Abstract: The present invention provides a dental curable material suitable for a production of an artificial teeth having a strong toughness, wear resistance, transparency and moldability, which comprises a silane-treated silica uniformely dispersed in urethane (meth)acrylate (a): said silica has a 1 to 85 nm, with at least one silane compound represented by the formula (1):YnSiX.sub.4-n (1)wherein Y is a hydrocarbon group or a reactive group containing a vinyl-polymerizable group; X is a hydrolyzable group; and n is an integer of 1, 2 or 3, and is uniformly dispersed in a urethane (meth)acrylte (b).

Abstract: Shaped medical devices, e.g. stents, having improved mechanical properties and structural integrity are disclosed. The devices comprise shaped polymeric hydrogels which are both ionically and non-ionically crosslinked and which exhibit improved structural integrity after selective removal of the crosslinking ions. Process for making such devices are also disclosed wherein an ionically crosslinkable polymer is both ionically and non-ionically crosslinked to form a shaped medical device. When implanted in the body, selective in-vivo stripping of the crosslinking ions produces a softer, more flexible implant having improved structural integrity.

Abstract: A method of making an aggregate comprising at least a carbon phase and a silicon-containing species phase is disclosed. The method involves introducing a first feedstock into a first stage of a multi-stage reactor, and introducing a second feedstock into the reactor at a location downstream of the first stage. The first and second feedstock comprise a carbon black-yielding feedstock, and at least one feedstock also comprises a silicon-containing compound. The reactor is operated at a sufficient temperature to decompose the silicon-containing compound and to pyrolize the carbon black-yielding feedstock. An additional method is disclosed which involves making an aggregate comprising a carbon phase and a silicon-containing species phase using multi-stage reactor having at least the stages for introducing a feedstock, wherein at least one of the feedstocks comprises a carbon black-yielding feedstock and wherein at least one of the feedstock comprises a silicon-containing compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to dental materials based on wax-like polymerizable substances. The dental materials contain (a) 0 to 70 wt. % of at least one polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer; (b) 0.1 to 5 wt. % of at least one polymerization initiator; (c) 0 to 60 wt. % of one or more fillers, (d) at least 20 wt. % of the wax-like polymerizable substance. They can be kneaded at room temperature and can be modelled in non-polymerized state without additional heating, like conventional waxes. On polymerization, the wax component is covalently incorporated into the polymer. The dental materials are suitable for producing temporary and permanent dental prostheses.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol compositions in the form of an aqueous solution are disclosed, where the aqueous polyvinyl alcohol compositions include: (i) polyvinyl alcohol; (ii) at least one polyaldehyde having at least 3 carbon atoms and being masked completely as a water-soluble hydrogen sulfite adduct; and (ii) at least one compound which is acidic in water. The aqueous polyvinyl alcohol compositions are suitable as adhesives and for use in cast films.

Abstract: A process and a high pressure apparatus are disclosed which are useful in preparing magnetic dispersions and other dispersions of hard, non-compliant particulates. The apparatus can be monitored for clogs and wear and allows for relatively quick and inexpensive replacement of orifices. The apparatus includes a high pressure pump and a series of impingement chambers comprising an input manifold where the process stream is split into two or more streams and an output manifold where the streams are recombined after passing through restrictive orifices configured in such a manner that the streams impinge on each other at high velocities. The orifices in each succeeding impingement zone are the same size or smaller than the orifices in the preceding impingement zone, and the orifices in the final impingement zone must be smaller than the orifices in the first impingement zone.

Abstract: An adhesive composition for dental or surgical treatment comprising (A) 2 to 24 parts by weight of an organic boron compound, (B) 0.002 to 0.5 part by weight of a photopolymerization initiator, (C) 75 to 97 parts by weight of a polymerizable monomer mixture comprising 2 to 20% by weight of a monomer containing an acidic group and 80 to 98% by weight of a monomer containing no acidic group, and (D) optionally, 250 parts or less by weight of a filler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental coating composition comprising a polymer which has in its molecule one or more phosphorus series acid residues selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid and phosphinic acid and halides and salts thereof and has a weight-average molecular weight of 10,000 to 5,000,000, and water or a lower alcohol. The composition is a dental coating agent which does not easily peel off when drinking or eating, can be removed easily if necessary and does not have a safety problem.

Abstract: The present invention describes a polysiloxane-polyol macromer which is uninterrupted or interrupted by a bivalent structural element and furthermore carries at least one polymerizable segment on a polyol segment; a polymer comprising a polymerization product of at least one macromer according to the invention and, if appropriate, of at least one vinylic comonomer; intermediates; processes for the preparation of a macromer and a polymerization product; moldings, contact lenses, corneal implants or biomedical articles of a polymerization product; and furthermore the use of a macromer according to the invention or of a polymer prepared therefrom for coating a substrate.

