Polymer matrices prepared by supercritical fluid processing techniques
AssigneeFerro Corporation
InventorsFrederick S. Mandel, J. Don Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Polymer matrices for use in orthopedic, pharmaceutical, and similar mixtures are prepared by mixing two or more polymers and a process medium in a reactor to form a supercritical fluid slurry. The process medium preferably is carbon dioxide which is supplied to the reactor in a supercritical state or which is heated and pressurized in the reactor to attain a supercritical state. After mixing for a period of time, the slurry either is left in the reactor or is discharged into a receiving vessel. The process medium is separated from the polymers and removed, leaving behind finely divided particles.
Claims23
A method for manufacturing a polymer matrix comprising:
- providing a reactor having a mixer;
- charging the reactor with starting materials that include two or more polymers selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymers, thermoset polymers, or a combination thereof, and wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-methyl cellulose and its derivatives, polylactide-co-glycolide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene-vinyl, acetate, polyenoi-ketone, polyacrylic acid, polycarbophil, polyacrylamides, poly-N-isopropyl acrylamide, polyacrylates, polyethylene glycol, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, poly-ε-caprolactone, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, polyortho esters, polyanhydrides, polyamino acids, pseudo-polyamino acids, polyamide-enamines, polyamido amines, polyurethanes, azopolymers, polydimethylsiloxane, and polyphosphazenes;
- providing supercritical fluid in the reactor;
- mixing the starting materials and the supercritical fluid in the reactor for a period of time sufficient to form a supercritical fluid slurry and wherein, the density of the supercritical fluid is equal to the density of the polymers;
- reducing the pressure in the reactor to ambient;
- and
- recovering a homogeneous polymer matrix from the reactor.
A method for manufacturing a polymer matrix comprising:
- providing a reactor having a mixer;
- providing a receiving vessel and a conduit that connects the reactor and the receiving vessel;
- charging the reactor with starting materials that include two or more polymers, selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymers, thermoset polymers, or a combination thereof, and wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-methyl cellulose and its derivatives, polylactide-co-glycolide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene-vinyl, acetate, polyenol-ketone, polyacrylic acid, polycarbophil, polyacrylamides, poly-N-isopropyl acrylamide, polyacrylates, polyethylene glycol, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, poly-ε-caprolactone, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, polyortho esters, polyanhydrides, polyamino acids, pseudo-polyamino acids, polyamide-enamines, polyamido amines, polyurethanes, azopolymers, polydimethylsiloxane, and polyphosphazenes;
- providing supercritical fluid in the reactor;
- mixing the starting materials and the supercritical fluid in the reactor for a period of time sufficient to form a supercritical fluid slurry, and wherein, the density of the supercritical fluid is equal to the density of the polymers;
- discharging the slurry into the receiving vessel through the conduit;
- reducing the pressure in the receiving vessel to ambient;
- and
- recovering a homogeneous polymer matrix from the receiving vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.