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Biocompatible polymer membranes and methods of preparation of three dimensional membrane structures

  • US 5,514,378 A
  • Filed: 02/01/1993
  • Issued: 05/07/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of producing a biocompatible porous membrane comprising the steps of:

  • a) dispersing particles of a material selected from the group consisting of salts of an organic or inorganic compound, proteins, and polysaccharides having a diameter of less than 500 microns in a biocompatible polymer solution to form a particle and polymer composition having an initial polymer dry weight fraction of between 0.1 and 0.5 weight percent, wherein the polymer is dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent and is selected from the group consisting of poly(alpha esters), polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, poly(vinyl alcohol), and ethylene vinyl acetate;

    b) leaching the polymer solvent from the composition to form a membrane;

    c) dissolving the particles from the membrane with a solvent for the particles without dissolving the polymer; and

    d) removing the solvent for the particles by evaporation to form a porous membrane wherein the porosity is greater than 50%; and

    e) modifying the crystallinity of the polymer by heating of the polymer.

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