Abstract: The present invention generally provides a gastric banding system, including an implantable access port. The access port assembly may comprise a self-sealing septum, a housing, a mesh rivet and a mesh layer. The housing may include a septum retaining portion for holding the septum in place, and a base for defining an internal fluid reservoir and further defining a rivet receiving portion and a rivet engaging member, the housing further including a tubing connector configured to connect to a tubing for the movement of fluid into and out of the internal fluid reservoir. The mesh layer may be positioned beneath the housing and may define a plurality of spaces. The mesh rivet may engage the rivet engaging member to hold the mesh rivet in place while holding the mesh layer between a base of the mesh rivet and the housing of the access port.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a gastric banding system, including an implantable access port. The access port assembly may comprise a self-sealing septum, a housing, a mesh rivet and a mesh layer. The housing may include a septum retaining portion for holding the septum in place, and a base for defining an internal fluid reservoir and further defining a rivet receiving portion and a rivet engaging member, the housing further including a tubing connector configured to connect to a tubing for the movement of fluid into and out of the internal fluid reservoir. The mesh layer may be positioned beneath the housing and may define a plurality of spaces. The mesh rivet may engage the rivet engaging member to hold the mesh rivet in place while holding the mesh layer between a base of the mesh rivet and the housing of the access port.

Abstract: A polymer composition of a compatibilized silica in blends of acrylonitrile butadiene polymer and styrene butadiene polymer comprising six to ninety percent by weight of a compatibilized silica, at least one percent by weight of a coupling agent, at least one percent by weight of a styrene butadiene polymer, and at least one percent by weight of an acrylonitrile butadiene polymer is described herein. The polymer composition can have a minimum amount of at least ten percent by weight of 15:50 ratio, acrylonitrile to butadiene polymer, with the remainder being compatibilized silica.

Abstract: An elastomeric thermoplastic non-vulcanized terpolymer composition formed from acrylonitrile, styrene, and liquid 1,3-butadiene is disclosed herein. The terpolymer can have from 20 percent by weight to 50 percent by weight of the acrylonitrile, from 0.5 percent by weight to 20 percent by weight of the styrene, and from 30 percent by weight to 79.5 percent by weight of the butadiene. The acrylonitrile can be cross-linked to the styrene. The thermoplastic non-vulcanized terpolymer can include fillers, UV stabilizers, and plasticizers. Also disclosed is an article formed by the elastomeric thermoplastic non-vulcanized terpolymer and a process for making the composition.

Abstract: A polymer composition of a compatibilized silica in blends of acrylonitrile butadiene polymer and styrene butadiene polymer comprising six to ninety percent by weight of a compatibilized silica, at least one percent by weight of a coupling agent, at least one percent by weight of a styrene butadiene polymer, and at least one percent by weight of an acrylonitrile butadiene polymer is described herein. The polymer composition can have a minimum amount of at least ten percent by weight of 15:50 ratio, acrylonitrile to butadiene polymer, with the remainder being compatibilized silica.

Abstract: A process for forming a compatibilized silica and nitrile polymer blend in latex form is described herein. The process can include treating a silica with a coupling agent in aqueous suspension to form a compatibilized silica slurry. The coupling agent can have the capacity of chemically reacting with the surface of the silica to bond the coupling agent thereto. The process can include blending at least a portion of the compatibilized silica slurry into a styrene butadiene polymer latex, forming a silica styrene butadiene polymer latex, and blending at least a portion of the compatibilized silica slurry into an acrylonitrile butadiene polymer latex, forming a silica acrylonitrile butadiene polymer latex. The process can include blending the silica styrene butadiene polymer latex with the silica acrylonitrile butadiene polymer latex, forming the compatibilized silica and nitrile polymer blend.

Abstract: High structure carbon black-styrene butadiene compositions and methods for making such are provided herein. In addition, articles made from the high structure carbon black-styrene butadiene compositions are also provided. The method can include high shear grinding a carbon black comprising from 1 percent by weight to 50 percent by weight of high structure carbon black that forms shear ground carbon black, and combining the shear grinded carbon black with water to form a carbon black slurry.

Abstract: A combination scalpel blade removal and storage apparatus having an easy to grip hourglass-shaped, disposable plastic housing which includes a strategically located safety shield that prevents accidental cuts during the blade insertion and removal process. The housing is provided with an internal, blade receiving channel which closely receives the blade and positively locates the tang portion of the handle within the housing. The blade stripping mechanism of the apparatus comprises an integrally formed, spring loaded lever arm disposed externally of the housing. Pressing the lever effortlessly deflects the heel of the blade away from the tang and over into a recessed stop, or pocket formed near the forward portion of the housing. Retraction of the handle with a straight line, continuous movement, while maintaining an inwardly directed force on the lever, smoothly strips the blade from the handle.