Highly radiopaque polyolefins and method for making the same
US6077880A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC08L23/06
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for making a highly radiopaque polyolefin compound, wherein the radiopaque material in said compound is substantially uniformly dispersed and held within a polymer matrix. During the method one first heats an amount of polyolefin, preferably low density polyethylene, to at least its melting temperature. The amount of polyolefin is equal to at least 10% by weight of the compound. Then an amount of radiopaque metal powder is added to the polyolefin. The amount of radiopaque metal is equal to up to 90% by weight of the compound. The metal powder is preferably tantalum, tungsten, gold or platinum. Thereafter, an amount of a dispersing agent is added to the polyolefin to form a mixture. The amount of dispersing agent is equal to at least 0.2% by weight of the compound. The dispersing agent is preferably zinc stearate, aluminum stearate or calcium stearate. Lastly, the mixture is mixed and cooled below its melting temperature to form the compound.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.