Abstract: The apparatus and method for preparing a polymeric structure from which a number of medical devices may be constructed is described. The structures are preferably formed from bioabsorbable materials using low temperature fabrication processes, whereby drugs or other bio-active agents are incorporated into or onto the device and degradation of the drugs or other agents during processing is minimized. The method includes preparing a solution of at least one bioabsorbable polymer and a solvent. The solution is then deposited onto a stage and converted into a structure. The solvent is evaporated from the structure. The dried solution forms a structure that is removed from the stage and further dried before being stored in an inert environment. Thereafter, a medical device such as a stent may be constructed from the structure.

Abstract: A polymeric medical device is constructed from bioabsorbable polymers. The device is constructed from a tube comprised of at least one polymer. The polymer is treated at pre-determined heating and cooling temperatures to obtain a desired morphology. The morphology or arrangement of the polymeric structure ensures that the device maintains its shape characteristics to ensure proper modeling of the vessel. In particular, the crystallinity of the polymeric structure is adjusted so as to resist recoil. The device can also contain a therapeutic agent dispersed throughout the structure or coated on the structure in such a manner as to elute the therapeutic agent when implanted in an anatomical conduit. The device can also be constructed from a blend of polymers and other agents such as plasticizers.

Abstract: An apparatus prepares a medical device from a polymeric composition having properties such as increased visibility of the device and the ability to deliver therapeutic and other agents. The device is constructed with additives incorporated into the polymeric structure, such as a material that increases visibility of the device, while still maintaining desired mechanical characteristics such as high radial stiffness, minimized recoil values, and improved flexibility. The device can assume a wide range of geometries that are adaptable to various loading conditions In order to include performance-enhancing additives to the medical device without affecting mechanical performance, the additives are localized in discrete regions of a polymer structure from which a medical device will be formed. For example, a medical device can be prepared from a polymer form such as a tube containing radiopaque agent localized at its ends or in a desired pattern along the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an erasable colored pencil lead composition comprising, in an embodiment, a colorant, one or more binder resins, an antioxidant, a fibrillatable or fibrillated material, and a filler. Also disclosed is a colored pencil lead composition which produces marks on paper, which are easily erased by ordinary pencil eraser. The mark made using the composition has a cohesive nature that assists in the removal from paper in sheet or film like sections by the use of an ordinary pencil eraser without smearing or leaving a residue. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is free or substantially free of low melting waxes or waxy materials. The colored pencil lead composition may further include a lubricant. Also disclosed is a method for using a colored pencil lead composition.

Abstract: A stent is positioned on an undersized mandrel and the stent is coated with an excess of a polymer and drug solution. The stent is rotated to spin off the excess of the coating. The stent is then moved into a new, clean position on the mandrel. The process is repeated a few times, after which time the coating is already dry and non-sticky. This process forms a conforming coating. Various important polymer solution parameters include viscosity, solvent evaporation rate and several others. The actual type of coating polymer is not as important as how the surface of the stent is treated, according to the steps described herein.

Abstract: A composition for a pencil casing comprising 45-55% by weight polystyrene polymer or copolymer, 35-45% by weight wood fiber, 0-6% by weight lubricant, and 4-6% by weight compatibilizing agent. A preferred compatibilizing agent is polystyrene maleic anhydride. The preferred polystyrene is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The preferred lubricants are selected from aluminum stearate, calcium stearate, and zinc stearate, with zinc stearate the most preferred. The invention may optionally include 0-5% by weight polyethylene terephthalate and 0-5% by weight polyethylene. Also included are a pencil casing made from the composition and a pencil made from the composition.

Abstract: An eraser composition comprising 22-41 wt % styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer, 5-15 wt % ethylene/propylene copolymer, 30-50 wt % calcium carbonate, 10-25 wt % factice; and 0.1-7 wt % pumice is provided. The eraser composition optionally contains up to 1 wt % titanium dioxide. The eraser composition preferably has a hardness of from 70 to 85 Shore A.

Abstract: The present invention provides an erasable colored pencil lead composition comprising a colorant, one or more binder resins, a fibrillatable or fibrillated material, and a filler. The colored pencil lead of the present invention produces marks on paper, which are easily erased by ordinary pencil eraser. The mark made using the composition has a cohesive nature that assists in the removal from paper in sheet or film like sections by the use of an ordinary eraser without smearing or leaving a residue. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is free or substantially free of low melting waxes or wax like materials. Examples of suitable binder resins include high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and high melting waxes. Examples of fibrillated or fibrillatable materials include fibrillatable or fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The colored pencil lead composition may further include a lubricant.

