The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 09, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 18, 1993
Robert S Ward, Lafayette, CA (US);
Judy S Riffle, Oakland, CA (US);
Thoratec Laboratories Corporation, Berkeley, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a composition that softens at a predetermined temperature, preferably between about 20.degree. C. and 90.degree. C., and more preferably between about 20.degree. C. and about 62.degree. C., comprising at least one block copolymer having at least two thermal transition temperatures. The composition is characterized by at least two thermal transition temperatures, one of which is a predetermined lower transition temperature, preferably between about 20.degree. C. to 90.degree. C., and more preferably between about 20.degree. C. to about 62.degree. C., and one of which is an upper transition temperature. The present invention also provides a method of making the composition, a method of making biomedical materials and articles, and toys and toy components, with shape-memory properties from the composition, and biomedical materials and articles, and toys and toy components, with shape-memory properties made from the composition.