Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel fire escape device. The device is a clear, heavy plastic tube that acts as a fire escape. The tube extends down the outside of a building and comprises a plurality of foot platforms throughout, varying depending on the number of floors. The floor platform would be attached to a cable that runs from the top of the building to the bottom, utilizing a large weight-resistant wheel or gear to maintain continuous operation without electricity or other sources of power. These moving foot platforms would operate like an elevator, transporting people to the bottom of the building in an emergency. Firefights can also utilize the device to help fight the fire and guide people out of the building safely.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue, the instrument (3) including a shaft (14) and a tip portion including at least one electrode (16), located at the distal end of the shaft. A fluid impermeable sheath (25) covers at least a proportion of the shaft and extends to the tip portion where it terminates in a distal end portion (26). A metallic shroud (29) is provided, comprising an annular ring portion (30) and a rearwardly extending cylindrical portion (31). The ring portion (30) is connected to the tip portion, and the cylindrical portion (31) overlies the distal end portion (26) of the sheath (25) so as to prevent ingress of fluids at the distal end portion of the sheath.

Abstract: A shaft (14) is provided for a flexible endoscopic instrument, the shaft including at least one flexible section (20) along the length of the shaft, a distal section (19) located distally of the flexible section, and a proximal section (18) located proximally of the flexible section (20). The distal section (19) includes a connection to a shaft electrode, while the proximal section (18) includes at least one connection for connecting the shaft (14) to an electrosurgical generator (1). The shaft also includes a bypass lead (26) in electrical connection with both the distal section (19) and the proximal section (18). The bypass lead (26) ensures that the distal section (19) and the proximal section (18) remain at the same potential even if the electrical pathway via the flexible section (20) becomes degraded by wear or damage thereto.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, and a shaft including a proximal end, a deflectable portion and a distal tip. A handle is movable between first and second positions on the housing, and an actuator is movably coupled to the handle, such that movement of the handle between its first and second positions causes a corresponding movement of the actuator between first and second positions in the housing. A deflection wire includes proximal and distal portions, the distal portion being fixed to the shaft, and the proximal portion being affixed to the housing so as to provide a path length for the deflection wire within the housing. The movement of the handle causes the actuator to move to its second position, the second position of the actuator causing an increase in the path length for the deflection wire so as cause a deflection of the distal tip of the shaft.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue, the instrument (3) including a shaft (14) and a tip portion including at least one electrode (16), located at the distal end of the shaft. A fluid impermeable sheath (25) covers at least a proportion of the shaft and extends to the tip portion where it terminates in a distal end portion (26). A metallic shroud (29) is provided, comprising an annular ring portion (30) and a rearwardly extending cylindrical portion (31). The ring portion (30) is connected to the tip portion, and the cylindrical portion (31) overlies the distal end portion (26) of the sheath (25) so as to prevent ingress of fluids at the distal end portion of the sheath.

Abstract: A shaft (14) is provided for a flexible endoscopic instrument, the shaft including at least one flexible section (20) along the length of the shaft, a distal section (19) located distally of the flexible section, and a proximal section (18) located proximally of the flexible section (20). The distal section (19) includes a connection to a shaft electrode, while the proximal section (18) includes at least one connection for connecting the shaft (14) to an electrosurgical generator (1). The shaft also includes a bypass lead (26) in electrical connection with both the distal section (19) and the proximal section (18). The bypass lead (26) ensures that the distal section (19) and the proximal section (18) remain at the same potential even if the electrical pathway via the flexible section (20) becomes degraded by wear or damage thereto.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue, the instrument (3) comprising an instrument shaft (14) having a longitudinal axis, a suction lumen (24) extending at least partially along the instrument shaft, and an electrode assembly at one end of the shaft. The electrode assembly comprises at least one tissue treatment electrode (16), the tissue treatment electrode having an end face (17) and at least one side face (18). The tissue treatment electrode includes a plurality of apertures in communication with the suction lumen, at least one aperture (19) being present in the end face and at least one aperture (20) being present in the side face.

Abstract: A fire and thermal insulative wrap for protecting building wires and cables is provided comprising a layered construction of a support substrate and a coating, thereon, of an intumescent material. Optionally, a third ceramic layer is provided for added fire protection and electrical properties. Wires and cables constructed to include the wraps are cost effective because construction can include the substitution of low cost polyolefin resins and compounds for fluorocarbon resins and smoke suppressed PVC compounds. The new constructions based on polyolefin components advantageously produce lower levels of smoke and toxic and corrosive gases during a fire event when compared with the halogen based PVC and fluorocarbon systems. Moreover, the superior fire and thermal protection provided adds safety gained from increased circuit integrity. Finally, the wrap thickness being slight does not add significantly to cable size and therefore promotes an installation advantage.

