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: Disclosed are methods useful for treating vascular lesions wherein a non-particulate agent such as a metal coil is introduced into a vascular site (e.g., an aneurysm cavity) in conjunction with an embolizing composition comprising a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible solvent.The biocompatible solvent is miscible or soluble in blood and also solubilizes the polymer during delivery. The biocompatible polymer is selected to be soluble in the biocompatible solvent but insoluble in blood. Upon contact with the blood, the biocompatible solvent dissipates from the embolic composition whereupon the biocompatible polymer precipitates. Precipitation of the polymer in the presence of the non-particulate agent permits the agent to act as a structural lattice for the growing polymer precipitate.In another embodiment, the biocompatible polymer composition can be replaced with a biocompatible prepolymer composition containing a biocompatible prepolymer.

Abstract: A composite surgical material comprising a collagen matrix reinforced by a layer of a synthetic bioabsorbable material such as polylactide/polyglycolide or oxidised regenerated cellulose, and wherein oil droplets are dispersed in the collagen matrix. The oil droplets comprise 1% to 75% of the weight of the composite and result in improved leak-proofing of the composite. The composite, in the form of a sheet or a tube, is especially useful as a temporary, fully bioabsorbable prosthesis, for membranes or blood vessels where a highly leak-proof prosthesis is required. The invention also provides a method of making a composite surgical material comprising the steps of: providing a layer of a synthetic bioabsorbable material; providing a dispersion of collagen in an oil-in-water emulsion; coating at least one face of the layer of synthetic bioabsorbable material with the said dispersion; and drying the composite material thus obtained.

Abstract: A ring for a hard contact lens, which can be detachably attached to the peripheral edge of a hard contact lens and which has a groove of a shape corresponding to the peripheral edge of the hard contact lens, formed along the inner periphery of the ring.

Abstract: A composite for a dental restoration is presented comprising ground, densified, embrittled glass fibers together with fillers and a polymeric matrix precursor composition. The ground, densified, embrittled glass fibers are obtained by grinding glass fibers which have been densified and embrittled by heating glass fibers at a temperature substantially below the softening point of the glass fibers, without significant fusion or melting together of the fibers. The composite is particularly useful as a direct filling material, in that it has the feel and workability of an amalgam.

Abstract: A process for forming a surface modification on a polymer substrate and polymer substrates having such surface modifications. The process comprises the steps of absorbing a swelling monomer into the polymer substrate for a period of time in order to swell the polymer substrate; removing the swollen polymer from the swelling monomer; transferring the swollen polymer to a reaction mixture containing at least one functional monomer; polymerizing the functional monomer in the reaction mixture containing the swollen polymer substrate for a period of time; and removing the polymer from the reaction mixture. Because the surface modification produced by the process is a surface interpenetrating polymer network, the process is not sensitive to the reactive groups located on the surface of the polymer substrate. Further, the surface interpenetrating network bonds to the polymer substrate through caternary connections or other forms of chain entanglement and thus is quite stable.

Abstract: Disclosed are elastomeric compounds including an elastomer and a silicon-treated carbon black, and optionally including a coupling agent. The elastomeric compound exhibits poorer abrasion resistance, lower hysterisis at high temperature and comparable or increased hysterisis at low temperature compared to an elastomer containing an untreated carbon black. Elastomeric compounds incorporating an elastomer and an oxidized, silicon-treated carbon black are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for preparing elastomers compounded with the treated carbon black.

Abstract: A method for dispersing solid forms of additives in polymers involves adding dispersions or solutions of additive(s) to a solution of polymer in a tubular mixer (preferably in the presence of a stationary mixer). The mixer leads to a steam precipitation step wherein all fluid ingredients in the mixture are volatilized leaving the solid additive and resin in the desired ratio. This results in a uniform dispersion of the additives in the polymer matrix. As a result of the high dispersion, physical properties of a thermoplastic resin, to which the polymer matrix has been added are preserved. In one illustration, PTFE as a drip inhibitor additive, is added to polycarbonate to obtain a highly dispersed PTFE concentrate of improved drip-inhibition without loss of mechanical properties when added to a thermoplastic molding resin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polymer feed system and a method of using the same wherein clogging of the polymer input line is avoided by the use of air to purge the system of any unwanted polymer or electrolyte. The purging avoids the contact of the water with the polymer and the build-up of unwanted activated polymer and clogging in the supply and in the subsequent conduits.

Abstract: The use of polymerizable monomeric conditioning agents for treating the enamel and dentin of a tooth prior to application of a primer and subsequent application of a bonding resin, or a combination of a primer/bonding resin has been found to provide good shear bond strength on both moist and dry dentin. In addition, the contact angles provided by water on dentin conditioned with the polymerizable conditioners as compared to the non-polymerizable phosphoric acid are much lower, reflecting improved spreading over the surface of the tooth.

