Abstract: Hearing aid devices, methods of manufacture, methods of use, and kits are provided. In certain aspects, the hearing aid devices comprise an apparatus having a transducer and a retention structure comprising a shape profile corresponding to a tissue of the user, and a layer of elastomer.

Abstract: Delivery devices for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. The delivery device includes at least one cord is configured to selectively cinch the self-expanding prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device further includes at least one self-expanding release pin comprising a proximal segment, a distal segment, and an intermediate segment positioned between the proximal segment and the distal segment. The at least one self-expanding release pin includes a normal, expanded condition wherein the intermediate segment extends radially outward relative to a central axis of the spindle from the proximal segment to the distal segment. The delivery device further includes a capsule configured to be distally extended relative to the spindle to collapse the at least one self-expanding release pin from the normal, expanded condition of the at least one self-expanding release pin to a collapsed condition of the at least one self-expanding release pin.

Abstract: A message alert system is useful for a communication device (10) having a display (12) and a processor (30). The message alert system includes a computer-readable medium (32) and a routine stored in the computer-readable medium (32) and configured for execution by the processor (30). The routine includes a first routine that receives a message having a message type, and a second routine that generates a display item (40) for the display (12) of the communication device (10) in accordance with the message type such that the display item (40) comprises information indicative of the message type of the received message and whether further messages of the message type have been received by the communication device (10). The routine may further includes a memory check routine that determines whether storing the message in the computer-readable medium (32) would result in exceeding a predetermined amount of the capacity of the computer-readable medium (32).

Abstract: A dental composite material includes a hardenable resin matrix and a filler component. The filler component includes (a) a first plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 1 to about 10 micrometers; (b) a second plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 0.1 to about 1 micrometers; and, (c) a plurality of filler particles having an average particle size of from about 0.01 to about 0.04 micrometers. A method according to the invention includes compacting a dental composite material into a prepared tooth cavity, wherein the material has a packability index above about 300 g/mm2.

Abstract: A dental composite material includes a hardenable resin matrix and a filler component. The filler component includes (a) a first plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 1 to about 10 micrometers; (b) a second plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 0.1 to about 1 micrometers; and, (c) a plurality of filler particles having an average particle size of from about 0.01 to about 0.04 micrometers. A method according to the invention includes compacting a dental composite material into a prepared tooth cavity, wherein the material has a packability index above about 300 g/mm2.

Abstract: A dental composite material includes a hardenable resin matrix and a filler component. The filler component includes (a) a first plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 1 to about 10 micrometers; (b) a second plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 0.1 to about 1 micrometers; and, (c) a plurality of filler particles having an average particle size of from about 0.01 to about 0.04 micrometers. A method according to the invention includes compacting a dental composite material into a prepared tooth cavity, wherein the material has a packability index above about 300 g/mm2.

Abstract: A dental composite material includes a hardenable resin matrix and a filler component. The filler component includes (a) a first plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 1 to about 10 micrometers; (b) a second plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 0.1 to about 1 micrometers; and, (c) a plurality of filler particles having an average particle size of from about 0.01 to about 0.04 micrometers. A method according to the invention includes compacting a dental composite material into a prepared tooth cavity, wherein the material has a packability index above about 300 g/mm2.

Abstract: A dental composite material includes a hardenable resin matrix and a filler component. The filler component includes (a) a first plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 1 to about 10 micrometers; (b) a second plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 0.1 to about 1 micrometers; and, (c) a plurality of filler particles having an average particle size of from about 0.01 to about 0.04 micrometers. A method according to the invention includes compacting a dental composite material into a prepared tooth cavity, wherein the material has a packability index above about 300 g/mm2.

Abstract: A dental composite material includes a hardenable resin matrix and a filler component. The filler component includes (a) a first plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 1 to about 10 micrometers; (b) a second plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 0.1 to about 1 micrometers; and, (c) a plurality of filler particles having an average particle size of from about 0.01 to about 0.04 micrometers. A method according to the invention includes compacting a dental composite material into a prepared tooth cavity, wherein the material has a packability index above about 300 g/mm2.

