Abstract: A handle for a shaving razor in which the handle comprises a frame and a movable member assembly operably coupled to the frame such that the frame is disposed between the movable member assembly and where the movable member assembly portions are configured to move both above and below the frame. The movement can be linear or rotational. The movable member assembly comprises one or more springs. The first member and the second member are coupled together through said rigid member. The rigid member can include a rigid member platform which has a width to thickness ratio from about 7 to about 60.

Abstract: High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces. Biologically active agents may be entrapped in pores of materials to provide a controlled release of the biologically active agent.

Abstract: Articles, such as catheters, comprising markings and associated methods are generally provided. The articles described herein may be configured to be exhibit one or more desirable properties. For instance, in some embodiments, an article comprises markings that are spaced from each other at known distances. Such markings may be employed to aid users of the article in measuring distances. As another example, an article may be configured to swell upon exposure to the fluid such that markings positioned thereon do not crack or delaminate. It is also possible for the article to be configured to swell upon exposure to the fluid in a known, predictable, and/or uniform manner. This swelling may cause the spacings between the markings to increase, and such increase may also be in a known, predictable, and/or uniform manner.

Abstract: A medical patch can comprise a biocompatible substrate and a dry hydrogel precursor layer on the substrate, the precursor layer comprising an electrophilic-hydrogel precursor having a plurality of electrophilic functional groups and a nucleophilic-hydrogel precursor having a plurality of protonated amine groups and no more than about 2 weight percent water. Both the electrophilic-hydrogel precursor and the nucleophilic-hydrogel precursor are substantially uncrosslinked, and are blended or in direct contact with each other. The medical patches can be formed by coating a melt blend of hydrogel precursors in a dry environment or based on solution coating from a dry, non-aqueous solvent, onto a porous, hydrophilic substrate, such as a compressed gelatin substrate. Flexible medical patches can be formed by methods that include compressing coated substrates, such as with calendering. The medical patches can be used for placement over a bleeding wound or the like and may function as a hemostatic patch.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and applications for ablative-chemical infused hydrogels are described. The hydrogels are biodegradable and can be formed in situ. The hydrogels are effective for delivering tissue ablative chemicals to target sites. The hydrogel delivered tissue ablative chemicals can be particularly effective for performing intrauterine ablation, even when fibroids are present, or for scarring fallopian tubes for birth control via minimally invasive procedures. The hydrogels can also be particularly effective at avoiding contact of tissue ablative chemicals with off-target tissues. The hydrogels can be installed using various delivery vehicles, including injections and catheters. The hydrogels can be designed to be retained in the target site for a period of hours to days, so that targeted tissue ablation can proceed in an ambulatory patient. Methods for transcervical installation of in situ formed hydrogels into the uterus or one or more fallopian tubes are described.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments pertain to soft robotic actuators configured to receive modular fingertips. The fingertips may be provided at the distal end of a standardized actuator. The actuator's distal tip may be sized and shaped to correspond to a proximal end of the modular fingertip. A backing plate may be provided in a reservoir of the actuator in order to spread the load of a fastener that can be inserted through the reservoir and backing plate and into one or more holes that pass through the material of the actuator and into the modular fingertip. For purposes of reducing bacterial harborage points, the holes may extend only partway through the modular fingertip without extending entirely through it. In other embodiments, the fastener may be inserted into the fingertip and secured to the actuator. A sealing bead may be provided between the distal tip of the actuator and the fingertip.

Abstract: Articles, such as catheters, comprising markings and associated methods are generally provided. The articles described herein may be configured to be exhibit one or more desirable properties. For instance, in some embodiments, an article comprises markings that are spaced from each other at known distances. Such markings may be employed to aid users of the article in measuring distances. As another example, an article may be configured to swell upon exposure to the fluid such that markings positioned thereon do not crack or delaminate. It is also possible for the article to be configured to swell upon exposure to the fluid in a known, predictable, and/or uniform manner. This swelling may cause the spacings between the markings to increase, and such increase may also be in a known, predictable, and/or uniform manner.

Abstract: A spark ignited engine is disclosed. The spark ignited engine includes a main combustion chamber and a cylinder head at least partially surrounding the main combustion chamber. A spark plug having a central axis is arranged in the cylinder head and an ignition end of the spark plug faces the main combustion engine. A pre-chamber with at least two nozzles is arranged in the main combustion chamber and connects the ignition end and the main combustion chamber via the at least two nozzles. A pre-chamber volume ratio corresponds to a ratio of a volume of the pre-chamber to a volume of the main combustion chamber at a top-dead-center and is between 1.9% and 3.1%. A nozzle factor corresponds to a ratio of a summed flowed-through area of the at least two nozzles to the volume of the pre-chamber and is between 0.085 l/cm and 1.15 l/cm.

