Compositions containing fast-leaching plasticizers for improved performance of medical devices
First Claim
1. A medical article comprisingan implant comprising a polymeric material,wherein the polymeric material comprises a plasticizing agent capable of increasing a strain-to-failure in the polymeric material so as to prevent or reduce a formation of cracks in the polymeric material while placing the implant in a subject, wherein the plasticizing agent is localized in high-strain regions of the implant such that the high-strain regions have more of the plasticizing agent than regions outside of the high-strain regions, the high strain regions comprising regions that bend during placement of the implant,wherein the plasticizing agent leaches from the polymeric material after placing the implant in a subject to provide rigidity in the polymeric material, andwherein the plasticizing agent leaches from the polymeric material in less than an amount of time necessary for a required dimension of the implant to change in response to a stress in a manner that affects the clinical utility of the implant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Medical implants containing a temporary plasticizer, methods of producing such implants, and methods of using the implants in treating a disease, or ameliorating one or more symptoms thereof, in a subject are provided.
450 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A medical article comprising
an implant comprising a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material comprises a plasticizing agent capable of increasing a strain-to-failure in the polymeric material so as to prevent or reduce a formation of cracks in the polymeric material while placing the implant in a subject, wherein the plasticizing agent is localized in high-strain regions of the implant such that the high-strain regions have more of the plasticizing agent than regions outside of the high-strain regions, the high strain regions comprising regions that bend during placement of the implant, wherein the plasticizing agent leaches from the polymeric material after placing the implant in a subject to provide rigidity in the polymeric material, and wherein the plasticizing agent leaches from the polymeric material in less than an amount of time necessary for a required dimension of the implant to change in response to a stress in a manner that affects the clinical utility of the implant.
Specification