Abstract: An automated mandrel dip coating process assembly for RTV silicone dispersions is described, including an enclosure adapted to hold a moisture-cure ambient temperature curable medium for mandrel dip molding and at least one mandrel having a surface for contacting the moisture-cure ambient temperature curable medium. An automated motive drive assembly is arranged to removably translate one or more of the mandrel(s) into contact with the moisture-cure ambient temperature curable medium in the enclosure, and to subsequently translate at least one mandrel contacted with the moisture-cure ambient temperature curable medium into at least one of (A) contact with a bubble crusher in the enclosure, and (B) disengagement from the moisture-cure ambient temperature curable medium in the enclosure and rotation of the mandrel at a vertical displacement angle of from 70° to 110°.

Abstract: A digital appliance cover article formed of a thermoplastic elastomeric film that compressively and conformably encloses a digital appliance. The cover defines a pocket with an opening that is offset from an edge of the cover, with overlapping edges at the opening, whereby the digital appliance is compressively and conformably enclosed by the digital appliance cover article when inserted through such opening and reposed in an interior volume of the cover article.

Abstract: A speculum cover that is adapted to sheath the blades of a speculum, and to support lateral vaginal walls to facilitate vaginal/cervical examination during gynecological exams and surgery. The speculum cover includes top and bottom pockets for the respective blades of the speculum, and side portions having openings therein for sampling of tissue at the vaginal locus. In a specific implementation, the speculum cover is of a four-ply construction, formed by impulse welding or other polymeric film joining technique, and the two inner plies of the cover include rearwardly extending flaps to which are adhesively secured donning guide members for facilitating installation of the cover on the speculum.

Abstract: A speculum cover that is adapted to sheath the blades of a speculum, and to support lateral vaginal walls to facilitate vaginal/cervical examination during gynecological exams and surgery. The speculum cover includes top and bottom pockets for the respective blades of the speculum, and side portions having openings therein for sampling of tissue at the vaginal locus. In a specific implementation, the speculum cover is of a four-ply construction, formed by impulse welding or other polymeric film joining technique, and the two inner plies of the cover include rearwardly extending flaps to which are adhesively secured donning guide members for facilitating installation of the cover on the speculum.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube that is compressively flattenable by manual force exerted on opposing surfaces thereof. The centrifuge tube is formed with integral hinge elements at opposing sides thereof. The centrifuge tube of such configuration may be employed as a component of a kit including one or more swab elements, for collection of specimens, forensic evidence, and the like. The swab element may be subjected to squeeze-out action by withdrawing the swab through the slot formed by compressive flattening of the tube, so that the amount of collected material transferred to the tube for subsequent centrifugation processing is maximized.

Abstract: A dual balloon catheter apparatus for controlling postpartum hemorrhage in uterine or vaginal cavities or hemorrhage in other body cavities, comprising: (1) a catheter having an inflation lumen and a deflation lumen; (2) a first inflatable balloon in fluid communication with the inflation lumen; and (3) a second inflatable balloon encompassing the first balloon and in fluid communication with the deflation lumen. A gaseous inflation medium can be introduced from an external gas source through the inflation lumen to inflate the first balloon, so as to apply a substantially even pressure along a substantial portion of an inner surface of a uterine cavity to reduce or eliminate bleeding along such inner surface. The second inflatable balloon functions to confine any gaseous inflation medium that escapes from the first balloon, due to leakage or rapture of such first balloon, and to discharge such escaped gaseous inflation medium through the deflation lumen.

Abstract: A male urinary incontinence control device including a circumferentially continuous inflatable cuff having a plurality of inflatable passages therein, optionally reinforced by rigid members, that slips over the glans of the penis for positioning along the longitudinal axis of the penile shaft. Upon inflation, the cuff applies radially inwardly directed compressive force to the shaft of the penis with a concomitant restriction of the urethral passageway. The inflatable cuff in one embodiment includes an integrated hand pump for convenient inflation and deflation.

Abstract: A tamponade device for controlling post-partum hemorrhage includes an inner drain tube co-axially encircled by an inflatable balloon. The device is inserted into the uterine cavity, and the balloon is distended with a medium supplied with sufficient pressure and volume to apply even pressure along the surface of an interior uterine wall. With the application of such pressure, bleeding is stopped as evidenced by a cessation of blood draining from the inner drain tube. The inner tube includes a drainage port at an inserted end for draining blood and other fluids from the interior of the uterine cavity. An integral valve and medium insufflation and supply tubes operate to control inflation and deflation of the balloon. The supply tube co-axially encircles the drain tube to define a thin passageway between an inner surface of the supply tube and an outer surface of the drain tube. Perforations in the supply tube allow the medium to pass from this passageway in order to distend the balloon.

Abstract: An inflatable structure comprising an inflation compartment defining an enclosed interior volume and an anti-reflux valve having an outlet end positioned in the interior volume. The anti-reflux valve includes an elongate inflation passage including opposedly facing film layers that are bonded to one another at their edges to form an interior gas flow channel. The elongate inflation passage is bonded to the inflatable compartment to form an opening for introduction of gas into the passage, for inflation of the inflation compartment, and arranged so that upon termination of gas flow into the interior volume, after pressure in the interior volume has been raised above exterior pressure on the inflatable compartment, gas pressure in the interior volume collapses the opposedly facing film layers against one another to form a seal against the interior volume gas pressure and maintain the inflation compartment in an inflated state.

Abstract: A surfacially ultraviolet radiation-crosslinked article formed of a homogeneous composition including an elastoplastic material, a cross-linker component that is cross-linkable by free-radical polymerization, and a free-radical source material generating free radicals in exposure to ultraviolet radiation, wherein the elastoplastic material is surfacially cross-linked by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, wherein the sub-surface bulk volume of the article is non-cross-linked, and the article is resiliently deformable from and resiliently recoverable to a shape of the article when it was exposed to ultraviolet radiation for surfacial cross-linking thereof. The article is particularly amenable to embodiment as a catheter, or other similar medical device for cardiovascular or other medical procedures.