Patent ID: 7468152

Claim:
A continuous process for forming extrudate of bioresorbable thermoplastic materials generally having constant cross-sections, comprising: heating the material at a temperature higher than the melting point thereof and extruding the extrudate; forming the extrudate; controlling the formation of the extrudate to maintain a substantially constant shape by varying the speed of a motor driving the extruder; cooling the extrudate after exiting the die by passing the extrudate through a cooling bath; placing the extrudate under tension by passing the extrudate through a first puller adjacent the cooling bath and a second puller spaced from said first puller, said second puller running at a higher rate of speed than said first puller; heating the extrudate as it passes between said first and second pullers to a temperature above its glass transition temperature; and releasing all tension on the extrudate after said second puller and prior to allowing the extrudate to cool to room temperature.