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:
Oct. 08, 1996
Filed:
Nov. 16, 1994
Samuel A Thompson, Wilmington, DE (US);
Hercules Incorporated, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides shaped medical devices adapted for implant and subsequent in-vivo disintegration within a human or animal body. In one embodiment, the medical device is fabricated from a matrix polymer component, e.g., a lactam, which has a ceiling temperature (Tc) within the range of from about 40.degree. C. to about 76.degree. C. Decomposition of this device is accomplished by heating the device in-vivo to a temperature at or above the ceiling temperature of the matrix polymer component. In another embodiment, the medical device is fabricated from an end-capped polyoxyalkylene matrix polymer component characterized by a depolymerization temperature of at least about 40.degree. C. and a ceiling temperature of 76.degree. C. or less after removal of the end-cap group. In a third embodiment of the invention the medical device comprises a matrix polymer which is insoluble or only slightly soluble in normal body fluids and which exhibits a Tc below 40.degree. C. This device is stored and handled at T<Tc such that depolymerization and disintegration of the device does not begin until the device is implanted.