Abstract: Methods for preparing a shaped rubber article, comprising admixing at least one thermoplastic material and at least one elastomer material to provide a processable and dimensionally stable rubber composition, shaping the composition, and irradiating the composition to form the shaped rubber article. The dimensional stability of the uncured composition may be provided by partial dynamic vulcanization, high performance reinforcing fillers, fractional curing, or combinations thereof. The elastomer material is present in an amount greater than about 65% by weight based on the total weight of the thermoplastic and elastomer materials present in the admixture.

Abstract: Thermoplastic vulcanizate compositions prepared from fluorothermoplastic matrix and dispersed fluoroelastomeric regions, and articles comprising the thermoplastic vulcanizate, exhibiting improved resistance to polar organic solvents.

Abstract: Two-phase or single-phase admixtures of a plastic and an elastomer, two or more thermoplastics, or two or more elastomers are irradiated (preferably with electron beam radiation) to cross-link the thermoplastic and, in the case of elastomer and thermoplastic admixtures, generate bi-modal molecules having moieties derived from both the elastomer and the thermoplastic.

Abstract: An improved system for delivering external counterpulsation therapy is described. The system employs muscle stimulation transducers such as cutaneous electrodes in order to stimulate skeletal muscle and/or vascular smooth muscle in synchronization with the cardiac cycle in a manner that increases the fluid pressure within veins and/or arteries during cardiac diastole.

Abstract: A method for completing a well in a single trip, including: inserting a completion tool assembly into the well, the completion tool assembly having a gravel packing assembly and a service tool assembly slidably positioned substantially within an interior cavity in the gravel packing assembly; removably coupling the service tool assembly and the gravel packing assembly; plugging at a first location, whereby fluid is blocked from flowing through the interior channel; diverting fluid blocked by the plugging at the first location through a first fluid flow path to an exterior of the completion tool assembly; circulating a gravel pack slurry through the completion tool assembly; plugging at a second location, whereby fluid is blocked from flowing through the interior channel; diverting fluid blocked by the plugging at the second location through a second flow path that reenters the interior channel at a location distal of the first and second plugging locations; and circulating a filter cake stimulating fluid thro

Abstract: Admixtures either of a plastic and an elastomer, a plurality of thermoplastics, or a plurality of elastomers are formed into a shaped item for an article (such as a dynamic seal, a static seal, a gasket, a pump diaphragm, a hose, or an o-ring), and the thermoplastic is then cross-linked (cured). Radiation (preferably, electron beam radiation) is used for the cross-linking and for generating bi-modal molecules from the elastomer and the thermoplastic when both a thermoplastic and an elastomer are in the admixture.

Abstract: A curable fluorocarbon elastomer is dynamically cured in the presence of a major amount of a non-curing thermoplastic material and a minor amount of a second fluorocarbon elastomer that does not cure under the dynamic vulcanization conditions. The non-curing elastomer is preferably present at from 1 to 20 parts based on 100 parts of the curing fluorocarbon elastomer. Processable rubber compositions comprise a continuous phase of a thermoplastic material, particles of a cured fluorocarbon elastomer dispersed in the continuous phase, and an uncured fluorocarbon elastomer at a level of 10 parts or less per 100 parts of the cured fluorocarbon elastomer. Shaped articles such as gaskets and seals are produced by thermoplastic processing of the processable rubber compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is system for thermal neuroinhibition. According to an embodiment, the system includes at least one implantable fluid-filled conduit adapted to be placed adjacent to a neural target. The system also includes an implantable housing including a power source, a heat pump deriving power from the source and connected to the conduit, and a controller within the housing. The controller is connected to the heat pump, and is adapted to control the heat pump to effect fluid flow in the conduit to cool the neural target using electromechanical refrigeration to reversibly inhibit neural activity as part of a medical treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system for electrical stimulation of blood vessels. An embodiment of the system includes at least one electrode having electrical contact with a blood vessel. The embodiment also includes a stimulation circuit electrically connected to the electrode, the circuit adapted to provide stimulation to the vessel. The embodiment further includes a controller connected to the circuit, the controller adapted to select frequency and voltage parameters for the stimulation circuit to selectively affect vascular therapy, including constriction of the vessel and dilation of the vessel. According to various embodiments, the stimulation circuit and controller are contained within an implantable medical device (IMD). The system also includes a sensor connected to the controller, and the controller initiates and adjusts therapy based on a signal received from the sensor, in varying embodiments.

