Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A biodegradable laminated fibrous mesh, comprising: a woven mesh layer having first and second sides, said woven mesh layer being formed from a plurality of fibers of a first biodegradable polymer, said plurality of fibers of said first biodegradable polymer being heat bonded together with a second biodegradable polymer, said second biodegradable polymer melting at a temperature lower than said first biodegradable polymer; and at least one layer of a film of a biodegradable polymer bonded to said woven mesh layer on at least one side of said mesh layer to form a sheet of biodegradable oven mesh and film material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A biodegradable laminated fibrous mesh, comprising: a woven mesh layer having first and second sides, said woven mesh layer being formed from a plurality of fibers of a first biodegradable polymer, said plurality of fibers of said first biodegradable polymer being heat bonded together with a second biodegradable polymer, said second biodegradable polymer melting at a temperature lower than said first biodegradable polymer; and at least one layer of a film of a biodegradable polymer bonded to said woven mesh layer on at least one side of said mesh layer to form a sheet of biodegradable oven mesh and film material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mesh of claim 1, wherein said first biodegradable polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, polyiminocarbonates, and inorganic calcium phosphate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The mesh of claim 1, wherein said second biodegradable polymer is selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone, poly-DL-lactic acid, a combination of poly-L-lactic acid and polycaprolactone, polyorthoesters, aliphatic polycarbonates, polyphosphazenes, and combinations thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mesh of claim 1, wherein said woven mesh layer of fibers of a first biodegradable polymer has a weave density of from about 10 to about 200 per inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mesh of claim 1, wherein said mesh layer is laminated with a layer of film on both sides to encapsulate the mesh.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mesh of claim 1, wherein said laminating layer of film is formed from a biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of poly-DL-lactic acid and poly-L-lactic acid.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of making a biodegradable laminated fibrous mesh, comprising the steps of: forming a woven mesh of a plurality of fibers of a first biodegradable polymer heat bonded together with a second biodegradable polymer, said second biodegradable polymer melting at a temperature lower than said first biodegradable polymer; and laminating the woven mesh with at least one laminating film to melt the second low temperature melting biodegradable polymer at a temperature of from about 120° to about 330° F. to form a woven mesh and film laminate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of making a biodegradable laminated fibrous mesh, comprising the steps of: forming a woven mesh of a plurality of fibers of a first biodegradable polymer heat bonded together with a second biodegradable polymer, said second biodegradable polymer melting at a temperature lower than said first biodegradable polymer; and laminating the woven mesh with at least one laminating film to melt the second low temperature melting biodegradable polymer at a temperature of from about 120° to about 330° F. to form a woven mesh and film laminate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said step of forming a woven mesh comprises coweaving a fiber of said first biodegradable polymer and a fiber of said second lower temperature melting biodegradable polymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said step of forming a woven mesh comprises coweaving said plurality of fibers of said first biodegradable polymer and a plurality of fibers of said second low temperature melting biodegradable polymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step of coweaving comprises coweaving pairs of said fibers of said first biodegradable polymer and said fibers of said second lower temperature melting biodegradable polymer in a plain weave pattern.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said step of forming a woven mesh comprises commingling said plurality of fibers of said first biodegradable polymer and a plurality of fibers of said second lower temperature melting biodegradable polymer to form a plurality of commingled fibers of said first and second polymers, and weaving said commingled fibers in a woven mesh.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said step of forming a woven mesh comprises coating said plurality of fibers of said first biodegradable polymer with said second low temperature melting biodegradable polymer, and weaving a woven mesh of said plurality of said first biodegradable polymeric fibers coated with said second low temperature melting biodegradable polymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said step of laminating said woven mesh is carried out at a temperature of from about 180° to about 270° F.