Abstract: A fire and thermal insulative wrap for protecting building wires and cables is provided comprising a layered construction of a support substrate and a coating, thereon, of an intumescent material. Optionally, a third ceramic layer is provided for added fire protection and electrical properties. Wires and cables constructed to include the wraps are cost effective because construction can include the substitution of low cost polyolefin resins and compounds for fluorocarbon resins and smoke suppressed PVC compounds. The new constructions based on polyolefin components advantageously produce lower levels of smoke and toxic and corrosive gases during a fire event when compared with the halogen based PVC and fluorocarbon systems. Moreover, the superior fire and thermal protection provided adds safety gained from increased circuit integrity. Finally, the wrap thickness being slight does not add significantly to cable size and therefore promotes an installation advantage.

Abstract: Curable polymer compositions comprising a crosslinkable polymeric component; an initiator component; and an allyl compound component.

Abstract: A composition comprising: polyethylene; as a scorch inhibitor, 2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene; as a cure booster, 3,9-divinyl-2,4,8,10-tetra-oxaspiro[5.5]undecane; and an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (a) polyethylene; (b) as a scorch inhibitor, 4,4′-thiobis(2-methyl-6-t-butylphenol); 2,2′ thiobis(6-t-butyl-4-methylphenol); or mixtures thereof; (c) optionally, a cure booster; and (d) an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A composition comprising polyethylene and, for each 100 parts by weight of polyethylene, about 0.1 to about 3 parts by weight of the reaction product of (i) an aliphatic diacid anhydride or a polymer or copolymer thereof wherein the anhydride has 4 to 20 carbon atoms; and (ii) a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycaprolactone, a polyalkylene glycol, a monoalkyl ether of a polyalkylene glycol, and a mixture of two or more of said polymers, the weight ratio of component (ii) to component (i) being in the range of about 0.05:1 to about 1:1.

Abstract: A masterbatch composition comprising: (a) a copolymer of ethylene and 1-octene prepared with a metallocene catalyst; (b) as a scorch inhibitor, a substituted hydroquinone; 4,4′-thiobis(2-methyl-6-t-butylphenol); 4,4′-thiobis(2-t-butyl-5-methylphenol); or mixtures thereof; (c) as a cure booster, triallyl trimellitate; 3,9-divinyl-2,4,8,10-tetra-oxaspiro[5.5]undecane; triallylcyanurate; triallyl isocyanurate; or mixtures thereof; and (d) an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (a) polyethylene; (b) as a scorch inhibitor, [1,3,5-tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-(1H,3H,5H)-trione]; and (c) an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (a) polyethylene; (b) as a first scorch inhibitor, a substituted hydroquinone or 4,4′-thiobis(2-t-butyl-5-methyl phenol); (c) as a second scorch inhibitor, distearyl disulfide; and (d) an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (a) a low density homopolymer of ethylene prepared by a high pressure process; (b) a scorch inhibitor selected from the group consisting of a substituted hydroquinone; 4,4′-thiobis(2-methyl-6-t-butylphenol); 2,2′-thiobis(6-t-butyl-4-methylphenol); and 4,4′-thiobis(2-t-butyl-5-methylphenol) in an amount of about 0.02 to about 0.07 part by weight of scorch inhibitor per 100 parts by weight of homopolymer; (c) a cure booster; and (d) an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A composition comprising:(a) polyethylene;(b) as a scorch inhibitor, 1,1-diphenylethylene, substituted or unsubstituted;(c) optionally, a cure booster; and(d) an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A composition comprising:(a) polyethylene;(b) a cure booster selected from the group consisting of 3,9-divinyl-2,4,8,10-tetra-oxaspiro[5.5]undecane (DVS); a copolymer of ethylene and DVS; and an ethylene homopolymer or copolymer having DVS grafted thereto; and(c) an organic peroxide.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising (i) a plurality of electrical conductors, each surrounded by one or more layers of a composition comprising (a) one or more polyolefins and, bonded thereto or blended therewith, (b) a linear or cyclic organopolysiloxane containing one or more functionalized hindered amine moieties; and (ii) hydrocarbon cable filler grease within the interstices between said surrounded conductors.