Abstract: A flexible catheter is provided for use with an antenna which radiates high-frequency or microwave energy, the catheter having a carrier tube and an outer layer of microporous polytetrafluoroethylene on the outer circumference of the carrier tube.

Abstract: A new porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a process for the production thereof is provided. Both the PTFE and the process excel by the fact that polytetrafluoroethylene is radiation-chemically degraded, the degraded polytetrafluoroethylene is mixed with a high-molecular emulsion polymerisate of polytetrafluoroethylene and the mixture is extruded, stretched and may additionally be sintered.

Abstract: A self-adhesive vent filter adsorbent assembly with diffusion tube is provided for removing gaseous contaminants from an enclosure comprising a layer of polymer film forming a diffusion tube, two adhesive layers, at least one filtration layer and optionally an absorbent layer. An outside mounting assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A dragchain substitute in the form of a line guiding assembly comprising at least one line receiving channel for receiving at least one line loosely disposed therein. At least one of the channel walls of each line receiving channel is designed in projecting manner and resilient towards the channel interior relative to a channel wall supporting it, such that the line can be urged from outside of the line receiving channel through the resilient channel wall and into the interior of the line receiving channel and is enclosed in the line receiving channel after said resilient channel wall has resiled.

Abstract: A cable bushing which provides for an electromagnetically tight guidance of a shielded electrical cable, the jacket of which has been stripped from the shield in the bushing area, and the cable led through an opening in a partition, wherein electrically conductive part shells are mounted to the exposed part of the cable shield and an electrically conductive sleeve is slipped over the part shells. The sleeve is provided with a cover disk, which forms an integral part of the sleeve, with an annular disk which can be radially attached to the sleeve and incorporates a radial slot, with a threaded nut which can be screwed to the sleeve and with a counter-nut acting on the threaded nut. With the exception of the cover disk and the ring disk, all components of the cable bushing have smaller outer dimensions than the inner dimensions of the partition opening. In this way the cable bushing can be preassembled with a cable assembly before being mounted to the partition.

Abstract: A new porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a process for the production thereof is provided. Both the PTFE and the process excel by the fact that polytetrafluoroethylene is radiation-chemically degraded, the degraded polytetrafluoroethylene is mixed with a high-molecular emulsion polymerisate of polytetrafluoroethylene and the mixture is extruded, stretched and may additionally be sintered.

Abstract: A spiral cable which comprises a lower (inner) box part and an upper (outer) box part to wind up a cable spiral and install it at an intended assembly site, for instance at the steering wheel of an automobile. In an outer cylinder wall and an inner cylinder wall the spiral cable box is provided with cable entry openings which allow the cable spiral to be wound up in the box and which allow for the formation of angular end areas which are aligned in parallel to the box to subsequently make an electrical connection.

Abstract: Cable plug connectors and cable bushings with freely selectable cable outlet directions comprising a housing which includes a cable outlet area and/or a reinforced opening area and a contact area wherein the cable outlet area is provided with a ball joint through which a cable which is connected with the contact area can be guided.

Abstract: A device for protecting the human body against impacts and blows is provided that may be used integral with a garment or separately. The device consists of a hard core material and a padding part which further comprises a foam material with closed parts wherein the hard core material and padding part have perforations in a predesigned configuration. The padding part may also be equipped with a functional lining that is water vapor permeable, windproof and waterproof. These devices are particularly useful as a protective insert in sports uniforms and protective helmets and may also be used as a splinting device such as a cast.

Abstract: The invention discloses an antenna arrangement with a supply line in the form of a coaxial cable arrangement suitable for high frequencies, in particular for medical applications of heat in hollow parts of the body, an extrusion process for the production thereof, a dilatation catheter with the antenna arrangement and a procedure for a dilatation treatment. The coaxial cable arrangement comprises a continuous inner conductor, an insulator arranged cylindrically around the inner conductor, a shielding device applied around the insulator in a first section of the coaxial cable arrangement which begins at the proximal end of the coaxial cable arrangement, a second section beginning at the distal end of the first section of the coaxial cable arrangement and ending at the distal end of the coaxial cable arrangement, said second section serving as an antenna and being designed without an insulator or a shielding device around the continuous inner conductor.

