Abstract: The invention provides a surface profile measurement device for use on rigid or semi-rigid substrates, such as floors. The device includes (a) a beam; (b) at least one beam support mounted on the beam; (c) a sensor assembly slidably connected to said beam and adapted for measuring the distance to the surface; and (d) a transducer assembly adapted for measuring the position of said sensor assembly along said beam.

Abstract: A polymeric composition comprises a thermosetting resin and a polyolefin resin that cures to a semi-interpenetrating polymer network and is useful for producing plastic shipping and storage containers. The containers exhibit one or more friction surfaces, and can include fire resistance and other properties derived from property enhancing agents.

Abstract: Nonwoven sheet materials, and adhesive articles formed therefrom are provided that are made with fibers, preferably tensilized nonfracturable staple fibers, and binder fibers, and formed from a combination of interbonding, smooth roll calendering, and pattern embossing techniques. These sheet materials are especially useful as tape backings that are finger tearable in the cross web and the down web directions and also possess a number of other desirable properties, including acceptable tensile strength and enhanced overtaping, for example. A nonwoven sheet material, and adhesive article including the same, can include an embossed pattern having a variety of discontinuous configurations to enhance tearing properties in both the down web and cross web directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amphiphilic copolymer comprising recurring units (I) and (II), wherein: Rf represents a fluorinated alkyl group having at least 3 carbon atoms; Q and Q′ each independently represents an organic liking group or a chemical linkage; R1 and R2 each independently represents hydrogen or a C1 to C4 alkyl group; and Rh represents a hydrocarbon group having at least 8 carbon atoms and optionally containing 1 to 3 substituents; and a recurring unit comprising at least one carboxylic acid group or salt thereof. The present invention also provides a method for making the above amphiphilic copolymer. The amphiphilic copolymer can be used in a leather treatment to provide waterproofness to the leather.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of treating a substrate, comprising applying to the substrate a fluorochemical composition comprising fluorochemical copolymer derived from at least one fluorochemical monomer A, at least one monomer B, at least one monomer C and at least one monomer D, wherein the fluorochemical monomer A contains a fluoroaliphatic group and is an ester of an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, the monomer B is an ester of an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, the monomer C is an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride, the monomer D is an ester of an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, the fluorochemical monomer A and the monomers B and C contain only one polymerizable group and monomer D contains, as a second polymerizable group, an ethylenically unsaturated group that has a higher affinity to copolymerize with the monomer C than fluorochemical monomer A or monomers B or D.

Abstract: A medical perfusion system for use in connection with the medical treatment of a patient is provided with a first type of perfusion device in the form of a blood pump adapted to pump blood through a fluid conduit connected to the patient and a second type of perfusion device in the form of a sensing device adapted to sense a condition and generate a sensing signal relating to the condition. The perfusion system also includes an electrical power network having an electrical power line, means for selectively connecting the perfusion devices to the electrical power network, and a controller with an input device for accepting control commands from an operator. The perfusion system could also include a control device, such as a pump, a plurality of sensing devices, and means for specifying the sensing device that the control device should be accept feedback from.

Abstract: Combinations of medical adhesive composites, e.g., dressings, and a package in which the medical adhesive composites are attached to a release surface on the bottom sheet of the package are disclosed. The dressings may include a flexible backing and carrier. Methods of manufacturing and using the combination are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition prepared by irradiating solid poly(N-vinyl lactam) with ionizing radiation to crosslink the poly(N-vinyl lactam) and thereafter mixing the radiation-crosslinked poly(N-vinyl lactam) with essentially unirradiated plasticizer in an amount sufficient to form a cohesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. The composition is useful as a biomedical adhesive for transmitting or receiving electrical signals as a component (14) of a biomedical electrode (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a blend of a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone with a modifier selected from the group consisting of carboxylic; straight chain monohydric alcohols; branched chain monohydric alcohols; polyethylene glycols; and polyethylene glycol ethers. The composition may also comprise one or more fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel casting tapes incorporating water soluble liners. The liners of the present invention may be used for a number of purposes including: use as an interlayer film liner in a casting tape article to prevent undesirable resin pooling; use as an interlayer liner to lubricate a casting tape when immersed in water, use in a method of producing a decorative casting tape either by retarding layer-to-layer migration of a colored resin or by transferring a design preprinted on the liner to an adjacent casting tape; use as an interlayer liner in a casting tape article to prevent adhesion between adjacent layers of the article; and use as a release liner to facilitate removal of a roll of casting tape from its package. The liners employed in this invention are rapidly soluble in water and may be provided as a continuous or semi-continuous sheet structure.

