Plasma-assisted surface modification of polymers for medical device applications
US6379741B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2400/18
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The surface of a high molecular weight polymer such as high molecular weight polyethylene is modified in a localized manner by treatment with a plasma gas. The treatment produces a variety of useful results, depending on the gas used and the treatment conditions. One such result is crosslinking of the polymer in a localized manner at the surface to improve the durability of the surface against detrimental processes such as reorientation and alignment of the crystalline lamellae parallel to the contact surface which renders the surface susceptible to disintegration into particles. Another result is the chemical transformation of the surface for purposes such as increasing the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the surface or coupling functional groups to the surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.