Abstract: A vacuum powered personal waste garment apparatus comprising a waterproof and breathable garment having thigh bands and a waistband that are snug when worn on a patient.A first hose attached to a warm water supply on one end and the garment through a cuff at the other end to provide a fresh supply of water to the garment.A second hose attached to a wet-dry vacuum cleaner on one end and the garment through a cuff at the other end wherein the vacuum cleaner creates a vacuum within the garment so that any liquid or solid waste within the garment flows into the second hose to the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A winding device for winding up and unwinding a cable, tube or hose which comprises a cable, tube or hose section which can be wound on and unwound from the outer circumference, a cable, tube or hose section which is guided out of a hub and which does not turn with the rotatable drum and a spiral compensation length in the interstice between the rotating drum and the hub.The compensation length is supported on a supporting disc comprising an outer supporting ring which turns with the rotatable drum and an inner supporting disc between the outer supporting ring and the hub which does not turn with the rotatable drum. Furthermore, the hub is axially subdivided into two hub parts which can be displaced relative to each other and which can be firmly joined by means of a detachable locking device. When the locking device is open, a hub part linked with a turning spring can be turned relative to the hub part linked with the compensation length of the cable, tube or hose in order to pre-span the spring as desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to a centrifugal apparatus for testing the waterproofness of an article of footwear. The centrifugal apparatus may also be used to test other apparel such as gloves, socks, waders, pants, and hats.

Abstract: This invention relates to porous polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter PTFE) materials having the property of rapid recovery and a method for producing these materials. The microstructure of the porous PTFE material consists of nodes interconnected by fibrils, substantially all of the fibrils having a bent or wavy appearance. Articles made from these materials are particularly suitable for use in the medical field, but are also useful in other areas such as filtration and fabric applications.

Abstract: A flexible, breathable, composite is provided. The laminate comprises a middle layer of a padding and top and bottom layer comprising a sheet of water impermeable, moisture-vapor-permeable film bonded to the middle layer and wherein at least one outer surface of the top or bottom layer is provided with a pressure-sensitive biocompatible adhesive. Preferably the top and bottom layers comprise a composite of (a) a flexible, first sheet of hydrophobic material; and (b) a continuous hydrophilic sheet attached to or penetrating the first sheet, and forming a contamination barrier. The composite is useful in diverse applications such as a padding under orthopedic casts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and process for monitoring flat bottomed tanks for leaks utilizing a sensor cable, barrier layer or film impermeable to the leaking medium and a compensation layer housing the sensor cable and on which the tank bottom is placed.

Abstract: A mutliconductor cable having separatable insulated conductors is provided having a plurality of insulated conductors spaced apart in planar relationship and at least the exterior layer is comprised of porous PTFE, wherein a contact area exists between adjacent exterior layers so that adjacent insulated conductors bond with each other. A multiconductor cable is also described comprising a plurality of conductors insulated in discrete clusters wherein each cluster is surrounded by an exterior layer of expanded porous PTFE which forms a bond with the adjacent exterior layer. A multiconductor cable comprising coaxial cables which are bonded together by the exterior layer of expanded porous PTFE is also described.A process of making the multiconductor cable is also described.

Abstract: A mechanical conveyor system is provided with an exposed flexible membrane surface for use in clean room environments. The conveyor system may be one of varied subassemblies which transfer articles on the conveyor by small orbital motions. The exposed flexible sheath is preferably a membrane which is permeable to air. The system may provide for air flow through the membrane to ensure a clean environment. A preferred flexible membrane is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: A line guiding assembly is provided comprising a line assembly including one or more lines and having a first length and a second length extending parallel thereto. The length ends are connected to a stationary element and to a reciprocable element in the line longitudinal direction, respectively. The two lengths merge with each other in loop-shaped manner in a bending portion located therebetween. The line assembly, at least in the portion in which the two lengths are facing each other, is provided with a material having good slidability for sliding on each other. A roller is introduced in the bending portion in such a manner that, upon movement of the reciprocable element, the line assembly performs a rolling motion on the roller.

Abstract: This invention provides for an improved implantable prosthetic device and in particular to a prosthetic ligament or tendon. One process provides for a means by which tensile loads may be transferred from one-load bearing member of the prosthesis to another so that damage at different sites is isolated. Another process provides a means by which the prosthesis is more abrasion resistant.