Abstract: A polymer composite is described having a bicontinuous structure of two substantially nonporous phases, one being a hydrophilic polymer and the other being a hydrophobic polymer. The bulk properties of both polymers are retained in the polymer composite. The composite is prepared from a microemulsion comprising a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated polar species in the aqueous phase, a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer in the oil phase, and surfactant.

Abstract: This invention discloses a decorative sheet having a hammer tone texture and the method used to obtain such hammer tone texture. A hammer tone composition is agitated, applied to a decorative sheet using a controlled means of delivery in a sufficient thickness, and then dried at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to provide the hammer tone texture on the decorative sheet.

Abstract: A crosslinked, acrylate-based pressure-sensitive adhesive is provided to obtain a creep compliance value of the pressure-sensitive adhesive of between 1.1.times.10.sup.-5 cm.sup.2 /dyne and 2.3.times.10.sup.-5 cm.sup.2 /dyne in the presence of alcohol-based excipients, such as ethanol serving as a solvent or a penetration enhancing agent used with transdermal delivery devices. The method of preparing such crosslinked pressure-sensitive adhesive by using electron beam radiation of from 5 kGy to 200 kGy, and medical articles using the crosslinked pressure-sensitive adhesive as a layer therein to contact skin are also provided.

Abstract: Articles having a complex geometric configuration have hydrophilicity imparted to at least a portion of surfaces of the articles while substantially retaining the complex geometric configuration. The hydrophilicity is imparted by an extremely thin, self-interlocking shell of tactic, hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) enveloping the surfaces. A tactic poly(vinyl alcohol) precursor applied to surfaces of the supporting structure is reacted in situ on the surfaces with a hydrolysis reagent to prepare the tactic, hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) shell. The article having the hydrophilic shell is highly resistant to solvent washout. Hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity can be reversibly provided on regio-specific surfaces of the article. Articles in the form of membranes useful as residue barriers for electroplating devices, and separators for electrochemical cells are also described.

Abstract: A multi-cycle refastenable tape closure system is disclosed. The tape closure system comprises a fastener tape component having double-coated surfaces of pressure sensitive adhesive having the same or substantially similar pressure sensitive adhesive properties and preferably also a release tape component having opposing surfaces of pressure sensitive adhesive and a low adhesion release layer. The fastener tape component and the release tape component are capable of firmly adhering to opposing body coverings or along opposing edges of one body covering and capable of releasably adhering to each other to provide a multi-cycle refastenable contact of opposing body coverings or closure of the body covering opposing seams in an overlapping, low profile manner. A method of using a multi-cycle refastenable tape closure system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-cycle refastenable tape closure system is disclosed. The tape closure system comprises a fastener tape component having double-coated surfaces of pressure sensitive adhesive having the same or substantially similar pressure sensitive adhesive properties and preferably also a release tape component having opposing surfaces of pressure sensitive adhesive and a low adhesion release layer. The fastener tape component and the release tape component are capable of firmly adhering to opposing body coverings or along opposing edges of one body covering and capable of releasably adhering to each other to provide a multi-cycle refastenable contact of opposing body coverings or closure of the body covering opposing seams in an overlapping, low profile manner. A method of using a multi-cycle refastenable tape closure system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Articles having a complex geometric configuration have hydrophilicity imparted to at least a portion of surfaces of the articles while substantially retaining the complex geometric configuration. The hydrophilicity is imparted by an extremely thin, self-interlocking shell of tactic, hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) enveloping the surfaces. A tactic poly(vinyl alcohol) precursor applied to surfaces of the supporting structure is reacted in situ on the surfaces with a hydrolysis reagent to prepare the tactic, hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) shell. The article having the hydrophilic shell is highly resistant to solvent washout. Hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity can be reversibly provided on regio-specific surfaces of the article. Articles in the form of membranes useful as drug delivery device components are also described.

Abstract: Aqueous-alkali disposable articles are disclosed. The articles are made from films or non-woven webs or composites of films and webs where the film or nonwoven web comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer and preferably also comprises a water soluble polymer. Multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer are particularly disclosed. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the coupling low molecular weight ligands to activated sites on a support in competition with a quencher of the activated sites. Derivatized supports produced by the method have optimal ligate binding without overly dense binding sites or stearic effects. Azlactone-functional supports, especially porous supports such as porous particles, benefit from control of ligand density. A linear relationship exists between the molar ratio of ligand and quencher and the coupled ligand density. Optionally, hydrophilicity of the derivatized support can be determined by selection of quencher relative to selection of ligand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the direct noninvasive prediction of hematocrit in mammalian blood using photoplethysmography techniques and data processing. The method and apparatus also include optional prediction of other analytes of interest: percent oxygen saturation of mammalian blood and methemoglobin of stored blood. The method and apparatus can be used for the immediate, periodic, or continuous noninvasive diagnosis or monitoring of hematocrit levels in mammalian patients without pain to the patient or exposure of the health care practitioner to the blood of the patient.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, pressure sensitive adhesive of a poly(ethylene oxide) derived network plasticized with an essentially non-volatile, polar plasticizer present in an amount sufficient to form a cohesive, pressure sensitive adhesive. The polymeric network is prepared from an oligomeric precursor comprising difunctional poly(ethylene glycol) moieties which have been end-capped with ethylenically unsaturation. The adhesive is useful as a biomedical adhesive for transmitting or receiving electrical signals as a component of a biomedical electrode. The adhesive is also useful as a drug delivery device to deliver pharmaceuticals or other active ingredients to or through mammalian skin. The adhesive is also useful as a component in a skin covering for protecting mammalian skin or mammalian skin openings with antimicrobial agents. A method of preparation of the adhesive is also disclosed.

