Patent · US Expired

Process of making polymer articles

US6780361B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
17References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 17, 2002
Grant dateAug 24, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 24, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/1372
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method including forming a pseudo-gel of a semi-crystalline polymer material and a solvent. The pseudo-gel is shaped into a first form and stretched. A portion of the solvent is removed to create a second form. The second form is stretched into a microstructure including nodes interconnected by fibrils. A method including forming a first form of a pseudo-gel including an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material and a solvent; stretching the first form; removing the solvent to form a second form; stretching the second form into a microstructure including nodes interconnected by fibrils; and annealing the stretched second form. An apparatus including a body portion formed of a dimension suitable for a medical device application and including a polyolefin polymer including a node and a fibril microstructure. An apparatus including a body portion including an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin material including a node and a fibril microstructure.

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