Abstract: The present invention relates to a multistage process including at least two steps for making a heat and oil resistant preroxide-cured thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) based on hydrogenated carboxiated nitrile butadiene rubber (HXNBR) and at least one polyamide. TPV's according to the present invention have improved properties and morphology over known TPV's prepared in single-stage processes.

Abstract: Polymers of a conjugated diene, an unsaturated nitrile and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid are selectively hydrogenated to reduce carbon-carbon double bonds, without also reducing carboxyl groups and nitrile groups, using a rhodium-containing compound as catalyst. The hydrogenated polymers are novel and display excellent adhesive properties at both room temperature and high temperature, excellent hot tear strength, and excellent abrasion resistance.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining whether a volume of biological sample is adequate to produce an accurate electrochemical analyte concentration measurement. Certain such methods and systems provide the additional function of compensating for a sample volume determined to be less than adequate in order to proceed with an accurate analyte concentration measurement. The present invention is employed with a biosensor, such as an electrochemical test strip to which the sample volume of biological solution is deposited, and a meter configured to receive such test strip and to measure the concentration of selected analytes within the biological sample.

Abstract: Hydrogenated copolymers of an unsaturated nitrile, butadiene and isoprene, wherein the molar ratio of butadiene to isoprene is less than 3:1, display valuable low temperature properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer composite containing at least one carboxylated nitrile rubber polymer, that is optionally hydrogenated, at least one basic compound, at least one polyhalogenated hydrocarbon, optionally at least one filler and optionally at least one cross-linking agent, a process for preparing said polymer composite wherein at least one carboxylated nitrile rubber polymer, that is optionally hydrogenated, at least one basic compound, at least one polyhalogenated hydrocarbon, optionally at least one filler and optionally at least one cross-linking agent are mixed and a shaped article containing diester bridges formed by reaction of at least one carboxylated nitrile rubber polymer, that is optionally hydrogenated, at least one basic compound and at least one polyhalogenated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: This invention pertains to materials and methods relating to the biological fixation of one tissue type to another different tissue type, i.e., the fixation of cartilage to bone. A scaffold apparatus for osteochondral tissue engineering is described. The apparatus comprises regions of varying matrices which provide a functional interface between multiple tissue types. Further, a method for preparing the scaffold apparatus is provided. Methods for treating osteochondral tissue injury and cartilage degeneration using the scaffold apparatus are also described. In addition, a method for evaluating cell-mediated and scaffold-related parameters of development and maintenance of multiple tissue zones in vitro is described.

Abstract: Compositions, reagent test strips, analyte detection systems and kits of the same, as well as methods for their use in the detection of an analyte in a sample, are provided. The subject compositions are characterized by having a positively charged porous matrix and a urea derivative dye on at least one surface of the matrix, where in many preferred embodiments the urea derivative dye is a negatively charged urea derivative dye. In many preferred embodiments, the subject compositions further include at least one additional reagent member of a peroxide producing signal producing system, e.g., an analyte oxidase and/or a peroxidase. The subject compositions, test strips, analyte detection systems and kits find use in the detection of a wide variety of analytes in a sample, such as a physiological sample, e.g., blood or a fraction thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art. The present invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of said nitrile rubber and the use of said nitrile rubber for the manufacture of shaped articles.

Abstract: A process has now been discovered that permits the simultaneous crosslinking and derivation of an, optionally hydrogenated, polymer whose backbone is composed of a conjugated diene, an unsaturated nitrile and an unsaturated carboxylic acid in the presence of a coupling/condensing agent. This permits the preparation of a novel polymeric material that is an optionally hydrogenated polymer of a conjugated diene, an unsaturated nitrile and a derived unsaturated acid. It has also been found that this novel polymeric material has unexpected and valuable properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art. The present invention is also related to shaped articles containing hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining whether a volume of biological sample is adequate to produce an accurate electrochemical analyte concentration measurement. Certain such methods and systems provide the additional function of compensating for a sample volume determined to be less than adequate in order to proceed with an accurate analyte concentration measurement. The present invention is employed with a biosensor, such as an electrochemical test strip to which the sample volume of biological solution is deposited, and a meter configured to receive such test strip and to measure the concentration of selected analytes within the biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art. The present invention is also related to shaped articles containing hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art in the absence of a co-(olefin).

Abstract: The present invention relates to adhesive polymer composites containing at least one nitrile rubber polymer having a Mooney viscosity (ML 1+4 @ 100° C.) below 30, optionally at least one filler and optionally at least one cross-linking agent, a process for preparing the polymer composite wherein at least one nitrile rubber polymer having a Mooney viscosity (ML 1+4 @ 100° C.) below 30, optionally at least one filler and optionally at least one cross-linking agent are mixed and a self-supporting shaped article containing the compound optionally layered on or interposed between one or more supporting means. The present invention also relates to a tape containing the adhesive polymer composite optionally layered on or interposed between one or more supporting means. Further, the present invention relates to a sealant composition containing the adhesive polymer composite.

Abstract: Compositions, reagent test strips, analyte detection systems and kits of the same, as well as methods for their use in the detection of an analyte in a sample, are provided. The subject compositions are characterized by having a positively charged porous matrix and a urea derivative dye on at least one surface of the matrix, where in many preferred embodiments the urea derivative dye is a negatively charged urea derivative dye. In many preferred embodiments, the subject compositions further include at least one additional reagent member of a peroxide producing signal producing system, e.g., an analyte oxidase and/or a peroxidase. The subject compositions, test strips, analyte detection systems and kits find use in the detection of a wide variety of analytes in a sample, such as a physiological sample, e.g., blood or a fraction thereof.

Abstract: Compositions, reagent test strips, analyte detection systems and kits of the same, as well as methods for their use in the detection of an analyte in a sample, are provided. The subject compositions are characterized by having a positively charged porous matrix and a urea derivative dye on at least one surface of the matrix, where in many preferred embodiments the urea derivative dye is a negatively charged urea derivative dye. In many preferred embodiments, the subject compositions further include at least one additional reagent member of a peroxide producing signal producing system, e.g., an analyte oxidase and/or a peroxidase. The subject compositions, test strips, analyte detection systems and kits find use in the detection of a wide variety of analytes in a sample, such as a physiological sample, e.g., blood or a fraction thereof.

Abstract: Hydrogenated copolymers of an unsaturated nitrile, butadiene and isoprene, wherein the molar ratio of butadiene to isoprene is less than 3:1, display valuable low temperature properties.

Abstract: Polymers of a conjugated diene, an unsaturated nitrile and a vinyl aromatic compound are selectively hydrogenated to reduce ethylenic carbon-carbon double bonds, without also reducing nitrile groups and aromatic carbon-carbon double bonds, preferably using a rhodium-containing compound as catalyst. The hydrogenated polymers are novel and display valuable properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of hydrogenating a nitrile copolymer rubber, which comprises subjecting the copolymer to hydrogenation in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, a co-catalyst, and a proton acceptor that is non-coordinating with the metal-complex catalyst.

Abstract: Polymers of a conjugated diene, an unsaturated nitrile and an &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid are selectively hydrogenated to reduce carbon-carbon double bonds, without also reducing carboxyl groups and nitrile groups, using a rhodium-containing compound as catalyst. The hydrogenated polymers are novel and display excellent adhesive properties at both room temperature and high temperature, excellent hot tear strength, and excellent abrasion resistance.