Abstract: To provide a filter frame which enables a filtering medium to be easily renewed on a site and makes it possible to provide a filter at a low cost.The filter frame comprises a pair of frame elements capable of being integrally coupled together through flange bonding, each frame element comprising a passage portion allowing the passage of a fluid to be filtered and a flange portion outwardly disposed at a peripheral end portion of said passage portion, and that each of said flange portions has at least one bending portion, and said two flange portions, when coupled together, are engaged with each other based upon at least one tongue-in-groove connecting portion with said filtering medium being sandwiched between said flange portions.

Abstract: An apparatus reads a plurality of biological indicators (BIs) to determine efficacy of a plurality of sterilization cycles. Each BI exhibits fluorescence in response to biological activity indicative of bacterial growth in the BI. A plurality of BI holders are each configured to receive one of the BIs. A carriage is controllably movable relative to the plurality of BI holders to positions proximate each of the BI holders. A fluorescence sensor is mounted on the carriage and is positioned to sense fluorescence exhibited by the BI contained in the BI vessel in the selected BI holder. A controller is coupled to the fluorescence sensor to receive a fluorescence signal and to provide an output signal indicative of the fluorescence sensed.

Abstract: An electronic stethoscope emulates the frequency response of a standard acoustical stethoscope in both bell and diaphragm modes, while providing additional features attainable only with an electronic stethoscope, such as signal amplification, noise reduction, wider bandwidth, and mode selection. The electronic stethoscope includes spectrally separate idealized diaphragm and idealized bell modes. The idealized diaphragm mode and the idealized bell mode each include emphasized passbands and de-emphasized passbands. The emphasized passbands are spectrally separate. In addition, the electronic stethoscope also includes a wideband mode, which permits the user to hear high frequency sounds such as those associated with mechanical heart valves, lung sounds, and the like.

Abstract: A medical adhesive bandage and delivery system including a medical adhesive bandage and a package. The bandage has a backing, an adhesive on a first surface of the backing, and a pad proximate the first surface of the backing. At least one line of separation (for example, a line of perforations) is provided in the backing and the pad to facilitate selective manual separation of the bandage into more than one bandage. The package may include a release area or liner, with the adhesive on the medical adhesive bandage releasably adhered to the release area or liner. The package preferably tends to retain the bandage therein when the package is torn and the bandage is separated along a line of separation.

Abstract: A composite structure contains a lofty corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber that is maintained in a corrugated condition by securing a fabric to the corrugated web at the valleys of the corrugations. The composite structure is made without substantially effecting web loft by (i) introducing the nonwoven web to the ends of a plurality of spaced paddles, (ii) causing the spacing between the ends of the paddles to decrease to corrugate the nonwoven web, and (iii) securing the fabric to the corrugated nonwoven web at the valleys of the corrugations. A composite structure of this construction made by this method provides very good filtration performance, making it particularly suitable for use as a filter in a cup-shaped face mask. The composite structure also is very suitable for use as thermal insulation in apparel.

Abstract: A device for delivering an aerosol comprises a casing member, a valve stem, and a sealing member, wherein the sealing member comprises a thermoplastic elastomer comprising of a copolymer of about 80-95 mole % ethylene and about 5-20 mole % of at least one comonomer wherein the comonomer(s) are 1-butene, 1-hexene, or 1-octene. The device is used with pharmaceutical formulations containing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and/or 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane as the propellant.

Abstract: The present invention provides fibers and products produced therefrom, including nonwoven webs and adhesive articles. The fibers, which can be multilayer fibers, include a polydiorganosiloxane polyurea copolymer.

Abstract: A machine and method for converting a web having an indefinite length which includes a plurality of converting stations circumferentially spaced about an process drum. At least one of the converting stations includes a helical follower gear operatively meshing with a helical drive gear attached to the process drum. Movement of the follower gear along its axial direction provides for the relative rotational registration of a tool on the registrable converting station relative to the web.

Abstract: A method of killing microorganisms which form a biofilm on surfaces, including the surfaces of medical articles or on tissue or implant surfaces in a living subject. Killing of biofilm microorganisms is accomplished by applying an electric field to an electrically conductive medium in which the biofilm is contained. The electrically conductive medium either includes a biocide or is capable of generating a biocide in situ upon application of an electric field. A means of utilizing the method in vivo and a sterilizer are disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method of capping mechanical fasteners from a web having an array of upstanding stems. A heated surface member is positioned opposite a support forming a nip into which the web is fed. The heated surface member has a series of laterally spaced elongated peak and valley structures such that more than one peak and valley structure contacts and deforms each stem structure. The peak and valley groove structures provided asymmetric elongation and deformation of top portion of the stem structures forming hook heads.

Abstract: Oriented microfibers and processes for making them are disclosed, together with blends of such microfibers with other fibers such as crimped staple fibers and non-oriented microfibers.

Abstract: A method for removing metal ions from solution comprises the steps of providing titanate particles by spray-drying a solution or slurry comprising sorbent titanates having a particle size up to 20 micrometers, optionally in the presence of polymer free of cellulose functionality as binder, said sorbent being active towards heavy metals from Periodic Table (CAS version) Groups IA, IIA, IB, IIB, IIIB, and VIII, to provide monodisperse, substantially spherical particles in a yield of at least 70 percent of theoretical yield and having a particle size distribution in the range of 1 to 500 micrometers. The particles can be used free flowing in columns or beds, or entrapped in a nonwoven, fibrous web or matrix or a cast porous membrane, to selectively remove metal ions from aqueous or organic liquid.

Abstract: A surgical incise drape including a flexible film having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a film handle applied at the leading edge of the flexible film. A liner substantially covers the major portion of the flexible film, which is coated with an adhesive. The liner may include a liner handle at the leading edge, and one of the liner handle and film handle are of a size for wrapping about at least a portion of the drape when the drape is in a folded configuration. A tensioning strip may be applied to the liner at a position away from the leading edge of the liner to hold at least a portion of the flexible film lying between the film handle and the tensioning strip in a wrinkle-free state when the liner is being removed from the major portion of the flexible film. Further, the liner may be stiff relative to the flexible film such that the liner and the film handle hold the flexible film in a wrinkle-free state when the liner is being removed from the major portion of the flexible film.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of preventing transmission of viral pathogens between a source of viral pathogens and a target of said viral pathogens comprising positioning between said source and said target a microporous membrane material comprising (1) a thermoplastic polymer or polytetrafluoroethylene and (2) a water- and oil-repellent fluorochemical compound which provides said membrane with oleophobic, hydrophobic and viral barrier properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing precisely metered quantities of an emulsion on a surface are disclosed. The method and apparatus are particularly useful for assembly of reversible clinical thermometers. The apparatus involves (a) at least one cartridge having a volume containing the emulsion composition; (b) at least one piston associated with each cartridge for collapsing the volume under a controlled pressure; (c) at least one tubular needle for receiving a flow of emulsion composition from each cartridge; (d) a fluid connection between each tubular needle and each cartridge for delivering the emulsion composition from each cartridge to each needle; and (e) a valve for each fluid connection.

Abstract: A microporous shaped article is provided. The article comprises ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer which has an internal structure of a multiplicity of spaced, randomly dispersed, non-uniform shaped particles of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer.

Abstract: There is provided a thermally stabilized polypropylene melt-blown microfiber acoustical insulation web which has a resistance to thermal degradation at a temperature of 135.degree. C. for at least 10 days. The polypropylene has a thermal stabilizer uniformly distributed within the melt-blown microfiber polymer which polymer when produced is subject to thermal and/or catalytic degradation in the absence of significant levels of thermal stabilizer or antioxidant.