Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensing instrument and method for measuring the concentration of an analyte. The sensing instrument includes: a sensing element including at least a first emissive indicator characterized by a bimolecular quenching rate constant k.sub.q, one or more fluorescence lifetimes .tau..sub.o above a lowest lifetime .tau..sub.oL, and capable of emitting analyte concentration dependent signals when exposed to an excitation signal in the presence of quencher; an excitation system which provides an amplitude modulated excitation signal at one or more radial modulation frequencies .omega.; a detector; and a processor. The processor univariantly processes the detected signals and provides output signals representative of analyte concentration. The sensing element and/or excitation system are configured to enable the instrument to operate sufficiently within the condition [(k.sub.q [Q]).sup.2 +.omega..sup.2 ].tau..sub.o.sup.2 >>1+2k.sub.q .tau..sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique knit construction having a nonfiberglass microdenier yarn in the fabric of the backing. Preferably, the nonfiberglass microdenier yarn is used in combination with a heat shrinkable yarn or a stretch yarn, and alternatively a nonfiberglass yarn for controlling stiffness, i.e., a stiffness-controlling yarn. More preferably, the nonfiberglass microdenier yarn is in combination with a stretch yarn and a nonfiberglass stiffness-controlling yarn. Most preferably, the nonfiberglass microdenier yarn is in combination with a heat shrinkable, elastically extensible yarn, and a nonfiberglass stiffness-controlling yarn.

Abstract: Sensing elements, useful in sensing the concentration of a gas, e.g., carbon dioxide, in a medium, e.g. blood, and methods for making such sensing elements are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises continuously placing a sensing composition precursor in contact with a continuous web, forming a continuous sensing composition from the precursor, and applying a continuous opaque film to the sensing composition. A plurality of individual sensing elements are formed from this composite structure. These sensing elements, which each have very similar sensing characteristics, are placed in a sensor fixture for use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a narrow orthopedic casting tape which can be handled in longer lengths suitable for economical production of coated fabric products. The narrow casting tape of the present invention is knitted as a wide fiberglass fabric with at least one removable connecting yarn in the length (i.e., warp) direction of the fabric which acts to connect two narrower strips of fiberglass fabric. The removable connecting yarn is subsequently removed from the fabric by a heat treatment process which separates the wider fabric into two narrower fabrics and also heat sets the fabric. Alternatively, the removable connecting yarn may be removed from the fabric by a dissolution process. Narrow fabrics of the present invention can also be constructed of organic yarns.The present invention also provides a tearable orthopedic casting tape which has a high degree of extensibility.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensing element including a matrix material and, covalently bonded thereto, one or more monomeric indicator components each of which is capable of providing a first emitted signal of a given wavelength in response to being exposed to an excitation signal. The sensing element is capable of providing a second emitted signal having a longer wavelength than the first emitted signal or signals in response to being exposed to the excitation signal, the second emitted signal being provided by an excimer component produced in the sensing element from the monomeric indicator component(s) and being dependent on the concentration of the analyte in the medium to a greater extent than the first emitted signal or signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article, comprising: a fabric sheet which has been microcreped; and a curable resin coated onto the fabric sheet. The present invention involves microcreping or compacting a fabric sheet to impart stretchability and conformability to the fabric while minimizing undesirable recovery forces. Suitable fabrics for microcreping are fabrics which comprise fibers which are capable of first being mechanically compacted or "crimped" and then being set or annealed in the crimped, i.e., distorted, state. The article may be in the form of an orthopedic bandage and may optionally contain a plurality of microfiber fillers dispersed into the resin. The incorporation of microfiber fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material, particularly when the fabric used therein is a non-fiberglass fabric, while not detracting from the handling properties of the uncured casting tape.

Abstract: Multilayered barrier structures comprising a gas barrier layer of a non-chlorine containing organic polymer which is substantially impermeable to oxygen gas and a moisture barrier layer of a mesophase propylene-based material are provided. These structures are environmentally compatible and radiation resistant, and exhibit one or more additional properties, including gas barrier properties, moisture barrier properties, toughness, heat sealability, softness, and quietness during wrinkling. Also provided are methods of preparing and using such multilayered barrier structures, and articles, such as films, pouches, and tubings, formed from these structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article, comprising: a fabric sheet; a curable resin coated onto the fabric sheet; and a plurality of microfiber fillers dispersed into the resin. The incorporation of microfiber fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material, particularly when the fabric used therein is a non-fiberglass fabric, while not detracting from the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage.The microfiber fillers useful in this invention are generally characterized as being short fibers having an aspect ratio greater than five to one. Blends of microfibers having different aspect ratios may be utilized in the casting tapes of the present invention. Preferred microfiber fillers or blends have an aspect ratio between 5:1 and 200:1, more preferably, the aspect ratio of the microfiber is between 5:1 and 50:1, and most preferably, the aspect ratio of the microfiber is between 10:1 and 30:1.

