Abstract: Disclosed is a thermocouple circuit that exhibits reduced levels of thermocouple drift. The thermocouple is generally comprised of first and second thermoelectric elements formed of first and second thermoelectric materials, respectively. The first and second thermoelectric elements are coupled to an electrically conductive substrate through intermediate first and second tab elements, respectively. The first and second tab elements are preferably formed of the respective first and second thermoelectric materials, and coupled to the substrate in a spaced apart configuration such that the first and second tab elements, are not physically coupled one to the other. Also disclosed are systems and methods for the preparation and use of the thermocouple circuits disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for constructing a dual fluoroscopy system according to embodiments of the present invention includes providing a first c-arm and a second c-arm, each of which include an x-ray generator and an imaging device, synchronizing exposure timing of the two x-ray generators, decoupling the x-ray generators from the imaging devices and mounting them on a gantry system, aligning one x-ray generator with an imaging device and aligning the other x-ray generator with the other imaging device, and performing a calibration test to determine the dual fluoroscopy system configuration, and attaching a triggering and visualization device. An imaging system of the imaging device may be upgraded to permit faster data capture rates, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: A carrier tube assembly for packaging a medical catheter is disclosed. The carrier tube assembly includes an elongate tube, a medical catheter, and a plug. At least a distal portion of the elongate shaft of the medical catheter is positioned in the lumen of the elongate tube such that the proximal end of the elongate tube is hermetically sealed around a portion of the hub assembly of the medical catheter. The plug is inserted into the lumen of the elongate tube at the distal end of the elongate tube, hermetically sealing the distal end of the elongate tube. Thus, a hermetically sealed environment is established within the elongate tube. The plug includes a moisture and/or oxygen absorbing agent to absorb moisture and/or oxygen in the hermetically sealed environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imageable element including a lithographic substrate and an imageable layer disposed on the substrate. The imageable layer includes a radically polymerizable component, an initiator system capable of generating radicals sufficient to initiate a polymerization reaction upon exposure to imaging radiation, and a polymeric binder having a hydrophobic backbone and including constitutional units having a pendant group including a hydrophilic poly(alkylene oxide) segment. The imageable element can be developed using an aqueous developer solution. Alternatively, the imageable element can be developed on-press by contact with ink and/or fountain solution.

Abstract: A ventilated window arrangement includes a window and a window frame. The window frame includes an outer side and an inner side, an opening from the outer side to the inner side in which the window is mounted, and a ventilator passage extending from the outer side to the inner side. The ventilated window arrangement also includes a ventilator panel attached to the frame and movable from a closed position in which the ventilator panel seals the ventilator passage to an open position in which fluid communication between the outer side and the inner side is permitted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermocouple circuit that exhibits reduced levels of thermocouple drift. The thermocouple is generally comprised of first and second thermoelectric elements formed of first and second thermoelectric materials, respectively. The first and second thermoelectric elements are coupled to an electrically conductive substrate through intermediate first and second tab elements, respectively. The first and second tab elements are preferably formed of the respective first and second thermoelectric materials, and coupled to the substrate in a spaced apart configuration such that the first and second tab elements, are not physically coupled one to the other. Also disclosed are systems and methods for the preparation and use of the thermocouple circuits disclosed herein.

Abstract: In a wet shave razor integrated with a base unit, the razor has a handle, at least one razor cartridge coupled to the handle, a control module and a sensor integrated into the handle, a sensor for detecting movement of the handle, and memory for storing data related to the movement of the handle. The base unit has a display for indicating data pertaining to cartridge use, a controller in communication with the display, and a mechanism for transferring data from the memory to the controller when the razor is received by the base unit. A method of tracking the use of shaving devices includes receiving an input signal indicative of a movement of the shaving device, maintaining a count of a number of the input signals, incrementing the count in response to additional received input signals, and displaying a value in response to the counted number of input signals.

Abstract: A method for eliminating unwanted ink-receptive sections in positive working printing plates resulting from shading of the surface layer during exposure by the clamps holding the plate on the exposure apparatus following development of an imagewise exposed precursor. Accordingly the areas that are shaded are identified prior to development and the surface layer is scored in those areas to a depth and density sufficient to result in the scored layer being removed during development but not deep enough to damage the underlying hydrophilic layer.

