Abstract: An infection-preventing gastrostomy catheter kit to be used in the gastrostomy, which can pass an intragastric retainer of a catheter easily and reliably through an infection-preventing sheath by an easy maneuver, and which can reduce the diameter of the infection-preventing sheath. The catheter kit comprises: a gastrostomy catheter 20 including a flexible, hollow PEG tube 21 reinforced with filaments 24, an deformable intragastric retainer 23 positioned at the trailing end of the PEG tube 21, and a tapered member 22 positioned at the leading end of the PEG tube 21 for retaining the leading end portion 40a of a guide wire 40 inserted from a leading end hole 22a thereof; and an infection-preventing sheath 1 including a flexible, hollow tubular body 2, and a socket member having a socket 4 positioned at the trailing end of the tubular body 2 for retaining the intragastric retainer 23, and pins 5, thereby removably sheathing the gastrostomy catheter 20.

Abstract: A liquid coinjector is provided in which one or more connection ports may be connected to an outlet port and in which a valve body is provided for selecting the connection arrangement, the valve body being movable in an axial direction within a chamber of a main body.

Abstract: A method is provided for securing a fluid meter to a fluid collection bag. The method includes the steps of providing a meter ha6 ving a housing defining a fluid receptacle and at least one drain opening, providing a collection bag defining a fluid reservoir and having at least one inlet opening and securing the meter to the bag using an RF welding device to allow fluid communication between the fluid receptacle and the fluid reservoir. In one embodiment, the housing includes a raised surface positioned about the at least one drain opening to which the collection bag is welded.

Abstract: A medical snap electrode having a conductive tape portion disposed between the cover material and conduction layer of the electrode. The conductive tape portion becomes part of an electrical connection from a top snap, positioned above the cover material, to the conductive tape then to the conductive layer. The conductive tape includes conductive adhesive on at least one of its surfaces and thereby provides a more robust electrical connection from a top snap to a conductive layer in the electrode and ultimately to a subject's skin. Viewing of the snap through the conductive film layer is prevented. The conductive tape thus provides an improved conduction path for distributing electrical current from the top snap to a subject's skin in addition to the conduction path through bottom snap. The improved conduction path can prevent heating or apprehension of potential heating by a subject or clinician.

Abstract: A device for measuring the length of a stoma is disclosed. A method to utilize the stoma measuring device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a joint (6) between insulated pipes (4), which comprises: (a) two transport pipes joined together; (b) insulation on each transport pipe which ends short of the joint; (c) a casing surrounding the exposed portion of pipe; (d) a sleeve which provides a seal between an end of the casing and the adjacent pipe insulation, wherein the sleeve comprises recoverable polymeric material (1) coated at discrete regions with a sealant (3) and/or a heat-activatable adhesive (2), (preferably with the sealant (3) bridging the end of the casing and the pipe insulation to form a seal therebetween which can accommodate movement of the casing relative to the pipe insulation, and the adhesive (2) forming substantially annular bonds between the sleeve and the casing and between the sleeve and pipe insulation), characterised in that at least one region (4) of the sleeve, preferably between the sealant-coated and the adhesive-coated regions or at the edge of the sleeve, remains uncoated to provide a re

Abstract: A plastic sheath cutting and slitting hand tool for cutting and slitting a cable sheath of a cable includes a generally flat, elongated body; a handle portion adapted to be grasped by the hand; a tool portion extending outwardly from the handle portion and exposing a sheath scoring blade for scoring a plastic sheath to a controlled depth less than a nominal thickness of the sheath; and, a generally flat sheath engaging and slitting edge including a sheath slitter for engaging, spreading and slitting the plastic sheath lengthwise when the handle portion is grasped and drawn along the sheathed body from a cut of the sheath made by the sheath cutting blade.

Abstract: A seal kit for assembly into a system for sealing an elongate heating cable from ambient essentially includes a cone-shaped elastomeric grommet, several molded plastic parts, and a compression spring. The compression grommet forms a sealing interface between itself and a molded plastic enclosure body and between itself and an outer jacket of a heating cable. Cable ends are sealed within a sealed interior space of the enclosure body. A cup-shaped surface of a molded plastic part adjacently facing a congruent cone-shaped surface of the elastomeric grommet forms a slip-plane. The compression spring transfers energy to compress the elastomeric grommet and to cause it to expand radially against an interior wall of the enclosure body and against an outer jacket of the electrical cable and prevents that region of the grommet from becoming bonded over a high temperature operating interval to the inside wall of the enclosure body.

Abstract: There is described a process for producing ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers and functionalized ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers, having reduced melt index ratio (MIR) and reduced weight average molecular weight (Mw). Also disclosed are novel ethylene homopolymers and interpolymers and functionalized ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers, having melt index ratio (MIR) less than 22 and molecular weight distribution greater than 2.4. Further described are novel ethylene interpolymers and functionalized ethylene interpolymers, having a melt index ratio less than 26, a molecular weight distribution value of greater than 2.4 and a density of less than 0.95 g/cc.

Abstract: There is described a process utilizing Ziegler-Natta catalysts for producing ethylene/olefin interpolymers which, for a given melt index and density, have a reduced melting peak temperature (Tm). The process involves contacting ethylene and at least one other olefin under polymerization conditions with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and at least one modifier comprising at least one element from Group 15 and/or Group 16 in amounts sufficient to reduce the melting peak temperature of the ethylene/olefin interpolymer. Also described herein are novel ethylene/olefin interpolymers resulting from the process.

