High strength fibers of l-lactide copolymers, ε-caprolactone, and trimethylene carbonate and absorbable medical constructs thereof
US7192437B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC08G63/08
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is directed to crystalline copolymers of l-lactide and a minor portion of a cyclic monomer, preferably ε-caprolactone or trimethylene carbonate or both. The present copolymers have a melting temperature of at least 150° C. and a crystallinity of at least 20%. Preferred are high molecular weight copolymers having an inherent viscosity of at least 1.1 dl/g. A variety of surgical constructs may be formed from the present copolymers. Surgical sutures made of mono- or multifilament yams of the present copolymers will bioabsorb in less than three years and will maintain at least 50% of their initial strength three weeks post-operatively.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.