Patent · US Expired

Addition copolymers of lactide and glycolide and method of preparation

US4137921A · kind A · utility

206Cited by
6References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 24, 1977
Grant dateFeb 6, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 24, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC08G63/08
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Relatively high molecular weight, fiber-forming, crystalline copolymers of lactide and glycolide are prepared in a two-stage polymerization process. In the first stage there is prepared a random copolymer of a major proportion of an optically active lactide with a minor proportion of glycolide or d,l-lactide. In the second stage, a major amount of glycolide and a minor amount of lactide monomers are admixed with the copolymer of the first stage and the polymerization resumed until there is obtained a high molecular weight addition copolymer of lactide and glycolide containing from about 50 to 75 wt percent of units derived from glycolide. The polymer is fiber-forming and useful in the preparation of absorbable surgical sutures.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.