| abstract |
30,286 TITLE Composite Material Having Absorbable And Nonabsorbable Components ABSTRACT The invention is a composite material of two or more biocompatible polymers, at least one of which is poly-tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and one of which is a bioabsorbable polymer. The nonabsorbable PTFE is used in the composite as a reinforcing binder. The reinforcing binder is a network of unsintered, inter-connected micro-fibers which are formed, for example, by blending with a thermoplastic polymer vehicle, such as polymethylmethacrylate which is subsequently ex-tracted. The bioabsorbable component is contained within the structure of the PTFE microfibrils. This composite is useful in the repair of mammalian tissue where tissue ingrowth and permanent support is re-quired. |