Abstract: The present invention describes, among other things, the surprising discovery that gaseous precursor filled compositions are profoundly more effective as acoustically active contrast agents when they are thermally preactivated to temperatures at or above the boiling point of the instilled gaseous precursor prior to their in vivo administration to a patient. Further optimization of contrast enhancement is achieved by administering the gaseous precursor filled compositions to a patient as an infusion. Enhanced effectiveness is also achieved for ultrasound mediated targeting and drug delivery.

Abstract: A method for treating a flexible, porous substrate with a water-borne formaldehyde-free composition and a flexible, porous substrate so treated are provided. More particularly, this invention is directed to a method for treating a nonwoven fabric with an emulsion-polymerized binder containing certain copolymerized ethylenically-unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, or derivatives thereof, wherein the binder is partially neutralized with a fixed base.

Abstract: A method for silicone polymer impregnation and curing in tissue to preserve the tissue. The tissue is frozen without use of an intermediary solvent and then freeze-dried using a first vacuum. The tissue is then immersed in a non-flammable degreasing solvent, particularly 1,1,1-trichloroethane to remove lipids and the like from the tissue. The tissue is then impregnated with a silicone polymer precursor and a curing agent, and then cured under a second vacuum in a chamber (23). The impregnated polymer silicone precursor is then cured in the tissue. The tissue is preferably an anatomical specimen.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of multi-coat lacquer coatings in which at least one heat-curable clear lacquer coat is applied onto a substrate provided with a pigmented base lacquer coat and is thermally cured, on top of which is applied a further clear lacquer coat based on radiation-curable coating compositions and this is cured by the action of actinic radiation. Lacquer coatings of particularly good optical quality are obtained.

Abstract: Powder coating compositions based on epoxy functional copolymers and polycarboxylic acid curing agents are disclosed. The compositions have high epoxy content providing for excellent physical and chemical properties. In addition, the compositions are formulated such that they have a relatively low melt viscosity which provides for good flow and excellent coating appearance. The compositions are useful as clear coats.

Abstract: A process for improving the biocompatibility of cellulosic film membranes is characterized by the fact that the film membranes are coated during or after their preparation with cellulose ethers and/or cellulose esters and/or cellulose carbamates whose structures conform to the formulas ##STR1## wherein Cell is the skeleton of the unmodified cellulose molecule without hydroxyl groups; x conforms to the degree of modification, which is in the range of 0.002 to 3; R is an (optionally substituted) alkyl and/or alkenyl and/or aryl and/or arylalkyl group and the carbon chain of the group R contains 1 to 36 carbon atoms and may be interrupted by hetero atoms such as O, S, N, and contains basic and/or acidic groups such as 13 NR'.sub.2, --COOR', and/or --SO.sub.3 R' or their salts, wherein R'=H or R.

Abstract: An industrial fabric such as a fusing or laminating belt and a method for the production thereof wherein an endless base fabric (21) is coated with successive layers (24, 25,26) of a synthetic plastics coating material, some at least of the layers including silicate bodies therein. The total coating includes at least one layer (25a) applied by lick coating and at least one layer (25, 26) applied by dip coating.

Abstract: New intraocular lenses, fixation member assemblies for use in such lenses and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a method for producing a fixation member assembly which comprises exposing a fixation member component to a first plasma at conditions effective to enhance, relative to a substantially identical fixation member component which is not subjected to the exposing step, the bondability between the fixation member component and a polymeric coating to be located on the fixation member component; and exposing the fixation member to a second plasma in the presence of at least one material selected from polymeric components, polymerizable components and mixtures thereof at conditions effective to form the polymeric coating located on the fixation member component. Enhanced bondability between the polymeric coating-containing fixation member component and the optic of the intraocular lens and/or enhanced biocompatibility are preferably provided.

Abstract: A process for finishing wood slatted articles of furniture, such as chairs, tables and ottomans for either indoor or outdoor use comprising the steps of dipping the article in a coating material, draining the excess coating material and then spinning the article to provide an even distribution of the coating, particularly throughout the intricately woven slats of the article. The article is subsequently dried at room temperature and then heated in an oven to cure the coating material. The coating material may be comprised of an acrylic polymer resin. The article may be dipped in various other media, such as a color stain or an exterior protective sealer depending on the finishing application desired.

Abstract: The method for making an optical fiber microsensor involves applying an uncured analyte sensing matrix to an optical fiber and crosslinking the sensing matrix in situ on the optical fiber to yield an ion permeable microsensor which can be used intravascularly to monitor pH, or partial pressures of oxygen or carbon dioxide in blood. The liquid form of the sensing matrix contains a crosslinking agent and a crosslinking inhibitor which can be removed by exposure to elevated temperatures to allow the sensing matrix to crosslink and cure as desired, in situ, on the surface of the optical fiber. A liquid crosslinking overcoat layer containing a crosslinking agent and a crosslinking inhibitor which can be removed by exposure to heat can also be applied over the cured sensing matrix.

