Abstract: A dual-lumen intermediate support catheter with an intraluminal balloon system that includes two offset balloons adapted to inflate, contact, and hold an exchange wire placed through the catheter and therebetween. The balloons are formed from specific materials to form hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions for gripping the exchange wire in chosen ways for specific uses and purposes. Further, the balloons are respectively inflated with iodinated contrast to chosen pressures for specific uses and purposes as well. Furthermore, the exchange wire may be formed having sections of varying stiffness along its length for improved functionality, along with a surface on a proximal end portion thereof adapted to interact with the intraluminal balloons. Separate channels for balloon inflation may be formed within the wall or along the outer diameter of the intermediate support catheter. Once engaged, the exchange wire is used to navigate a micro-catheter into and out of position within a blood vessel of a patient.

Abstract: A process for forming of LCEs via a one-step thiol-ene photopolymerization. The thiolene photopolymerization reaction utilizes an ene monomer (e.g., a liquid crystal ene or diene), a thiol monomer (e.g., a non-liquid crystalline thiol or a liquid crystalline thiol), and a thiol crosslinker, with an initiator such as a photoinitiator. In some embodiments, an alignable liquid crystal elastomer is formed from nothing more than liquid crystal ene monomer(s), liquid crystalline or non-liquid crystalline thiol monomer(s), a thiol crosslinker and an initiator. This reaction is amenable to surface-enforced alignment, which enables high-fidelity inscription of complex director profiles. The LCE composition can be directly tailored by the concentration of a multifunctional thiol crosslinker.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments for liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) formed from liquid crystalline monomers having 4-(6-(acryloyloxy)n-oxy)phenyl-4-(6-(acryloyloxy)m-oxy)benzoate (CnBAPE) as the mesogenic core. The LCEs described herein have improved thermotropic characteristics, including lower thermotropic activation temperatures. The LCEs described herein may also incorporate azobenzene to thereby also enhance the phototropic properties of the LCE.

Abstract: A vehicular ashtray detachably affixable to a receiver or ball of an automobile, the ashtray comprises a receptacle and a slidable lid. In various embodiments, the ashtray is detachable to a ball and comprises a collar circumscribing an open bottom end on a base of the receptacle adapted to receive a ball of a hitch.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments for liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) formed from liquid crystalline monomers having 4-(6-(acryloyloxy) n-oxy) phenyl-4-(6-(acryloyloxy)m-oxy)benzoate (CnBAPE) as the mesogenic core. The LCEs described herein have improved thermotropic characteristics, including lower thermotropic activation temperatures. The LCEs described herein may also incorporate azobenzene to thereby also enhance the phototropic properties of the LCE.

Abstract: Provided herein are catheter assemblies with detachment means for delivering implants. A method for coil embolization using a catheter includes: inserting a catheter into a patient intravenously or intraarterially; navigating the catheter to an aneurysm, the catheter defining an outer wall; placing a tip of the catheter at an opening of the aneurysm; delivering into the aneurysm, via pusher wire, through a lumen of the catheter, a coil; determining a user defined detachment point at which a distal coil segment of the coil should be detached from the coil; aligning the user defined detachment point of the coil with a designated detachment zone at the tip of the catheter; and toggling a laser source connected to the embedded optical fiber, thereby detaching the distal coil segment from the coil via an embedded laser beam emitted from the optical fiber at the designated detachment zone at the tip of the catheter.

Abstract: A liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) formed from liquid crystalline monomers having 4-(6-(acryloyloxy)n-oxy)phenyl-4-(6-(acryloyloxy)m-oxy)benzoate (CnBAPE) as the mesogenic core. The LCEs have improved thermotropic characteristics, including lower thermotropic activation temperatures. The LCEs may also incorporate azobenzene to thereby also enhance the phototropic properties of the LCE.

Abstract: Isotropic (amorphous) elastomers and methods of preparation are described. The isotropic elastomer may include a first monomer having an alkene functionality and a second monomer having a thiol functionality. The first monomer may be a liquid crystal monomer and the second monomer may be an isotropic monomer. Unlike polydomain LCEs, the isotropic elastomers may rapidly recover after deformation and have increased toughness relative to conventional elastomers prepared from wholly isotropic precursors.

Abstract: Provided herein are catheter assemblies with detachment means for delivering implants. A method for coil embolization using a catheter includes: inserting a catheter into a patient intravenously or intraarterially; navigating the catheter to an aneurysm, the catheter defining an outer wall; placing a tip of the catheter at an opening of the aneurysm; delivering into the aneurysm, via pusher wire, through a lumen of the catheter, a coil; determining a user defined detachment point at which a distal coil segment of the coil should be detached from the coil; aligning the user defined detachment point of the coil with a designated detachment zone at the tip of the catheter; and toggling a laser source connected to the embedded optical fiber, thereby detaching the distal coil segment from the coil via an embedded laser beam emitted from the optical fiber at the designated detachment zone at the tip of the catheter.

Abstract: A vehicular ashtray detachably affixable to a receiver or ball of an automobile, the ashtray comprises a receptacle and a slidable lid. In various embodiments, the ashtray is detachable to a ball and comprises a collar circumscribing an open bottom end on a base of the receptacle adapted to receive a ball of a hitch.