Abstract: A medical patch can comprise a biocompatible substrate and a dry hydrogel precursor layer on the substrate, the dry hydrogel precursor layer comprising an electrophilic-hydrogel precursor having a plurality of electrophilic functional groups and a nucleophilic-hydrogel precursor having a plurality of protonated amine groups and no more than about 2 weight percent water. Both the electrophilic-hydrogel precursor and the nucleophilic-hydrogel precursor are substantially uncrosslinked, and are blended or in direct contact with each other. The medical patches can be formed by coating a melt blend of hydrogel precursors in a dry environment or based on solution coating from a dry, non-aqueous solvent, onto a porous, hydrophilic substrate. The medical patches can be used for placement over a bleeding wound or the like and may function as a hemostatic patch. Shredded patches and compositions mimicking a shredded patch can be placed into a wound defect.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and applications for single component systems for the formation of in situ hydrogels are described. The single component systems are effective for forming stable, single solutions containing precursors providing both electrophilic and nucleophilic groups that chemically crosslink on contact with physiological fluids associated with vital physiological tissue. The single component systems can be applied using various delivery vehicles, including injections, needle and needless catheters, and sprays. The single component systems can be useful for enabling multiple injections from a single syringe through a small gauge needle or other dispenser. Methods for transcervical installation of in situ formed hydrogels into one or more fallopian tubes are described.

Abstract: High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces. Polymers may be entrapped in pores of materials to provide a durable modification of the materials.

Abstract: A spark ignited engine is disclosed. The spark ignited engine includes a main combustion chamber and a cylinder head at least partially surrounding the main combustion chamber. A spark plug having a central axis is arranged in the cylinder head and an ignition end of the spark plug faces the main combustion engine. A pre-chamber with at least two nozzles is arranged in the main combustion chamber and connects the ignition end and the main combustion chamber via the at least two nozzles. A pre-chamber volume ratio corresponds to a ratio of a volume of the pre-chamber to a volume of the main combustion chamber at a top-dead-center and is between 1.9% and 3.1%. A nozzle factor corresponds to a ratio of a summed flowed-through area of the at least two nozzles to the volume of the pre-chamber and is between 0.085 l/cm and 1.15 l/cm.

Abstract: High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces. Polymers may be entrapped in pores of materials to provide a durable modification of the materials.

Abstract: High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces.

Abstract: High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces.

Abstract: Medical hydrogel systems for providing improved properties for certain medical applications are described. The hydrogel systems are effective for forming a space filling hydrogel in a body cavity and for the prevention of adhesion formation between tissues within the body cavity following a surgical procedure. Hydrogel delivery systems for transcervical delivery of a premixed precursor solution and an accelerator solution are described. Methods for transcervical installation of intrauterine hydrogels with distended fill are also described. The hydrogel systems, hydrogel delivery systems, and associated methods can be useful for providing degradable hydrogel in the uterine cavity, including the cervical canal, for the prevention of adhesions following intrauterine procedures.

Abstract: Transcervical access systems for providing transcervical movement of fluids are described. The transcervical access systems are effective for transferring a broad range of fluids, including the delivery of hydrogel precursors, saline, and imaging fluids, to the uterine cavity. The transcervical access systems are also effective for removing fluids from the uterine cavity, such as residual bodily fluids, residual fluids from a procedure, or tissue. The transcervical access systems described include flow limiters, such as egress limiters and/or cervical plugs. Methods of use of the transcervical access systems are also described. Methods include using the transcervical access systems to transcervical access the uterine cavity and install hydrogel. The transcervical access systems and associated methods can be useful for providing degradable hydrogel in the uterine cavity, including the cervical canal, for the prevention of adhesions following intrauterine procedures.

Abstract: Articles, such as catheters, comprising markings and associated methods are generally provided. The articles described herein may be configured to be exhibit one or more desirable properties. For instance, in some embodiments, an article comprises markings that are spaced from each other at known distances. Such markings may be employed to aid users of the article in measuring distances. As another example, an article may be configured to swell upon exposure to the fluid such that markings positioned thereon do not crack or delaminate. It is also possible for the article to be configured to swell upon exposure to the fluid in a known, predictable, and/or uniform manner. This swelling may cause the spacings between the markings to increase, and such increase may also be in a known, predictable, and/or uniform manner.

Abstract: A prosthesis comprising a water-dissolvable coating. A prosthesis for a lacrimal canaliculus comprising a swellable punctal plug with a proximal end and a distal end, with the plug comprising a water-dissolvable biocompatible coating on the distal and/or the proximal end. Materials and methods for making and using the same. A prosthesis for placement in or across natural or prosthetic lumens, ostia, ducts, sinus, or sphincters, the prosthesis comprising a coating. The prosthesis can further provide a depot for sustained drug delivery to tissue.

Abstract: High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces. Biologically active agents may be entrapped in pores of materials to provide a controlled release of the biologically active agent.