Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer latex for dip-molding applications obtainable by free-radical emulsion polymerization of a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least one conjugated diene and at least one ethylenically unsaturated nitrile compound in an aqueous medium in presence of seed latex particles having a glass transition temperature (mid point temperature Tmg) measured by DSC according to ASTM D3418-03 of ?50° C. to 50° C. wherein the seed latex particles do not contain structural units derived from ethylenically unsaturated nitrile compounds, to a method of preparing said polymer latex, to articles made by using said polymer latex and to a method for preparing dip-molded articles from said polymer latex.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for applying to biological tissue RF electromagnetic energy and/or microwave frequency EM energy, wherein the instrument tip has a protective hull with a smoothly contoured convex undersurface facing away from a planar body, and wherein the planar body has a tapering distal edge, and wherein an underside of the planar body extends beyond the protective hull at the tapering distal edge. Also disclosed herein is an interface joint for integrating into a single cable assembly all of (i) a fluid feed, (ii) a needle movement mechanism, and (iii) an energy feed (e.g. a coaxial cable), and a torque transfer device for permitting controlled rotation of the cable assembly within the instrument channel of an endoscope. The interface joint and torque transfer device may be integrated as a single component.

Abstract: This invention relates to microgel compositions, and in particular, to gel compositions formed by binding a plurality of individual microgel particles together. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these compositions and their use for particular applications, especially medical applications such as the repair of damaged, degenerated or inappropriately formed load-bearing tissue (such as, for example, intervertebral discs).

Abstract: An electrosurgical snare, e.g. suitably sized for insertion down the instrument channel of an endoscope, arranged to radiate microwave frequency energy (e.g. having a frequency greater than 1 GHz) from an elongate conductive element within an area encircled by a retractable loop. The elongate conductive element and retractable loop may be independently slidable relative to a snare base at a distal end of a sleeve to provide an appropriate device configuration. By controlling the shape of the emitted microwave field, the risk of collateral thermal damage can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous dispersion comprising core-shell polymer latex particles wherein the shell of the core-shell polymer latex particles bears ethylenically unsaturated groups pending from the polymeric backbone of the shell of the latex particles wherein the ethylenic unsaturation is separated from the polymeric backbone by at least 3 chemical bonds and wherein the shell of the core-shell particles is cross-linked and the core of the core-shell particles is not crosslinked, to a method for making the aqueous dispersion, to an elastomeric film made from the aqueous dispersion, to an article comprising the elastomeric film and to a method for making a self-supported elastomeric film from the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: An electrosurgical resection instrument for applying to biological tissue radiofrequency electromagnetic energy has a protective hull comprising a shaped piece of dielectric material mounted to cover an underside of an instrument tip of the instrument. The protective hull acts as a shield to protect tissue that may lie under the instrument tip from damage during treatment. The instrument may be particularly useful in procedures performed in a gastrointestinal tract, where bowel perforation is a concern, or in the pancreas, where damage to the portal vein or the pancreatic duct may occur when a tumor or other abnormality is being resected, dissected or removed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device capable of both: (i) generating a radiative microwave field to perform either blood coagulation or sterilization, and (ii) dispensing a liquid to a target area, e.g. adrenaline for the treatment of peptic ulcers. Using microwave energy allows controlled coagulation which is unaffected by changes in tissue impedance during coagulation, and which can achieve a high level of coagulation within a given time. The electrosurgical device comprises a probe tip having a coaxial transmission line that includes a hollow inner conductor having a dielectric material formed on an inner surface thereof. A liquid-conveying channel is located inside the dielectric material. The probe tip includes a conductive element coupled to receive microwave energy from the coaxial transmission line, the conductive element forming a radiating antenna structure for emitting a microwave EM field outwardly from the probe tip.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to three enhancements for a surgical snare: an electrosurgical snare in which the loop of snare wire extends from an energy transfer surface which can act both as a physical reaction surface for mechanical cutting using the snare and as a region for emitting electromagnetic energy; a surgical snare having a snare wire having a first end connected to a movable boss that is slidably mounted on a coaxial cable; and a surgical snare having an end cap with a distally facing reaction surface and a pair of channels for guiding a snare wire, where the distally facing reaction surface is arranged to contact the retractable loop when fully retracted

Abstract: This invention relates to microgel compositions, and in particular, to gel compositions fanned by binding a plurality of individual microgel particles together. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these compositions and their use for particular applications, especially medical applications such as the repair of damaged, degenerated or inappropriately formed load-beating tissue (such as, for example, intervertebral discs).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to three enhancements for a surgical snare: an electrosurgical snare in which the loop of snare wire extends from an energy transfer surface which can act both as a physical reaction surface for mechanical cutting using the snare and as a region for emitting electromagnetic energy; a surgical snare having a snare wire having a first end connected to a movable boss that is slidably mounted on a coaxial cable; and a surgical snare having an end cap with a distally facing reaction surface and a pair of channels for guiding a snare wire, where the distally facing reaction surface is arranged to contact the retractable loop when fully retracted.

