Fluorinating polymer surfaces
AssigneeVascutek Limited
InventorsDuncan M. Paton, Timothy R. Ashton, Roshan Maini
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Surfaces of polymers, particularly polyesters, can be fluorinated by deposition of a fluorocarbon from solution. The fluorocarbon may be an amorphous fluoropolymer, such as the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and bis-2,2-trifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,2-dioxole sold under the trademark TEFLON AF.RTM., which is soluble in fluorinated alkanes and other fluorinated liquids such as those sold under the trademark FLUORINERT.RTM.. Surface-fluorinated polyesters, particularly in knitted fabric form, are useful as vascular grafts: the fluorinated surface reduces thrombogenicity and complement activation. The disadvantages of known surface fluorination methods, such as the cold plasma or glow discharge process, are avoided.
Claims8
A process for forming a fluorinated surface on a polymer, the process comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a solution of perfluorocarbon in a solvent for the perfluorocarbon wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of perfluoroalkanes, perfluorocycloalkanes and mixtures thereof;
- b) bringing the solution into contact with the polymer surface;
- and
- c) removing the solvent from the solution in contact with the polymer surface.
A process for forming a fluorinated surface on a polymer, the process comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a solution of an amorphous fluorinated copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and bis-2,2-trifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,2-dioxole, in a solvent for the amorphous fluorocarbon;
- b) bringing the solution into contact with the polymer surface;
- and
- c) removing the solvent from the solution in contact with the polymer surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.