Abstract: A heating unit comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A chemical reactant material capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate. An igniter is in proximity with the chemical reactant material. A layer of adhesive material overlays at least a portion of at least one of the chemical reactant material and the first surface of the substrate. Other embodiments of the heating unit include a first and a second substrate, each having first and second surfaces positioned with the first surfaces opposing each other in a sandwich construction. A chemical reactant material is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of at least one of the substrates. The first and the second substrates are sealed together to define a cavity containing the chemical reactant material and an igniter is provided in proximity with the chemical reactant material.

Abstract: Heating units, drug supply units and drug delivery articles capable of rapid heating are disclosed. Heating units comprising a substrate and a solid fuel capable of undergoing an exothermic metal oxidation reaction disposed within the substrate are disclosed. These heating units can be actuated by electrical resistance, by optical ignition or by percussion. Drug supply units and drug delivery articles wherein a solid fuel is configured to heat a substrate to a temperature sufficient to rapidly thermally vaporize a drug disposed thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for reducing the presence of a compound in an ionically conductive material, e.g., for use in iontophoretic devices, wherein the presence of the compound interferes with detecting a selected analyte. Removal of the compound can typically take place either during or after the manufacture of the ionically conductive material or an assembly comprising this material. Also disclosed are methods for generating selectively permeable barriers on the reactive faces of electrodes. Further, this invention relates to hydrogels comprising one or more biocides, as well as assemblies containing such hydrogels.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for reducing the presence of a compound in an ionically conductive material, e.g., for use in iontophoretic devices, wherein the presence of the compound interferes with detecting a selected analyte. Removal of the compound can typically take place either during or after the manufacture of the ionically conductive material or an assembly comprising this material. Also disclosed are methods for generating selectively permeable barriers on the reactive faces of electrodes. Further, this invention relates to hydrogels comprising one or more biocides, as well as assemblies containing such hydrogels.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for reducing the presence of a compound in an ionically conductive material, e.g., for use in iontophoretic devices, wherein the presence of the compound interferes with detecting a selected analyte. Removal of the compound can typically take place either during or after the manufacture of the ionically conductive material or an assembly comprising this material. Also disclosed are methods for generating selectively permeable barriers on the reactive faces of electrodes. Further, this invention relates to hydrogels comprising one or more biocides, as well as assemblies containing such hydrogels.

Abstract: Heating units, drug supply units and drug delivery articles capable of rapid heating are disclosed. Heating units comprising a substrate and a solid fuel capable of undergoing an exothermic metal oxidation reaction disposed within the substrate are disclosed. Drug supply units and drug delivery articles wherein a solid fuel is configured to heat a substrate to a temperature sufficient to rapidly thermally vaporize a drug disposed thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for rapid heating while controlling the uniformity of temperature of a substrate and peak temperatures are disclosed. Heating units, drug supply units and drug delivery articles employing these methods are disclosed. Rapid heating is obtained by use of a solid fuel capable of undergoing an exothermnic metal oxidation reaction disposed within the substrate are disclosed. Drug supply units and drug delivery articles wherein a solid fuel is configured to heat a substrate to a temperature sufficient to rapidly thermally vaporize a drug disposed thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for reducing the presence of a compound in an ionically conductive material, e.g., for use in iontophoretic devices, wherein the presence of the compound interferes with detecting a selected analyte. Removal of the compound can typically take place either during or after the manufacture of the ionically conductive material or an assembly comprising this material. Also disclosed are methods for generating selectively permeable barriers on the reactive faces of electrodes. Further, this invention relates to hydrogels comprising one or more biocides, as well as assemblies containing such hydrogels.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for reducing the presence of a compound in an ionically conductive material, e.g., for use in iontophoretic devices, wherein the presence of the compound interferes with detecting a selected analyte. Removal of the compound can typically take place either during or after the manufacture of the ionically conductive material or an assembly comprising this material. Also disclosed are methods for generating selectively permeable barriers on the reactive faces of electrodes. Further, this invention relates to hydrogels comprising one or more biocides, as well as assemblies containing such hydrogels.

Abstract: A thermoplastic fluoropolymer adhesive composition containing a thermoplastic fluoropolymer, an elastomeric fluoropolymer, a thermoplastic ethylene copolymer and a tackifier, in which the combined amount of ethylene copolymer and tackifier is less than about 30% by weight (based on the weight of the four components) and the ratio of ethylene copolymer is less than about 2:1, has improved sealing performance and flame resistance than similar compositions containing greater amounts of ethylene copolymer and tackifier. The composition is particularly useful for sealing surfaces of uncrosslinked ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers.

Abstract: A curable adhesive composition comprises a thermoplastic fluoropolymer, an elastomeric fluoropolymer, an ethylene copolymer and a crosslinking component. The composition preferably also comprises a tackifier. The crosslinking component preferably comprises a free radical generator such as a peroxide and a co-crosslinking agent comprising a multifunctional monomer. The adhesive is particularly useful with heat recoverable articles and bonds exceptionally well to fluoropolymer substrates.

Abstract: Heat recoverable soldering devices comprising a heat recoverable tubular article having at least one open end, and containing a solder insert, is provided with a curable adhesive insert between the solder insert and the open end. The curable adhesive melts, flows and cures when heat is applied to recover the article. The adhesive cures such that its viscosity increases to a value of at least 1.5 its initial viscosity during recovery of the article. Curing of the adhesive inhibits flow of the adhesive through the open end of the article and/or into the solder connection formed between two (or more) elongate bodies inserted into the article.

Abstract: A curable adhesive composition comprises a thermoplastic fluoropolymer, an elastomeric fluoropolymer, an ethylene copolymer and a crosslinking component. The composition preferably also comprises a tackifier. The crosslinking component preferably comprises a free radial generator such as a peroxide and a co-crosslinking agent comprising a multifunctional monomer. The adhesive is particularly useful with heat recoverable articles and bonds exceptionally well to fluoropolymer substrates.

Abstract: A device for connecting two bodies such as wires, and for sealing the connection between them, comprising a heat-shrinkable sleeve, a solder insert and an annular composite adhesive insert which comprises two layers of heat-activatable adhesive material. The viscosity of the radially inner layer is less than that of the outer layer. The device is heated to cause the sleeve to shrink and to cause the solder to fuse to form a connection between the bodies. Flow of the inner, less viscous layer of the adhesive insert is restricted by the outer viscous layer, to minimize contamination of the solder by the material of the inner layer.

Abstract: An optical fiber contact for terminating an optical fiber includes a solid multi-part thermoset mixture in a cavity in a front portion of the contact, an optical fiber being terminated by heating the thermoset so as to cause it to soften and liquify and subsequently inserting an optical fiber through the contact. The thermoset when liquified chemically reacts so as to form an epoxy adhesive which secures the optical fiber within the contact and keeps the optical fiber in place even when subjected to extremely wide temperature variations.

Abstract: An optical fiber contact for terminating an optical fiber includes a solid multi-part thermoset mixture in a cavity in a front portion of the contact, an optical fiber being terminated by heating the thermoset so as to cause it to soften and liquify and subsequently inserting an optical fiber through the contact. The thermoset when liquified chemically reacts so as to form an epoxy adhesive which secures the optical fiber within the contact and keeps the optical fiber in place even when subjected to extremely wide temperature variations.