Abstract: A woven fabric formed of fabric fibers or threads coated with a hydrogel, wherein said hydrogel is not crosslinked or is partially crosslinked to the fabric fibers or thread, wherein the hydrogel has a number of excess reactive molecules that are available for a reaction with one or more molecules solvated in an aqueous solution, and wherein the reactive molecules of the hydrogel can reversibly bond with the molecules solvated in an aqueous solution, such that the reactive molecules of the hydrogel attract the molecules solvated in aqueous solution when the hydrogel coated fabric substrate is exposed to an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A woven fabric formed of fabric fibers or threads coated with a hydrogel, wherein said hydrogel is not crosslinked or is partially crosslinked to the fabric fibers or thread, wherein the hydrogel has a number of excess reactive molecules that are available for a reaction with one or more molecules solvated in an aqueous solution, and wherein the reactive molecules of the hydrogel can reversibly bond with the molecules solvated in an aqueous solution, such that the reactive molecules of the hydrogel attract the molecules solvated in aqueous solution when the hydrogel coated fabric substrate is exposed to an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A wearable fluid metering device for delivering medication subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously to a patient, includes a polymer actuator pump. The polymer actuator pump is flexible so it will conform to shape and yet can be used to rapidly displace a volume within a confined area. The actuator is much faster than prior art polymer actuator designs and can be actuated in multiple ways including introduction and hydration of the polymer matrix by a solution or the actuator can be actuated via pH change while it is in solution. The pH change can be made via electrical current such as that used in electro chemistry or the pH change can be made via a chemical change introduced to the actuator hydrating solution.

Abstract: Described is a super elastic epoxy hydrogel that is easy to manufacture and can be engineered for various performance enhancements of the polymer. Also described are methods of enhancing the performance of this hydrogel and other hydrogels. Various polymer hydrogel composites, structures and their uses are included.

Abstract: Described is a super elastic epoxy hydrogel that is easy to manufacture and can be engineered for various performance enhancements of the polymer. Also described are methods of enhancing the performance of this hydrogel and other hydrogels. Various polymer hydrogel composites, structures, and their uses are included, such as the actuator element comprising the hydrogel of the invention depicted in FIG. 2.

Abstract: A woven fabric formed of fabric fibers or threads coated with a hydrogel, wherein said hydrogel is not crosslinked or is partially crosslinked to the fabric fibers or thread, wherein the hydrogel has a number of excess reactive molecules that are available for a reaction with one or more molecules solvated in an aqueous solution, and wherein the reactive molecules of the hydrogel can reversibly bond with the molecules solvated in an aqueous solution, such that the reactive molecules of the hydrogel attract the molecules solvated in aqueous solution when the hydrogel coated fabric substrate is exposed to an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A three-dimensional smart polymer matrix is formed by a first epoxy chemical reaction linking a linear polymer chain and a branched polymer chain, wherein the polymer chains are flexible and one or more reactive molecule species remain unreacted, at a predetermined mathematical ratio of reacted to un-reacted molecules and molecule species, and the un-reacted molecular species are available for further chemical reaction, protonation or deprotonation after the first chemical reaction. The resulting smart polymer matrix is hydrophilic and non-soluble to a solvent or electrolyte.

Abstract: A device for metering fluids comprising a fluid chamber with one inlet or outlet port, at least one sidewall and a movable separator that is in contact with and separates the fluid in the chamber from the other components of the device, a porous actuator housing and wicking material, a flexible polymer actuator material in contact with the porous actuator housing and the moveable separator, an actuator hydrating solution reservoir with at least one sidewall, an inlet port, and in fluid contact with porous actuator housing, a fluid gate located at some point between actuator hydrating solution reservoir and the polymer actuator, effectively keeping actuator dry, and an external shell to hold all components so that the polymer actuator can only move in a direction and apply pressure to the separator in contact with the fluid in the fluid chamber, thereby dispensing fluid from fluid chamber.

Abstract: A polymer actuator component and a polymer actuator assembly, power supply and method of using the activation are described.

Abstract: A polymer actuator component and a polymer actuator assembly, power supply and method of using the activation are described.

Abstract: A polymer actuator, power supply and method of using the activation are described.

Abstract: A pump system containing no external parts or valves is provided. The pump system is characterized by a common type of actuating mechanism and incorporates reversibly expanding actuators, preferably electroactive actuators. Fluid is caused to move at a selected flow rate and direction by sequentially activating contiguous actuators located inside the pump. The pump may be used to pump a variety of fluids and may be used in various industrial, commercial, medical, aeronautical, or military applications.

Abstract: A three-dimensional smart polymer matrix is formed by a first epoxy chemical reaction linking a linear polymer chain and a branched polymer chain, wherein the polymer chains are flexible and one or more reactive molecule species remain unreacted, at a predetermined mathematical ratio of reacted to un-reacted molecules and molecule species, and the un-reacted molecular species are available for further chemical reaction, protonation or deprotonation after the first chemical reaction. The resulting smart polymer matrix is hydrophilic and non-soluble to a solvent or electrolyte.

Abstract: A low profile and volumetrically efficient medication delivery device configured to be placed on the body of a patient during fluid delivery to the patient is provided. The device incorporates a low profile actuator assembly that causes fluid delivery by displacing a collapsible reservoir in response to receiving an electrical current or charge input from a programmable controller and a power supply. Additional components help prevent drug theft or abuse, measure actuator pressure, displacement and temperature in real time providing active feedback to the controller that is controlling the actuator. The device also has wireless communication capabilities.

Abstract: A pump system containing no external parts or valves is provided. The pump system is characterized by a common type of actuating mechanism and incorporates reversibly expanding actuators, preferably electroactive actuators. Fluid is caused to move at a selected flow rate and direction by sequentially activating contiguous actuators located inside the pump. The pump may be used to pump a variety of fluids and may be used in various industrial, commercial, medical, aeronautical, or military applications.

Abstract: Improved specimen containers, methods and materials for use in connection with excised tissues are described.

Abstract: Angiocatheter systems with anti-leak features for helping to prevent leaking or blood splashes that could possibly pose a health risk to the patient and/or practitioner. The systems may feature slidable anti-leak components that regulate opening and closing of the hub's hole, wherein the anti-leak components are moveable upon insertion or removal of a secondary device. The systems may feature a moveable inner wall or components on the inner wall that regulate opening of the hub's hole, wherein the wall or components of the wall are movable upon insertion or removal of a secondary device. The systems may feature compressible valves or twistable bases that regulate opening of the hub's hole, wherein the valves or bases are manipulated upon insertion or removable of a secondary device.

Abstract: An actuator housing unit for a system of layered surfaces, comprising an activated primary surface having a physical shape capable of change when activated by an electrical, chemical, or light stimulus, to expand and exert force or pressure or contract and remove force or pressure, upon activation or deactivation, to move or keep matter within the housing by direct or indirect contact.

Abstract: A polymer actuator, power supply and method of using the activation are described.

Abstract: An actuator housing unit for a system of layered surfaces, comprising an activated primary surface having a physical shape capable of change when activated by an electrical, chemical, or light stimulus, to expand and exert force or pressure or contract and remove force or pressure, upon activation or deactivation, to move or keep matter within the housing by direct or indirect contact.