Abstract: An expandable medical balloon having predetermined strategic arrangement of differentially lubricious surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imageable element including a substrate, a first layer applied to the substrate and a second layer applied to the first layer. The first layer may contain polymeric material and a radiation absorbing compound. The second layer may contain a hydroxyl group-containing polymer that includes a heat-labile moiety.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patterned substrate and methods of forming patterns on a substrate, in which a thermally sensitive composition composed of an inorganic nanopaste is applied onto a surface of a substrate to form a layer. The layer may be imaged and developed to form a pattern area that adheres to the surface of the substrate. The patterned substrate may be used in the production of printing plates and masks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming an image on a printing plate, in which a nanopaste is imagewise ink-jet applied onto a surface of a substrate. The layer is then treated to form an image area. The method is useful in the formation of printing plates and radiation opaque masks.

Abstract: Thermally imageable elements comprising a masking layer and a substrate are disclosed. The masking layer contains a sulfated polymer or a mixture of sulfated polymers and absorbs both infrared and ultraviolet radiation. When the masking layer is on the substrate, the imageable element may be imaged and developed to form a photomask. When the imageable element additionally comprises a photosensitive layer, the masking layer may be imaged and developed to form an integral photomask. The imageable elements that comprise a photosensitive layer are useful as flexographic printing plate precursors.

Abstract: A precursor that may be imaged by heat is made up of a substrate, for example a copper board, and a composite layer structure composed of two layers. Preferably, the first layer is composed of an aqueous developable polymer mixture containing a photothermal conversion material, which is contiguous to the substrate. The second layer of the composite is composed of one or more non-aqueous soluble polymers, which are soluble or dispersible in a solvent which does not dissolve the first layer. The precursor is exposed with an infrared laser or a thermal print head, and upon aqueous development, the exposed regions are removed, revealing regions of the substrate surface able to be etched or otherwise treated. The second layer may also contain a photothermal conversion material. Alternatively, the composite layer may be free of photothermal conversion material when thermal imaging is carried out using a thermal print head. The precursor may be used, for example, as a mask precursor or electronic part precursor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of imaging a printing plate precursor in which a printing plate precursor including a substrate and an image forming layer is imagewise contacted with a catalyst, for example, by imagewise ink-jet application. The image forming layer is then heated and developed in a suitable developer liquid such that portions of the image forming layer that are contacted with the catalyst resist development while portions of the image forming layer that are not contacted with the catalyst are removed during development.

Abstract: Thermally imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The elements may be either single layer or multilayer elements and comprise an alkali soluble co-polymer, or a mixture of alkali soluble co-polymers. The resulting printing plates have good resistance to pressroom chemicals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally sensitive composition that may be coated as a water-borne material onto a substrate to yield a printing plate precursor having an imageable coating. The thermally sensitive composition comprises a sulfated phenolic resin. The sulfated phenolic resin may be a sulfated novolak resin or a sulfated resole resin, for example. The thermally sensitive composition may include a water-soluble binder, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and a radiation-absorbing component. The invention also provides a printing plate precursor that is developed in water after imaging. The precursor does not require chemical development with a developing solution containing organic solvents or inorganic additives. The imaged precursor is on-press-developable when used with a fountain solution. Methods for making and using the precursor are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making an electronic part in which a nanopaste composed of inorganic nanoparticles and a carrier is applied onto a surface of a substrate. The composition is then processed to form an electrically conductive pattern area that adheres to the surface of the substrate. Optionally, the conductivity of the pattern area may be improved by heating.

Abstract: A positive working printing form precursor comprises a thermally imagable composition which includes a hydroxyl group-containing polymer, for example a novolak resin. The composition has a weight of less than 1.1 gm?2. It has been found that using a low weight of the composition on the precursor improves the properties of the precursor, in particular by rendering the sensitivity of the precursor to imaging radiation less variable over time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally imageable film having at least one thermally degradable binder, at least one infrared absorber, and additives. The thermally imageable film is transparent and remains transparent when exposed to white light wavelengths of about 390 to 750 nm or ultraviolet light wavelengths of about 190 to 390 nm. Upon imagewise exposure to infrared thermal radiation, the thermally imageable film forms an opaque area at the point of contact with the IR thermal radiation, the opaque areas of the film being ultraviolet light impermeable. The present invention also provides for a mask precursor or a relief printing plate precursor where the thermally imageable layer is coated directly onto a substrate as well as a method of making a mask or a relief printing plate using the thermally imageable film.