Abstract: Methods of providing a paint line containing a latex polymeric binder are described. A range of paints can be formulated using sets of prepaints, at least one of which contains a latex polymeric binder. The paints may be applied as architectural coatings, industrial coatings, graphic arts coating, elastomeric coatings, and non-cementitious, aggregate finish coatings suitable for application on a wall directly or as a topcoat in exterior insulation finishing systems.

Abstract: A multi-coating step immersion coating process for producing a coating of a noble metal on a non-noble metal substrate, wherein the noble metal is of a predetermined amount expressed as a percent of the total weight of coated product, and wherein the non-noble metal substrate is in the form of fine particles or a powder is disclosed. The process also utilizes inter-plating step and post-plating step rinsing step sequences which together with the use of the plurality of coating steps consistently results in high quality product having a uniform coating, excellent corrosion resistance and excellent electrical conductivity. Use of the coated products produced according to the process in a variety of electrically conductive compositions, including plastics, adhesives and inks, and in plastic and resin based electromagnetic shielding materials is also disclosed.

Abstract: Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN's), composed of polyisoprene (PI) and polyurethane (PU), together with a process for their preparation and their use in the manufacture of medical devices, such as catheters and catheter balloons, are disclosed. Both components are elastomers. The PI component is chemically crosslinked. The PU component is crystallizable and contains only physical crosslinks. The IPN's have glass transition temperatures in the range of from -65.degree. C. to -40.degree. C.

Abstract: Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN's), composed of polyisoprene (PI) and polyurethane (PU), together with a process for their preparation and their use in the manufacture of medical devices, such as catheters and catheter balloons, are disclosed. Both components are elastomers. The PI component is chemically crosslinked. The PU component is crystallizable and contains only physical crosslinks. The IPN's have glass transition temperatures in the range of from -65.degree. C. to -40.degree. C.

Abstract: Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN's), composed of polyisoprene (PI) and polyurethane (PU), together with a process for their preparation and their use in the manufacture of medical devices, such as catheters and catheter balloons, are disclosed. Both components are elastomers. The PI component is chemically crosslinked. The PU component is crystallizable and contains only physical crosslinks. The IPN's have glass transition temperatures in the range of from -65.degree.C. to -40.degree.C.

Abstract: A process for preparing coating compositions of a commingled hydrogel of a polyurethane-polyurea polymer hydrogel and a poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) polymer hydrogel; a process for making materials composed of a polymeric plastic or rubber substrate or a metallic substrate, with a coating of the commingled hydrogel thereon; and a process for making medical devices with a coating of the commingled hydrogel thereon, are disclosed. The coating compositions tenaciously adhere to the substrate materials and medical devices to which they are applied due to bonding of a tie coat to a reactive substrate surface and due to the commingling of the two hydrogel components. The coating compositions and coated materials and medical devices are non-toxic and biocompatible, making them ideally suited for use in applications such as for catheters, catheter balloons and stents.

Abstract: A catheter for use in angioplasty and other medical procedures is disclosed. The catheter features a flexible-wire mesh tip movably attached at a distal end of the catheter, the tip being expandable from a contracted position which it is first in when the catheter is deployed inside the lumen of a vessel, to stretch open the lumen and eliminate a flow obstruction therein, such as is caused by plaque deposits; the tip subsequently being returnable to its contracted position inside the catheter when the catheter is withdrawn from the lumen of the vessel. Radio frequency energy may additionally be used to weld the source of the flow obstruction to the wall of the lumen leaving a conduit of sufficiently expanded diameter to allow resumption of normal flow in the vessel.