Abstract: An ophthalmic drape that can easily be adhered to both the upper and lower margins of the eye without requiring the use of separate instruments for cutting and adjusting. The drape includes a sheet of material with an aperture positioned away from the periphery of the sheet. The drape has two fields of skin compatible adhesive, one on one side of the sheet near the aperture, the other on the other side of the sheet near the periphery. Once the first field of skin compatible adhesive has been adhered to one of the patient's eyelids, the section of the drape supporting the second field of skin compatible adhesive can be folded upwards and doubled back on the drape. The second field of skin compatible adhesive, which had been side away from the patient before folding, is turned side towards the patient after folding. The second field of skin compatible adhesive is then conveniently positioned to be adhered to the remaining eyelid of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of conditioning skin by passing electrical energy through a medical electrode and maintaining a desired chemical composition in the electrode by passing the electrical energy therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicate-containing composition for use in an orthopedic support material. The silicate-containing composition includes a water-soluble silicate, wherein at least about 1 part of the water-soluble silicate is soluble in about 6 parts water at 25.degree. C. Preferably, the water-soluble silicate has the formula SiO.sub.2 /M.sub.2 O wherein M is Li, Na, K, or NR.sub.4, wherein each R is independently hydrogen or a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10)organic group.

Abstract: An apparatus reads a plurality of biological indicators (BIs) to determine efficacy of a plurality of sterilization cycles. Each BI exhibits fluorescence in response to biological activity indicative of bacterial growth in the BI. A plurality of BI holders are each configured to receive one of the BIs. A carriage is controllably movable relative to the plurality of BI holders to positions proximate each of the BI holders. A fluorescence sensor is mounted on the carriage and is positioned to sense fluorescence exhibited by the BI contained in the BI vessel in the selected BI holder. A controller is coupled to the fluorescence sensor to receive a fluorescence signal and to provide an output signal indicative of the fluorescence sensed.

Abstract: A medical adhesive bandage and delivery system including a medical adhesive bandage and a package. The bandage has a backing, an adhesive on a first surface of the backing, and a pad proximate the first surface of the backing. At least one line of separation (for example, a line of perforations) is provided in the backing and the pad to facilitate selective manual separation of the bandage into more than one bandage. The package may include a release area or liner, with the adhesive on the medical adhesive bandage releasably adhered to the release area or liner. The package preferably tends to retain the bandage therein when the package is torn and the bandage is separated along a line of separation.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the contact of a biomedical electrode to skin of a patient is disclosed, where at least two different frequencies are employed to periodically monitor total contact impedance of the electrode. The ratio of the change of the total contact impedances over time can then be monitored to indicate the amount of lift of the biomedical electrode from human skin to which it is supposed to be adhered. Lift of any portion of the electrode from contact with skin of a patient can be monitored more easily than using conventional Contact Quality Monitoring circuitry and "split plate patient plates.

Abstract: A machine and method for converting a web having an indefinite length which includes a plurality of converting stations circumferentially spaced about an process drum. At least one of the converting stations includes a helical follower gear operatively meshing with a helical drive gear attached to the process drum. Movement of the follower gear along its axial direction provides for the relative rotational registration of a tool on the registrable converting station relative to the web.

Abstract: An orthopedic casting article containing a fibrous backing stabilized with a water soluble binder and having a hardenable material applied thereto is described. Methods of making and using such orthopedic casting articles are also described.