Abstract: An adhesive for dental resin composite materials is disclosed, which comprises (a) from 10 to 40 parts by weight of tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate; (b) from 90 to 60 parts by weight of one or more methacrylates having at least one unsaturated double bond in one molecule thereof; and (c) from 0.04 to 0.12 part by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the monomer mixture consisting of (a) and (b), of a photopolymerization initiator, the adhesive for dental resin composite materials of the present invention having a proper viscosity, not causing the color remaining, is superior in the operability and esthetics, having further a satisfactory adhesive strength, and is of safe even when used in the mouth.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced phthalonitrile composite is made by impregnating or coating a fibrous material with a phthalonitrile prepolymer mixture containing a phthalonitrile monomer and an aromatic amine curing agent that is thermally stable and nonvolatile at a temperature up to about 375.degree. C., and that contains at least one electron withdrawing substituent effective to reduce the reactivity of the aromatic amine curing agent with the phthalonitrile monomer.

Abstract: A composite surgical material comprising a collagen matrix reinforced by a layer of a synthetic bioabsorbable material such as polylactide/polyglycolide or oxidized regenerated cellulose, and wherein oil droplets are dispersed in the collagen matrix. The oil droplets comprise 1% to 75% of the weight of the composite and result in improved leak-proofing of the composite. The composite, in the form of a sheet or a tube, is especially useful as a temporary, fully bioabsorbable prosthesis, for membranes or blood vessels where a highly leak-proof prosthesis is required. The invention also provides a method of making a composite surgical material comprising the steps of: providing a layer of a synthetic bioabsorbable material; providing a dispersion of collagen in an oil-in-water emulsion; coating at least one face of the layer of synthetic bioabsorbable material with the said dispersion; and drying the composite material thus obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition of an essentially solid phase state having as components, a liquid hydrophilic organic polymer, an aqueous salt solution containing at least one metallic or metalloid element, and a coagulating agent. The composition on calcination provides a metal-containing powder having an average particle size of 1 micrometer or less. Such metal-containing powders are of value in the preparation of industrial catalysts, ceramics, electronic components, or as fillers in plastics, paints or cosmetics.

Abstract: A soft contact lens comprising a silicone-hydrogel made by curing a reaction mixture comprising a silicone-containing monomer.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline compound, a polymeric product formed by polymerization of the liquid crystalline compound, a dental composition including the liquid crystalline compound and method of using the dental composition. Polymerization of the liquid crystalline compound results in an low volume percent shrinkage and a high conversion to polymer. The composition of the invention is useful for dental adhesive, primer, cement, pit and fissure sealant and restorative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to colloidal metal oxides having blocked isocyanate groups, which are based on the reaction product ofA) blocked isocyanate group-containing silanes corresponding to formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R represents hydrogen or an organic group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms,X, Y and Z represent identical or different organic groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms which are inert to isocyanate groups below 100.degree. C., provided that at least one of these groups is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy group,Q represents an organic group which contains at least one isocyanate group reacted with a blocking agent andn is 2, 3 or 4 withB) colloidal metal oxides selected from Al, Si, Ti, Ta, W, Hf, Zr, Sn and Y.The present invention also relates to the use of modified metal oxides, either alone or in combination with compounds containing at least two isocyanate-reactive groups, for the preparation of optionally expanded polyurethane plastics, lacquers or coating agents.

Abstract: To provide a polytetrafluoroethylene granular powder for molding and a process for preparing the granular powder, in which the granular powder contains only a small number of coarse particles, is obtained with good tumbling efficiency and further no organic liquid is required to be used.

Abstract: A dental resin material which is formed into a dental prosthesis by milling processing is disclosed, comprising an acrylic resin polymer containing from 20 to 70% by weight of an inorganic filler having a mean particle size of from 0.01 to 0.04 .mu.m in diameter. A process for producing a dental resin material is also disclosed, which comprises polymerizing for curing a mixture comprising a combination of from 20 to 70% by weight of an inorganic filler having a mean particle size of from 0.01 to 0.04 .mu.m in diameter, a methacrylate or acrylate monomer having at least one unsaturated double bond, and a heat polymerization initiator while elevating the pressure and heating under the conditions that the pressure is from 50 to 300 MPa and that the temperature is from 100 to 200.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recording material for the inkjet process, having a sheet-like substrate layer and at least one porous recording layer which is arranged on at least one side of the substrate layer and contains a binder combination comprising a film-forming plastics dispersion and a film-forming water-soluble polymer and from 30 to 90 k by weight, based on the dry recording layer, of an organic pigment which consists of porous particles or of primary particles which form porous agglomerates and has a mean pore diameter of from 0.1 to 0.5 .mu.m, an internal pore volume of from 1.0 to 4.0 cm.sup.3 /g, an oil absorption (DBP) of from 200 to 350 ml/100 g and a mean diameter of the porous particles or of the porous agglomerates of from 1 to 30 .mu.m, the ratio of pigment to binder being from 0.5:1 to 2:1. The recording material is particularly suitable for use with pigmented ink.