Abstract: A process for preparing coating compositions of a commingled hydrogel of a polyurethane-polyurea polymer hydrogel and at least one other polymer hydrogel of a polymer different from polyurethane-polyurea; a process for making materials composed of a polymeric plastic or rubber substrate or a metallic substrate, with a coating of the commingled hydrogel thereon; and a process for making medical devices with a coating of the commingled hydrogel thereon, are disclosed. The coating compositions tenaciously adhere to the substrate materials and medical devices to which they are applied due to bonding of a tie coat to a reactive substrate surface and due to the commingling of the two hydrogel components. The coating compositions and coated materials and medical devices are non-toxic and biocompatible, making them ideally suited for use in applications such as for catheters, catheter balloons and stents.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of conditions in which it is desired to simultaneously hyperthermally treat diseased target tissue in a patient and dilate a lumen of a patient which is compressed and/or obstructed by the diseased target tissue and/or surrounding tissue is disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-coating step immersion coating process for producing a coating of a noble metal on a non-noble metal substrate, wherein the noble metal is of a predetermined amount expressed as a percent of the total weight of coated product, and wherein the non-noble metal substrate is in the form of fine particles or a powder is disclosed. The process also utilizes inter-plating step and post-plating step rinsing step sequences which together with the use of the plurality of coating steps consistently results in high quality product having a uniform coating, excellent corrosion resistance and excellent electrical conductivity. Use of the coated products produced according to the process in a variety of electrically conductive compositions, including plastics, adhesives and inks, and in plastic and resin based electromagnetic shielding materials is also disclosed.

Abstract: A form of calcium carbonate having a blocky rhombohedral crystal structure and properties including a surface area of from about 3 to about 15 m.sup.2 g, an average discrete particle size of from about 0.2 to about 0.9 micron, wherein the discrete particles have an aspect ratio less than about, 2:1 and a particle size distribution such that at least about 60 weight percent of the particles have a size within 50 percent of the equivalent discrete particle spherical diameter, suitable for use as a filler material in papermaking to improve the optical properties of the resulting paper, is disclosed. An accelerated heat-aging process, including embodiments thereof which utilize hydrothermal techniques, for rapidly producing this form of calcium carbonate, and a related form of calcium carbonate having a hexagonal prismatic crystal structure and the same properties, in large quantities to meet the demand of the papermaking industry, as well as a method for using these materials in papermaking, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A form of calcium carbonate having a blocky[-six-sided] rhombohedral crystal [habit ] structure and [a morphology, with] properties including a surface area of from about 3 to about 15 m.sup.2 /g, an average discrete particle size of from about 0.2 to about 0.9 micron, wherein the discrete particles have an aspect ratio less than 2, and a particle size distribution such that at least about 60 weight percent of the particles have a size within 50 percent of the equivalent discrete particle spherical diameter, suitable for use as a filler material in papermaking to improve the optical properties of the resulting paper, is disclosed.

Abstract: A form of calcium carbonate having a blocky rhombohedral crystal structure and properties including a surface area of from about 3 to about 15 m.sup.2 /g, an average discrete particle size of from about 0.2 to about 0.9 micron, wherein the discrete particles have an aspect ratio less than about 2:1, and a particle size distribution such that at least about 60 weight percent of the particles have a size within 50 percent of the equivalent discrete particle spherical diameter, suitable for use as a filler material in papermaking to improve the optical properties of the resulting paper, is disclosed. An accelerated heat-aging process, including embodiments thereof which utilize hydrothermal techniques, for rapidly producing this form of calcium carbonate, and a related form of calcium carbonate having a hexagonal prismatic crystal structure and the same properties, in large quantities to meet the demand of the papermaking industry, as well as a method for using these materials in papermaking, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A form of calcium carbonate having a blocky rhombohedral crystal structure and properties including a surface area of from about 3 to about 15 m.sup.2 /g, an average discrete particle size of from about 0.2 to about 0.9 micron, wherein the discrete particles have an aspect ratio less than about 2:1, and a particle size distribution such that at least about 60 weight percent of the particles have a size within 50 percent of the equivalent discrete particle spherical diameter, suitable for use as a filler material in papermaking to improve the optical properties of the resulting paper, is disclosed. An accelerated heat-aging process, including embodiments thereof which utilize hydrothermal techniques, for rapidly producing this form of calcium carbonate, and a related form of calcium carbonate having a hexagonal prismatic crystal structure and the same properties, in large quantities to meet the demand of the papermaking industry, as well as a method for using these materials in papermaking, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A form of calcium carbonate, acid-stabilized by the addition to finely divided calcium carbonate of one of a calcium- chelating agent and a conjugate base, such as sodium hexametaphosphate, followed by the addition of a weak acid, such as phosphoric acid, is disclosed. A process for producing this material, and a method for its use in the making of neutral to acidic paper in order to improve the optical properties of the paper are also disclosed.

