Abstract: A high frequency alternating current medical device and method of using such is disclosed. High frequency alternating current medical device comprises a power source, an electric field generator, a self-limiting conductive material electrical component, at least one probe or needle-type projection, and at least two conductive segments located on probe or needle-type projection. At least two conductive segments are electrically connected to electric field generator so that an electric field is created between conductive segments, which induces an electrical current, which generates heat, and causes a certain desired precise cell injury. Self-limiting conductive material electrical component allows such precise cell injury because it limits electrical current through target tissue. Invention may be used in medical, dental, or veterinary applications. Exemplary embodiments include cosmetic applications, treatment of wrinkles, remodeling of subcutaneous tissue, treatment of muscle spasms, and others.

Abstract: A high frequency alternating current medical device and method of using such is disclosed. High frequency alternating current medical device comprises a power source, an electric field generator, a self-limiting conductive material electrical component, at least one probe or needle-type projection, and at least two conductive segments located on probe or needle-type projection. At least two conductive segments are electrically connected to electric field generator so that an electric field is created between conductive segments, which induces an electrical current, which generates heat, and causes a certain desired precise cell injury. Self-limiting conductive material electrical component allows such precise cell injury because it limits electrical current through target tissue. Invention may be used in medical, dental, or veterinary applications. Exemplary embodiments include cosmetic applications, treatment of wrinkles, remodeling of subcutaneous tissue, treatment of muscle spasms, and others.

Abstract: A catheter and/or balloon for a medical catheter is formed from a blend of polymeric components, including a first crystalline polymeric component and a second softening polymeric component. The polymeric material can also include a third compatibilizing agent to facilitate blending the first two polymeric components together. The first polymeric component can be a polyester or a polyamide, and the second polymeric component can be a polyolefin, or an ethylene copolymer. The third polymeric component is preferably an ethylene copolymer containing a reactive group that forms a covalent bond with the first polymeric component. The polymeric material forming the balloon or catheter also can include a catalyst to catalyze a reaction between the compatibilizing ethylene copolymer and the second polymer component.

Abstract: A conductive polymer composition exhibiting PTC behavior and the method of making the composition are disclosed. The composition includes a particulate conductive filler and a polymeric portion. The polymeric portion contains a volume-expansion-regulating high molecular weight polymer, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), that resists melting and causes an increase in the volume of the composition, upon heating, but migrates minimally within the composition. The high molecular weight polymer preferably has a linear thermal expansion coefficient of at least 200.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. The polymeric portion also contains a melt-extrudable polyolefin matrix in which the conductive filler and the high molecular weight polymer are dispersed. The high molecular weight polymer is present in an amount which allows the final composition to be melt-extrudable. An electrical device containing a PTC element that utilizes the novel composition and at least two electrodes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation having a relatively stiff proximal catheter shaft which is formed at least in part of an engineering thermoplastic polymer material with a tensile strength of at least about 10,000 psi, an elongation of at least 50% and a tensile modulus of at least 300,000 psi. The polymer is preferably an aromatic polymer, and particularly polyetheretherketone.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions of a poly(imide) having phenylindane diamine and/or dianhydride moieties in the poly(imide) backbone and a polymeric component comprising:(a) a poly(etherimide) free of phenyl indane moieties in its backbone;(b) a poly(sulfone);(c) a poly(aryl ether ketone);(d) a poly(carbonate); or(e) a poly(arylate);and the compositions which have been cured. The compositions are useful as adhesives, coatings and matrix resins for fiber reinforced composites. The invention also relates to a multi-layered article for use in electronic devices, the article comprising a plurality of layers each comprising a cured composition of the invention with one or more intervening layers of conductive or semi-conductive material.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprise a blend of(A) a thermoplastic polymer selected from copolymers of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene, and thermoplastic vinylidene fluoride polymers; and(B) a thermoplastic elastomer having (i) at least one elastomeric segment comprising (a) vinylidene fluoride, hexa- or pentafluoropropylene, and tetrafluoroethylene repeating units in a mole ratio of 45-90:5-50:0-35 or (b) perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether), tetrafluoroethylene and vinylidene fluoride repeating units in a mole ratio of 15-75:0-85:0-85; and (ii) at least one nonelastomeric segment selected from segments comprising ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene repeating units in a mole ratio of 40-60:60-40, and segments comprising vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene and tetrafluoroethylene repeating units in a mole ratio of 0-100:0-50:0-100,with the proviso that if the thermoplastic polymer is a vinylidene fluoride polymer, the blend is crosslinked.

