Abstract: A stethoscope includes a flexible chest piece including a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface defining a slope between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a groove extending along an inner circumference of the chest piece. A diaphragm is positioned within the groove.

Abstract: A stethoscope includes a flexible chest piece including a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface defining a slope between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a groove extending along an inner circumference of the chest piece. A diaphragm is positioned within the groove.

Abstract: The positions of orthodontic appliances such as brackets and buccal tubes on a patient's teeth are determined using digital data that represents the shapes of the patient's teeth. Certain landmarks of the teeth such as the marginal ridges are determined using software, and the software adjusts positions of the virtual appliances on the teeth as needed in order to bring the marginal ridges into proper alignment at the conclusion of treatment. The resulting positions are optionally used to determine the location of the appliances in an indirect bonding apparatus such as a transfer tray.

Abstract: A multiple-function peripheral device includes a packet-switched network interface and an autonomous application programming interface. The application programming interface requests image information from a remote server via the packet-switched network interface in a first mode of operation. The application programming interface sends image information to a remote device via the packet-switched network interface in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: The invention features integrated membrane assemblies for selectively transferring a constituent to or from a fluid. The assemblies include two or more flat sheet membrane elements and at least one common manifold connected to the interior regions of the membrane elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of toughening and reinforcing brittle matrix materials, and more specifically to the structural fibers made from an oriented film, which enhance the toughness of matrix materials such as concrete, cement, and other cementitious products.

Abstract: The invention provides an image receptor medium which includes a biaxially oriented, melt-processed image receptive film comprising a) an immiscible blend of at least one semicrystalline polymer component and at least one ink absorptive polymer component and b) at least one inorganic filler. The image receptor medium may further include one or more additional layers such as support or adhesive layers.

Abstract: The present invention includes a membrane construction for selectively transferring a constituent to or from a fluid. The membrane construction includes a multi-layer fluid impermeable support sheet having a plurality of supports on at least one side of the support sheet that form a plurality of flow channels. At least one layer of the multi-layer support sheet is a bonding layer. A fluid permeable layer extends over the flow channels and is bonded to the plurality of the supports by the bonding layer.

Abstract: Microfiber articles and methods and intermediates for their production, the microfiber articles being preferably produced from co-extruded multi-layer films, and the articles having a multi-layer construction that allows selection of the different layers to have different properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aliphatic polyester microfibers, films having a microfibrillated surface, and methods of making the same. Microfibers of the invention can be prepared by imparting fluid energy, typically in the form of high-pressure water jets, to a highly oriented, highly crystalline, aliphatic polyester film to liberate microfibers therefrom. Microfibrillated films of the invention find use as tape backings, filters for particulate contaminants, such as face masks and water or air filters, fibrous mats, such as those used for removal of oil from water and those used as wipes, and thermal and acoustical insulation. Microfibers of the invention, when removed from the film matrix may be used in the preparation of woven or nonwoven articles and used as wipes for the removal of debris or dust from a surface. The microfibers and microfibrillated articles of the invention may be biodegradable, rendering them useful for geotextiles.

Abstract: The present invention includes a membrane construction for selectively transferring a constituent to or from a fluid. The membrane construction includes a multi-layer fluid impermeable support sheet having a plurality of supports on at least one side of the support sheet that form a plurality of flow channels. At least one layer of the multi-layer support sheet is a bonding layer. A fluid permeable layer extends over the flow channels and is bonded to the plurality of the supports by the bonding layer.

Abstract: A receptor medium with an oriented film having at least one microfibrillated surface is described. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, particulate dispersions, electrically, thermally or magnetically modifiable materials, biological fluids, chemical reagents and combinations thereof. The microfibrillated surface provides good ink receptive properties particularly for solvent based inks.

Abstract: The invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a biaxially oriented, melt-processed image receptive film comprising a) an immiscible blend of at least one semicrystalline polymer component and at least one ink absorptive polymer component and b) at least one inorganic filler. The image receptor medium may further comprise one or more additional layers such as support or adhesive layers.

Abstract: A receptor medium with an oriented film having at least one microfibrillated surface is described. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, particulate dispersions, electrically, thermally or magnetically modifiable materials, biological fluids, chemical reagents and combinations thereof. The microfibrillated surface provides good ink receptive properties particularly for solvent based inks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aliphatic polyester microfibers, films having a microfibrillated surface, and methods of making the same. Microfibers of the invention can be prepared by imparting fluid energy, typically in the form of high-pressure water jets, to a highly oriented, highly crystalline, aliphatic polyester film to liberate microfibers therefrom. Microfibrillated films of the invention find use as tape backings, filters for particulate contaminants, such as face masks and water or air filters, fibrous mats, such as those used for removal of oil from water and those used as wipes, and thermal and acoustical insulation. Microfibers of the invention, when removed from the film matrix may be used in the preparation of woven or nonwoven articles and used as wipes for the removal of debris or dust from a surface. The microfibers and microfibrillated articles of the invention may be biodegradable, rendering them useful for geotextiles.

Abstract: Described are hydrophilic fibrillated articles that include melt-processable polymer and hydrophilic component such as hydrophilic surfactant or hydrophilic polymer, as well as methods of preparing such articles.

Abstract: Described are microfiber articles and methods and intermediates for their production, the microfiber articles being preferably produced from co-extruded microlayer films, and the articles having a microlayer construction that allows selection of the different layers to have different properties such that the article can have a desired combination of properties.

Abstract: The invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a biaxially oriented, melt-processed image receptive film comprising a) an immiscible blend of at least one semicrystalline polymer component and at least one ink absorptive polymer component and b) at least one inorganic filler. The image receptor medium may further comprise one or more additional layers such as support or adhesive layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aliphatic polyester microfibers, films having a microfibrillated surface, and methods of making the same. Microfibers of the invention can be prepared by imparting fluid energy, typically in the form of high-pressure water jets, to a highly oriented, highly crystalline, aliphatic polyester film to liberate microfibers therefrom. Microfibrillated films of the invention find use as tape backings, filters for particulate contaminants, such as face masks and water or air filters, fibrous mats, such as those used for removal of oil from water and those used as wipes, and thermal and acoustical insulation. Microfibers of the invention, when removed from the film matrix may be used in the preparation of woven or nonwoven articles and used as wipes for the removal of debris or dust from a surface. The microfibers and microfibrillated articles of the invention may be biodegradable, rendering them useful for geotextiles.