Abstract: A retractable memory drive in accordance with the present invention comprises a top casing, a middle carrier, an electronic device such as a USB thumb drive, and a bottom casing. A positioning device on the middle carrier has a portion that protrudes outside the casing and operates like a button. The location of the positioning device where the button is located has two key attributes. First, there is a protrusion that acts as a lock with the casing. Second, the area below the button is not rigid and so it gives way when pressure is applied to the button. The top and bottom casings provide a casing structure which includes two detents. One detent is for locking the device with the connector in the extended position, and one detent for locking the device with the connector retracted in the in position. This allows for just one press of the extended portion of the positioning device to unlock it from its present position. When the device reaches its new position it will automatically lock.

Abstract: Novel amphoteric acrylic and methacrylic copolymers are described comprising cationic units of pendant N-substituted amidine and anionic units of acrylic or methacrylic acid and/or acidic groups carried by substituents of N-acrylamide, N-methacrylamide, N-acrylamidine or N-methacrylamidine. One preferred embodiment is a copolymer in which at least some types of functional groups are organized in blocks. Particularly preferred are blocks of pendant nitrile groups. Preferred compositions have the said N-substituents of the amides and/or amidines containing polar groups other than primary amines. Particularly preferred polar groups are tertiary amines, quaternary ammonium salts, hydroxyls and sulfonic acid. These copolymers may optionally be convalently or physically crosslinked and swellable rather than soluble in water.

Abstract: The present invention guidewire involves an elongated, non-hydrogel core element forming an inner part of the device, and an integral outside tubular layer of elastomeric hydrogel ("hydrogel sleeve"). This outer hydrogel layer has unique physical characteristics. They are (a) Gradient of chemical composition with increasing concentration of polar groups in the outward direction away from the core element; (b) Gradient of swelling in contact with water with water content increasing in the outward direction away from the core element; (c) Compressive stress in the outer hydrophilic layer causing the hydrogel in that layer to swell to a water content lower than its equilibrium value in a free-swelling state; and, optionally, (d) Inward-directed radial stress pushing the outside hydrogel layer constantly against the inner core element.

Abstract: Stable emulsions and dispersions of both the water-in-oil and oil-in-water types are prepared by subjecting mixtures of the two phases to shear stress in the presence of nitrile group-containing copolymers capable of forming hydrogels containing at least 90% by weight of water at room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention contact lens is a soft, disposable lens which, under eye wearer conditions, changes one or more characteristics essential for comfortable use, at a predetermined time to initiate disposal thereof by the user. This lens, under wear conditions, changes, for example, at least its base curve redius and its deformability as a consequence of a change in hydrophilicity of at least a portion of the contact lens material. This hydrophilicity change may be achieved by various means, e.g. degradation of crosslinking bridges or conversion of less hydrophilic groups to groups having greater hydrophilicity. In one preferred embodiment, the conversion is achieved by hydrolysis of selected functional (hydrophobic) groups into hydrophilic groups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precision molding soluable polymers is disclosed, in order to form an exact and precisely shaped product, such as contact lenses and surgical implants. A preferred mold for forming contact lenses includes a female part having an indentation and a sharp circumferential edge surrounding the indentation. The mold also includes a male part which is adapted to contact the sharp circumferential edge of the female part to form the molding cavity between the indentation of the female part and the male part. A semi-permeable gate is formed between the female part and the male part for introducing coagulating fluid into the molding cavity while preventing the escape of the polymer solution from the molding cavity. The semi-permeable gate allows the diffusion of the coagulating fluid into the molding cavity at a faster rate than the rate of diffusion of solvent out of the molding cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for precise positioning, or alignment of two or more articles with respect to each other. The device comprises a Unistructural Mass of Inherent Memory Polymer with two or more internal cavities which have inherent shapes with at least one cross-sectional configuration which is congruent to a cross-sectional configuration shape of the said article(s) in the positioned or aligned position(s). The unistructural mass cavities have cross-sectional configurations which are the same or smaller than those corresponding to the positions of the articles. The unistructural mass also includes at least one separate access cavity. It is deformed such that the articles can be readily inserted into the corresponding cavities.

Abstract: Pressure-dependent anisotropic behavior is provided by a size selective separation membrane system having two successive porous layers. The first layer is a soft, elastic, effectively porous material, and the second layer is a substantially rigid porous material. When positive pressure presses the first layer against the second layer, the second layer serves as a rigid support, and the first layer is compressed to reduce its effective pore size. The first layer material is characterized by sufficient compressibility, that, when a pressure differential of 100 psi is applied across the thickness of the system, the effective flow rate is reduced by a factor of at least 20 compared to the flow rate when 100 psi is exerted in the opposite direction.

Abstract: There is provided a novel intraocular lens and mode of insertion therefore. The lens is of conventional shape and dimensions but is made of polymeric material having a softening point in the range of body temperature. The lens, prior to insertion is dimensionally reduced to enable introduction thru a small incision by compression or by axial extension. The deformed lens is frozen in this configuration by cooling the lens below its softening temperature. The cooled, deformed lens is then inserted into the eye. The action of body heat, optionally supplemented by various non-harmful methods, permits the lens to regain its original configuration within the eye.