Abstract: Discrete micro and nanoscale particles are formed in predetermined shapes and sizes and predetermined size dispersions. The particles can also be attached to a film to form arrays of particles on a film. The particles are formed from molding techniques that can include high throughput and continuous particle molding.

Abstract: A functionalized photocurable perfluoropolyether is used as a material for fabricating a solvent-resistant microfluidic device. Such solvent resistant microfluidic devices can be used to control the flow of small amounts of a fluid, such as an organic solvent, and to perform microscale chemical reactions that are not amenable to other polymer-based microfluidic devices.

Abstract: Novel endoprostheses comprising one or more photocurable materials are disclosed. Said endoprostheses may comprise regions wherein said photocurable materials are selectively disposed about said endoprosthesis and are cured according to desired parameters to achieve varying desired properties. Said properties may include but are not limited to cross-linking density, material density, modulus of elasticity, rate of erosion, extensibility, compressibility, mechanical strength, tensile strength, crystallinity, diffusion coefficient, and permeability.

Abstract: A woven tubular endoprosthesis comprising means for locking the endoprosthesis in a deployed configuration is disclosed. The means for locking the endoprosthesis may comprise locking protrusions, notches, a chemical bond, a curable bond, or other mechanism. The woven fibers comprising the endoprosthesis may be hollow and comprise circumferentially oriented polymeric chains, and may be filled with a curable material. A method of treatment using an endoprosthesis according to the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: An erodible prosthesis comprising alternate rates of erosion is disclosed, wherein said alternate rates of erosion can be selectively initiated. Some embodiments according to the invention may comprise an agent for initiating an alternative rate of erosion, such as, for example, a sensitizer, dissolution inhibitor, photo-acid generator, biochemically active additive, thermally activated catalyst, light activated catalyst, electromagnetic radiation activated catalyst, hydration activated catalyst, pH activated catalyst, low melting agent, and/or enzyme activated catalyst. One or more of the foregoing agents may be dispersed within one or more layers.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of liquid precursor materials to prepare a processible polymeric electrolyte, which can be used to form a proton exchange membrane for use in an electrochemical cell. Also disclosed is the use of liquid precursor materials to prepare a processible catalyst ink composition, which can be conformally applied to a proton exchange membrane and a electrode material for use in an electrochemical cell. Also disclosed is the use of a photocurable perfluoropolyether (PFPE) material to form a microfluidic electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The polymeric shell of a removable dental positioning appliance is formed from transparent polymeric materials having a tensile strength at yield of greater than 6,000 pounds per square inch (psi), an elongation at yield of greater than 4%, an elongation at break of greater than 80%, a tensile modulus greater than 200,000 psi, a flexural modulus greater than 200,000 psi, stress relaxation over time of not more than 50%, and a transmissivity of light between 400 nm and 800 nm greater than 75%.

Abstract: Methods of making a removable dental positioning appliance include forming a sheet of transparent crystalline polymeric material into a shell having cavities shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation. The polymeric material may then be annealed at a temperature above its glass transition temperature or cured if a curable material to enhance characteristics of the polymeric material. The polymeric material may be coated with a second transparent material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing prosody modification of a speech signal output by a text-to-speech (TTS) system to substantially prevent an interactive voice response (IVR) system from understanding the speech signal without significantly degrading the speech signal with respect to human understanding. The present invention involves modifying the prosody of the speech output signal by using the prosody of the user's response to a prompt. In addition, a randomly generated overlay frequency is used to modify the speech signal to further prevent an IVR system from recognizing the TTS output. The randomly generated frequency may be periodically changed using an overlay timer that changes the random frequency signal at a predetermined intervals.

Abstract: Liquid curable perfluoropolyether (PFPE) materials are provided for use as coatings, sealants, flexible fillers, and structural parts for a wide variety of medical applications, particularly where silicone has been utilized conventionally. The PFPE material is oxygen permeable and bacterial impermeable and may contain one or more pharmacological agents elutably trapped therewithin for delivery within the body of a subject.

