Method for producing nanosurfaces with nano, micron, and/or submicron structures on a polymer

摘要

The present invention relates to a modified polymeric material. The modified polymeric material includes a polymer having a modified surface, where the modified surface includes nano, micron, and/or submicron scale features. The present invention also relates to an implant comprising the modified polymeric material. The present invention further relates to processes for making the modified polymeric material and the implant.

主权项

1. A process for preparing a modified polymeric material, said process comprising:
providing a polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), poly lactic glycolic acid, poly lactic lactic acid, poly lactic acid, and polyurethane; and subjecting the polymer to a high vacuum treatment regimen under conditions effective to modify the surface of the polymer by introducing nano, micron, and/or submicron scale features to the surface of the polymer, wherein said high vacuum treatment regimen comprises simultaneously heating the polymer at a temperature of between about 275° C. and about 400° C. and incubating the polymer in a vacuum chamber under high vacuum conditions in a range of 10−2 Torr to 10−6 Torr effective to modify the surface of the polymer, wherein said subjecting comprises: (a) loading the polymer at a temperature of about 150° C.; (b) applying high vacuum conditions of about 10 mTorr; (c) increasing the temperature to about 350° C. over the course of about 1 hour; (d) maintaining the polymer at about 350° C. at 10 mTorr for about 1 hour; (e) decreasing the temperature to about 150° C. over the course of about 1 hour; and (f) extracting the polymer at about 150° C.