Polyglycollide Support Mesh Drying Under Vacuum and Inert Gas

The patent applies inert atmosphere drying by replacing air with inert gas (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) in the drying environment. This prevents oxidative degradation of polyglycollide while enabling complete removal of water and solvents. The inert gas creates a protective atmosphere that eliminates the harmful interaction between oxygen and the polymer material during the drying process, thus maintaining mechanical properties while achieving thorough drying.

The patent implements a multi-stage drying process with gradually increasing temperature and changing vacuum/inert gas conditions. The process transitions from ambient temperature vacuum drying to elevated temperature inert gas drying, allowing controlled removal of water and solvents without causing rapid degradation. This parameter progression enables complete drying while preserving the mechanical integrity of the support meshes.

The patent replaces the conventional air-based drying environment with an inert gas atmosphere (nitrogen or carbon dioxide). This inert environment eliminates oxygen and water vapor that cause degradation, allowing efficient drying at elevated temperatures without compromising the mechanical properties of polyglycollide. The inert gas maintains high drying efficiency while protecting the material from oxidative and hydrolytic degradation.

The patent converts the potentially harmful effects of heat and gas exposure into beneficial drying action by using inert gas instead of air. The inert gas provides the necessary heat transfer and mass transfer for efficient drying while its chemical inertness prevents degradation reactions. This transforms what would normally be a harmful environment into a beneficial drying medium that maintains both efficiency and material integrity.