Abstract: This invention relates to porous perovskite photoactive films, and more particularly, to porous perovskite films containing microgels. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these films and to their use in perovskite solar cells.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device that is capable of both generating a plasma to perform surface coagulation and emitting a non-ionising microwave field (in the absence of plasma) to perform coagulation at a deeper level. The device comprises a probe tip that is connected to receive radiofrequency (RF) and/or microwave frequency energy from a generator, and also defines a flow path for a gas. The probe tip is adjustable between a first configuration, in which it defines a bipolar (e.g. coaxial) structure to produce a high electric field from the received RF and/or microwave frequency energy across the flow path for the gas to strike and sustain plasma and a second configuration, in which it defines an antenna structure to emit non-ionising microwave energy into tissue.

Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps in which one or more pairs of non-resonant unbalanced lossy transmission line structures are arranged on the inner surfaces of the jaws of the forceps provide both (i) active and return electrodes for a radiofrequency (RF) signal, and (ii) lossy structures for delivering a microwave signal into biological tissue in conjunction with a mechanical gripping arrangement for applying pressure to material held within the jaws. The location of the pairs of transmission lines on the jaws of the forceps and the selection of the material of the jaws is arranged to ensure that any biological tissue gripped by the jaws become the propagation medium for the RF signal and the medium into which the microwave signal is lost.

Abstract: An electrosurgical snare, e.g. suitably sized for insertion down the instrument channel of an endoscope, arranged to radiate microwave frequency energy (e.g. having a frequency greater than 1 GHz) from an elongate conductive element within an area encircled by a retractable loop. The elongate conductive element and retractable loop may be independently slidable relative to a snare base at a distal end of a sleeve to provide an appropriate device configuration. By controlling the shape of the emitted microwave field, the risk of collateral thermal damage can be reduced.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps tool (preferably for endoscopic use) in which microwave energy is used to coagulate bleeding after a biological tissue sample is collected between a pair of jaws. The pair of jaws define an enclosure that is isolated from the microwave energy itself and insulated from any thermal changes that occur due to application of the microwave energy. The tool comprises a pair of jaws connected to a coaxial cable, each of the pair of jaws comprising an electrically conductive shell, the jaw assembly being movable between a closed position in which the electrically conductive shells enclose an internal volume for holding a tissue sample and an open position in which the internal volume is exposed in order to receive the tissue sample. The electrically conductive shells form a Faraday cage around the internal volume when in the closed position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a surgical snare structure in which the material used for the snare and the deployment mechanism of the snare are configured to improve the cutting efficacy of the snare. In particular, the surgical snare structure of the invention may omit the kink or nib present in the loop of known surgical snares and/or may provide a reaction surface against which the cutting action of the snare is effective. The surgical snare of the invention may be a cold, i.e. mechanical-only effect, snare, or may be used in conjunction with radiofrequency (RF) and/or microwave energy to enhance a cutting or coagulation effect.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument which is capable of selective operation in any of (i) a plasma-generating mode for surface coagulation, (ii) a non-ionising radiation mode for deeper coagulation, e.g. using microwave energy, and (iii) a liquid administration mode for conveying liquid to a treatment site, e.g. to constrict a bleeding vessel so that a clinician can get control of the bleed. These operating modes may be provided in an electrosurgical instrument that is physically configured to be suitable for applying pressure to a tissue vessel, e.g. to act as a tamponade to stem bleeding.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for applying to biological tissue RF electromagnetic energy and/or microwave frequency EM energy, wherein the instrument tip has a protective hull with a smoothly contoured convex undersurface facing away from a planar body, and wherein the planar body has a tapering distal edge, and wherein an underside of the planar body extends beyond the protective hull at the tapering distal edge. Also disclosed herein is an interface joint for integrating into a single cable assembly all of (i) a fluid feed, (ii) a needle movement mechanism, and (iii) an energy feed (e.g. a coaxial cable), and a torque transfer device for permitting controlled rotation of the cable assembly within the instrument channel of an endoscope. The interface joint and torque transfer device may be integrated as a single component.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of treating a subject suffering from a condition characterized by damaged or degenerated soft tissue (such as, for example, intervertebral discs) by injecting swellable microgel particles to a location within the subject containing the damaged or degenerated soft tissue, after which said microgel particles covalently bind together in vivo to form a doubly cross-linked gel.

Abstract: This invention relates to microgel compositions, and in particular, to gel compositions formed by binding a plurality of individual microgel particles together. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these compositions and their use for particular applications, especially medical applications such as the repair of damaged, degenerated or inappropriately formed load-bearing tissue (such as, for example, intervertebral discs).