Abstract: Solid state conductive polymer compositions which are ionically-conductive regardless of the amount of water present in the composition are disclosed. The compositions have solvating polymer, ionic salt, and optionally if the composition is not cohesive and pliable, essentially non-volatile plasticizer in an amount sufficient to render the composition cohesive and pliable. Biomedical electrodes having means for electrical communication contacting the compositions are also disclosed. Methods of making the compositions and electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Solid state conductive polymer compositions which are ionically-conductive regardless of the amount of water present in the composition are disclosed. The compositions have solvating polymer, ionic salt, and optionally if the composition is not cohesive and pliable, essentially non-volatile plasticizer in an amount sufficient to render the composition cohesive and pliable. Biomedical electrodes having means for electrical communication contacting the compositions are also disclosed. Methods of making the compositions and electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer composite is described having a bicontinuous structure of two substantially nonporous phases, one being a hydrophilic polymer and the other being a hydrophobic polymer. The bulk properties of both polymers are retained in the polymer composite. The composite is prepared from a microemulsion comprising a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated polar species in the aqueous phase, a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer in the oil phase, and surfactant.

Abstract: Azlactone-functional membranes prepared by solvent phase inversion techniques are disclosed. Adduct membranes prepared by the reaction of azlactone-functional membranes with nucleophilic reagents are also disclosed. Both azlactone-functional copolymers and blends of azlactone-functional homopolymers or copolymers with blending polymers can be used. These azlactone-functional membranes have azlactone functionality throughout all surfaces formed ab initio into any desired shape. Membrane properties can be modified by sacrifice of some azlactone functionality via crosslinking between azlactone moieties or coupling of hydrophilic ligands.

Abstract: Aqueous-alkali disposable articles are disclosed. The articles are made from films or non-woven webs or composites of films and webs where the film or non-woven web comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer and preferably also comprises a water soluble polymer. Multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer are particularly disclosed. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.

Abstract: A metallic film is disclosed. The film has a layer of an organic polymer substrate having an sulfur-reactive surface, to which is adhered a vapor deposited metallic layer. Optionally, a metallic halide layer is formed on the metallic layer to provide depolarizing capacity for the metallic film. Methods of making and using the metallic film are disclosed. Biomedical electrodes, including radiolucent defibrillation electrodes, window films, optical reflectors, and flexible electronic circuits are articles which can use the metallic film as a component.

Abstract: A biomedical electrical conductor having a thin, conformable layer of an inorganic oxide of low polarizability is disclosed. The inorganic oxide can be a manganese oxide, preferably manganese dioxide. The biomedical electrical conductor as a multi-layered composite also is disclosed, using the inorganic oxide layer in mechanical and electrical association with an electrically conductive component which is mechanically in association with a nonconductive polymeric film. The composite forms an essentially x-ray transparent, flexible conductor of low polarizability. Biomedical electrodes using the biomedical electrical conductor and methods of making and using the conductors and the electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Articles having a complex geometric configuration have hydrophilicity imparted to at least a portion of surfaces of the articles while substantially retaining the complex geometric configuration. The hydrophilicity is imparted by an extremely thin, self-interlocking shell of tactic, hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) enveloping the surfaces. A tactic poly(vinyl alcohol) precursor applied to surfaces of the supporting structure is reacted in situ on the surfaces with a hydrolysis reagent to prepare the tactic, hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) shell. The article having the hydrophilic shell is highly resistant to solvent washout. Hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity can be reversibly provided on regio-specific surfaces of the article. Articles in the form of membranes useful as filters are also described.

Abstract: TENS electrodes and connectors useful with such electrodes are disclosed. The electrodes include active electrodes and return electrodes having a common carrier with a field of pressure sensitive adhesive for adhering the electrode to a hand (finger or thumb) of the practitioner or to an applicator. Extraoral electrodes adhere to facial skin of mammals and provide TENS treatment for intraoral-procedures. The electrodes can be single channel or dual channel to combine active electrodes and return electrodes on one electrode. The connector can be single channel or dual channel and has a ridge for projecting through the tab portion of the electrode for more secure mechanical and electrical connection. Optionally, a dual channel electrode is used in combination with an elongated applicator having a bifurcated end in order to facilitate guiding a syringe needle toward a desired injection site. Assemblies of electrodes on alternative embodiments of release liners are also disclosed.