Abstract: Liquid curable perfluoropolyether (PFPE) materials are provided for use as coatings, sealants, flexible fillers, and structural parts for a wide variety of medical and cosmetic applications, particularly where silicone has been utilized conventionally. The PFPE material is oxygen permeable and bacterial impermeable and may contain one or more pharmacological agents elutably trapped therewithin for delivery within the body of a subject.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing polymeric intraluminal prostheses include annealing the polymeric material to selectively modify the crystallinity thereof. Annealing may be utilized to selectively modify various properties of the polymeric material of an intraluminal prosthesis, including: selectively increasing the modulus of the polymeric material; selectively increasing the hoop strength of the intraluminal prosthesis; selectively modifying the elution rate (increase or decrease) of a pharmacological agent subsequently disposed on or within the annealed polymeric material; selectively increasing/decreasing stress in the intraluminal prosthesis; and selectively modifying the polymeric material such that it erodes at a different rate.

Abstract: A method of forming a polymer having reactive functionality comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising at least one monomer having at least one reactive functional group and carbon dioxide; and polymerizing the at least one monomer in the reaction mixture to form a polymer having reactive functionality associated with the at least one reactive functional group.

Abstract: A method for carrying out the continuous polymerization of a monomer in a carbon dioxide reaction medium comprises the steps of: (a) providing an apparatus including a continuous reaction vessel and a separator; (b) carrying out a polymerization reaction in the reaction vessel by combining a monomer and a carbon dioxide reaction medium therein (and preferably by also combining an initiator therein), wherein the reaction medium is a liquid or supercritical fluid, and wherein the reaction produces a solid polymer product in the reaction vessel; then (c) withdrawing a continuous effluent stream from the reaction vessel during the polymerization reaction, wherein the effluent stream is maintained as a liquid or supercritical fluid; then (d) passing the continuous effluent stream through the separator and separating the solid polymer therefrom while maintaining at least a portion of the effluent stream as a liquid or supercritical fluid; and then (e) returning at least a portion of the continuous effluent stream t

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound that is a terpolymer of: (a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated linear or branched compound that has at least one fluorine atom covalently coupled thereto; (b) at least one ethylenically unsaturated precursor of a cyclic or polycyclic compound that has at least one fluorine atom covalently coupled thereto forming a cyclic or polycyclic decrystallizing monomer in said terpolymer; and (c) at least one ethylenically unsaturated functional compound which as a monomer in said terpolymer changes solubility upon exposure to an acid or base.

Abstract: A woven tubular endoprosthesis comprising means for locking the endoprosthesis in a deployed configuration is disclosed. The means for locking the endoprosthesis may comprise locking protrusions, notches, a chemical bond, a curable bond, or other mechanism. The woven fibers comprising the endoprosthesis may be hollow and comprise circumferentially oriented polymeric chains, and may be filled with a curable material. A method of treatment using an endoprosthesis according to the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: Liquid curable perfluoropolyether (PFPE) materials are provided for use as coatings, sealants, flexible fillers, and structural parts for a wide variety of medical applications, particularly where silicone has been utilized conventionally. The PFPE material is oxygen permeable and bacterial impermeable and may contain one or more pharmacological agents elutably trapped therewithin for delivery within the body of a subject.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a menu structure associated with an interactive voice system that supports interactive voice response users is disclosed. A graphical representation of the menu structure is generated and communicated to an on-line user. The graphical representation is used by the on-line user to select graphical menu items corresponding to interactive voice response prompts.

Abstract: A computer system and method for analysis and translation of Web on-line menu architectures to Interactive Voice Response (IVR) menu architectures. The system analyzes Uniform Resource Location (URL) links in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) documents that comprise the Web menus and develops corresponding IVR menus. Once the system has developed a validated IVR menu architecture, the system supports both on-line Web users and IVR users with a common set of structured information databases. The system and method also supports analysis and translation of IVR menu architectures to support Web on-line users. The common information databases contain the IVR and Web menu architectures as well as product specifications and prices.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyamide from a corresponding nylon salt material comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising a nylon salt and carbon dioxide; and then condensing the nylon salt in the carbon dioxide to form a polyamide and water. A method of forming a polyamide comprises providing a reaction mixture containing at least one lactam monomer and carbon dioxide; and then polymerizing the lactam monomer in the carbon dioxide to form a polyamide.