Abstract: Glass polyalkenoate (glass ionomer) cements are used formed into dental crowns, despite their reputedly inadequate toughness, strength and wear-resistance early after forming for such an application, by heating the newly formed glass ionomer crown under a relative humidity of 100% in a bomb under silicone oil at 120-200.degree. C. for an hour.

Abstract: A polymerization initiator composition comprising 100 parts by weight of an organic boron compound (A) and 10 to 150 parts by weight of an aprotic solvent (B) having a boiling point of 30 to 150.degree. C.; and a dental or surgical adhesive composition containing the above polymerization initiator composition.

Abstract: The use of aqueous solutions or dispersions of copolymers composed ofA) from 5 to 95 mol % of ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids having 3 to 10 carbons, their anhydrides, their alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium salts, or mixtures thereof,B) from 5 to 95 mol % of ethylenically unsaturated acetals, ketals or orthocarboxylic esters of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 to R.sup.12 independently are hydrogen or an organic radical anda to d independently are 0 or 1, andC) from 0 to 70 mol % of other copolymerizable monomersor their hydrolysis products or polymer-analogous reaction products, as tanning agents for the self-tanning, pretanning or assist tanning of leather pelts and skin pelts or for the retanning of leather and skins.

Abstract: The presently claimed process for the production of a solid pigment/resin dispersion comprises the steps of mixing together a particulate pigment, a solid resin carrier, a water-immiscible organic solvent in which the carrier is at least partially soluble, water, and, optionally, a water miscible solvent until the mixture separates into an aqueous phase and a coherent phase comprising resin, pigment and organic solvent; separating water from the coherent phase; and continuing to mix the coherent phase while removing the organic solvent under the action of heat and/or reduced pressure until a dry particulate material comprising a pigment and resin is formed.

Abstract: The present claims are directed to a tipped surgical suture and a solventless method for making a tipped suture comprising a suture coated with 6-30 weight percent, based on the total weight of the tipped region of the suture, of a bioresorbable aliphatic polyester copolymer which itself comprises from 70-100 mole % of e-caprolactone repeating units or from 80-100 mole % of trimethylene carbonate repeating units, the remainder of repeating units in the copolymer comprising a plurality of lactide, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one units.

Abstract: The present invention is an endodontic sealer paste and an endodontic core material for root canal filling, retrofilling, and perforation repair. The endodontic sealer paste contains a dry poly(carboxylic acid), zinc oxide, and an aliphatic acid. The endodontic core material contains a pliant polymer, a dry poly(carboxylic acid), and zinc oxide.

Abstract: Novel contrast media for use in ultrasonic imaging are described. Such contrast media may be comprised of an aqueous solution of one or more biocompatible polymers, wherein said biocompatible polymers are coated with and/or in admixture with at least one silicon containing compound. Alternatively, the contrast media may be comprised of an aqueous solution of one or more biocompatible synthetic polymers, or an aqueous solution of cellulose. The contrast media may be employed, if desired, with anti-gas agents and/or suspending agents.

Abstract: A denture adhesive composition is disclosed and comprises a polymeric activator in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight based on the total weight of the denture adhesive composition. This composition exhibits enhanced adhesive performance and reduces oozing and incidence of food occlusion. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a denture adhesive composition comprising: preparing a mixture which comprises a polymeric activator in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight based on the total weight of the denture adhesive composition; forming a denture adhesive composition including the mixture; and recovering the denture adhesive composition. A method of making a denture adhesive composition more adhesive and less oozing is disclosed as well. This method comprises adding to the denture adhesive composition a polymeric activator in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight based on the total weight of the denture adhesive composition.

Abstract: A color masterbatch resin composition for a packaging material for a photographic photosensitive material which does not adversely affect photographic properties of the photographic photosensitive material, comprising a light-shielding material in a concentration thrice as much as or more that of the packaging material for a photographic photosensitive material, and a thermoplastic resin of which 50 wt. % or more is the same type as a thermoplastic resin occupying 50 wt. % or more of the total thermoplastic resin composing the packaging material for a photographic photosensitive material, production thereof, a packaging material for a photographic photosensitive material formed of a color masterbatch resin composition, and production thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition and method for obtaining both light and dark laser marks of varying shades and intensities on a single plastic article by selectively controlling laser parameters. The invention further provides compositions and methods for obtaining pre-selected one-color and multi-colored designs on plastic articles, by selectively controlling material formulations and laser parameter settings.

Abstract: Improved bone cement compositions and method of fixing a prosthetic implant to a bone using said improved bone cement compositions. More particularly, bone cement compositions having enhanced fatigue strength and consequently an increased projected service life when placed in a patient to fix a prosthetic implant securely in place. Specifically, bone cement compositions comprising a conventional poly[(methyl methacrylate)-styrene] copolymer based bone cement consisting of a liquid component and a dry powder component, and poly(butyl methacrylate) powder wherein at least a trace but no more than 5 wt % of the dry powder component is replaced by an equal mass of the poly(butyl methacrylate) powder.