Abstract: The present invention provides a composite material (26) including a substrate layer (27), a porous layer (28) intermixed within the substrate material (27), and a thermoplastic layer (29) disposed upon the porous layer. The porous layer (28) is at least partially disposed within the thermoplastic layer (29). The present invention also provides a method for forming the composite material including the steps of: providing a substrate layer, providing a porous layer disposed on the substrate layer, providing a thermoplastic layer disposed on the porous layer, applying pressure and vacuum to mechanically interlock the thermoplastic layer with the porous layer; and bonding the porous layer to the substrate layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions useful as a barrier layer in, for example, packaging products. The compositions generally comprise a blend of (i) a polyester resin, preferably an aromatic polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and (ii) a polyamide material (e.g., MXD6). The blend optionally may further comprise (iii) an oxygen scavenging material. The present invention also provides containers (e.g., containers formed by expansion of preforms) having a multilayered body-forming portion including: a core layer comprising the aforementioned blend; and inner and outer layers of a formable polymer composition. The present invention also provides methods of making such containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices for the treatment of heart disease and particularly to endo-arterial prostheses, which are commonly called stents. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of manufacturing and coating stents utilizing thermal spray processing (TSP). In one aspect the invention involves the use of TSP for the manufacture of fine grained tubing for subsequent use as a stent or other tubular or ring-based implant, or the manufacture of intermediate sized tubing that may then be drawn to final size tubing and for the coating of a stent. An average grain size of less than 64 microns is achieved by the invention resulting in a stent having an annular wall average thickness of about eight or more grains.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a long-sized body extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the body internally having at least one lumen, and a balloon made from a composite material composed of short-fibers for reienforcement and a matrix resin, the balloon being disposed on the distal side of the long-sized body.

Abstract: Thermal spray processing and cold spray processing are utilized to manufacture porous starting materials (such as tube stock, wire and substrate sheets) from biocompatible metals, metal alloys, ceramics and polymers that may be further processed into porous medical devices, such as stents. The spray processes are also used to form porous coatings on consolidated biocompatible medical devices. The porous substrates and coatings may be used as a reservoir to hold a drug or therapeutic agent for elution in the body. The spray-formed porous substrates and coatings may be functionally graded to allow direct control of drug elution without an additional polymer topcoat. The spray processes are also used to apply the drug or agent to the porous substrate or coating when drug or agent is robust enough to withstand the temperatures and velocities of the spray process with minimal degradation.

Abstract: A method for cryogenic specimen identification employs marking a stretchable pressure-sensitive vinyl label, and placing it on a storage vial or other container that can withstand a temperature of approximately ?80 degrees C. or lower, preferably contact with the liquid and/or vapor phases of liquid nitrogen at a temperature of approximately ?196 degrees C. The method includes providing a sized portion of the label that includes a waterproof soft flex vinyl facestock material containing a non-mobile plasticizer agent. The printing is also resistant to the moisture and ice that form on the container when it is removed from the liquid nitrogen. At room temperature, the label must be capable of being stretched without breaking at least 10% in both the MD and TD. Labels are sized, cut, the release liner is removed, and the label with its adhesive surface is applied to the container.

Abstract: A family of polymers containing selected cyclic allylic pendent groups for oxygen scavenging packaging which has minimal organoleptic by-products after oxidation.

Abstract: A multiwall bag having a slider zipper and fin combination and methods of forming same are provided. The multiwall bag, for example, can include a tube body. A combination fin member, zipper track, and zipper block can be connected to an end of the tube body. The other end of the tube body can be filled with product so that the combination fin member, zipper track, and zipper block operate as a constructive bottom during filling. Then, the end of the tube body through which product is filled can be closed and sealed to provide a bag filled with product. The method can include forming a tube body and connecting a combination fin member, zipper track, and zipper block to the bag seal zone.

Abstract: Flat or semi-flat element (1) including a partly or completely circumambient frame (2), which element (1) is manufactured through molding of a polymeric material. The element (1) includes a carrying structure, constituted by the frame (2), and an intermediate wall section (3). The wall section (3) is connected to the frame (2) via a resilient section (4), the resilient section (4) being a part of the wall section (3). The differences in the temperature related shrinkage between the frame (2) and the wall section (3) is absorbed by the resilient section (4), whereby warping of the element (1) is avoided.

Abstract: An oxygen scavenger composition includes mer units that have at least one cycloalkenyl group or functionality and, further, has mer units derived from isophthalic acid or terephthalic acid or certain derivatives thereof. The oxygen scavenger composition has been found to act as an oxygen scavenger under both ambient and refrigeration conditions, to be compatible with conventional film forming packaging materials, to inhibit undesirable oligomer formation and oxidation by-product formation, and to be readily formable and processable using conventional film forming equipment. A film and laminated product having said oxygen scavenger composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multiplayer tube comprising: an outer layer formed from a polyamide, a layer formed from a copolyamide, a layer formed from an EVOH, a layer formed from a copolyamide, and an inner layer formed from a polyamide, the layers being successive and adhering to one another in their respective contact region. Advantageously, the inner layer is formed by a compound based on a polyamide and electrically conducting carbon black, producing a surface resistivity of less than 106 ?. The tubes have a very low permeability to petrol, particularly to hydrocarbons and their additives, and in particular to alcohols, such as methanol and ethanol, or to ethers, such as MTBE or ETBE. These tubes also have good resistance to engine lubricating oils as well as fuels.

