Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a fluoropolymer article having a high surface roughness and high coarseness which comprises the following steps: a) forming a paste comprising a fluoropolymer into a paste-formed fluoropolymer product at a temperature lower than 50° C., b) densifying the paste-formed product, and c) stretching the densified paste-formed fluoropolymer product in at least one direction. The present invention further relates to a fluoropolymer article obtainable by a process according to the invention. The present invention furthermore relates to a fiber comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a surface roughness expressed as a peak to valley distance (Rt) greater than 10 micrometer and/or an average surface roughness (Ra) greater than 1.5 micrometer. The present invention furthermore relates to a membrane comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a coarseness index ?/EBP of at least 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an anisotropic fluoropolymer having a different intrinsic thermal conductivity in at least two directions as a heat conducting material in a thermally conductive article, to a thermally conductive article comprising said anisotropic fluoropolymer and to a process for the production of said anisotropic fluoropolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a fluoropolymer article having a high surface roughness and high coarseness which comprises the following steps: a) forming a paste comprising a fluoropolymer into a paste-formed fluoropolymer product at a temperature lower than 50° C., b) densifying the paste-formed product, and c) stretching the densified paste-formed fluoropolymer product in at least one direction. The present invention further relates to a fluoropolymer article obtainable by a process according to the invention. The present invention furthermore relates to a fiber comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a surface roughness expressed as a peak to valley distance (Rt) greater than 10 micrometer and/or an average surface roughness (Ra) greater than 1.5 micrometer. The present invention furthermore relates to a membrane comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a coarseness index ?/EBP of at least 0.

Abstract: Fluoropolymer articles having a high surface roughness and high coarseness are provided. In one embodiment, a fiber is provided that has a surface roughness expressed as a peak-to-valley distance (Rt) greater than 10 micrometers and an average surface roughness (Ra) greater than 1.5 micrometers. In another embodiment, a membrane having a coarseness index ?/EBP of at least 0.3 g/cm3/psi and an air permeability of 15 ft3/ft2/min or higher is provided. The fluoropolymer articles are produced by a process that includes forming a paste-formed fluoropolymer product at a temperature lower than 50° C., densifying the paste-formed product, and then stretching the dens Pied paste-formed fluoropolymer product in at least one direction. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a modified PTFE, a TFE copolymer, a fluorothermoplastic, a fluoroelastomer, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for the production of a thermally conductive article that includes (1) pleating a thermally anisotropic sheet having a thermal conductivity in a first plane that is higher than the thermal conductivity in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane and (2) compacting the pleated structure. An article obtained by the process, the use of the thermally conductive article for production of a device, and the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a thermally conductive article comprising pleating a thermally anisotropic sheet having a thermal conductivity in plain which is higher than the thermal conductivity perpendicular to the plain, and compacting the pleated structure, to an article obtainable by said process, to the use of said thermally conductive article for production of a device, and to such a device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an anisotropic fluoropolymer having a different intrinsic thermal conductivity in at least two directions as a heat conducting material in a thermally conductive article, to a thermally conductive article comprising said anisotropic fluoropolymer and to a process for the production of said anisotropic fluoropolymer.

Abstract: A self propelling catheter introducer system for exploring a body cavity is disclosed which includes a flexible tubular catheter, an everting tube and a steering section located near the distal end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity. The steering section is adapted for pointing the distal end in a desired direction using a plurality of rods adapted to be extended and retracted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a fluoropolymer article having a high surface roughness and high coarseness which comprises the following steps: a) forming a paste comprising a fluoropolymer into a paste-formed fluoropolymer product at a temperature lower than 50° C., b) densifying the paste-formed product, and c) stretching the densified paste-formed fluoropolymer product in at least one direction. The present invention further relates to a fluoropolymer article obtainable by a process according to the invention. The present invention furthermore relates to a fiber comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a surface roughness expressed as a peak to valley distance (Rt) greater than 10 micrometer and/or an average surface roughness (Ra) greater than 1.5 micrometer. The present invention furthermore relates to a membrane comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a coarseness index ?/EBP of at least 0.

Abstract: A flexible composite tube for medical applications is described. The tube has the ability to transmit a torque and to resist compression, tension, and kinking. The tube is also very flexible in bending, and has a small wall thickness. Different layers are used to obtain the desired properties. Torsional stiffness is obtained by embedding a braid in an elastomeric material. Resistance to kinks and to compression and tension is obtained by placing coils radially inward or outward of the braid. Smooth plastic layers are used to seal the assembly, and facilitate sliding in a body cavity.

