Abstract: A seed polymerized latex polymer having a gradient polymeric morphology surrounding a latex seed core having a number average core size in the range from about 20 nanometers to about 60 nanometers is described. Also described is the process for preparing the seed polymerized latex polymer having a gradient polymeric morphology.

Abstract: Hot melt wax compositions are described that render fibrous products such as paper, paperboard and corrugated paper containers water-resistant at room temperature, but enable such articles to be repulped and recycled when the coated articles are repulped in a heated nearly neutral to alkaline aqueous medium. The compositions comprise from about 20% to 97.5% by weight of a water-repellent wax that is a solid at 20.degree. C.; from about 2.

Abstract: A novel thermosettable composition-of-matter is disclosed. One embodiment of the composition-of-matter includes a polymeric thermosettable ingredient having at least three acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties as well as at least three acid-functional pendant moieties. Another embodiment of the composition-of-matter includes at least two polymeric thermosettable ingredients, one of which includes at least three acid-functional pendant moieties and the other of which includes at least three acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties. The novel composition is characterized in that the acid-functional and acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties crosslinkably-react together, when subjected to elevated-temperature conditions for a predetermined period of time, thereby producing a crosslinked polymeric network. The novel thermosettable composition-of-matter can be used "as is" if either of the polymeric thermosettable components is a "fluid" (i.e., is able to flow) at room temperature.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint prosthesis, e.g. a hip joint prosthesis, which comprises an outer shell element, a ball component, and a replaceable bearing insert element positioned between the shell and the ball component. The bearing insert has a generally spherical inside surface which encompasses more than half of the ball component to thereby retain it. The insert has an outside surface shaped to mate with the inside surface of the shell, and the shell element and the insert element have a locking mechanism consisting of a protruding portion which extends a major distance around a side surface of one element which locks into a mating depression in the other element.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved implantable tibial component comprising an implantable tibial base containing two separate, opposed raised walls which engage oppositely configured recesses in the lower surface of a removable hard polymeric condylar articulating surface insert. The locking mechanism which holds the insert within the base provides a means by which the insert can be locked within the base in a secure fashion. The locking mechanism further provides a means by which the insert can be removed from the implanted tibial base in a simple fashion by raising the anterior end of the insert over the top of the anterior wall on the edge of the tibial base and sliding the insert anteriorly out of the posterior raised walls which also extend along the medial and lateral edges of the tibial base.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an applicator for placing a sealant into a groove, and comprises a member having a lower side, the lower side being adapted to extend into the groove. The lower side has an arcuate shape and a sealant passage extends through the member and includes an outlet opening in the lower side. The arcuate lower side is adapted to extend partially into said groove and engage the upper corners of the groove during use. The applicator further includes a limiter attached to the member, the limiter extending laterally of the lower side and over the upper corners of the groove.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making an inflatable bone plug for plugging the open end of an intramedullary bone canal which is capable of restricting the flow of bone cement, particularly, during the insertion of bone cement, particularly during the pressurized injection of such a cement, during an operative procedure involving the fixation of the stem of an artificial joint prosthesis such as a femoral hip joint prosthesis to the end of a bone such as a femur. The bone plug is designed to be pressurized with a biocompatible fluid and to thereafter deflate in a controlled manner after the cement hardens. Preferably, the bone plug is made by forming a hollow expandable container of a silicone elastomer permeable to carbon dioxide gas which has a valve stem attached to one end of the container and an opening at the opposite end of the container. A shrinkable elastomeric band is placed over the valve stem in which a channel has been made to receive a further cooperating injection means such as a needle.

Abstract: An elastomeric foam composition is useful in dentistry for separating the gingiva from the adjacent teeth, for cleaning, as a pressure pack and wound dressing and as a cushion between dental appliances and the gums of a dental patient. The composition is made from a paste-like system of components which expands at least about 150% to produce a uniformly fine-grained foam composition having a resistance to compression such that a force of at least about 50 g per square cm. is required to result in 10% deflection. In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric foam composition is formed from a system of components which includes silicone fluids, siliceous fillers, crosslinkers, hydrogen, sources and a catalyst, all present in amounts which provide a paste-like consistency before foaming and a resistance to compression after foaming such that 80 g. per square cm. is required to produce a 10% deflection.

Abstract: An inflatable surgical implant having a remotely located inflation button also designed for implantation and adopted to be pierced by a hypodermic needle. A fluid conduit connector in the wall of the implant for fluid communication with the inflation button has a center element which is rotatable in a cup-shaped elastomeric fixed element. A flange in the fixed element cooperating with a groove in rotatable element holds the rotatable element in place. The fixed element is made of elastomeric material such as silicone rubber which is forced by internal pressure into fluid tight relationship with the rotating element. Silicone fluid is optionally placed between the two elements to further effect positive sealing. As an alternate, an integral inflation button may be built into the rotatable element to allow the surgeon a choice of inflation sites.

