Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microstructured article (830, 930) including a thermoplastic polymer shaped to have a curve. At least a portion of the curve includes a microstructured surface (1010B, 10, 1110A, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 810, 840, 910, 940) of utilitarian discontinuities and the microstructured surface (101B, 10, 1110A, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 810, 840, 910, 940) includes peak structures and adjacent valleys (810, 910). The peak structures and the curve are formed of a single piece of the thermoplastic polymer. A method of making the microstructured articles is also provided including a) obtaining a tool (820, 920) shaped to include at least one of a protrusion or a concavity; b) disposing a microstructured film (800A, 800C, 900) on at least a portion of the tool (820, 920) including the protrusion and/or the concavity; and c) thermoforming a single piece of thermoplastic polymer onto the tool (820, 920) to form a microstructured article (830, 930) shaped to include a curve.

Abstract: The composition includes an antimicrobial monomer represented by formula CH2?C(R1)—C(O)—O-Q-N+(R)2CnH2n+1(X—), a non-fluorinated crosslinking monomer having at least two acrylate groups, methacrylate groups, or a combination thereof, a polar monomer having at least one of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or a carboxylate salt thereof, and a nonpolar monomer represented by formula CH2?C(R1)—C(O)—O—R2. The antimicrobial monomer, the non-fluorinated crosslinking monomer, the polar monomer, and the nonpolar monomer together account for greater than 95 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. The article includes a film having a plurality of pendent groups represented by formula —C(O)—O-Q-N+(R)2CnH2n+1(X—) covalently bonded in a crosslinked non-fluorinated acrylic network. A method of making an article is also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an orthodontic article including the reaction product of the polymerizable composition. Further, the present disclosure provides polymerizable compositions and methods of making an orthodontic article. The method includes obtaining a polymerizable composition and selectively curing the polymerizable composition to form an orthodontic article. Further, methods are provided, including receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a digital object comprising data specifying an orthodontic article; and generating, with the manufacturing device by an additive manufacturing process, the orthodontic article based on the digital object. A system is also provided, including a display that displays a 3D model of an orthodontic article; and one or more processors that, in response to the 3D model selected by a user, cause a 3D printer to create a physical object of an orthodontic article.

Abstract: Structured surfaces are described. In one embodiment, the structured surface comprises a plurality of structures having a complement cumulative slope magnitude distribution (Fcc) such that at least 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90% of structures have a slope greater than 10 degrees; and less than 80% of the structures have a slope greater than 35 degrees. In other embodiments, the structures comprise peaks and valleys defined by a Cartesian coordinate system such that the peaks and valleys have a width and length in the x-y plane and a height in the z-direction and at least a portion of the peaks and/or valleys vary in height in the y direction and/or the x-direction by at least 10% of the average height. Articles and methods are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a nonwoven wipe comprising a plurality of polyolefin fibers, wherein the plurality of polyolefin fibers have an average fiber diameter of at least 200 nm and at most 3.5 micrometers, and wherein the plurality of polyolefin fibers have a basis weight of at least 20 and no more than 100 grams per square meter. Such nonwoven wipes can be used with an aqueous solution, optionally comprising an active ingredient, to decontaminate a surface. Also disclosed herein in a decontamination kit providing the same and a method of decontaminating a surface.

Abstract: Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.

Abstract: Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.

Abstract: Presently described are methods of making an article comprising providing a structured film (1100) comprising a thermoformable planar base (212) layer and a structured surface (116, 216) layer disposed on a major surface (1200) of the planar base (212) layer wherein the structured surface (116, 216) layer comprises a different organic polymeric material than the thermoformable planar base (212) layer, and thermoforming the structured film (1100) into a thermoformed article (1000). Also described are thermoformed and thermoformable articles.

Abstract: Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.

Abstract: Dental pastes are provided which include: (i) a compound of Formula (I), (ii) a compound of Formula (II) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (iii) a dental abrasive.

Abstract: Medical diagnostic devices or components thereof are described that comprise a microstructured surface that comprises peak structures and adjacent valleys wherein the valleys have a maximum width ranging from 1 to 1000 microns and the peak structures. In some embodiments (e.g. for improved cleanability) the peak structures of the microstructured surface have a side wall angle of greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-comers elements. The microstructured surface of the medical diagnostic device typically comes in contact with multiple patients during normal use of the device, such as a stethoscope diaphragm. The microstructured surface exhibits better microorganism (e.g. bacteria) removal when cleaned and/or provides a reduction in microbial touch transfer. Also described are methods of making and methods of use.

Abstract: An article is provided. The article comprises a nonwoven substrate having a copolymer grafted thereto, and a dried coating adhered to the substrate. The copolymer comprises interpolymerized monomer units of a quaternary ammonium-containing ligand monomer, an amide monomer, and an oxy monomer. The coating comprises a plurality of test microorganisms. Optionally, the coating further comprises a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymeric binding agent. A process challenge device comprising a body having a hollow channel with said article fixed disposed therein is also provided. Methods of using the article or the process challenge device for determining the efficacy of a disinfection process are also provided.

Abstract: A composition comprising from 1 wt-% to 3 wt-% total of glucosamine a derivative of glucosamine, or a combination thereof based on the total weight of the composition, and from 0.3 wt-% to 3 wt-% total of one or more surfactants, based on the total weight of the composition, of Formula (I): HOCH2—(OHOH)n—CH2NR1R2 (I) wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, C(O)R3 and SO2R4 with R3 and R4 being independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an aryl group and an aralkyl group, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 5.

Abstract: A composition comprising: from 0.2 wt-% to 3 wt-% total of arginine, glycine, or a combination thereof based on the total weight of the composition; and from 0.3 wt-% to 3 wt-% total of one or more surfactants, based on the total weight of the composition, of Formula I: HOCH2—(CHOH)n—CH2NR1R2 (I) wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, C(O)R3, and SO2R4; with R3 and R4 being independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an aryl group, and an aralkyl group; wherein n is an integer from about 2 to about 5.

Abstract: A microbial indicator device for liquid disinfection comprises a first cavity, a source of biological activity fluidically coupled to the first cavity via a portion of a first fluidic path, a filter membrane positioned in a second fluidic path for a disinfectant, and a first coupling portion fluidically coupled to the source of biologically activity via the second fluidic path. The filter membrane has a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is in fluid communication with the first fluidic path. The filter membrane has a pore size sufficient to retain at least a portion of the source of biological activity on the first side. The device further comprises a frangible container contained in the first cavity, wherein a liquid in the container is in fluid communication with the first cavity when the container is fractured.

Abstract: A method of verifying the efficacy of a disinfection process is provided. The method includes flowing a liquid disinfectant into an indicator device that has a plurality of indicator microorganisms disposed therein, the indicator microorganisms comprising or capable of producing a detectable enzyme activity; contacting the indicator microorganisms with the liquid disinfectant for a predetermined minimum first period of time at a first temperature; after contacting the indicator microorganisms with the liquid disinfectant for the first period of time at the first temperature, contacting the indicator microorganisms for a second period of time with a detection medium comprising a detection reagent; and during or after the second period of time, detecting a quantity of the detectable enzyme activity that was not inactivated by the contact with the disinfectant. The indicator device is also provided.

Abstract: Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention describes medical articles having a microstructured surface, methods of preparing such medical articles, and methods of cleaning medical articles having microstructured surface(s).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an orthodontic article including the reaction product of the polymerizable composition. Further, the present disclosure provides polymerizable compositions and methods of making an orthodontic article. The method includes obtaining a polymerizable composition and selectively curing the polymerizable composition to form an orthodontic article. Further, methods are provided, including receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a digital object comprising data specifying an orthodontic article; and generating, with the manufacturing device by an additive manufacturing process, the orthodontic article based on the digital object. A system is also provided, including a display that displays a 3D model of an orthodontic article; and one or more processors that, in response to the 3D model selected by a user, cause a 3D printer to create a physical object of an orthodontic article.

Abstract: A system and methods for sterilizing and drying contaminated articles, particularly medical articles, and more particularly the hollow internal areas of medical instruments or lumens of medical endoscopes. The system includes a plasma generator having an electrode, a shield, and a dielectric gap between the electrode and the shield. A source of electrical power connected to the plasma generator applies an electrode energy density between the electrode and the shield. A source of a sterilizing gas precursor provides a flow of the sterilizing gas precursor through the plasma generator to generate a plasma, thereby forming a sterilizing gas including acidic and/or oxidizing species. The contaminated article is exposed to the sterilizing gas for a time sufficient to achieve a desired degree of sterilization. A turbulent flow of a drying gas is used to dry the contaminated article alternately with the exposure of the contaminated article to the sterilizing gas.