Abstract: In the field of staining methods for histology and cytology specimens, the improvements of the invention are three-fold. First included is a drying-clearing step whereby a specimen is cleared by drying. Thus, the use of hazardous chemical-clearing agents to remove washing-dehydrating solution prior to cover-slipping is eliminated. Second, in a staining method using spray staining equipment, the use of a low molarity, combination, bluing-washing solution which serves the dual purpose of a washing solution and a bluing reagent, eliminates the use of water in a staining procedure. Third, and also in a staining method using spray staining equipment, the use of a series of sprays of fresh, essentially anhydrous, washing-dehydrating solution to dehydrate a specimen replaces immersion in a series of washing-dehydrating solutions and thereby decreases the amount of chemical consumed and also avoids contamination of the reagent with water and specimen debris.

Abstract: A method for calendering a suture includes passing the suture lengthwise between two pairs of calendering rollers each pair being oriented orthogonally to the other pair. The suture may be coated and/or filled by passing it through the contacting region of a suture filling applicator to which filling agent is supplied by a metering pump. The filling process may be computer controlled.

Abstract: Aqueous coating compositions for forming elastomeric films around active cores (e.g., drugs) comprising a dispersion of pre-crosslinked polyorganosiloxane latex particles, colloidal silica particles, and a water-dispersible organic material (e.g., polyethylene glycol) are disclosed and claimed. The elastomeric films formed by the coating compositions are used to control the rate of release of an active agent in the cores into an aqueous environment. Methods of formulating the coating compositions and active cores coated with the coating compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a highly corrosion resistant organic composite-plated steel sheet which is inhibited from liberation of chromium, which comprises forming a chromate film comprising a composition of the following (A) as a first layer at a coating amount of 5-150 mg/m.sup.2 as a solid film on the surface of a zinc or zinc alloy plated or zinc composite alloy plated steel sheet and then, coating on the first layer an organic solvent coating composition of the following (B) as a second layer at a thickness of 0.3-5 .mu.m as a solid film.(A) coating type chromate bath composition1 Cr.sup.6+ : 1-30 g/l,2 Cr.sup.3+ : 1-30 g/l,3 Cr.sup.6+ /Cr.sup.3+ weight ratio: 0.2-2.0,4 HF+H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 : 1-60 g/l,5 HF+H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 /Cr.sup.3+ weight ratio: 0.5-3.5, and6 silane coupling agent/Cr.sup.6+ molar ratio: 0.05-0.

Abstract: Biocompatible polymeric complexes having utility in many fields including medical applications, as well as personal and health care, are provided and can be affixed to a variety of substrate materials which themselves may or may not also be biocompatible. The complexes of this invention are comprised of a carboxylic acid polymer with either a poly(lower-alkylene oxide) or a poly(N-vinyl lactam). Moreover, a complex of an antimicrobial agent such as iodine can be formed with the complex to provide antimicrobial activity. The complexes are also useful for forming biocompatible coatings on medical devices, some of which can render the surface lubricious when exposed to aqueous or body fluids.

Abstract: An aramid yarn, preferably poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide), is coated with a water swellable superabsorbent material. The swelling value of the yarn is at least 60. The superabsorbent provides water blocking capability to the yarn, so that it is suitable for use as a strength member, for example, in water tight optical communication cables. The yarn is made by successively treating an aramid yarn with a water-in-oil emulsion, a superabsorbent material being present in the water phase of the emulsion, and removing the liquid components from the treated yarn by evaporation.

Abstract: The method for making an optical fiber microsensor involves applying an uncured analyte sensing matrix to an optical fiber and crosslinking the sensing matrix in situ on the optical fiber to yield an ion permeable microsensor which can be used intravascularly to monitor pH, or partial pressures of oxygen or carbon dioxide in blood. The liquid form of the sensing matrix contains a crosslinking agent and a crosslinking inhibitor which can be removed by exposure to elevated temperatures to allow the sensing matrix to crosslink and cure as desired, in situ, on the surface of the optical fiber. A liquid crosslinking overcoat layer containing a crosslinking agent and a crosslinking inhibitor which can be removed by exposure to heat can also be applied over the cured sensing matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacture of an optical lens providing refractive index modulation, characterized in that, starting from a lens of transparent hydrophilic polymer preferably of the hydrogel type, which has previously been shaped, the lens is impregnated with a photopolymerizable composition containing at least one monomer and a photoinitiator, which are in solution in water in the case of a hydrogel, the impregnated lens is subjected to locally modulated irradiation so as to cause local selective polymerization of the monomer, whereupon the excess non-hardened photoinitiator and non-pulverizable monomer is removed.

Abstract: A process for the production of a multi-layer paint coating in which base paints are employed which contain 5 to 20% by weight of crosslinked polymer microparticles, 2 to 15% by weight of a cellulose ester and 5 to 20% by weight of an epoxidized fatty acid ester, the weight percentages relating to the total content of nonvolatile constituents, excluding pigments and inorganic fillers, and the cellulose ester being so selected that a solution of 15 parts by weight of the cellulose ester in 85 parts by weight of a 9:1 mixture of acetone and ethanol at 23.degree. C. has a viscosity of 200 to 600 mPa.s.

Abstract: A vascular graft with improved endothelial cell adhesion can be achieved on a fluoropolymer surface of a vascular graft by treating the fluoropolymer with a plasma in the presence of a non-polymerizing gas capable of providing the fluoropolymer with anionic groups and binding a protein to the treated fluoropolymer. In a preferred embodiment, the fluoropolymer surface is a plasma deposited fluoropolymer. Also in a preferred embodiment, autologous endothelial cells are seeded onto the vascular graft prior to implantation of the vascular graft in the human body.