Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrophobic and oleophobic porous materials and processes for making the same. In a first process of the invention, a thermoplastic substrate is at least partially coated and/or impregnated with a surface treatment material. In a second process of the invention, thermoplastic particles which comprise a surface treatment material are sintered together. Preferred surface treatment materials are fluorochemicals.

Abstract: A filter is provided within a transparent drinking straw. The filter has a dense core region and a less dense outer peripherial region. The filter is retained in place within the straw by frictional forces under static conditions. The frictional forces which maintain the filter in place under static conditions may be overcome by fluid flowing through the straw causing the filter to move within the conduit. The filter may support particulate matter which may be a medication or drug. Accordingly, the device may be used as delivery device for drugs administered by oral ingestion. Movement of the filter from a first to a second position provides a visual indication that a predetemined volume of fluid has passed through the conduit.

Abstract: Porous products of thermoplastic polymers and the like are formed by sintering pellets, especially micropellets and/or pellets made by rapid water quenched pelletizing of the polymers, such as by underwater pelletizing or water ring pelletizing. The pellets are of a uniform size and shape, each having approximately equal dimensions along three mutually perpendicular axes, thereby producing porous products having smooth surfaces, narrow pore size distributions, greater strength and other improved characteristics. The porous products include antiperspirant and deodorant applicator heads, wastewater treatment bubblers and selective filters.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device has a resilient reservoir connected to a rigid hollow punch made of synthetic resin. The punch is precisely sized to enable manual penetration of rubber stoppers found on standard evacuated tubes which are commonly used for blood sampling. The diameter of the punch also allows for transfer of the fluid from the sample tube to the device in a reasonable amount of time. A method of transferring blood or blood products from the sample tube to testing apparatus involves using the device to penetrate a rubber cap on an evacuated tube and then transfer the blood to the device. The blood can then be transferred to a testing apparatus without exposure to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A implant for cranioplasty made of porous high density polyethylene is provided. The implant has a smooth upper surface and a lower surface characterized by a plurality of conical extensions. The implant is flexible so that it can conform to the contour of the cranium and can be cut with a scalpel or surgical scissors or bone cutters. The shape of the implant allows a surgeon to easily adapt the implant to fit into cranial defects such as those caused by harvesting bone grafts.

Abstract: An auricular implant includes a strip of flexible material having pores into which tissue can grow. The strip has the shape of a helix, the strip having an inner end adjacent to the center of the helix, an outer end at the periphery of the helix, an outer surface convex in a transverse direction, and an inner surface concave in a transverse direction. The material has the capability of attaching itself to tissue, the flexible strip being attached to the head of a patient at the inner and outer ends and unattached to the head between the inner and outer ends. A base member simulating the antihelix of an auricle has a flat bottom surface and a peaked upper portion.

Abstract: In a diagnostic apparatus system, a one piece porous substrate is provided in a container. The substrate serves both to extract an antigen in or on a top layer thereof with the remainder of the substrate serving as a reservoir. The pores in the top surface of the substrate are microscopic for entrapment of microspheres carrying antibodies. A target antigen in a test sample attaches to the antibodies when the test sample is poured through the top layer. The pores in all but the top layer of the substrate have a much greater pore size to comprise tile reservoir portion of the substrate.

Abstract: In a pipette device, a suction device applies suction to a pipette tip to draw liquid into the pipette tip. A porous plastic plug is mounted in the pipette tip to prevent contamination of the suction device by the liquid sample. The median pore size in the porous plastic plug ranges from 3 microns to an upper limit which varies with the hydrophobicity of the material of the plug.

Abstract: A tube liquid dispenser includes a resilient tube, a filter positioned in the tube at one end, a flange of sealing material extending radially around the outer circumference of the tube, and an opposite end closed except for a dispensing opening of a size through which liquid passes only upon the application of pressure to the liquid.

Abstract: A tube closure of elastomeric material having specific properties has an open end, a closed end and a side wall defining a tapering outer frustoconical surface. The side wall has a predetermined thickness at its thinnest point, which is determined in connection with the angle of taper of the outer frustoconical surface and the properties of the elastomeric material to provide a seal with high integrity over a range of tube sizes. The closure has a radially extending flange of predetermined thickness by which the closure can be removed from a tube by a pushing force. The closure has an inner surface for sealing against an outer surface of other tubes.

Abstract: In a diagnostic apparatus system, a one piece porous substrate is located in a container. The substrate serves both to extract an antigen in or on a top layer with the remainder of the substrate serving as a reservoir. The pores in the top surface of the substrate are microscopic for entrapment of microspheres carrying antibodies. A target antigen in a test sample attaches to the antibodies when the test sample is poured through the top layer. The pores in all but the top layer of the substrate have a much greater pore size to define the reservoir portion of the substrate. The invention also includes a method of casting a microporous matrix in surfaces of a plurality of macroporous slugs.

Abstract: A cap for sealing evacuated tubes has a plurality of sealing surfaces to seal tubes of various sizes and a septum of self-closing material to permit a needle to pass for the withdrawal or injection of fluids. The sealing surfaces are defined by a plurality of annular bands extending in series from a top wall, as well as a skirt which depends from the top wall and surrounds the annular bands.

Abstract: In a porous structure, a macroporous polyethylene substrate defining a network of interconnecting macropores and a microporous matrix of polyvinyl chloride is formed within and completely fills the network of macropores. The microporous matrix is cast within the network of macropores by impregnating the macropores with a solution of a solvent, a polymeric pore former, and polyvinyl chloride. The solution is caused to imbibe water from the atmosphere so as to separate into two liquid phases, one phase being rich in the polyvinyl chloride and the other phase being rich in water. The microporous matrix is coagulated from the first phase and the solvent and pore former are extracted from the macroporous matrix.

Abstract: In a serum separator, a sampling tube fits inside of a test tube. The sampling tube is provided with an elastomeric piston head at the lower end thereof having an annular lip to engage and form a seal with the inner sidewalls of the test tube. The upper side of the lip is provided with irregularities to break the seal between the lip and the test tube wall upon removal of the sampling tube from the test tube. A porous plastic filter body is mounted in a cavity in the piston head. The piston head defines a one-way valve in the form of a ball chamber containing a ball check. When the sampling tube is pushed into the test tube with a blood sample in the test tube, serum will pass through the filter body and valve into the interior of the sampling tube. The valve is constructed so that the serum cannot squirt toward the top of the sampling tube. When the sampling tube has been inserted, the valve will close.