Process for forming shaped collagen devices
AssigneeVitaphore Corporation
InventorGregory S. Dapper
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Abstract
A method is provided for fabricating a shaped article from aqueous collagen-containing materials. A dispersion containing collagen and a surfactant is cast upon a mold of thermoplastic material and dried by a ramped drying profile under controlled conditions of relative humidity and temperature. The controlled drying allows for initial renaturation of the collagen dispersion then drying at high humidity to form a product with minimal residual stress.
Claims20
A method for fabricating a transparent shaped article for ophthalmological use from aqueous collagen-containing materials whereby said article is made with minimal residual stress induced deformation from a predetermined shape defined by a mold upon which said article is formed by casting;
- comprising the steps of casting said aqueous collagen-containing materials upon said mold;
- preconditioning said materials by partially drying for a period sufficient to set said shape upon said mold at a temperature less than the temperature at which said collagen is denaturized and at a first relative humidity lower than about 80%;
- continuing the drying in a second relative humidity higher than said first relative humidity and in the range of about 80-99% at a temperature less than the temperature at which collagen is denaturized for a period of time sufficient to provide said shaped article in solid form with minimal residual stress induced deformation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.