Appeal No. 96-3935
Application 08/209,673
APPENDIX
6. A viscoelastic memory flow control valve for use in an auto-destruct injection device
comprising the memory means as recited in claim 44.
40. A viscoelastic memory means comprising a hydrophilic polymer and produced by the steps
of:
exposing the polymer to ionizing radiation sufficient to create intramolecular crosslinks within the
polymer;
heating the polymer to substantially a crystalline melt temperature;
altering the shape of the polymer from a first configuration to a second configuration either
before or after the heating step; and
cooling the polymer while in the second configuration to reform the crystalline structure;
whereby the polymer will remain in the second configuration until exposed to a solvent of the
polymer thereby causing the polymer to revert from the second configuration to the first configuration.
49. A viscoelastic memory means comprising a water-soluble resin manufactured by Union
Carbide designated POLYOX® WSR-309 NF and produced by the steps of:
exposing the water-soluble resin to cobalt-60 gamma rays to a total dose of five to twelve
megarads;
heating the water-soluble resin to substantially a crystalline melt temperature;
forming a flow orifice in the water-soluble resin either before or after the heating step; and
cooling the water-soluble resin with the flow orifice to reform the crystalline structure;
whereby the water-soluble resin will retain the flow orifice until exposed to water thereby
causing the flow orifice to close.
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