Abstract: Provided herein are catheter assemblies with detachment means for delivering implants. A method for coil embolization using a catheter includes: inserting a catheter into a patient intravenously or intraarterially; navigating the catheter to an aneurysm, the catheter defining an outer wall; placing a tip of the catheter at an opening of the aneurysm; delivering into the aneurysm, via pusher wire, through a lumen of the catheter, a coil; determining a user defined detachment point at which a distal coil segment of the coil should be detached from the coil; aligning the user defined detachment point of the coil with a designated detachment zone at the tip of the catheter; and toggling a laser source connected to the embedded optical fiber, thereby detaching the distal coil segment from the coil via an embedded laser beam emitted from the optical fiber at the designated detachment zone at the tip of the catheter.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments for liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) formed from liquid crystalline monomers having 4-(6-(acryloyloxy)n-oxy)phenyl-4-(6-(acryloyloxy)m-oxy)benzoate (CnBAPE) as the mesogenic core. The LCEs described herein have improved thermotropic characteristics, including lower thermotropic activation temperatures. The LCEs described herein may also incorporate azobenzene to thereby also enhance the phototropic properties of the LCE.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing anisotropic etching of a metallization layer of a substrate. In an embodiment, the metallization layer includes grains of a conductor, wherein a first average grain size and a second average grain size correspond, respectively, to a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer of the metallization layer. The first sub-layer and the second sub-layer each span at least 5% of a thickness of the metallization layer. A difference between the first average grain size and the second average grain size is at least 10% of the first average grain size. In another embodiment, a first condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the first sub-layer being relatively large, wherein an alternative condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the second sub-layer being relatively small. A grain size gradient across a thickness of the metallization layer facilitates etching processes being anisotropic.

Abstract: Isotropic (amorphous) elastomers and methods of preparation are described. The isotropic elastomer may include a first monomer having an alkene functionality and a second monomer having a thiol functionality. The first monomer may be a liquid crystal monomer and the second monomer may be an isotropic monomer. Unlike polydomain LCEs, the isotropic elastomers may rapidly recover after deformation and have increased toughness relative to conventional elastomers prepared from wholly isotropic precursors.

Abstract: A tablet holding assembly includes a panel that has a pair of track slots therein. A pair of arms is each pivotally coupled to and extends upwardly from the panel to releasably engage a ceiling in a vehicle. A pair of first couplers is each of the first couplers is coupled to a respective one of the arms to releasably engage the ceiling of the vehicle. A pair of second couplers is each of the second couplers is coupled to the panel to releasably engage the ceiling of the vehicle when the panel is positioned in a stored position. A pair of supports is each of the supports is coupled to the panel to support an electronic tablet on the panel. A pair of clamping units is each movably coupled to the panel to engage the electronic tablet.

Abstract: A tablet holding assembly includes a panel that has a pair of track slots therein. A pair of arms is each pivotally coupled to and extends upwardly from the panel to releasably engage a ceiling in a vehicle. A pair of first couplers is each of the first couplers is coupled to a respective one of the arms to releasably engage the ceiling of the vehicle. A pair of second couplers is each of the second couplers is coupled to the panel to releasably engage the ceiling of the vehicle when the panel is positioned in a stored position. A pair of supports is each of the supports is coupled to the panel to support an electronic tablet on the panel. A pair of clamping units is each movably coupled to the panel to engage the electronic tablet.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing anisotropic etching of a metallization layer of a substrate. In an embodiment, the metallization layer includes grains of a conductor, wherein a first average grain size and a second average grain size correspond, respectively, to a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer of the metallization layer. The first sub-layer and the second sub-layer each span at least 5% of a thickness of the metallization layer. A difference between the first average grain size and the second average grain size is at least 10% of the first average grain size. In another embodiment, a first condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the first sub-layer being relatively large, wherein an alternative condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the second sub-layer being relatively small. A grain size gradient across a thickness of the metallization layer facilitates etching processes being anisotropic.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing anisotropic etching of a metallization layer of a substrate. In an embodiment, the metallization layer includes grains of a conductor, wherein a first average grain size and a second average grain size correspond, respectively, to a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer of the metallization layer. The first sub-layer and the second sub-layer each span at least 5% of a thickness of the metallization layer. A difference between the first average grain size and the second average grain size is at least 10% of the first average grain size. In another embodiment, a first condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the first sub-layer being relatively large, wherein an alternative condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the second sub-layer being relatively small. A grain size gradient across a thickness of the metallization layer facilitates etching processes being anisotropic.

Abstract: A washcloth system for personal hygiene can include a washcloth, an outer bag, and a pod. The outer bag can be configured to receive the washcloth therein. The pod can be positionable within the bag adjacent the washcloth. The pod can include an impermeable membrane enclosing an inner volume at least partially filled with a liquid mixture including a surfactant or fragrance. The membrane can be configured to, when a force is applied to the membrane by a user, rupture to expel the liquid mixture to wet the washcloth with the liquid mixture.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing anisotropic etching of a metallization layer of a substrate. In an embodiment, the metallization layer includes grains of a conductor, wherein a first average grain size and a second average grain size correspond, respectively, to a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer of the metallization layer. The first sub-layer and the second sub-layer each span at least 5% of a thickness of the metallization layer. A difference between the first average grain size and the second average grain size is at least 10% of the first average grain size. In another embodiment, a first condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the first sub-layer being relatively large, wherein an alternative condition of metallization processing contributes to grains of the second sub-layer being relatively small. A grain size gradient across a thickness of the metallization layer facilitates etching processes being anisotropic.