Interpenetrating polymer networks
AssigneeHyalex Orthopaedics, Inc.
InventorsLampros Kourtis, Iraklis Kourtis, Jun Li, Gary Li
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Abstract
IPN compositions and methods of making the same are provided. The IPN compositions can include a water swellable, water permeable IPN or semi-IPN member with a first polymer network including a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, a second polymer network including a non-ionic polymer, and a third polymer network including an ionic polymer containing sulfonic acid functional groups that are otherwise difficult to form composites with hydrophobic polymers. The IPN compositions can be used in orthopedic implants or in mechanical applications as a bearing material.
Claims17
An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) or semi-IPN member comprising a first polymer network including a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer including multiple subsets of polymer segments, a second polymer network comprising a polymerized non-ionic monomer, and a third polymer network including an ionic polymer containing sulfonic acid groups, wherein the second network is non-ionic, the third network is ionic, the second and third polymer networks are each formed within the same subset of polymer segments of the hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, and the first, second, and third polymer networks are not bonded to each other covalently.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.