Abstract: There is described a process for producing ethylene/olefin interpolymers which, for a given melt index and density, have a reduced melting peak temperature (Tm). The process involves contacting ethylene and at least one other olefin under polymerization conditions with an olefin polymerization catalyst and at least one modifier comprising at least one element from Group 15 and/or Group 16 in amounts sufficient to reduce the melting peak temperature of the ethylene/olefin interpolymer. Also described herein are novel ethylene/olefin interpolymers resulting from the process.

Abstract: A novel process for producing homopolymers and interpolymers of olefins which involves contacting an olefin and/or an olefin and at least one or more other olefin(s) under polymerization conditions with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprising at least one transition metal compound and at least one organometallic co-catalyst compound and tetrahydrofuran in amounts sufficient to reduce the electrostatic charge in the polymerization medium. Also disclosed is a process for reducing electrostatic charge in an olefin polymerization medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel cobalt and molybdenum promoted titania and nickel and molybdenum promoted titania catalysts, and molybdenum promoted titania catalysts containing mixtures of cobalt and nickel. The invention also relates to a process for using the catalysts to convert sulfur in the form of carbon sulfides and nitrogen present as hydrogen cyanide to hydrogen sulfide and ammonia respectively. The catalysts and process of the present invention are effective even when oxygen in concentrations up to about 2 volume %, preferably 1.0 volume %, (dry basis) is present. The catalyst comprises about 0.5 to about 5%, by weight, cobalt oxide (CoO), nickel oxide (NiO), or mixtures thereof; about 1.5 to about 15%, by weight, molybdenum trioxide (MoO.sub.3); and about 70 to about 98%, by weight, titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2).

Abstract: Novel furnace carbon blacks that impart advantageous properties to rubber and plastic compositions and may be utilized in place of lamp blacks, thermal carbon blacks and blends of carbon blacks. Also disclosed are novel rubber and plastic compositions incorporating the novel carbon blacks which exhibit advantageous combinations of compound processing and physical performance properties.

Abstract: Rubber compositions having reduced permeability to gases comprising rubber and specified furnace carbon blacks.

Abstract: Carbon blacks having a CTAB of greater than, or equal to, 140 m.sup.2 /g; a CDBP of greater than or equal to 115 cc/100 g; a Tint value of greater than or equal to 135%; a .DELTA.D50 of less than or equal to 50 nm; a Dmode less than or equal to 72 nm; and an Occluded Volume Index greater than or equal to 1.30 that impart superior treadwear resistance and abrasion resistance to rubber compounds. Preferably, the carbon blacks of the present invention are further characterized by having a N.sub.2 SA greater than or equal to 150 m.sup.2 /g, and less than 180 m.sup.2 /g; and a DBP of greater than or equal to 140 cc/100 g. Also disclosed are rubber compounds containing the carbon blacks which exhibit increased abrasion resistance and treadwear resistance at normally utilized loading levels. Further disclosed are rubber compounds containing the carbon blacks which exhibit increased treadwear resistance/hysteresis ratios at loading levels lower than normally utilized in the compounding of tire compounds.

Abstract: Fabric or wire skim compounds having low moisture absorption properties that comprise rubber and a carbon black having an ash content of less than or equal to 0.2% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 0.1%, by weight, a structure represented by DBP (dibutyl phthalate absorption) of 50-160 cubic centimeters per 100 gram (cc/100 g), an Iodine Number (I.sub.2 No.) of 10-180 milligrams per gram (mg/g), preferably 50-130 mg/g, and a Tint value of 30-140%, preferably 60-140 %. More preferably, the carbon black is further characterized by having a CDBP of 40-120 cc/100 g, preferably 50-120 cc/100 g, and a CTAB level of 10-125 square meters per gram (m.sup.2/ g), preferably 60-125 m.sup.2 /g. Also disclosed are reinforcing materials cited with skim compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: Novel furnace carbon blacks that impart advantageous properties to rubber and plastic compositions and may be utilized in the place of acetylene blacks. The furnace carbon blacks have an ash level less than or equal to 50 ppm, preferably less than or equal to 30 ppm, most preferably less than or equal to 10 ppm, a sulfur level less than or equal to 50 ppm, preferably less than or equal to 30 ppm most preferably less than or equal to 10 ppm, a L.sub.a less than or equal to 30 .ANG. and a L.sub.c less than or equal to 30 .ANG.. Also disclosed are novel rubber and plastic compositions incorporating the novel furnace carbon blacks which exhibit advantageous properties, particularly in extending the useful service life of power cables produced using the compositions.

Abstract: Carbon blacks having a CTAB.gtoreq.(I.sub.2 No.+5 m.sup.2 /g); a CDBP.gtoreq.104 cc/100 g; a Tint of (0.5(CTAB)+70 m.sup.2 /g>Tint>0.5(CTAB)+60 m.sup.2 /g) and an ASTM aggregate volume.gtoreq. 480,000 (nm).sup.3. Also disclosed are rubber compositions in which the carbon blacks are incorporated.

Abstract: Novel carbon blacks having an I.sub.2 No. of 48-58 mg/g; a CTAB of 45-55 m.sup.2 /g; a Tint of 65-75%; a CDBP of 90-100 cc/100 g; and a DBP of 122-132 cc/100 g particularly well suited for use in the production of rubber compositions having reduced extrusion shrinkage properties. Also disclosed are rubber compositions containing the novel carbon blacks.