Abstract: Borides generally can produce a cell with a high energy density. High power densities are also achievable using borides that are reasonably good conductors of electricity. High density is important to achieve high energy density. Another important factor is lower molecular weight per available electron. The borides generally provide a favorable balance of these factors compared to a number of other materials, such as lithium or zinc. Individual borides have other important characteristics. Titanium diboride is safe.

Abstract: Boron redox species can provide electrochemical cells for battery or energy storage systems that are characterized by favorable specific energy, energy density, capital and operating cost, recharge efficiency, safety, environmental impact, serviceability and longevity.

Abstract: Hydrophilic composite polymer articles are provided which comprise at least one hydrophilic polymer in a powder form and one or more liquid components of which at least one is hydrophilic and which can be polymerized with said hydrophilic polymer. This composition is produced from a homogeneously mixed paste which can be molded or cast into a desired shape which will subsequently set. The resulting article has a shape-retaining, non-tacky flexible consistency which allows the shape to be further modified, if necessary.Such object can be then cured by any of the conventional curing methods to retain its shape permanently. The final properties of the composite can be tailored to suit the final application by using fillers or modifiers. In the medical field, such articles can be utilized as a sustained release devices as they can be loaded with the desired therapeutic drugs. These articles can be made non-toxic and biocompatible and used as prosthetic devices.

Abstract: A method of preparing a hydrophilic plastic cartridge by centrifugally cang polymerizable hydrophilic material in a rotating polymerization tube whose longitudinal axis is maintained parallel to the ground. The speed of rotation causes radial outward displacement of the polymerizable material which upon assuming a predetermined shape within the rotating tube is then polymerized to the predetermined solid configuration. The resulting plastic cartridge is characterized by smooth, unscored internal and external cylindrical surfaces. The cartridges are used as a rate-limiting membrane in drug delivery devices. Sterilized kits containing a disposable needle/syringe or trocar-like instrument and the drug delivery device are used for subcutaneous implantation of the device in an animal body.

Abstract: An acoustically sealed earmold for a hearing aid insertable into the ear of individuals with impaired hearing can be prepared in situ employing the hydrophilic composite polymer materials described herein. Such composite materials include at least one hydrophilic polymer in a powder form and one or more liquid components of which at least one is hydrophilic and which can be polymerized with said hydrophilic polymer. The resulting earmold has a shape-retaining, non-tacky flexible consistency which allows it to be shaped further and also to be modified to accommodate a receiver adapter or external receiver. The earmold can then be cured by any of the conventional curing methods to retain its shape permanently. This method enables an audiologist to fit the earmold and evaluate the hearing aid in a single office visit.

Abstract: Chemical modified asphalt cements are produced by reacting bituminous materials with ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing system comprising a flexible container for simultaneously dispensing two fluids, and dispensing apparatus for controlled compression of the container. The flexible container includes two separate and independent compartments, each compartment comprising a reservoir portion for holding a supply of one of said two fluids, an outlet and a bi-ended labyrinthine portion communicating with the reservoir portion at one end thereof and with the outlet at the other end thereof. The dispensing apparatus includes a frame having a fixed wall and a movable container impinging member for movement relative to the fixed wall for squeezing the container therebetween to effect the dispensing of the two fluids therefrom substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved delivery system for a dental treatment solution. More particularly, the apparatus disclosed includes a housing defining a well, a reservoir container for the dental treatment solution, and a pump for delivery of the solution to a hand piece. The pump includes an electrically energizable prime mover such as a motor or solenoid, a heater, and a control for the overall system. The control for the system provides a timing arrangement which is actuated upon placement of the reservoir container within the housing well, and which disables the system upon completion of the timing cycle. This feature, coupled with the employment of a visual signal, provides a dental professional with an indication of the strength or useful life of the dental treatment solution. Also disclosed are novel constructions for the pump and the heater, along with a novel design for the reservoir container.

Abstract: An inspection device for visually ascertaining the desired alignment of a contact lens in a tinting fixture comprises a base and a platform having a flat surface and mounted to the base for rotation relative thereto. The device also includes an arrangement for mounting the fixture for rotation in unison with the platform and for aligning the fixture relative to the platform flat surface in such a way as to maintain the contact lens in an alignment wherein substantially the entire peripheral edge thereof is located in a plane substantially parallel to the platform flat surface, if the contact lens is in the proper desired alignment in the tinting fixture, and such that the tinting fixture is centered relative to the center of rotation of the platform.

Abstract: A compliance aid for medication including electronic circuitry to remind the patient when the next dose is due, in which removal of a dose of medicine interrupts individual conductors within the medication package and resets a timer and alarm. The electronic circuitry may be integrally housed within an original medication package or the electronic circuitry may be housed so as to be added to an existing medication package. Additionally, a radio telemetry linkup may be established between some electronic circuitry associated with the medication packaging and other electronic circuitry including the timer and alarm system. The compliance aid may be particularly adapted for use with a medication packaging system conventionally known as a blister package, which is a multi-layered strip packaging technique.

