein the treating comprises contacting the molecules of the polymer with an aldehyde or an aldehyde-generating compound.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
An method of claim 41, wherein the polymer is contacted with formaldehyde.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method of claim 41, wherein the aldehyde-generating compound comprises dimethoxymethane, trioxane, or paraformaldehyde.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 41, wherein contacting with the aldehyde or aldehyde-generating compound is carried out in the presence of a catalyst.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of claim 44, wherein the catalyst comprises an acid or an acid-generating substance.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 45, wherein the catalyst comprises a blend of acids.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 46, the blend of acids comprises a strong acid and a weak acid.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of claim 47, wherein the degree of hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic surface is controlled by the ratio of concentrations of the strong acid, the weak acid and the aldehyde or aldehyde-generating compound.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of claim 45, wherein acid or acid-generating substance is acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, an alkylsulfuric acid, an alkylsulfonic acid, a halosulfonic acid, boron trifluoride, or aluminum chloride.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of claim 49, wherein the acid or acid-generating substance is acetic acid, sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 45, wherein the rate of producing the matrix is controlled by controlling the strength or concentration of the acid or acid-generating substance.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 40, wherein the matrix is produced in the form of a porous article.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 52, wherein the porous article is a membrane.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 40, wherein the matrix is produced in the form of a non-porous article.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
12 words
A method of claim wherein the substituted amide groups comprises N-methylolamide groups.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 40, which further comprises contacting the hydrophilic surface with reagents capable of donating a plurality of ligands so as to attach the ligands to a portion of the substituted amide groups.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of claim 56, wherein each of the ligands is a bio-selective, affinity group and comprises a nucleic acid, polynuclotide, monosaccharide, polysaccharide, lipid, amino acid, peptide, protein, hormone, vitamin, metabolic co-factor, drug, antibiotic, or a combination thereof.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 56, wherein the substituted amide groups of some of the polymer molecules on the hydrophilic surface of the matrix are crosslinked to substituted amide groups of other polymer molecules on the hydrophilic surface of the matrix.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of claim 41, wherein the contacting is effected by soaking the polymer in a reagent bath containing the aldehyde or the aldehyde-generating compound.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of claim 59, wherein the polymer is contacted with a formaldehyde-generating compound, the contacting is effected in the presence of an acid, the polymer comprises an acrylonitrile-type monomer and the substituted amide groups are N-methylolamide groups.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method of claim 60, wherein the matrix is produced in the form of a porous article, the hydrophilic surface of the matrix defines pores, the soaking is for about several minutes to about 24 hours, and the temperature of the reagent bath is in a range from about 10° C. to about 60° C.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
9 words
A matrix produced by the method of claim 40.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the methods of filtration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, dialysis, pervaporation, or sieving, the improvement, which comprises using the article of claim 29.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the methods of affinity chromatography, affinity purification, affinity separation, or affinity adsorption, the improvement which comprises using the article of claim 29.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
29 words
A modified article of manufacture comprising an article and the matrix of claim 1 or 22, the matrix covering at least a portion of the exterior of the article.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
25 words
A modified article of claim 65, wherein at least a portion of the exterior of the modified article comprises the hydrophilic surface of the matrix.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
26 words
A modified article of claim 66, wherein the article is a membrane, the polymer comprises an acrylonitrile-type monomer, and the substituted amide groups are N-methylolamide groups.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of producing a modified article which comprises forming an article in which at least a portion of the exterior of the article comprises molecules of a nitrile-containing polymer and treating the article so formed so as to provide solely on the exterior of the article sufficient uncharged substituted amide groups to render the exterior hydrophilic.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of producing a modified article which comprises forming an article in which at least a portion of the exterior of the article comprises molecules of a nitrile-containing polymer and treating the article so formed so as to provide solely on the exterior of the article sufficient uncharged substituted amide groups to render the exterior hydrophilic.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 68, wherein treating comprises contacting the article with an aldehyde or aldehyde-generating compound.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 69, wherein contacting with the aldehyde or aldehyde-generating compound is carried out in the presence of a catalyst.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of claim 70, wherein the catalyst comprises an acid or acid-generating substance or a blend of acids.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 68 which further comprises contacting the hydrophilic exterior with reagents capable of donating a plurality of ligands so as to attach the ligands to a portion of the substituted amide groups.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
10 words
A modified article produced by the method of claim 68.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
24 words
In the methods of filtration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, dialysis, pervaporation, or sieving, the improvement which comprises using the modified article of claim 65.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
24 words
In the methods of affinity chromatography, affinity purification, affinity separation, or affinity adsorption, the improvement which comprises using the modified article of claim 65.
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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) | 1993-03-05 | 1993-09-04 | 1994-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-05 | 1997-09-04 | 1998-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-09-04 | 2002-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |