Abstract: A self supporting gel includes a gelling agent and an electrolyte dissolved in a solvent. The gel is conducting and may be used in a battery.

Abstract: A method for sequentially depositing a silicon oxide based film as a barrier on a substrate. The film is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas permeability in containers and for extending shelf-life of containers, especially plastic evacuated blood collection devices.

Abstract: A method for sequentially depositing a silicon oxide based film as a barrier on a substrate. The film is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas permeability in containers and for extending shelf-life of containers, especially plastic evacuated blood collection devices.

Abstract: In a method for lubricating articles, a liquid composition including a gelling agent dissolved in a lubricant is applied to the surface of an article and caused to gel on the article. Gelling may be induced by applying the liquid composition to an article at a temperature below the gelling temperature of the composition, or the article coated with the liquid composition may be cooled to induce gelling.

Abstract: A blood pressure monitoring device includes a pressure sensing element mounted or a probe tip or in a catheter tip adapted for insertion into a patient's blood stream. The element includes a pressure transducer having a micromachined diaphragm which flexes in response to pressure changes. The flexes are converted by the transducer to electrical signals which pass back through the catheter to a display. The element and the catheter are conformally coated with a thin layer of parylene which insulates the device from the deleterious effects which blood components such as water and ions would otherwise have on various components of the device.

Abstract: A process for coating polymer particles with an additive includes preparing a liquid composition comprising one or more desired additives and a gelling agent in an oil. The composition is coated onto the polymer particle by any convenient procedure. On cooling the coated particle below the gelling point, the composition gels providing a polymer particle having a uniform coating of the additives which is suitable for direct introduction into a mold.

Abstract: A high clarity polymeric composition which is stable toward sterilizing radiation includes a semicrystalline polyolefin of narrow molecular weight distribution having incorporated therein a liquid mobilizing additive, a radiation stabilizing amount of a hindered amine and a clarifying agent. The invention includes a sterilized article fabricated from the composition and a method to radiation sterilize the article.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes a plasma-treated blood collection container and a blood collector which optionally may also be plasma-treated. The collector has a body portion providing a blood passageway between the container and a scoop shaped portion which contacts a puncture wound. A vent in the collector allows air displacement from the container when blood enters. The inside wall of the container has longitudinal ribs molded thereon and an altered surface chemistry characterized by an enhanced oxygen content. The invention includes a method to increase blood flow across the interior surface of a plastic blood collection container comprising plasma treatment of the surface.

Abstract: A high clarity polymeric composition which is stable toward sterilizing radiation includes a semicrystalline polyolefin of narrow molecular weight distribution having incorporated therein a liquid mobilizing additive, a radiation stabilizing amount of a hindered amine and a clarifying agent. The invention includes a sterilized article fabricated from the composition and a method to radiation sterilize the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plasma in the lumen of a small diameter tube includes a housing having a diaphragm which separates the housing into a first chamber equipped with a gas inbleed assembly and a second chamber connected to a vacuum source. Parallel plate electrodes in the first chamber are encased in a dielectric which prevents substantially all plasma discharge external of a plasma zone between the electrodes. A conduit maintains gas flow between the chambers. A bore through the dielectric includes the plasma zone and receives the tube to be plasma treated.A method for treating the luminal wall of a plastic tube includes positioning a tube in the plasma zone, evacuating the chambers, bleeding a gas into the chambers, and delivering radiofrequency power to the electrodes. A long tube may be drawn through the plasma zone, or the dielectric and electrodes may be moved past the tube.

Abstract: Small diameter plastic tubing is plasma-treated on the lumen wall and endothelial cells are adhered thereto to give antithrombogenic small diameter conduits useful for vascular grafts and other articles intended to come in contact with blood.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plasma in the lumen of a small diameter tube includes a housing having a diaphragm which separates the housing into a first chamber equipped with a gas inbleed assembly and a second chamber connected to a vacuum source. Parallel plate electrodes in the first chamber are encased in a dielectric which prevents substantially all plasma discharge external of a plasma zone between the electrodes. A conduit maintains gas flow between the chambers. A bore through the dielectric includes the plasma zone and receives the tube to be plasma treated.A method for treating the luminal wall of a plastic tube includes positioning a tube in the plasma zone, evacuating the chambers, bleeding a gas into the chambers, and delivering radiofrequency power to the electrodes. A long tube may be drawn through the plasma zone, or the dielectric and electrodes may be moved past the tube.

Abstract: Polyolefin compositions having high clarity and resistance to oxidative degradation are obtained with new dibenzylidene sorbitol additives having a sulfur-containing substituent on at least one of the benzylidene rings. Preferred additives are thioethers.

Abstract: A method to reduce high breakout and sustaining forces between slidable surfaces includes applying a film of lubricant to at least one of the surfaces and subjecting the lubricant and surface to an ionizing plasma. The invention includes articles having slidable surfaces of low breakout and sustaining forces.

Abstract: Polyolefin compositions of high clarity containing clarifying amounts of fluorinated dibenzylidene sorbitol additives.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing flexible packages and particularly transdermal medication patches. The method includes the continuous and rapid production of a plurality of such packages while continuously treating one portion of the laminate forming the package by corona discharge in order to modify the surface adhesion properties thereof to provide, simultaneously, a proper seal of a transdermal membrane in the laminate forming the package, while maintaining the desired medication dispensing properties thereof.

Abstract: A method to reduce high breakout and sustaining forces between slidable surfaces includes applying a film of lubricant to at least one of the surfaces and subjecting the lubricant and surface to an ionizing plasma. The invention includes articles having slidable surfaces of low breakout and sustaining forces.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to semi-crystalline polymers which are suitable for stabilization by irradiation sterilization. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved additives for semi-crystalline polymers, such as propylene polymer compositions, to improve the properties of the polymer when subject to irradiation.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a method to improve the antithrombogenicity which results when heparin is attached to a polymeric surface. The polymeric surface is activated by treatment with a plasma. The surface thus activated is rendered receptive to the binding of a surface active agent. The surface active agent in turn reacts with heparin to provide a polymeric surface of exceptional antithrombogenicity when contacted with blood for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A method for providing specific chemical functional groups on a substrate surface is provided. In the method a vaporized material is introduced into a reaction zone to produce a plasma. Selective species of the plasma are prevented from contacting the substrate surface while the remaining species are contacted with the substrate.