Abstract: Material, such as natural ground and precipitated calcium carbonate, when modified by surface-treatment with a cationic polymer, has been discovered to be highly effective as a filler material in the making of paper. Utilization of this type of filler material greatly improves the papermaking process by reducing the usage of wet end sizing agent, improving opacity, improving filler retention in the furnish, and causing better drainage on the papermachine, all of which result in the production of a high quality paper having excellent opacity and tensile strength characteristics. The nature of the polymer-modified filler material, the process for its preparation and the method of its use in papermaking are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel beta lactam compounds having potent elastrase inhibition activity are disclosed. These compounds are characterized by the general structural formulae I, II, and III: ##STR1## These compounds are further characterized such that X and Y are each --S-- or --CH.sub.2 --, with at least one of X and Y being --S--, or alternatively, X is --SO-- or --SO.sub.2 -- and Y is --CH.sub.2 --; R.sup.1 is hydrogen, tri(lower alkyl)silyl, --COOR" or --CONHR"', wherein R" and R"' are each lower alkyl or phenyl(lower alkyl), and may be the same or different; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or (lower alkyl)oxy; one of B and D is (lower alkyl)oxycarbonyl, (lower alkenyl)oxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl or phenyl(lower alkyl)oxycarbonyl; and the other of B and D is hydrogen or lower alkyl.The compounds are useful as anti-inflammatory agents, particularly in the treatment of adult respiratory distress syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of high purity calcium titanate hydrates, particularly various forms of kassite, is disclosed. Calcium carbonate and titanium tetraisopropoxide are used as starting materials. The process utilizes a hydrothermal reaction step. Hydrates having both hexagonal form, wherein the particles have a platy morphology, and lath form, wherein the particles have a rodlike morphology are produceable according to the process. Particle morphology is determined by the choice of process parameters, especially the rate of heating during the hydrothermal reaction step. Kassite particles of the hexagonal plate form, which are useful as a high opacity paper coating pigment, are produced when the rate of heating is less than or equal to 1.5.degree.C./min. Faster rates of heating result in kassite particles of a lath form. These particles are useful as a reinforcing material in polymers and ceramics.

Abstract: A refractory material containing a synthetic dolomite aggregate having a calcium carbonate coating on the surface thereof and further containing magnesia, a binder, a plasticizer, an organic fiber homogenizer, a bond stabilizer, and a dispersant; and a method of forming a protective refractory surface on the lining of a tundish, steel ladle and the like by spraying, gunning or troweling the surface coated aggregate-containing refractory material thereon are disclosed. This material offers the multiple advantages of improving resistance to slaking, reducing alumina inclusions in the steel, and reducing clogging of the tundish nozzle.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of high purity calcium titanate hydrates, particularly various forms of kassite, is disclosed. Calcium carbonate and titanium tetraisopropoxide are used as starting materials. The process utilizes a hydrothermal reaction step. Hydrates having both hexagonal plate form, wherein the particles have a hexagonally shaped flat plate-like morphology, and lath form, wherein the particles have a rod-like morphology are produceable according to the process. Particle morphology is determined by the choice of process parameters, especially the rate of heating during the hydrothermal reaction step. Kassite particles of the hexagonal plate form, which are useful as a high opacity paper coating pigment, are produced when the rate of heating is less than or equal to 1.5.degree. C./min. Faster rates of heating result in kassite particles of a lath form. These particles are useful as a reinforcing material in polymers and ceramics.