Abstract: An method is disclosed for forming an optical surgical fiber assembly for delivering laser radiation from a laser radiation source to a treatment site that includes a sealed off capillary enclosing a delivery end of the fiber. The capillary is formed from an outermost layer of fused silica and an adjacent layer of boron-doped fused silica having a higher CTE than that of the fused silica. The capillary is shrink-fitted onto the delivery end of the fiber. A compressive stress is imparted to the outermost layer of the capillary as a result of the shrink-fitting process and the CTE difference between the layers. This provides mechanical hardening of the surface of the outermost layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing paint roller covers is disclosed in which the paint roller covers are manufactured from a seamless, tubular fabric sleeve having a backing made at least in part from a material having a lower melting point than material used for the pile of the seamless, tubular fabric sleeve. The seamless, tubular fabric sleeve is placed onto a cylindrical member, and heat is applied to cause the material having the lower melting point in the backing be activated to cause the backing of the seamless, tubular fabric sleeve to remain in a cylindrical configuration. The activated tubular knitted pile fabric may be finished into paint roller covers by combing and shearing the pile fabric to a desired length, beveling the edges of the paint roller covers, and vacuuming stray fibers from the paint roller covers.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed, comprising a catheter, such as a urinary catheter, which at least a partly is provided with a hydrophilic coating. The catheter assembly further comprises a wetting fluid. The receptacle is in direct contact with the hydrophilic coating of the catheter over essentially the entire length of the part of the catheter being provided with the hydrophilic coating. This may e.g. be achieved by using a shrink wrap material. In order to accomplish adequate wetting, channels or the like may be provided on the inner surface of the receptacle or the outer surface of the catheter.

Abstract: Ring-shaped shape memory alloys put disk-shaped ceramic materials in a state of compression. The rings are radially deformed to introduce plastic strain into the rings. The rings are sized to closely receive the disk-shaped ceramic strike plates. When the assembly is heated, the rings attempt to regain their original shape and thereby put the ceramic strike plates into uniform, two-dimensional compression.

Abstract: A method of forming a fluid separation filter for use in a fluid separation device includes aligning a series of fluid separation or drying fibers (102) and fixing them together using a self-adhesive and electrically conductive tape (116) or by weaving copper threads between them. The connected fibers then form a mat and a strip of potting sealant (112) may be added, if required, along the top and bottom of the fibers. The mat may then be rolled to form a bundle of fibers.

Abstract: An attachment configuration for a vascular filter assembly including a self-expanding filter member attached to a catheter body and constrained from expansion in a first configuration by a constraining sheath is presented. The attachment configuration includes an outer tube of material that is overlaid over an end of the filter member and bonded to the catheter body through cutouts disposed through the end of the filter member.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of applying a radiopaque marker to a cannula for use with an intracardiac pump, the method including: obtaining a band of radiopaque polymer material; placing the band around an outer diameter of the cannula, the cannula including a flexible tubular wall formed around and supported by a coil of shape memory material; placing a heat shrink tube around the band and the cannula; heating the band and the polymer tube to: soften the band, cause the heat shrink tube to shrink and apply force on the softened band towards the cannula, and cause the softened band to be welded to the cannula to form a radiopaque marker in a portion of the tubular wall; and removing the heat shrink tube.

Abstract: A protection barrier for a half-buried or buried object includes a sheet of longitudinal plastic material, the transversal dimension of which is unstable upon heating, the sheet including at least one root-repellent agent and/or insecticide agent so as to form a material barrier against roots and/or insects either living or moving in the ground.

Abstract: The assembly comprises two or more catheter tubes fused together to form a fused catheter bundle. Each tube has at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter from its distal end to its proximal end and at least one of said tubes comprises a pressure resistant lumen. The tubes are fused together by use of heat & pressure generated by heat shrinkable tube slides positioned over a segment of the catheter tubes while mandrels are positioned within each tube lumen. After cooling, the heat shrinkable tube may be removed and the mandrels removed such that and the fused catheter bundle is formed. One or more of the tubes may be of a different hardness, material and/or color. A distal end of the fused catheter bundle can be split free floating, stepped or tapered tipped. A non fused portion may form catheter extension legs.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method for fabricating a ceramic component by encircling a core with an unsintered or partially-sintered ceramic sheath and sintering the sheath such that it shrinks towards or into contact with the core. In preferred embodiments the core may be electrically-conducting or heat conducting and surrounded by an insulating ceramic sheath. The subject invention also concerns a ceramic component.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for heating an elongate tubular article, comprising a frame member adapted to be disposed around said article, a heater with multiple heating zones and a controller for operating the heating device. The apparatus may be used to apply a heat shrinkable sleeve around a welded pipe joint. The heater may be infrared and also may use thin stamped sheets. If a heat shrinkable sleeve is used, the controller may activate the heating zones from the centre of the weld outward to eliminate pockets of air. The diameter of the interior of the frame may change along the length of the frame.