Abstract: A fluid ejection cartridge, including a substrate carrier having a substrate receiving surface, and a substrate having at least one fluid ejector actuator disposed on the substrate. In addition the fluid ejection cartridge includes a two-part adhesive disposed between the substrate and the substrate receiving surface. The two-part adhesive is an epoxy resin having a polyglycidyl ether of a polyhydric phenol, and a hardener having a cylcoaliphatic polyamine.

Abstract: A method for increasing the adhesion of a first layer comprising a fluoropolymer substantially free of interpolymerized units derived from vinylidene fluoride to a second layer comprising a curable elastomer is described. The method comprises adding a dehydrofluorinating composition to the curable elastomer, contacting the layers and curing the layered article so formed. The resulting multilayer compositions and articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The improved glass container for freeze-dried products includes a casing section (1) with a bottom portion (3) and an outlet portion (2). The casing section (1) is thin-walled in comparison to the bottom portion (3) and the outlet portion (2) is formed so as to be closable by a closure device. The bottom portion (3) has a nonuniform geometry and is provided with at least one interior depression (3b), a reinforced section (3a) and an outer bottom surface (3o) that is completely planar or planar with a comparatively slight central indentation (3c) but with a sufficient contact area for a cooling plate used in freeze-drying. The structure of the bottom portion guarantees a uniform crystalline lyophilizate structure. The glass container has a very low breakage rate and can be nearly completely emptied.

Abstract: A sealed composite container is provided having a tubular body member and a liner ply adhered to the inner surface of the tubular body member. An end of the body member and liner ply is rolled outwardly to form a rim and a lid is heat sealed to the rim. A tacky composition is in contact with the rim and the lid and is positioned therebetween. The tacky composition has sufficient tackiness to temporarily hold the lid in place overlying the rim. At least one of the lid and liner ply comprises a seal layer comprising a heat sealable composition. The tacky composition and the heat sealable composition form a heat seal between the lid and the liner ply, the tacky composition being chemically compatible with the heat sealable composition such that a fusion seal is formed therebetween.

Abstract: A compound capillary can provide different sizes and configurations for central and outer passages to suit a variety of process applications, in particular methods of separative transport of multi-component samples and precise heat control of fluid streams on a micro scale. The compound capillary can be formed from ductile glass material into an assembly that typically provides a central passageway for retaining one fluid or material and single or multiple outer passages for retaining different fluids or materials. One or more of the different passages may also retain one more different stationary phase to tailor the separative transport to the material of particular sample streams. The compound capillary has particular application to the field of capillary electrophoresis where the multiple capillary passages in a single capillary tube may be used to increase sample through, or used for different function such as cooling and/or the establishment of transverse electrical potentials.

Abstract: A self-doping electrode to silicon is formed primarily from a metal (major component) which forms a eutectic with silicon. A p-type dopant (for a positive electrode) or an n-type dopant (for a negative electrode) is alloyed with the major component. The alloy of major component and dopant is applied to a silicon substrate. Once applied, the alloy and substrate are heated to a temperature above the major component-silicon eutectic temperature such that the major component liquefies more than a eutectic proportion of the silicon substrate. The temperature is then decreased towards the eutectic temperature permitting molten silicon to reform through liquid-phase epitaxy and while so doing incorporate dopant atoms into its regrown lattice. Once the temperature drops below the major component-silicon eutectic temperature the silicon, which has not already regrown into the lattice, forms a solid-phase alloy with the major component and the remaining unused dopant.

Abstract: An improved photovoltaic cell, according to one embodiment, includes a base layer; a primary window layer having a first type of doping, with the primary window layer being disposed over the base layer; and a secondary window layer having the first type of doping, with the secondary window layer being disposed over the primary window layer. In another embodiment, the improved photovoltaic cell has a multilayer back-surface field structure; a base layer disposed over the back-surface field structure; and a primary window layer disposed over the base layer. In yet another embodiment, the photovoltaic cell includes a base layer; and a primary window layer disposed over the base layer, with the primary window layer having a thickness of at least about 1000 Angstroms.

Abstract: A high efficiency, light weight solar concentrator array particularly suitable for use with space vehicles. Parallel rows of mirror assemblies are mounted on a base plate having high thermal conductivity. Each mirror assembly comprises back-to-back mirror strips having reflecting front faces. Photovoltaic cells are placed ion the base plate between rows of mirror assemblies. The reflecting faces reflect incident light to the photovoltaic cells to produce electric power. Preferably, the reflecting faces have a cylindrical parabolic configuration with a line of focus approximately along the interface between the photovoltaic cell and the edge of the opposite mirror strip adjacent to the cell. The mirror strips may typically be roll formed from metal strips, cast from fiber reinforced plastic material and coated with a reflecting layers, etc.