Abstract: A portable cauterizing device having a variable temperature cautery tip that is activated by switching means that also performs the additional function of varying the temperature of the cautery tip so that the device can be activated and the temperature of the cautery tip can be regulated using only one hand.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fixture or apparatus for use in the tinting of a contact lens or the like. The fixture includes a tube having a body portion and a closed end portion, which includes an annular masking structure to support the lens and define a ring-like unmasked area. Proximate the masking structure, a tinting medium receiving chamber is defined. A method for using the fixture is also disclosed. In an upright position, the tube body portion is filled with a preparatory solution. Into this fluid-filled tube, a contact lens is dropped. As the dropped lens passes through the liquid column, the hydraulic forces acting thereon produce a state of dynamic equilibrium, with the lens convex side down. This action tends to properly position and center the lens as it comes to rest upon the mask structure. Next, a mandrel device is inserted into the tube to fix the lens in place against the mask.

Abstract: Hydrogels are prepared by subjecting to poymerization conditions an aqueous admixture comprising a major amount of an organic monomer which is characterized by a polymerizable ethylenic group ##STR1## as illustrated by N,N-dimethylacrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate or methoxytriethylene glycol methacrylate, and a minor amount of solubilized collagen. The reactants employed are at least partially soluble in the aqueous reaction medium. The hydrogels thus prepared are novel shaped articles having utility in the medical and cosmetic fields. Contact lenses of such hydrogels exhibit high water content, high oxygen permeability and good mechanical strength characteristics.

Abstract: Truncated contact lenses are produced in a direct casting operation using a mold assembly of a male mold member and a female mold member, both of which have molding surfaces and only one of which is provided with an inwardly flexible continuous rim portion. When vulcanizable or polymerizable constituents are placed in the mold, the two mold members are brought together, the flexible rim is flexed inwardly and the finished lens of the desired shape is obtained. The flexible rim is composed of a circular portion having two ends and a straight line connecting the two ends. This defines a chord and provides the finished lens with the truncation desired.Preferably the lens also has a toric surface and prism ballast to assist in positional stability of the lens on the eye of the wearer.

Abstract: Biologically stabilized compositions are prepared by subjecting to polymerization conditions an aqueous admixture comprising from 50 to about 70 weight percent solubilized collagen and from about 30 to less than 50 weight percent of an organic compound which is characterized by a polymerizable ethylenic group (>C.dbd.C<) as illustrated by N,N-dimethylacrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate or methoxytriethylene glycol methacrylate. The reactants employed are at least partially soluble in the aqueous reaction medium. The hydrogels thus prepared can be in the form of novel shaped articles having utility in the medical and cosmetic fields. Such hydrogels exhibit good biological stability, high water content, high oxygen permeability and sufficient mechanical strength characteristics to be useful as contact lenses.

Abstract: A two package system useful in forming a rapid plastic film, i.e., a burn dressing or burn bandage, on the burn of the skin. One package contains particulate hydrophilic polymer such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate polymer and the other package contains a liquid mixture of an inert, high boiling, organic liquid and water desirably in a weight ratio of 70:30 to 30:70. The particulate polymer and liquid mixture are desirably applied to the burn simultaneously, or by first applying the liquid mixture followed by application of the polymer. A plastic film, burn dressing, can result in a few minutes.

Abstract: Hydrophilic polymeric chambers for encapsulating biologically active tissue and methods for their preparation. The tissue refers to those essential cellular components of a particular organ that is capable of receiving, modifying or secreting hormones. A device comprising such chamber and such tissue is fabricated and implanted in a living body so that said tissue is permitted normal function without being rejected by the host's immunological system. The viability of the tissue in the device is maintained by a correlation of factors including pore size and membrane thickness of the hydrophilic chamber. To maintain the viability of the tissue, the implanted device allows the inflow of essential nutrients and gases, and outflow of metabolites and products while simultaneously excluding the ingress of cellular components of the host's immunological system.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a highly solar-energy absorbing device wherein the surface exposed to incident solar energy is a particularly characterized roughness of an amorphous semiconductor material, the particular characterization being that of an array of outwardly projecting structural elements of relatively high aspect ratio and at effective lateral spacings which are or include those in the order of magnitude of wavelengths within the solar-energy spectrum.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vented piercing device having a piercing spike which is considerably smaller in diameter than a standard device. The smaller diameter permits use of the device with small volume parenteral containers normally punctured with bottle needles. The method of assembly includes formation of a piercing device in two separate portions which are then welded together.

Abstract: A mold is described including at least one flexible mold member fabricated from thermoplastic polymeric materials. Desirably, the flexible mold member is placed within a circular torque ring and pressure is applied to flex the mold member into a selected toric configuration, a polymerizable mixture is inserted, the mold closed and the mixture is hardened into the desired lens. Lenses so produced, which may be either flexible or rigid, have at least one surface which is toric in configuration.