Abstract: The present invention provides an erasable colored pencil lead composition comprising a colorant, one or more binder resins, a fibrillatable or fibrillated material, and a filler. The colored pencil lead of the present invention produces marks on paper, which are easily erased by ordinary pencil eraser. The mark made using the composition has a cohesive nature that assists in the removal from paper in sheet or film like sections by the use of an ordinary eraser without smearing or leaving a residue. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is free or substantially free of low melting waxes or wax like materials. Examples of suitable binder resins include high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and high melting waxes. Examples of fibrillated or fibrillatable materials include fibrillatable or fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The colored pencil lead composition may further include a lubricant.

Abstract: The present invention provides an erasable colored pencil lead composition comprising a colorant, one or more binder resins, a fibrillatable or fibrillated material, and a filler. The colored pencil lead of the present invention produces marks on paper which are easily erased by ordinary pencil eraser. The mark made using the composition has a cohesive nature which assists in the removal from paper in sheet or film like sections by the use of an ordinary eraser without smearing or leaving a residue. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is free or substantially free of low melting waxes or wax like materials. Examples of suitable binder resins include high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and high melting waxes. Examples of fibrillated or fibrillatable materials include fibrillatable or fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The colored pencil lead composition may further include a lubricant.

Abstract: Filament-reinforced biomedical devices, and methods of making them.

Abstract: A porous, tubular synthetic prosthesis, prosthesis precursor, and methods of producing the same are provided. Specifically the method involves co-spraying both a water soluble and water insoluble fibrous component onto a mold to form the prosthesis precursor. The water soluble fibrous component may then be at least partially removed so as to provide a porous, tubular synthetic prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a colored pencil lead composition comprising a colorant, one or more binder resins, a fibrillatable or fibrillated material, a non-fibrillatable particulate lubricant, and a filler. An example of a suitable binder resin is high density polyethylene, and an example of a fibrillated or fibrillatable material is fibrillatable polytetrafluoroethylene. An example of a non-fibrillatable particulate lubricant is micronized polytetrafluoroethylene. The colored pencil lead of the present invention produces marks on paper which are easily erased by ordinary pencil eraser. The present invention further provides a process for preparing the colored pencil lead of the present invention comprising compounding the colorant, the binder resin or resins, the fibrillatable or fibrillated material, the non-fibrillatable particulate lubricant, and the filler to obtain a blend and forming the pencil lead from the blend.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering PVC from a material including PVC and one or more non-PVC components, in which the material is mixed with a sufficient amount of a plasticizer at an effective temperature, preferably in the range of 100.degree.-200.degree. C., to give a PVC: plasticizer ratio such that the PVC and plasticizer form a mixture which is a liquid at that temperature so that the liquid PVC/plasticizer can be separated from the non-PVC component or components.

Abstract: Odor absorbing sheet material is formed from a thin flexible substrate sheet on which discrete spaced areas, for example dots, of bonding agent such as latex adhesive are applied. Odor absorbing granules are bonded to the surface of each adhesive area. Since only small portions of the surfaces of the granules adhere to the adhesive, the odor absorbing capacity of the granules is not impaired. A thin flexible permeable cover sheet is applied on the or each granule coated side of the substrate sheet and is attached in a manner which maintains permeability of the assembly so that access of air to the granules is preserved and which does not substantially affect the flexibility of the assembly so that a sheet product with a soft flexibility and drapeable hand is obtained. Preferably, the outer cover sheet of the assembly is an anti-friction porous polymer web such as for example the webs used as facing layers on non-stick or non-adherent wound dressings and bandages.

Abstract: A particle display comprises a plurality of particles which in an electrical field rotate to expose either their white or black surface depending upon the polarity of the field. The particle display can be used for a flat panel ambient-illuminated numeric, alpha-numeric and other forms of visual displays.

Abstract: Polystyrene beads or beads of other thermoplastic material are expanded to a consolidated foam structure in a hollow cavity of a marine float or other structure by providing the beads with a uniform coating of a saturated brine solution or other aqueous solution of water-soluble salt and exposing the solution to microwave energy to boil the solutioln and thereby heat the beads to cause expansion and fusion to a foam structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making fur bearing strands from hides of fur bearing animals and a yarn from such strands suitable for producing a fur garment. The yarn has low stretch characteristics by virtue of treatment of the hide portions used to make it. Strands are made from hide portions joined side by side at abutting longitudinal edges and slit transversely of the joined portion. A yarn is made from the strands, which may be joined end to end, by longitudinally twisting them so that the fur is substantially about the exterior thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making fur bearing strands from hides of fur bearing animals and a yarn from such strands suitable for producing a fur garment. The yarn has low stretch characteristics by virtue of treatment of the hide portions used to make it. Strands are made from hide portions joined side by side at abutting longitudinal edges and slit transversely of the joined portion. A yarn is made from the strands, which may be joined end to end, by longitudinally twisting them so that the fur is substantially about the exterior thereof.