Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline, are provided. In one embodiment, the assurance device includes a clamshell having two halves that open rotatably about at least one hinge. The assurance device includes a male luer portion that pressure seals to the male luer portion of the bloodline connector. The bloodline male luer portion of the device extends to a female luer portion, which is lined with a compressible material that conforms around any industrial catheter/fistula needle connector when the assurance device is closed about the mated connectors. Once the assurance device is closed, this prevents axial movement of the bloodline connector relative to the assurance device.

Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline, are provided. A first embodiment of the assurance device is configured for use with a bloodline connector having locking clips which are biased slightly outwardly from the bloodline connector. The first embodiment of the assurance device includes clamshell halves that open rotatably about at least one hinge. The first embodiment of the assurance device includes an upper, threaded portion and a lower housing portion. The interior wall of the upper portion defines a plurality of barbs configured to engage with distal or moveable ends of the locking clips. Each locking clip is biased slightly outwardly to enable the distal or moveable end of the locking clip to fit between two respective barbs.

Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline, are provided. In one embodiment, the assurance device includes a clamshell having two halves that open rotatably about at least one hinge. The assurance device includes a male luer portion that pressure seals to the male luer portion of the bloodline connector. The bloodline male luer portion of the device extends to a female luer portion, which is lined with a compressible material that conforms around any industrial catheter/fistula needle connector when the assurance device is closed about the mated connectors. Once the assurance device is closed, this prevents axial movement of the bloodline connector relative to the assurance device.

Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline, are provided. One embodiment includes internal and external clamshells. Internal clamshell halves pressure seal to the bloodline connector, and form outwardly extending barbs. The external clamshell opens rotatably about at least one hinge and includes inwardly facing threads that catch the outer barbs of the internal clamshell. After a user connects the catheter or fistula needle to the bloodline, the user closes the internal clamshell about the bloodline connector. Then, the user closes the external clamshell about the internal clamshell, causing the inwardly facing barbs of the external clamshell to engage the outwardly facing barbs of the internal clamshell. Such engagement prevents axial movement of the bloodline connector relative to the external clamshell.

Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline are provided. A first embodiment of the assurance device is configured to be compatible with any industrial catheter/fistula needle female luer connector and is specifically configured for use with a bloodline connector having locking clips which are biased slightly outwardly from the bloodline connector. The first embodiment of the assurance device is cylindrical and includes clamshell halves that open rotatably about at least one hinge. The first embodiment of the assurance device includes an upper, threaded portion and a lower housing portion. The interior wall of the upper portion defines a plurality of barbs configured to engage with distal or moveable ends of the locking clips.

Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline are provided. A first embodiment of the assurance device is configured to be compatible with any industrial catheter/fistula needle female luer connector and is specifically configured for use with a bloodline connector having locking clips which are biased slightly outwardly from the bloodline connector. The first embodiment of the assurance device is cylindrical and includes clamshell halves that open rotatably about at least one hinge. The first embodiment of the assurance device includes an upper, threaded portion and a lower housing portion. The interior wall of the upper portion defines a plurality of barbs configured to engage with distal or moveable ends of the locking clips.

Abstract: An electron beam accelerator has an accelerator tube consisting essentially of metal and ceramic components which are fused directly to each other and a transmission window generally rectangular in shape when viewed in the direction of the electron beam and is convex towards the vacuum chamber with a radius of curvature which is at most twice the width of the rectangle when measured in the absence of a pressure differential across the window. The electron beam accelerator is particularly suitable for use as a liquid material processor. The preferred transmission window of the accelerator of the invention can withstand energy transfer rates of at least 1500 watts per gram of the window material to which the energy is transferred. Certain embodiments are especially suitable for irradiating fluids to higher doses or for irradiating liquids containing suspended solids or slurries. A mobile transporter enabling relocation of the liquid material processor between process sites is also described.

Abstract: A particle accelerator has a transmission window formed of a thin homogeneous foil having a predetermined thickness and having a predetermined length, and when laid fiat as a sheet having a transverse dimension. The window is formed to have a locus of a curve in cross section along the transverse dimension such that a radius of curvature of at least a portion of the curve in cross section is less than the length of the transverse dimension. Longitudinal channel and tubular shapes are preferred. Window cooling by gaseous and liquid fluid flows is also described. A transmission window assembly and a particle beam accelerator having an efficient rugged accelerator tube structure are also described.

Abstract: An improved Leading Edge Detector/Pulse Quantizer (LED) for use in a pulse code communications system. A prior LED included three shift registers for storing in relative time order, according to the time of reception of video pulse signals by an associated receiver, (a) pulse leading edges, (b) pulse trailing edges and (c) Quantized video (quantized video comprises a pulse having a width equal to the time the received video exceeds a threshold amplitude). The prior LED further included a plurality of logic means for examining the contents of the three registers to determine whether pulse leading or trailing edges of the received video signal were possibly missing because of interference between received video pulses and for inserting extra leading edges in the leading edge register if such extra leading edges could be logically inferred to be present.

