Oriented polymer implantable device and process for making same
First Claim
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1. A method for the manufacture of an oriented polymer device suitable for implantation in a living being, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a polymer slug, barrel, die cavity tooling, and ram press, wherein said die cavity tooling defines a die shape;
b. placing said polymer slug between said ram press and die cavity tooling;
c. actuating said ram press in order to apply pressure upon said polymer slug, thereby forcing said polymer slug to conform to said die shape, and orienting said polymer into alignment along an axisd. removing said device from said die cavity toolinge. heating said device above the glass transition of said polymer, whereupon said device maintains said shape.
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Abstract
A device is formed by a discontinuous process into a bone screw, plate, or fastener, wherein the device has a degree of polymer alignment and strength, and upon reheating above glass transition temperature of the polymer, the device remains dimensionally stable, as it maintains its dimensions, strength, and degree of polymer orientation. In practice of the present invention, the polymer slug is pressed into the die cavity by the actuation of ram press, causing the slug to conform to the die cavity.
1031 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for the manufacture of an oriented polymer device suitable for implantation in a living being, said method comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a polymer slug, barrel, die cavity tooling, and ram press, wherein said die cavity tooling defines a die shape; b. placing said polymer slug between said ram press and die cavity tooling; c. actuating said ram press in order to apply pressure upon said polymer slug, thereby forcing said polymer slug to conform to said die shape, and orienting said polymer into alignment along an axis d. removing said device from said die cavity tooling e. heating said device above the glass transition of said polymer, whereupon said device maintains said shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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- 18. An article comprising oriented polymer, said article maintaining at least one of dimensional stability and strength when heated to a temperature in the range of Tg and Tm of said polymer.
- 21. An article comprising oriented polymer, said article made by a discontinuous process comprising a temperature in the range of Tg and Tm of said polymer, wherein said oriented polymer is aligned along an axis of the device.
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