Patent ID: 7662326
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
1. A method of producing a medical article comprising a temporary plasticizing agent, wherein the method comprises combining a polymer with a plasticizing agent to form an implant, wherein the plasticizing agent is capable of sufficiently increasing a strain-to-failure in the polymeric material 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 the subject to provide a sufficient 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 substantially in response to a stress that affects the clinical utility of the implant.