Method of increasing film tear strength

摘要

A method of increasing the tensile strength of polymer films is provided. The creation of the load distribution elements in polymer films necessary to achieve this result is described. Application of the present invention to increase suture retention in a surgical polymer film is also provided.

主权项

1. A method for increasing the tensile strength of a polymer film comprising:
creating at least one load distribution element circumferentially oriented in a polymer film that has undergone in plane radial expansion; attaching two tethers to said polymer film proximate to a single load distribution element of said at least one load distribution element; and applying a tensile load to the polymer film via the tethers on or near to the at least one load distribution element, wherein the maximum tensile load of the polymer film with the at least one load distribution element is increased relative to the polymer film prior to the creation of the at least one load distribution element, and wherein said at least one load distribution element deforms under applied tensile load and yields an increase in the load required for failure compared to the polymer film prior to the creation of the at least one distribution load element.