Fibrous structures containing nanofibrils and other textile fibers
US6106913A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2936
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Nanofibers are produced having a diameter ranging from about 4 .ANG. to 1 nm, and a nano denier of about 10.sup.-9. The use of the electro-spinning process permits production of the desired nanofibrils. These fibrils in combination with a carrier or strengthening fibers/filaments can be converted directly into nonwoven fibrous assemblies or converted into linear assemblies(yarns) before weaving, braiding or knitting into 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional fabrics. The electrospun fiber can be fed in an air vortex spinning apparatus developed to form a linear fibrous assembly. The process makes use of an air stream in a properly confined cavity. The vortex of air provides a gentle means to convert a mixture of the fibril fed directly or indirectly from the ESP unit and a fiber mass or filament into an integral assembly with proper level of orientation. Incorporation of thus produced woven products into tissue engineering is part of the present invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.