Abstract: A process for the preparation of a laminate, particularly a waterproof moisture vapor permeable laminate, comprising a substrate having on a surface thereof a thermoplastic polymer resin coating and further comprising a peelable release layer in contact with the surface of said thermoplastic polymer resin remote from the substrate, and optionally further comprising a tie layer between the substrate and the thermoplastic polymer resin, said process comprising the steps of forming or providing a substrate layer and providing on a surface thereof a thermoplastic polymer resin coating and a peelable release layer and optionally providing a tie layer between the substrate and the thermoplastic polymer resin coating, characterized in that the thermoplastic polymer resin has a viscosity less than about 3000 Pa.s measured according to the standard ISO11443.

Abstract: Endovascular stents capable of being cut from a flat piece of material are described. The endovascular stents may be bioabsorbable, multilayered and may have structural configurations allowing them to maintain low profiles in vivo. Methods of manufacturing endovascular stents and methods of using endovascular stents are also described.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is made by wetting a porous polyester fiber tubing with water until it gains close to maximum amount of weight, removing excess liquid from inside the tubing, repeatedly contacting the inside surface of the tubing with a solution of a biocompatible polymer in a water-immiscible solvent to adsorb some solution on the inside surface of the tubing, and removing excess solution, then removing solvent from the adsorbed solution to form a nonporous elastomer coating of the desired thickness on the inside surface of the tubing.

Abstract: A process for producing an article of a synthetic resin material or a thermoplastic resin blend having a microcellular structure comprises dispersing in a solid thermoplastic resin matrix having hydrophilic functional groups a finely divided water-soluble material, shaping the resin matrix containing the water-soluble material into the desired article, and immersing the shaped article in water at a suitable temperature to cause the resin matrix to swell to an extent of at least about 50% by volume while wet. The immersion causes water to diffuse into the resin matrix and solvate the water-soluble material, which becomes encased in water-filled cells that have solid walls, are substantially closed, and do not form an interconnecting porous network.Articles made by this process include, among others, vascular grafts and organoids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing degradable, shrinkable films of polyhydroxy acid and plasticizers including melt processing the materials to obtain uniform composition, forming the composition into a film, and biaxially orienting the film. Also, non-shrinkable films are produced by heat-setting the biaxially oriented films at temperature above the composition glass transition temperature and below its melt temperature while maintaining the film under restraint. Films thus produced are useful for disposable, environmentally benign packaging and other conventional film uses.

Abstract: A waterproof hydrophilic copolyetherester film having a high water vapor transmission rate can be secured surprisingly well to polyester fiberfill batting, so provides advantages in processing, and provides improved comfort to the wearer when the composite is used in apparel.

Abstract: A process for extruding a smooth and uniform film or sheet of an ordered poly(ether ketone ketone) having a thickness of about 2.5 to 250 micrometers, wherein the molten extrudate is quenched on a drum maintained at a temperature of about 100.degree.-170.degree. C.

Abstract: A flame resistant copolyetherester elastomer film composition comprising(a) 60-85 weight percent of a hydrophilic copolyetherester elastomer film having a thickness of 0.3-1.6 mils, a water vapor transmission rate of at least 7,000 gm.mil/m.sup.2 /24 hours and an elongation of at least 600% with said hydrophilic elastomer film consisting essentially of a multiplicity of long chain ester units and short chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages wherein copolyetherester elastomer contains about 25-80 weight percent short chain ester units, and(b) 15-40 weight percent of a flame retardant component comprised of 37.

Abstract: A flexible breathable waterproof product of a film of a thermoplastic hydrophilic poly(etherimide) ester elastomer which is the reaction product of one or more diols, one or more dicarboxylic acids, and one or more poly(oxyalkylene imide) diacids said poly(oxyalkylene imide) diacid containing sufficient repeating units of ethylene oxide so that the resulting poly(etherimide) ester elastomer has about 25-60 weight percent ethylene oxide units and said film has a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 3500 gm mil/m.sup.2 /24 hours according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW).

Abstract: A bicomponent film of a hydrophilic copolyester having a WVTR of at least 3500 gm.mil/m.sup.2 /24 hrs. of a poly(etherimide) ester elastomer containing about 25-60 weight percent ethylene oxide units, and a hydrophobic copolyester having a WVTR of 400-2500 gm.mil/m.sup.2 /24 hrs. of a poly(etherimide) ester elastomer or a segmented copolyester elastomer having no more than about 20 weight percent ethylene oxide units in the hydrophobic elastomers, the bicomponent film having a separation ratio for water vapor of at least 1.2 as determined by ASTM/E 96-66 (Procedure BW).

Abstract: (A) A continuous layer of a hydrophobic elastomer having a water vapor transmission rate of 400-2500 gm.mil/m.sup.2 /24 hrs.

Abstract: Poly(ethylene terephthalate) compositions containing a small amount of a terpolymer of ethylene containing carboxyl groups, which may be partly or completely converted to a divalent metal salt form, and reinforced with a mineral material having an aspect ratio of at least 10 can be formed into sheets which are readily thermoformable at moderate pressures and have very good thermoforming radius ratios.

Abstract: Reinforced poly(ethylene terephthalate) sheets are thermoformed to articles having one or more surfaces in contact with the mold of such a degree of smoothness that they virtually completely replicate the mold face. When the mold face is completely smooth, the concave imperfections caused by air entrapment in the plastic material account for less than 6% of the surface area. Composite articles consisting of a face member and a backing member are made by thermoforming in a single mold a face member having one or more surfaces in contact with the mold face of such a degree of smoothness that it completely replicates the mold face, and its proportion of concave imperfections is less than about 6% of the surface area. The backing member is bonded in the mold with an adhesive to the face member, and the composite structure is allowed to remain in the mold for a sufficient time to permit subsequent removal without distortion.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced poly(ethylene terephthalate) sheet is laminated to a sheet of amorphous, adhesive copolyester at a temperature at which poly(ethylene terephthalate) is in a molten state. The resulting composite sheet is useful in making thermoformed articles in which one member is bonded to another member, for example, a face member and a backing member. The different members are arranged so that their copolyester layers face each other. Hollow thermoformed articles bonded with amorphous copolyester adhesive exhibit very good bond strength and minimum distortion.

Abstract: Reinforced poly(ethylene terephthalate) sheets are thermoformed to articles having one or more surfaces in contact with the mold of such a degree of smoothness that they virtually completely replicate the mold face. When the mold face is completely smooth, the concave imperfections caused by air entrapment in the plastic material account for less than 6% of the surface area. Composite articles consisting of a face member and a backing member are made by thermoforming in a single mold a face member having one or more surfaces in contact with the mold face of such a degree of smoothness that it completely replicates the mold face, and its proportion of concave imperfections is less than about 6% of the surface area. The backing member is bonded in the mold with an adhesive to the face member, and the composite structure is allowed to remain in the mold for a sufficient time to permit subsequent removal without distortion.

Abstract: A molding blend of polyethylene terephthalate, a selected ionomeric terpolymer and a selected graft terpolymer provides molded articles of good toughness.