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: 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: A novel elastomeric composition containing a hydrogenated carboxylated nitrile rubber, a hydrogenated nitrile rubber, a filler, a multivalent salt of an organic acid and a vulcanizing agent. The composition has good static and dynamic modulus and good abrasion resistance, and is suited for use in pads for tracks of tracked vehicles, for example military vehicles such as tanks.

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: 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: A prosthetic mechanical valve includes a base portion defining a through blood flow pathway closed by at least a pair of valve leaflets. The valve leaflets are pivotally carried by the base portion and movable in response to dynamic blood fluid pressures between a first position at which the leaflets close blood flow through the pathway and a second open position allowing blood flow in the pathway. A pair of confronting magnets are carried one to each of the pair of valve leaflets and attract one another. The magnetic forces of attraction between the pair of magnets imparts a biasing torque to the valve leaflets which tends to synchronize pivotal movements of the leaflets, cushions their sealing contact, quiets valve operation, and biases the leaflets toward a third partially open position. As a result, under conditions of nearly balanced blood fluid pressures across the pair of valve leaflet they anticipatorily open toward their third position to improve pumping effectiveness.

Abstract: A bileaflet mechanical cardiovascular valve having a generally annular valve body and two occluder leaflets mounted within the valve body such that the occluder leaflets will move back and forth between an open configuration wherein blood is permitted to flow through the annular valve body and a closed configuration wherein blood is prevented from flowing in at least one direction through the annular valve body. Slots formed in opposite ends of the occluder leaflets are mounted upon raised mounting members formed on the inner surface of the annular valve body to facilitate the opening and closing movement of the occluder leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthetic mechanical valve includes a base portion defining a through blood flow pathway closed by at least a pair of valve leaflets. The valve leaflets are pivotally carried by the base portion and movable in response to dynamic blood fluid pressures between a first position at which the leaflets close blood flow through the pathway and a second open position allowing blood flow in the pathway. A pair of confronting magnets are carried one to each of the pair of valve leaflets and attract one another. The magnetic forces of attraction between the pair of magnets imparts a biasing torque to the valve leaflets which tends to synchronize pivotal movements of the leaflets, cushions their sealing contact, quiets valve operation, and biases the leaflets toward a third partially open position. As a result, under conditions of nearly balanced blood fluid pressures across the pair of valve leaflet they anticipatorily open toward their third position to improve pumping effectiveness.

Abstract: A bileaflet mechanical cardiovascular valve comprising an annular valve body having a pair of occluder leaflets pivotally mounted therewithin. The occluder leaflets are pivotally mounted within the valve body by the snap-fitting of ear member which extend from the top and bottom ends of the occluder leaflets into corresponding cropped pivot slots formed within the annular valve body. Each cropped pivot slot comprises a spheroidal depression or recess having a first flat cropped edge and a second flat cropped edge. The ear members of the occluder leaflets are sized and configured relative to the cropped pivot slots to facilitate opening and closing of the occluder leaflets with minimal likelihood of hemolysis or thrombotic complications. Additionally disclosed is a specialized machine tool and method for machining the cropped pivot slots in the annular valve body.