US5234538A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for producing polymer film filters
Assignee: Oxyphen GmbH Deutschland
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Filing: 1992-02-07
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Granted: 1993-08-10
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Expires: 2012-02-07
Abstract
Abstract Polymer filter film for which pores are etched along beam tracks only in a first, porous region (P1), and which has a second, impermeable region (R1), in particular in the form of a peripheral region. The peripheral region (R1) is made etch-resistant by a heat treatment of the beam tracks. Advantageous embodiments of the method are used to produce microchambers in the film for holding a cell culture. They can advantageously be used for enzymatic sensors and microbiological reactors.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans B. Luck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:12
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26F; B26F1/00; B26F1/26; B01; B01D; B01D67/00; B01D67/0002; B01D67/0023; B01D67/0032; B01D69/00; B01D69/02; B01D2323/00; B01D2323/28; B01D2323/286; B01D2323/34; B01D2325/00; B01D2325/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A process for producing a polymer film filter comprising; exposing a polymer film to penetrating irradiation in a first region which penetrates the polymer film and thereby generates continuous beam tracks in it, selectively heating a second region of the polymer film to a temperature above the glass transition temperature and below the melting temperature of the polymer film for a time sufficient to make the second region etch-resistant, and etching the beam tracks to widen them and obtain filter pores.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process for producing a polymer film filter comprising; exposing a polymer film to penetrating irradiation in a first region which penetrates the polymer film and thereby generates continuous beam tracks in it, selectively heating a second region of the polymer film to a temperature above the glass transition temperature and below the melting temperature of the polymer film for a time sufficient to make the second region etch-resistant, and etching the beam tracks to widen them and obtain filter pores.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 1, further comprising before the heating step, exposing the polymer film to additional irradiation capable of penetrating the polymer film only part way through and wherein said additional irradiation has an intensity higher than the penetrating irradiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein the additional irradiation penetrates the polymer film to a depth greater than the remaining polymer film thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 3, further comprising stamping round blanks registered in accordance to the second region which was subjected to heating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 4, further comprising filling microchambers generated by the irradiation steps with cells before the stamping step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 5, further comprising; covering the microchambers filed with cells with a platinum electrode and sealing the platinum electrode to the region which was heated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 5, further comprising; covering the microchambers filed with cells with a filter and sealing the filter to the region which was heated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the irradiated region is a noncontinuous and the heated region is continuous.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 4, further comprising filling microchambers generated by the irradiation steps with a microbial culture before the stamping step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the heating is performed by a roller with a raised mask which is maintained at a temperature between the glass transition temperature and the temperature of melting the polymer film and is applied for a duration sufficient to make the region etch resistant.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for heat treating a previously irradiated polymer film comprising; a polymer film unwinder and a polymer film winder in between which are disposed a driven roller and two contact rollers spaced apart circumferentially from the driven roller, the rollers being so disposed that the polymer film is wrapped partway around the driven roller, wherein a circumferential surface of the driven roller contains a raised mask structure and a heating means for heating the driver roller to a temperature which is above the glass transition temperature and below the melting temperature of the polymer film.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for heat treating a previously irradiated polymer film comprising; a polymer film unwinder and a polymer film winder in between which are disposed a driven roller and two contact rollers spaced apart circumferentially from the driven roller, the rollers being so disposed that the polymer film is wrapped partway around the driven roller, wherein a circumferential surface of the driven roller contains a raised mask structure and a heating means for heating the driver roller to a temperature which is above the glass transition temperature and below the melting temperature of the polymer film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the raised mask structure forms a round closed peripheral region without a central region pattern and constitutes means for imparting the pattern to the treated polymer film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the raised mask structure forms a honeycomb structure pattern of microchambers and constitutes means for imparting the pattern to the treated polymer film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the raised mask structure forms a honeycomb structure pattern of microchambers inside and a round closed peripheral region pattern and constitutes means for imparting these patterns to the treated polymer film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-02-08 | 1997-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-09 | 2001-02-08 | 2001-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-09 | 2005-02-08 | 2005-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |