Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising poly-HEMA having a peak molecular weight between about 25,000 and about 100,000, preferably between 25,000 and 80,000 and a polydispersity of less than about 2 to less than about 3.8 respectively and covalently bonded thereon, at least one cross-linkable functional group. The present invention further relates to low polydispersity poly-HEMA suitable for making the crosslinkable prepolymers, processes for functionalizing and purifying said poly-HEMA to form said crosslinkable prepolymers, viscous solutions made from said crosslinkable prepolymers, hydrogels made from said viscous solutions and articles made from said crosslinkable polymers, hydrogels and viscous solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising poly-HEMA having a peak molecular weight between about 25,000 and about 100,000, preferably between 25,000 and 80,000 and a polydispersity of less than about 2 to less than about 3.8 respectively and covalently bonded thereon, at least one cross-linkable functional group. The present invention further relates to low polydispersity poly-HEMA suitable for making the crosslinkable prepolymers, processes for functionalizing and purifying said poly-HEMA to form said crosslinkable prepolymers, viscous solutions made from said crosslinkable prepolymers, hydrogels made from said viscous solutions and articles made from said crosslinkable polymers, hydrogels and viscous solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising poly-HEMA having a peak molecular weight between about 25,000 and about 100,000 , preferably between 25,000 and 80,000 and a polydispersity of less than about 2 to less than about 3.8 respectively and covalently bonded thereon, at least one cross-linkable functional group. The present invention further relates to low polydispersity poly-HEMA suitable for making the crosslinkable prepolymers, processes for functionalizing and purifying said poly-HEMA to form said crosslinkable prepolymers, viscous solutions made from said crosslinkable prepolymers, hydrogels made from said viscous solutions and articles made from said crosslinkable polymers, hydrogels and viscous solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising poly-HEMA having a peak molecular weight between about 25,000 and about 100,000, preferably between 25,000 and 80,000 and a polydispersity of less than about 2 to less than about 3.8 respectively and covalently bonded thereon, at least one cross-linkable functional group. The present invention further relates to low polydispersity poly-HEMA suitable for making the crosslinkable prepolymers, processes for functionalizing and purifying said poly-HEMA to form said crosslinkable prepolymers, viscous solutions made from said crosslinkable prepolymers, hydrogels made from said viscous solutions and articles made from said crosslinkable polymers, hydrogels and viscous solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising poly-HEMA having a peak molecular weight between about 25,000 and about 100,000, preferably between 25,000 and 80,000 and a polydispersity of less than about 2 to less than about 3.8 respectively and covalently bonded thereon, at least one cross-linkable functional group. The present invention further relates to low polydispersity poly-HEMA suitable for making the crosslinkable prepolymers, processes for functionalizing and purifying said poly-HEMA to form said crosslinkable prepolymers, viscous solutions made from said crosslinkable prepolymers, hydrogels made from said viscous solutions and articles made from said crosslinkable polymers, hydrogels and viscous solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising poly-HEMA having a peak molecular weight between about 25,000 and about 100,000, preferably between 25,000 and 80,000 and a polydispersity of less than about 2 to less than about 3.8 respectively and covalently bonded thereon, at least one cross-linkable functional group. The present invention further relates to low polydispersity poly-HEMA suitable for making the crosslinkable prepolymers, processes for functionalizing and purifying said poly-HEMA to form said crosslinkable prepolymers, viscous solutions made from said crosslinkable prepolymers, hydrogels made from said viscous solutions and articles made from said crosslinkable polymers, hydrogels and viscous solutions.

Abstract: A medical instrument with a hydrophilic, low-friction coating is provided. The guidewire includes a metallic core which includes a first layer of a water-insoluble polymer deposited from an aqueous polymer emulsion, such as an acrylic or polyether block amide latex and a second external layer of a water soluble hydrophilic polymer. The guide wire may also include on the metal core a polymer tube which is heat sealed to the exterior surface of the core. The first and second coatings are then formed on the polymer tube. After the two layers are applied, both layers are cured by heating the coated instrument to a temperature above 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of producing an article with a coating having friction-reducing properties in wet condition, the coating including a binder (a), a hydrophilic polymer (b), as well as an osmolality-increasing compound (c), where the osmolality-increasing compound (c) is applied in a condition different from a water-based dissolved condition, preferably in a non-dissolved, solid condition, as well as an article with a coating having friction-reducing properties in wet condition, the coating comprising a binder (a), a hydrophilic polymer (b), and an osmolality-increasing compound (c) in form of particles of a size of maximum 50 .mu.m. The method can be performed in a simple and fast manner without involving a time-delaying evaporation of water, and the article is remarkable for the osmolality-increasing compound being uniformly dispersed in the coating.

Abstract: A movable device for improving the indoor air-environment comprising a water pump, a substantially vertical sheet element (10, 11, 12) which is so arranged that a free falling curtain-like stream of water (17) is formed at the upper end of the sheet element proximate to the sheet element (10, 11, 12) and a tank (9) for collecting and recirculating the water to the water pump. A satisfactory air humidification and an effective removal of impurities in the air are obtained.

Abstract: A mixing device comprises a first cylinder (10) containing a particulate or powdered component (11) and having a closed first end (13, 14) and an opposite second end which is closed by a piston-like venting and filtering assembly (12, 15). The device also comprises a second cylinder (18) containing the liquid component (19) and having a closed end (20, 22) and an opposite open end sealingly receiving the closed end of the first cylinder (10) therein in a piston-like manner. Means (14) are provided for communicating between the inner space of the first and second cylinders (10, 18) through the closed end (13, 14) of the first cylinder (10), when the first cylinder is forced into the second cylinder, whereby liquid from the first cylinder is injected into interstices defined between the particulate component contained in the first cylinder for providing a paste-like material. The communicating means is preferably formed by a breakable membrane (14).

Abstract: A process for providing a resilient mat having a plurality of adjacent interconnected liquid-filled compartments with walls made of an elastomeric material and which is stable over a long time period, wherein the mat is heated to a temperature above 50.degree. C. until the liquid in the compartments has a pressure below 50% of it's initial pressure.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of sodium salicylate and salicylic acid from phenol at a high degree of conversion with a concomitant reduction in undesirable by-products. The process comprises reacting a sodium phenolate with carbon dioxide in a direct, single step at a temperature above about 165.degree. C. to produce directly sodium salicylate, which is then converted by conventional means to the salicylic acid.

Abstract: A magnet system for sealing devices for artificial or natural intestinal or similar ducts, comprising a ring-magnet to implant in the tissue around the duct and a rod-shaped center magnet member mounted in a more or less soft sealing member to be in sealing contact with the walls of the duct. The improvement is that the center magnet member comprises at least two, in practice usually two or three, axial aligned individual magnets acting together so as to resist axial displacement; the individual poles are positioned to resist tilting of the center magnet member relative the axis of the duct and the ring-shaped magnet member.