Abstract: Novel conductive polymer compositions which exhibit useful PTC behavior are produced by cross-linking processes. By correlating the polymer, the conductive filler dispersed therein, and the cross-linking conditions, PTC compositions having desired resistance/temperature characteristics can be prepared. In particular the cross-linking can be carried out so as to provide compositions having a switching temperature around the cross-linking temperature. The invention is applicable to both elastomeric and thermoplastic polymers, and provides for the first time a method of making PTC compositions exhibiting useful PTC behavior from elastomers.

Abstract: A self-regulating heating article comprising a layer of material exhibiting a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTC) and said PTC layer having at least partially contiguous therewith at least one layer of constant wattage output material. The article operates such that when connected to an electric power source, the current flows through at least a portion of the thickness of the PTC layer and of the constant wattage layer.

Abstract: A self-regulating heating article comprising a layer of material exhibiting a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTC) and said PTC layer having at least partially contiguous therewith at least one layer of constant wattage output material. The article operates such that when connected to an electric power source, the current flows through at least a portion of the thickness of the PTC layer and of the constant wattage layer. In a preferred embodiment, upon heating the article, a change in dimensions as well as activation of an adhesive occurs.

Abstract: Novel conductive polymer compositions which exhibit useful PTC behavior are produced by cross-linking processes. By correlating the polymer, the conductive filler dispersed therein, and the cross-linking conditions, PTC compositions having desired resistance/temperature characteristics can be prepared. In particular the cross-linking can be carried out so as to provide compositions having a switching temperature around the cross-linking temperature. The invention is applicable to both elastomeric and thermoplastic polymers, and provides for the first time a method of making PTC compositions exhibiting useful PTC behavior from elastomers.

Abstract: Conductive polymer compositions which have improved voltage stability and which preferably exhibit PTC behavior. The compositions comprise a carbon black dispersed in a crystalline copolymer of an olefin and at least 10% by weight of an olefinically unsaturated comonomer containing a polar group. The carbon black has a particle size greater than 18 millimicrons, preferably greater than 30 millimicrons, a d-spacing greater than 360 and a surface area which is less than1.2S+e.sup.S/50where S is the DBP absorption of the carbon black. The carbon black is preferably present in amount at least 15% by weight of the composition. Particularly useful devices including such compositions are self-regulating heaters.

Abstract: A self-regulating heating article comprising a layer of material exhibiting a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTC) and said PTC layer having at least partially contiguous therewith at least one layer of constant wattage output material. The article operates such that when connected to an electric power source, the current flows through at least a portion of the thickness of the PTC layer and of the constant wattage layer. In a preferred embodiment, upon heating the article, a change in dimensions as well as activation of an adhesive occurs.

Abstract: New high voltage insulating compositions are disclosed. The compositions comprise a polymer (e.g. a polysiloxane, epoxide resin or a polymer of one or more olefins or substituted olefins), an antitracking additive (e.g. an alumina hydrate), and certain organic polymerizable phosphorus-containing compounds which have been found to provide the compositions with greatly improved resistance to erosion by high voltage stress. The phosphorus-containing compounds include phosphonates, phosphates, phosphites, phosphinates, phosphonites, phosphinites, phosphine oxides and sulfides, and phosphines, and salts and complexes thereof. The phosphorus-containing compound can react in situ with the polymer or other ingredients of the composition.

Abstract: The voltage stability of crosslinked compositions of fluorocarbon polymers and conductive carbon black that exhibit a positive temperature coefficient of resistance can be improved by incorporating into the composition prior to its crosslinking an effective amount of a polymerizable polyethylenically unsaturated monomer such as, for example, triallylisocyanurate.

Abstract: A self-regulating heating article comprising a layer of material exhibiting a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTC) and said PTC layer having at least partially contiguous therewith at least one layer of constant wattage output material. The article operates such that when connected to an electric power source, the current flows through at least a portion of the thickness of the PTC layer and of the constant wattage layer. In a preferred embodiment, upon heating the article, a change in dimensions as well as activation of an adhesive occurs.

Abstract: An improved antioxidant composition, especially suitable for irradiated or fire-retardant plastics, comprising a mixture of a hydroxy aromatic compound containing sulfur and organic phosphonate compounds.

Abstract: For incorporation in normally oxidizable polymers, polymeric antioxidants characterized by repeating hindered bisphenolic units, the average number of said units per polymeric chain in said composition being from about 2 to 10, preferably about 2 to 7, most preferably about 2 to 4. The antioxidants are prepared by oxidative coupling of appropriate bisphenols, as by reaction with a ferricyanide coupling agent. Polymer-antioxidant combinations formed according to the invention have excellent high temperature oxidative stability, high resistance to polymer damage by massive doses of ionizing radiation and the antioxidant does not release significant amounts of condensable species when subjected simultaneously to conditions of high vacuum and elevated temperatures.