Abstract: Controllably degradable overgrips are provided, as well as methods of producing controllably degradable thermoplastic polyurethane. Methods comprise pre-blending a catalyst on a matrix, dispersing a specified amount of the pre-blended catalyst throughout solid granular thermoplastic polyurethane to yield a polymer component, and determining an onset timing of hydrolytic breakdown of the polymer component by adjusting the specified amount of dispersed catalyst. The thermoplastic polyurethane may be produced by reacting low molecular weight aliphatic diol(s) with aliphatic dicarboxylic acid(s) to produce polyester, and reacting the polyester with organic di-isocyanate(s) and diol chain extender(s) using catalytic amounts of alkali or alkaline earth metal salt(s) of C10 to C45 aliphatic carboxylic acid(s). Tackifying resins may be added to adjust an adhesive profile of the overgrips.

Abstract: Controllably degradable overgrips are provided, as well as methods of producing controllably degradable thermoplastic polyurethane. Methods comprise pre-blending a catalyst on a matrix, dispersing a specified amount of the pre-blended catalyst throughout solid granular thermoplastic polyurethane to yield a polymer component, and determining an onset timing of hydrolytic breakdown of the polymer component by adjusting the specified amount of dispersed catalyst. The thermoplastic polyurethane may be produced by reacting low molecular weight aliphatic diol(s) with aliphatic dicarboxylic acid(s) to produce polyester, and reacting the polyester with organic di-isocyanate(s) and diol chain extender(s) using catalytic amounts of alkali or alkaline earth metal salt(s) of C10 to C45 aliphatic carboxylic acid(s). Tackifying resins may be added to adjust an adhesive profile of the overgrips.

Abstract: Controllably degradable overgrips are provided, as well as methods of producing controllably degradable thermoplastic polyurethane. Methods comprise pre-blending a catalyst on a matrix, dispersing a specified amount of the pre-blended catalyst throughout solid granular thermoplastic polyurethane to yield a polymer component, and determining an onset timing of hydrolytic breakdown of the polymer component by adjusting the specified amount of dispersed catalyst. The thermoplastic polyurethane may be produced by reacting low molecular weight aliphatic diol(s) with aliphatic dicarboxylic acid(s) to produce polyester, and reacting the polyester with organic di-isocyanate(s) and diol chain extender(s) using catalytic amounts of alkali or alkaline earth metal salt(s) of C10 to C45 aliphatic carboxylic acid(s). Tackifying resins may be added to adjust an adhesive profile of the overgrips.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards sealable and repositionable endovascular implant grafts, and methods for their use for the treatment of aortic aneurysms and other structural vascular defects. Sealable, repositionable endograft systems for placement in a blood vessel are disclosed, in which endograft implants with circumferential sealable collars and variable sealing devices upon deployment achieve a desired controllable seal between the collar and the vessel's inner wall. Embodiments of endovascular implants according to the present invention may further be provided with retractable retention tines or other retention devices allowing an implant to be repositioned before final deployment. An endograft system according to the present invention further comprises a delivery catheter to allow placement through a peripheral arteriotomy site, and of sufficient length to allow advancement into the thoracic or abdominal aorta.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards sealable and repositionable endovascular implant grafts, and methods for their use for the treatment of aortic aneurysms and other structural vascular defects. Sealable, repositionable endograft systems for placement in a blood vessel are disclosed, in which endograft implants with circumferential sealable collars and variable sealing devices upon deployment achieve a desired controllable seal between the collar and the vessel's inner wall. Embodiments of endovascular implants according to the present invention may further be provided with retractable retention tines or other retention devices allowing an implant to be repositioned before final deployment. An endograft system according to the present invention further comprises a delivery catheter to allow placement through a peripheral arteriotomy site, and of sufficient length to allow advancement into the thoracic or abdominal aorta.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring the phase change of an output optical signal from a device. In one embodiment an input optical signal is split into first and second optical signals, and the first optical signal is passed through the device while applying an external stimulus to the device, to produce an output optical signal having a phase shift. The carrier frequency of the second optical signal is changed, and the output optical signal and the changed second optical signal are then combined. The combined signal is detected in accordance with the external stimulus applied to the device, and the phase change of the output signal of the device is measured as a function of the external stimulus applied to the device.