Abstract: This invention discloses novel composition comprising a blend of a poly(aryl ether ketone) and from about 1% to about 50% of poly(phenylene oxide). The blends have high use temperatures, abraision resistance and solvent resistance, and are extrudable. Further, the blends can be crosslinked.

Abstract: Conductive polymer compositions which exhibit PTC behavior and comprise carbon black (or other particulate conductive filler) dispersed in a cross-linked polymer component comprising a cycloolefin polymer having a crystallinity of at least 5% and a melting point in the range 0.degree. to 80.degree. C. These compositions are particularly useful in the form of heaters which self regulate at a temperature in the range of 0.degree. to 70.degree. C. Such heaters are particularly useful for freeze protection and for heating human and other animal bodies.

Abstract: Polyphosphazene polymers are prepared which contain repeating units represented by the formulas: ##STR1## wherein X is R(OR').sub.n O-- in which R is alkyl containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl, R' is an alkylene radical and n is an integer from 1 to 70; wherein X' is X or is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, alkenyloxy, aryloxy, alkenylaryloxy, amino and mercapto groups and wherein 20.ltoreq.(a+b+c).ltoreq.50,000 per polymer.The polymers of the invention can be utilized to form films and may also be utilized in applications for moldings, coatings, foams and the like.

Abstract: A method of producing substantially pure polyhalophenoxyphosphazene homopolymers or copolymers which are free from phenoxy groups formed by reduction of halophenols is provided. The method involves as a first step preparing a substantially pure sodium salt of a halogen-substituted phenol (in the case of homopolymers) or the substantially pure sodium salts of a mixture of a halogen-substituted phenol and an alkyl or alkoxy-substituted phenol, alkanol, or fluoroalkanol (in the case of copolymers) by reacting said halogen-substituted phenol or mixture with sodium hydride. Following this procedure, the resultant sodium salt or salts are reacted with a poly(dichlorophosphazene) of the formula (NPCl.sub.2).sub.n, in which n is from 20 to 50,000, to produce a mixture of polyhalophenoxyphosphazene homopolymer or copolymer and sodium chloride. The sodium chloride is then separated from the mixture to produce a substantially pure polyhalophenoxyphosphazene homopolymer or copolymer which is free from phenoxy groups.

Abstract: Poly(aryloxyphosphazene) copolymers are prepared having randomly repeating units represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of monovalent aryl radicals and substituted aryl radicals having the structure: ##STR2## wherein X is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, amino and halogen substituted on any sterically permissible position on the phenyl group; and wherein the amount of Cl present in the form of P-Cl bonds is from about 0.4 percent to about 10 percent by weight based upon the total weight of copolymer.The copolymers may contain minor proportions of randomly distributed units in addition to the repeating units described above, these additional units containing reactive sites enabling the properties of the copolymers to be modified by crosslinking and/or curing.The copolymers are elastomeric even in the absence of low molecular weight polyphosphazene oils.

Abstract: Poly(aryloxyphosphazene) copolymers are prepared having randomly repeating units represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of monovalent aryl radicals and substituted aryl radicals having the structure: ##STR2## wherein X is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, amino and halogen substituted on any sterically permissible position on the phenyl group; and wherein the amount of Cl present in the form of P--C1 bonds is from about 0.4 percent to about 10 percent by weight based upon the total weight of copolymer.The copolymers may contain minor proportions of randomly distributed units in addition to the repeating units described above, these additional units containing reactive sites enabling the properties of the copolymers to be modified by crosslinking and/or curing.The copolymers are elastomeric even in the absence of low molecular weight polyphosphazene oils.

Abstract: Leathery aryloxy polyphosphazenes are converted to useful elastomers by the presence of relatively low molecular weight oils in said polymers. The oils may be present as a result of the manner in which the polyaryloxyphosphazenes have been prepared or as an intentional addition to the phosphazene polymer.