Abstract: A medical-surgical dressing comprising a reinforced sheet of silicone elastomer foam having a thickness not exceeding 10 millimeters, one of the surfaces of the sheet having a surface layer of open cell foam and the other surface having a substantially non-cellular surface skin. The dressing may be manufactured by a process comprising depositing a liquid foamable silicone composition on an absorbent surface, allowing the composition to foam and set to an elastomer and thereafter separating the foam sheet from the substrate.The dressings are useful e.g. for the treatment of wounds, burns and as liners for plaster casts.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved transdermal drug delivery device for the controlled transdermal delivery of amino-functional drugs. The improvement resides in providing the device with a silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive layer which has been chemically treated to reduce the silicon-bonded hydroxyl content of the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition to render the adhesive layer resistant to loss of tack and preserve the instant adherence of the device to the skin of a wearer during storage and while the device is being worn. Preferably, the composition used comprises a silicon-bonded hydroxyl radical containing resinous copolymer of R.sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2 units and SiO.sub.4/2 units and a polydiorganosiloxane which have been chemically treated with R.sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2 units where R is preferably a hydrocarbon radical such as a methyl group to reduce the silicon-bonded hydroxyl content of the adhesive and thereby its sensitivity to amino-functional drugs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for edge contouring and severing a lens such as a contact lens of an elastomeric material such as a silicone elastomer from a workpiece containing the lens. The method most preferably employs two beam focussing means such as laser optics systems situated opposite each other which project a ring-shaped beam of, e.g., 10.6 micron wavelength radiation from a carbon dioxide laser at a workpiece centered between the two beam focussing means. Such a laser beam is preferably directed at both surfaces of a workpiece to fully edge contour and sever a contact lens from the workpiece in a fast and efficient manner.

Abstract: This invention relates to an implantable, multiple envelope tissue expander and to a method of using the same to produce a flap or section of tissue having a preselected shaped for use in plastic surgical procedures. The device consists essentially of at least two separately inflatable envelopes wherein one is used as a base and is fixed to body members underlying the tissue to be expanded. The other envelope is smaller in volume than the first and is attached to the upper half of the base envelope to expand the tissue overlying the second envelope to a greater extent than is accomplished by the first envelope to thereby produce a section of tissue with a preselected shape.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for edge contouring and severing a lens such as a contact lens of an elastomeric material such as a silicone elastomer from a workpiece containing the lens. The method most preferably employs two beam focussing means such as laser optics systems situated opposite each other which project a ring-shaped beam of, e.g., 10.6 micron wavelength radiation from a carbon dioxide laser at a workpiece centered between the two beam focussing means. Such a laser beam is preferably directed at both surfaces of a workpiece to fully edge contour and sever a contact lens from the workpiece in a fast and efficient manner.

Abstract: This invention provides a simplified laser optics system for generating a ring-shaped beam of laser radiation which is used for contouring and severing a curved, particularly a dome-shaped, article such as a silicone elastomer contact lens from a workpiece. The laser optics system consists essentially of a focussing element having a convex surface which receives a circular beam of laser radiation and an opposed conical surface forming an axicon which element transforms the circular beam into a ring-shaped beam of laser radiation. The ring-shaped beam is received by a reflective element having a conical reflective surface which causes the beam to impinge upon the curved workpiece surface, preferably at an angle which is substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface, to accomplish edge contouring and severing of the article from the workpiece.

Abstract: This invention relates to an implantable, inflatable dual chamber shape retention tissue expander having a resilient annular base and a generally hemispherical shape after inflation which is used to form a generally hemispherical pocket beneath the tissue to be expanded to, for example, provide an appropriately shaped pocket for the receipt of an implantable mammary prosthesis and to a method of using such a tissue expander.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing lipid deposits from contact lenses of a polymeric material, particularly contact lenses wherein at least a portion of the polymeric material is an organosilicon compound, by contacting the contact lens surfaces with certain volatile methylsiloxane fluids such as octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and thereafter removing the fluid and the lipids removed from the contact lens. This method is especially useful for removing lipid deposits from silicone elastomer contact lenses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a femoral trial prosthesis/rasp assembly for use in hip implant surgery. The novel handle assembly grips the combination trial prosthesis/rasp in a secure manner by clamping over and locking onto a post on the trial prosthesis/rasp which later serves as a mounting piece for a femoral prosthesis head used in trial reductions. The handle assembly preferably comprises a straight member which has a recess for reception of one half of the post and a pivotable lever which contains an opposing recess which fits over the remainder of the post when a screw is tightened to bring the two recesses together over the post. The trial prosthesis/rasp is cooperatively engaged by a projection located at the end of the handle assembly to hold the trial prosthesis/rasp in a preselected orientation with respect to the handle assembly during use. The trial prosthesis/rasp is easily released from the handle by turning the screw to permit the lower portion of the straight member and lever to separate.