Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A wireless hoist system including a first hoist device having a first motor and a first wireless transceiver and a second hoist device having a second motor and a second wireless transceiver. The wireless hoist system includes a controller in wireless communication with the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless. The controller is configured to receive a user input and determine a first operation parameter and a second operation parameter based on the user input. The controller is also configured to provide, wirelessly, a first control signal indicative of the first operation parameter to the first hoist device and provide, wirelessly, a second control signal indicative of the second operation parameter to the second hoist device. The first hoist device operates based on the first control signal and the second hoist device operates based on the second control signal.

Abstract: The invention provides polyurethaneurea compositions comprising poly(tetramethylene-co-ethyleneether) glycol having high number average molecular weight, from about 1900 to about 4000 Dalton. The invention further relates to the use of high number average molecular weight poly(tetramethylene-co-ethyleneether) glycol as the soft segment base material in spandex compositions. The invention also relates to new polyurethane compositions comprising poly(tetramethylene-co-ethyleneether) glycols with such high number average molecular weight, from about 1900 to about 4000 Dalton, and their use in spandex.

Abstract: An article comprising a yarn comprising an elastomeric propylene-based polymer composition; said polymer composition comprising at least one elastomeric propylene-based polymer, wherein said yarn has break elongation of greater than 200%.

Abstract: An article comprising a yarn comprising an elastomeric propylene-based polymer composition; said polymer composition comprising at least one elastomeric propylene-based polymer, wherein said yarn has break elongation of greater than 200%.

Abstract: Articles comprising multiple layers are included. The multiple layer articles may include fabrics, foams, films, fiber in combination with a polyolefin composition such as a film, powder, or nonwoven.

Abstract: An antimicrobial urine collection system comprising a urine collection bag and tubing each made from a polymer, wherein the polymer comprises therein from about 0.1 to 20 phr of an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent is preferably a phosphoric acid metal salt, preferably one in which zinc is the metal. The agent can be compounded into the polymer material for forming the system components.

Abstract: An antimicrobial urine collection system comprising a urine collection bag and tubing each made from a polymer, wherein the polymer comprises therein from about 0.1 to 20 phr of an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent is preferably a phosphoric acid metal salt, preferably one in which zinc is the metal. The agent can be compounded into the polymer material for forming the system components.

Abstract: A plastic article having a sharp point is made of a polymer of high impact strength and high hardness. The article may be a lancet or a needle for skin puncture, suturing or sewing. A method for preparing the article includes shear thinning a melt of a polymer and introducing the shear thinned melt into a mold which includes a sharp point.

Abstract: A non-yellowing, impact resistant high hard segment polyurethane made from a non-aromatic diisocyanate, a diol chain extender and an aminodiol chain extender may also contain up to five percent by weight of a macroglycol. A catalyst free method to prepare the polyurethane is a feature of the invention.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane chain extended with an alkylenediol is blended with a thermoplastic polyurethane chain extended with an oxyalkylene qlycol oligomer. The blend is extruded into a catheter tubing having sufficient initial stiffness for satisfactory insertion in a patient and a high degree of softening for safe positioning and long term catheterization procedures without the risk of vessel wall perforation.

Abstract: A non-yellowing, elastomeric polyurethane is made from a non-aromatic diisocyanate, a diol chain extender, a polyglycol and an aminodiol chain extender. The polyurethane is stable to sterilizing radiation, is made without any processing aids or toxic catalysts, and softens without swelling up to 95% when contacted with an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A plastic article having a sharp point is made of a polymer of high impact strength and high hardness. The article may be a lancet or a needle for skin puncture, suturing or sewing. A method for preparing the article includes shear thinning a melt of a polymer and introducing the shear thinned melt into a mold which includes a sharp point.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a tubing portion and a needle portion, at least one of which is a thermoplastic liquid crystalline polymer. The tubing and needle may be integral or unitary. The invention includes a method to make the assembly in which a melt of the liquid crystalline polymer is shear thinned by passing through an orifice such as an extrusion die to make tubing. The shear thinned melt may be directed into a mold having a point to make a liquid crystalline needle.

Abstract: A catheter of a thermoplastic elastomeric hydrophilic polyurethane is coated on at least the outside surface with a hydrophobic polymer and expands to a larger lumen size in about 3 to 15 minutes when contacted with an aqueous liquid. The hydrophilic polyurethane may be synthesized by one-shot bulk polymerization, and may be melt extruded into a base tubing and dip coated with the hydrophobic polymer, or the hydrophilic polyurethane and hydrophobic polymer may be coextruded. The catheter may have multiple lumens and may include an antithrombogenic agent, antiinfective agent and radiopaque agent.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a tubing portion and a needle portion, at least one of which is a thermoplastic liquid crystalline polymer. The tubing and needle may be integral or unitary. The invention includes a method to make the assembly in which a melt of the liquid crystalline polymer is shear thinned by passing through an orifice such as an extrusion die to make tubing. The shear thinned melt may be directed into a mold having a point to make a liquid crystalline needle.

Abstract: Silicon-nitrogen compounds are prepared by the reaction of an olefinic amine such as allylamine with a polydiorganosiloxane such as 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane, in the presence of a platinum-containing hydrosilation catalyst, preferably a specifically defined platinum complex of 1,3,5,7-tetravinyl-1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane. Depending on the reaction conditions, the product may be any of several compounds including bis(aminoalkyl)polydiorganosiloxanes and alkenylaminodisiloxanes which are spontaneously converted to cyclic disiloxazanes. The cyclic disiloxazanes may in turn be converted by hydrolysis to bis(aminoalkyl)octaorganotetrasiloxanes.

Abstract: An obturator is provided which allows for placing and withdrawing of a single catheter obturator over an extended period of time so as to allow speed intervals of use, and non-use of a catheter while in place in the patient's skin, while at the same time doing away with cumbersome, costly and time consuming administration and maintenance of saline and heparin locks. The device feeds the obturator in place for occluding the catheter lumen, when no fluids are being administered to the patient, and then may be retracted to a position allowing fluid feed through a supply tube connection to the catheter. The device includes a coating on the obturator rod which swells in contact with aqueous fluids to seal completely the catheter lumen which coating includes heparin to prevent clotting. Moreover, the entire internal functioning arrangement remains sterile during the entire period of use, thus avoiding infection.