Abstract: Devices implantable in animal bodies, possibly configured as self-inflating spinal disc prostheses. Alternatively, non-implantable water-desalination and/or purification devices. The devices include specified types of water-absorbing solute encapsulated by non-porous, water-permeable polymer membranes having specified properties. Also, methods of using the devices in biomedical applications or water treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a control unit which allows for autonomous, manual and tele-operation of mining vehicles. The control unit has a robust system design to withstand the harsh environment of underground mines. The control unit allows a tele-operator, in a remote tele-operator station, to use image and operational data, joysticks and foot pedals to remotely control the mining vehicle. In another aspect, the control unit provides safety features such as supervising its operation for operational errors and providing status, warning and error information to the tele-operator station.

Abstract: Devices implantable in animal bodies, possibly configured as self-inflating spinal disc prostheses. Alternatively, non-implantable water-desalination and/or purification devices. The devices include specified types of water-absorbing solute encapsulated by non-porous, water-permeable polymer membranes having specified properties. Also, methods of using the devices in biomedical applications or water treatment.

Abstract: A funneled cutting board assembly comprising a cutting board with feet and integral funnel assembly. The cutting board comprises a cutting surface with side rails and an aperture. Extending through the aperture is a funnel. The cutting board may contain an accessory, such as a knife sharpener. The feet of the cutting board are foldable, so in the open position they raise the board for use above a flat surface, and may be closed for use over a sink or to facilitate storage of the board. The funnel assembly of the funneled cutting board may come with various accessories, such as a strainer and different grater inserts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition that softens at a predetermined temperature, preferably between about 20.degree. C. and 90.degree. C., and more preferably between about 20.degree. C. and about 62.degree. C., comprising at least one block copolymer having at least two thermal transition temperatures. The composition is characterized by at least two thermal transition temperatures, one of which is a predetermined lower transition temperature, preferably between about 20.degree. C. to 90.degree. C., and more preferably between about 20.degree. C. to about 62.degree. C., and one of which is an upper transition temperature. The present invention also provides a method of making the composition, a method of making biomedical materials and articles, and toys and toy components, with shape-memory properties from the composition, and biomedical materials and articles, and toys and toy components, with shape-memory properties made from the composition.

Abstract: A biocompatible, hydrophilic, segmented block polyurethane copolymer which comprises 5 to 45 wt % of a hard segment and 95 to 55 wt % of a soft segment selected from a hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphipathic oligomer is disclosed. The copolymer is capable of forming a non-porous, semi-permeable film of a tensile strength greater than 300 and up to 10,000 psi, and has an ultimate elongation greater than 300% and up to 1,500% and a water absorption such that the sum of the volume fraction of absorbed water and the hydrophilic volume fraction of the soft segment exceeds about 100% and is up to about 2,000% of the dry polymer volume. The film is permeable to cell nutrients and waste molecules of up to about 6,000 to 600,000 molecular weight and is substantially impermeable to cells and particulate matter. A non-porous, semi-permeable, biocompatible film is formed from the block copolymer of the invention in the form of a flexible sheet or a hollow fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polymeric compositions of matter and their use. Said polymeric compositions of matter are surface active endgroup-containing polymers that comprise a linear base polymer having covalently bonded surface active endgroups of a nature and present in an amount such that said polymers have a surface or interfacial tension that differs by at least 1 dyne/cm from the surface or interfacial tension of an otherwise identical polymer that does not contain said covalently bonded surface active endgroups. The novel linear polymers according to the present invention are particularly suitable for use in the manufacture of medical devices, and especially of medical devices intended to be used in contact with bodily fluids such as blood. Examples of such medical devices include catheters and artificial hearts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition that softens at a predetermined temperature, preferably between about 20.degree. C. and 90.degree. C., and more preferably between about 20.degree. C. and about 62.degree. C., comprising at least one block copolymer having at least two thermal transition temperatures. The composition is characterized by at least two thermal transition temperatures, one of which is a predetermined lower transition temperature, preferably between about 20.degree. C. to 90.degree. C., and more preferably between about 20.degree. C. to about 62.degree. C., and one of which is an upper transition temperature. The present invention also provides a method of making the composition, a method of making biomedical materials and articles, and toys and toy components, with shape-memory properties from the composition, and biomedical materials and articles, and toys and toy components, with shape-memory properties made from the composition.

