Abstract: The disclosure relates to flexible membrane structures having a layer of a ductile metal thereon or sandwiched therein. The disclosure further relates to improved prophylactic devices having improved resistance to the transmission of very small viruses, such as AIDS or HERPES therethrough, which utilize the flexible membrane structures of the present invention, and the present invention furthermore relates to flexible electrodes which utilize the flexible membrane structures of the present invention. The present invention also relates to methods of making such membranes, electrodes, and prophylactic devices.

Abstract: An elastic prophylactic device having an improved ductile metal barrier layer to prevent the transmission of virus, such as those causing AIDS or HERPES. The improved metal barrier is formed in such manner as to enable it to repeatedly expand and contract in concert with the elastic movements of the prophylactic device during its intended use, without fracture or breaking of the barrier metal layer. A number of processes for manufacturing the improved device are given, including initially stretching the elastic membrane of the device to the extent of its intended use, and vapor depositing a ductile metal in a thin, continuous coating onto the stretched membrane.

Abstract: A thin, multilayered rubber article and method of making it, having greater resistance to the leakage of fluids therethrough, despite repeated stretching and relaxing of the article within a wide range of movement. The article exhibits a "self-healing" property to impede fluid leakage despite preexisting, or later formed, pinholes or other small openings through the layers. In the method, the base layer is initially stretched before applying an intimately adhered, thinner overlayer of elastomeric material, thereby to provide a stressed interface between the two adhered layers. Additional overlayers can be applied.