Abstract: A catheter introducer system for endoscopy includes a steering section and a propulsion section located near the end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity. The propulsion section is designed to pull the rest of the catheter inside the body cavity, so there is no need to push the catheter along. The propulsion section includes a distal and proximal gripper portion, each of which includes a suction ring extending circumferentially around the catheter. Each suction ring can include a plurality of suction holes disposed either on a recessed portion of the suction ring or on a portion surrounded by a peripheral ridge extending above the outer surface of the suction ring. The suction ring can also include an inflatable member for urging tissue against the perimeter of the suction holes.

Abstract: A catheter introducer system for endoscopy is disclosed which includes a steering section and a propulsion section located near the end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity, and a non-collapsible sheath defining a working channel, disposed inside the catheter, extending substantially from the proximate to the distal end and maintaining a substantially circular cross-section even when bent along an axis. The propulsion section is designed to pull the rest of the catheter inside the body cavity, so there is no need to push the catheter along. The catheter can thus be made very flexible in bending, and a larger diameter catheter can be used without discomfort to the patient.

Abstract: A catheter introducer system for endoscopy is disclosed which includes a steering section and a propulsion section located near the end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity, and a non-collapsible sheath defining a working channel. The propulsion section is designed to pull the rest of the catheter inside the body cavity, so there is no need to push the catheter along. The propulsion section further includes gripping members, such as inflatable balloons, that are axially movable relative to the catheter. The catheter can thus be made very flexible in bending, and a larger diameter catheter can be used without discomfort to the patient.

Abstract: A catheter introducer system for endoscopy is disclosed which includes a steering section and a propulsion section located near the end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity, and a non-collapsible sheath defining a working channel, disposed inside the catheter, extending substantially from the proximate to the distal end and maintaining a substantially circular cross-section even when bent along an axis. The propulsion section is designed to pull the rest of the catheter inside the body cavity, so there is no need to push the catheter along. The catheter can thus be made very flexible in bending, and a larger diameter catheter can be used without discomfort to the patient.

Abstract: A flexible composite tube for medical applications is described. The tube has the ability to transmit a torque and to resist compression, tension, and kinking. The tube is also very flexible in bending, and has a small wall thickness. Different layers are used to obtain the desired properties. Torsional stiffness is obtained by embedding a braid in an elastomeric material. Resistance to kinks and to compression and tension is obtained by placing coils radially inward or outward of the braid. Smooth plastic layers are used to seal the assembly, and facilitate sliding in a body cavity.

Abstract: A flexible composite tube for medical applications is described. The tube has the ability to transmit a torque and to resist compression, tension, and kinking. The tube is also very flexible in bending, and has a small wall thickness. Different layers are used to obtain the desired properties. Torsional stiffness is obtained by embedding a braid in an elastomeric material. Resistance to kinks and to compression and tension is obtained by placing coils radially inward or outward of the braid. Smooth plastic layers are used to seal the assembly, and facilitate sliding in a body cavity.

Abstract: A self propelling catheter introducer system for exploring a body cavity is disclosed which includes a flexible tubular catheter, an everting tube and a steering section located near the distal end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity. The steering section is adapted for pointing the distal end in a desired direction using a plurality of rods adapted to be extended and retracted.

Abstract: A catheter introducer system for endoscopy is disclosed which includes a steering section and a propulsion section located near the end of the catheter that is introduced in body cavity, and a non-collapsible sheath defining a working channel, disposed inside the catheter, extending substantially from the proximate to the distal end and maintaining a substantially circular cross-section even when bent along an axis. The propulsion section is designed to pull the rest of the catheter inside the body cavity, so there is no need to push the catheter along. The catheter can thus be made very flexible in bending, and a larger diameter catheter can be used without discomfort to the patient.

Abstract: A self propelling catheter introducer system for exploring a body cavity is disclosed which includes a flexible tubular catheter, a propulsion section and a steering section located near the end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity. The propulsion section includes a flexible everting tube designed to push the catheter from inside the body cavity. The catheter can thus be made very flexible in bending, and a larger diameter catheter can be used without discomfort to the patient.

Abstract: A self propelling catheter introducer system for exploring a body cavity is disclosed which includes a flexible tubular catheter, a propulsion section and a steering section located near the end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity. The propulsion section includes a flexible everting tube designed to push the catheter from inside the body cavity. The catheter can thus be made very flexible in bending, and a larger diameter catheter can be used without discomfort to the patient.