Abstract: A biocompatible, hydrophilic, segmented block polyurethane copolymer which comprises 5 to 45 wt % of a hard segment and 95 to 55 wt % of a soft segment selected from a hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphipathic oligomer is disclosed. The copolymer is capable of forming a non-porous, semi-permeable film of a tensile strength greater than 300 and up to 10,000 psi, and has an ultimate elongation greater than 300% and up to 1,500% and a water absorption such that the sum of the volume fraction of absorbed water and the hydrophilic volume fraction of the soft segment exceeds about 100% and is up to about 2,000% of the dry polymer volume. The film is permeable to cell nutrients and waste molecules of up to about 6,000 to 600,000 molecular weight and is substantially impermeable to cells and particulate matter. A non-porous, semi-permeable, biocompatible film is formed from the block copolymer of the invention in the form of a flexible sheet or a hollow fiber.

Abstract: Novel linear polysiloxane-polyacetone block copolymers are useful as surface modifying additives due in part to their miscibility with a wide variety of base polymers. A particularly preferred polysiloxane-polycaprolactone linear blocked copolymer is miscible with nylon and is useful for forming surface modified nylon products.

Abstract: Polymeric materials are provided characterized by hard segments and copolymer soft blocks comprising hydrophobic and hydrophilic components. The polymeric materials may be mixed with a base polymer and/or inorganic salts. The polymeric materials and mixtures containing same are characterized by improved moisture vapor transmission rates. The polymeric materials may be formed into films for use as wound dressings, burn dressings, surgical drapes, semipermeable membranes, and coatings for textiles.

Abstract: Novel linear polysiloxane-polylactone block copolymers are useful as surface modifying additives due in part to their miscibility with a wide variety of base polymers. A particularly preferred polysiloxane-polycaprolactone linear blocked copolymer is miscible with nylon and is useful for forming surface modified nylon products.

Abstract: A polymer admixture is formed from a base polymer and thermoplastic copolymer additive including polar hard segments and polar and nonpolar soft blocks in graft or block copolymer form. The polymer admixture is characterized by increased contact angle hysteresis and is formed into blood and tissue-contacting surfaces of a biomedical device or into textiles. A preferred additive comprises a segmented block copolymer having polydialkylsiloxanes as nonpolar soft blocks, and a polyurethane as hard segments and a polyalkylene oxide as a polar soft block.

Abstract: Polymeric materials are provided characterized by hard segments and copolymer soft blocks comprising hydrophobic and hydrophilic components. The polymeric materials may be mixed with a base polymer and/or inorganic salts. The polymeric materials and mixtures containing same are characterized by improved moisture vapor transmission rates. The polymeric materials may be formed into films for use as wound dressings, burn dressings, surgical drapes, semipermeable membranes, and coatings for textiles.

Abstract: A polymer admixture is formed from a base polymer and thermoplastic copolymer additive including polar hard segments and polar and nonpolar soft blocks in graft or block copolymer form. The polymer admixture is characterized by increased contact angle hysteresis and is formed into blood and tissue-contacting surfaces of a biomedical device or into textiles. A preferred additive comprises a segmented block copolymer having polydialkylsiloxanes as nonpolar soft blocks, and a polyurethane as hard segments and a polyalkylene oxide as a polar soft block.

Abstract: Novel linear polysiloxane-polylactone block copolymers are useful as surface modifying additives due in part to their miscibility with a wide variety of base polymers. A particularly preferred polysiloxane-polycaprolactone linear blocked copolymer is miscible with nylon and is useful for forming surface modified nylon products.

Abstract: A device for fabricating multi-layer tubing has a reservoir for tubing solution and discharges such solution from an opening in the reservoir bottom. The reservoir is suspended so as to remain level. Extending through the opening is a vertical rod of smaller diameter but itself suspended by a flexible wire so as to remain vertical. Material in the reservoir extrudes as an annulus even in cross-section by passing between the edge of the reservoir opening and the rod. Such extruded material hardens into one layer of the tubing. There is a repetition with a larger reservoir opening and so depositing a larger tube that is dried on and over the first tube. This is repeated as often as desired to get a finished tube of the proper inside and outside diameter.The method is following in succession the steps described above.