Abstract: A method and material for forming translucent wear resistant dental enamel and the dental enamel material formed which has an opacity less than 50 percent and a localized wear volume loss of less than 0.025 mm3. The dental enamel material is formed from a polymerizable matrix and a filler. The material for forming translucent wear resistant dental enamel having an opacity less than 50 percent, a localized wear volume loss of less than 0.025 mm3 and a localized extended wear volume loss of less than 0.04 mm3, comprises a polymerizable matrix forming liquid and inorganic filler particles. The liquid comprises polymerizable material having a first refractive index. The filler comprising a first plurality of particles having a second refractive index. The first plurality of particles being formed from a low and a high median particle size plurality of particles. The low median particle size plurality of particles having a median particle size between 0.1 and 1.0 micrometers.

Abstract: The invention provides polymerizable dental, compounds, compositions, including the compounds and products for mixing the compositions and methods of using the compositions. Aryl acid compounds are provided in accordance with the invention. The compositions include at least one polymerizable aryl acid compound, an effective amount of a polymerization initiator, and at least 10 percent by weight of ceramic, metal and/or metal oxide filler particles having a particle size less than 500 microns. The dental products of the invention include a polymerizable composition in an enclosure having at least two chambers separated by a wall adapted to be ruptured prior to or during mixing of the composition. Compositions of the invention are preferred for use in these enclosures. Core build up material including a polymerizable acid containing compound is used to support dental crowns and adhere them to teeth in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides polymerizable dental, compounds, compositions, including the compounds and products for mixing the compositions and methods of using the compositions. Aryl acid compounds are provided in accordance with the invention. The compositions include at least one polymerizable aryl acid compound, an effective amount of a polymerization initiator, and at least 10 percent by weight of ceramic, metal and/or metal oxide filler particles having a particle size less than 500 microns. The dental products of the invention include a polymerizable composition in an enclosure having at least two chambers separated by a wall adapted to be ruptured prior to or during mixing of the composition. Compositions of the invention are preferred for use in these enclosures. Core build up material including a polymerizable acid containing compound is used to support dental crowns and adhere them to teeth in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A molded article is produced by metathesis polymerization of a mixture containing at least one metathesis polymerizable monomer, a metathesis polymerization catalyst and an organic or inorganic filler material which has been treated with a vinyl-substituted silane coupler having at least one hydrolyzable group in addition to the vinyl group.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing filled shaped articles of metathesis polymerized poly(cycloolefins) wherein an inorganic filler material is treated with a norbornene-substituted silane coupling agent. The norbornene moiety copolymerizes with the metathesis polymerizable monomer and the silane moiety creates a bond with the filler. Products are characterized by improved physical properties.

Abstract: A method of preparing a glass fiber-reinforced, crosslinked polymer structure which comprises saturating an uncoated, unsized woven glass fabric with a polymerizable liquid comprised of dicyclopentadiene and, optionally, one or more other metathesis polymerizable strained ring polycyclic cycloolefins, subjecting said saturated fabric to polymerization conditions, and, thereafter, post-curing the resultant structure at a temperature greater than about 225.degree. C., and a glass fiber-reinforced, crosslinked polymer prepared by that process, are disclosed. Post-curing at temperatures greater than 225.degree. C. enhances the physical properties of the woven fiber-reinforced, crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition that is polymerizable by contacting it with an olefin metathesis catalyst comprising dicyclopentadiene, red phosphorus, and a brominated aromatic compound selected from the group consisting of decabromodiphenyl oxide, N,N'-ethylene-bis-(tetrabromophthalimide), brominated polystyrene, brominated polyphenylene oxide, tetradecabromodiphenoxy benzene, tetrabromoxylene, and octabromodiphenyl oxide.

Abstract: Poly(dicyclopentadiene) having improved odor is obtained by incorporating in at least one of the parts of the two part metathesis polymerization catalyst system from about 2 to about 500 ppm (based on the weight of dicyclopentadiene) of liquid deodorant such as cyclacet, cyclaprop, .beta.-damascenone, .beta.-damascone, rose oxide, terpene C, citronellyl methyl ether, citronellyl ethyl ether, geranyl methyl ether, geranyl ethyl ether, 2,6-dimethyloctyl methyl ether, 2,6-dimethyloctyl ethyl ether, .alpha.-terpenyl methyl ether, .alpha.-terpenyl ethyl ether, methyl salicylate, methyl octin carbonate, and 1,3,5-undecatriene.

Abstract: Poly(dicyclopentadiene) made with an olefin metathesis catalyst system by a Reaction Injection Molding process is improved by adding flame retardant compounds.