Abstract: The invention provides a compostable thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a transition metal salt selected from cobalt, manganese, copper, cerium, vanadium and iron, and a fatty acid or ester having 10 to 22 carbon atoms providing unsaturated species and free acid. The composition will oxidatively degrade to an embrittled state within at least 14 days at 60.degree. C. and a relative humidity of at least eighty percent. The invention also provides degradable multilayered polyolefin structures incorporating a transition metal in the form of a salt, degradable and compostable multilayered barrier films, degradable, radiation-resistant compositions and articles, and methods of forming and using such compositions, structures and articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tube and cable restraint comprising: an attachment strip of flexible material having on its underside a coating of adhesive suitable for adhering to a surface; a holding strip of flexible material having a fixed end, a repositionable end and a bridging section between the fixed end and the repositionable end comprising a bridging strip; an adhesive layer between the bottom surface of said holding strip and the top surface of said attachment strip at least at each end of said restraint; and a finger tab. The present invention also provides surgical drapes and gowns with tube and cable restraints attached thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensing instrument and method for measuring the concentration of an analyte. The sensing instrument includes: a sensing element including at least a first emissive indicator characterized by a bimolecular quenching rate constant k.sub.q, one or more fluorescence lifetimes .tau..sub.o above a lowest lifetime .tau..sub.oL, and capable of emitting analyte concentration dependent signals when exposed to an excitation signal in the presence of quencher; an excitation system which provides an amplitude modulated excitation signal at one or more radial modulation frequencies .omega.; a detector; and a processor. The processor univariantly processes the detected signals and provides output signals representative of analyte concentration. The sensing element and/or excitation system are configured to enable the instrument to operate sufficiently within the condition [(k.sub.q [Q]).sup.2 +.omega..sup.2 ].tau..sub.o.sup.2 >>1+2k.sub.q .tau..sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article, comprising: a fabric sheet which has been compacted using a heat shrink yarn; and a curable or hardenable resin coated onto the fabric sheet. The present invention involves compacting a fabric sheet to impart stretchability and conformability to the fabric while minimizing undesirable recovery forces. Suitable fabrics for compacting are fabrics which comprise fiberglass fibers which are capable of first being compacted and then being heat set or annealed in the compacted state. The article may be in the form of an orthopedic bandage and may optionally contain a microfiber filler associated with the resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article, comprising: a fabric sheet which has been mechanically compacted; and a curable item coated onto the fabric sheet. The present invention involves compacting a fabric sheet to impart stretchability and conformability to the fabric while minimizing undesirable recovery forces. Suitable fabrics for mechanical compacting are fabrics which comprise fiberglass fibers which are capable of first being mechanically compacted and then being set or annealed in the distorted, state. The article may be in the form of an orthopedic bandage and may optionally contain a microfiber filler associated with the resin.

Abstract: A protective covering of nonwoven fabric for an orthopedic cast, wound dressing or other bandage is disclosed. The covering is adapted to fit loosely about the bandage to be protected and is capable of being heat-shrunk at a relatively low temperature to closely cover the bandage. The covering is permeable to water vapor and air, it may be treated with a surface active agent to provide superior water and soil repellency, and it may be provided in various colors or with various decorative designs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-curable resin composition for use in an orthopedic cast composed of a water-reactive alkoxysilane terminated resin, having at least one hydrolyzable group per molecule. The resin composition has a viscosity of no greater than about 500 Pa-s under ambient conditions and conditions less than about 1 wt-% of a solvent, based on the total weight of the resin composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical tape comprising a highly conformable and deformable nonwoven web coated with an adhesive. The non-adhesive side of the web may be heat bonded to many different polymeric film materials and is particularly useful with ostomy pouch films. The present invention also provides ostomy bags comprising an elastic, breathable nonwoven based medical tape.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensing element including a matrix material and, covalently bonded thereto, one or more monomeric indicator components each of which is capable of providing a first emitted signal of a given wavelength in response to being exposed to an excitation signal. The sensing element is capable of providing a second emitted signal having a longer wavelength than the first emitted signal or signals in response to being exposed to the excitation signal, the second emitted signal being provided by an excimer component produced in the sensing element from the monomeric indicator component(s) and being dependent on the concentration of the analyte in the medium to a greater extent than the first emitted signal or signals.

Abstract: Multilayered barrier structures comprising a gas barrier layer of a non-chlorine containing organic polymer which is substantially impermeable to oxygen gas and a moisture barrier layer of a mesophase propylene-based material are provided. These structures are environmentally compatible and radiation resistant, and exhibit one or more additional properties, including gas barrier properties, moisture barrier properties, toughness, heat sealability, softness, and quietness during wrinkling. Also provided are methods of preparing and using such multilayered barrier structures, and articles, such as films, pouches, and tubings, formed from these structures, as well as multilayer barrier structures with additional graft layers affixed thereto through the application of a dose of ionizing radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article, comprising: a fabric sheet which has been microcreped; and a curable resin coated onto the fabric sheet. The present invention involves microcreping or compacting a fabric sheet to impart stretchability and conformability to the fabric while minimizing undesirable recovery forces. Suitable fabrics for microcreping are fabrics which comprise fibers which are capable of first being mechanically compacted or "crimped" and then being set or annealed in the crimped, i.e., distorted, state. The article may be in the form of an orthopedic bandage and may optionally contain a plurality of microfiber fillers dispersed into the resin. The incorporation of microfiber fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material, particularly when the fabric used therein is a non-fiberglass fabric, while not detracting from the handling properties of the uncured casting tape.