Abstract: A method for obtaining data including scanning an object using a multi-energy computed tomography (MECT) system to obtain data to generate an anatomical image, and decomposing the obtained data to generate a first density image representative of bone material and a second density image representative of soft-tissue. The method further includes segmenting at least one of the first density image and the second density image, and volume rendering the second density image.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a shaped rubber article, comprising admixing at least one thermoplastic material and at least one elastomer material to provide a processable and dimensionally stable rubber composition, shaping the composition, and irradiating the composition to form the shaped rubber article. The dimensional stability of the uncured composition may be provided by partial dynamic vulcanization, high performance reinforcing fillers, fractional curing, or combinations thereof. The elastomer material is present in an amount greater than about 65% by weight based on the total weight of the thermoplastic and elastomer materials present in the admixture.

Abstract: An elastomer blend is made by admixing fluoroelastomer and fluorinated silicone polymer (with optional filler and/or conductive particulate) into a polymeric admixture in weight ratios to provide a low vaporous hydrocarbon permeation rate and high thermal strain value in thermally robust elastomer cured from the blend. The blend is of especial use for making gaskets for use in high stress conditions at elevated operating temperatures.

Abstract: A method and device for treating myocardial ischemia in which an implantable pulse generator delivers electrical stimulation to electrodes disposed near a coronary artery. The stimulation parameters may be adjusted to produce vasodilation and/or vasoconstriction of the artery. The device may be configured to operate in a vasodilation and/or vasoconstriction mode in accordance with specified entry and exit conditions.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a patch for attachment to a heart having a left atrium which includes a coronary sulcus, a line of reflection between the oblique and transverse pericardial sinuses, and left and right pulmonary veins, the patch sized to have a first edge portion disposed along the coronary sulcus and a second edge portion disposed along the line of reflection between the oblique and transverse pericardial sinuses. In one embodiment, the patch formed by the process including measuring left atrial diameter during over-distension, determining a patch size such that the patch is substantially inelastic when the left atrium is in over-distension, cutting the first edge portion of the patch to fit along the coronary sulcus and cutting the second edge portion of the patch to fit along the line of reflection between the oblique and transverse pericardial sinuses.

Abstract: An elastomer blend is made by admixing fluoroelastomer and fluorinated silicone polymer (with optional filler and/or conductive particulate) into a polymeric admixture in weight ratios to provide a low vaporous hydrocarbon permeation rate and high thermal strain value in thermally robust elastomer cured from the blend. The blend is of especial use for making gaskets for use in high stress conditions at elevated operating temperatures.

Abstract: A bi-modal compound is provided having an elastomeric moiety and a second moiety derived from any of a metal, a ceramic, and thermoplastic. At least one free radical site is generated (preferably with electron beam radiation) on an elastomer molecule to provide the elastomeric moiety; and a metal, ceramic, or thermoplastic are then bonded to the free radical site.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods which employ inhibitors of particular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are provided.

Abstract: A cured magnetizable admixture of elastomeric thermoplastic, dispersed magnetizable particulate, and optional dispersed hydrophobic material (such as ethylene acrylic monomer rubber or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) provides elastic elongation of not less than about 50 percent at break and water swell of not greater than about 10 percent after curing in magnetizable articles such as target wheels. The magnetizable composition beneficially combines mechanical and durability advantages of traditionally-used thermoset elastomer-based magnetic compounds, under the range of conditions needed for vehicle encoder applications, with the processing and manufacturing advantages of engineered thermoplastics.

Abstract: A method for completing a well in a single trip is described, which includes inserting a completion tool assembly into the wellbore. The completion tool assembly includes a gravel packing assembly having a central channel substantially therethrough and a service tool assembly slidably positioned within the central channel. The service tool includes a pressure pulsating rotating jetting tool, connectable to a washpipe via a differential valve. By selectively dropping a plurality of plugging devices into the completion tool, multiple operations may be selectively performed in the wellbore in a single trip. In this way, the gravel packing and stimulating operations may be performed by a single completion tool assembly in a single trip into the wellbore, thus reducing the cost and time for performing the gravel packing and stimulating operations.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a reduction in artifacts includes receiving data regarding a first energy spectrum of a scan of an object, and receiving data regarding a second energy spectrum of a scan of the object, wherein the second energy spectrum is different than the first energy spectrum. The method further includes reconstructing at least one original first energy image using the first energy spectrum data, reconstructing at least one original second energy image using the second energy spectrum data, transforming at least one original second energy image into at least one transformed first energy image, and combining at least one original first energy image with at least one transformed first energy image to generate a combined first energy image.