Abstract: To facilitate installation of a floor protector to a furniture leg or a caster for movable objects, shrinkable tubing, for example heat-shrink tubing, is used to secure the floor protector to the leg or caster. A tube of heat-shrink material may have at normal temperatures a predetermined unshrunk cross-sectional size large enough to permit the tube to receive the foot portion or caster circumference and a shrinkage ratio sufficient for the tube to be shrunk to a cross-sectional size that is smaller than the foot portion or caster circumference so that, when the tube is shrunk by application of heat or other suitable means, the tube will conform and be secured to the underlying foot portion or caster. Hot-melt adhesive may be applied to the interior of the floor protector and the heat applied to shrink the tube may melt the adhesive to adhere the floor protector to the foot portion or caster.

Abstract: A method of laminating a surface of a flexible material to a surface of a rigid, curved material. The method includes pressing an area of the surface of the flexible material into the surface of the rigid, curved material with a holder to create a contact area while the flexible material is conformed to the holder, which has a curvature greater than a curvature of the rigid, curved material surface; and changing the contact area between the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid, curved material while maintaining pressure on the contact area until the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid curved material are laminated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing paint roller covers is disclosed in which the paint roller covers are manufactured from a seamless, tubular fabric sleeve having at least one of a backing and a pile made at least in part from a low melt fiber or yarn. The seamless, tubular fabric sleeve is placed onto a cylindrical member, and heat is applied to cause the low melt fiber or yarn in the backing and/or looped ends of the pile to be activated to cause the backing of the seamless, tubular fabric sleeve to remain in a cylindrical configuration. A liquid adhesive is then sprayed on to the integrally formed core member of the tubular fabric sleeve to provide a uniform layer thereon and allowed to cure, further enhancing the rigidity of the integrally formed core member of the tubular fabric sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of applying a heat-shrinkable sleeve to a portion of a pipe, the method including the following steps: providing a pipe, arranging a heat-shrinkable sleeve around a portion of the pipe, arranging a heat-delivery apparatus around the pipe in the region of the sleeve, the heat-delivery apparatus including at least three heater devices arranged at different positions along the axis of the pipe, such that a first heater device is positioned closer to the centre of the sleeve, in the axial direction, than second and third heater devices, the second heater device is positioned in the region of a first end of the sleeve, and the third heater device is positioned in the region of a second end of the sleeve opposite to the first end, and individually controlling each of the first, second and third heater devices to apply heat to the heat-shrinkable sleeve wherein each heater device is in the form of an infrared heater device.

Abstract: Methods for improved stent retention on an expandable member during delivery are disclosed. Methods include fabricating delivery systems including a degradable or water soluble sheath over the stent, the expandable member, or both for improving retention of the stent on the expandable member during delivery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing labeled, plastic foam containers, such as a labeled EPS cup uses a heated pocket to thermally bond a label to a plastic cup. Also described is a labeled plastic foam container, such as a labeled EPS cup, having high quality printing capabilities, sufficient stiffness, acceptable insulation and barrier properties and reduced production cost.

Abstract: A mine roof support assembly for anchoring in a bore hole by means of a resin, cementitious grout which includes an elongated reinforcing tendon which extends from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. A slip sheath formed from a heat shrunk plastic, is secured by heat shrinkage radially about the tendon. The sheath is mechanically coupled to the tendon so as to allow the desired axial sliding of the tendon relative to the sheath on the application of predetermined forces which sufficient to effect any desired yielding movement of the tendon in the bore hole. An anti-bonding agent or coating and/or anticorrosive may be interposed between the sheath and the tendon, whereby the sheath substantially encapsulates and limits the admixing of the interposed anti-bonding agent/anti-corrosive coating with the resin.

Abstract: A fiberglass-binder insert is made by fabricating a shape-constant, cured fiberglass-binder mixture, into a shape-constant insert core, and shrink-wrapping the core while leaving exposed any bore which extends into the core. The core is fabricated by mixing fiberglass and uncured binder in a mixer, dropping the mixture into a conforming guide such as a funnel, and moving the mixture through the conforming guide and into a mold. A tamper can tamp the mixture to move the mixture from the conforming guide into the mold, and to distribute portions of the mixture vertically in the mold. Rotation of the mold effects circumferential distribution of the mixture in the mold. The mixture in the mold is heated to cure the binder, thus to establish a fixed shape of the resultant core product. A shrink film is shrunk about the core, providing apertures in the shrunk film at bore openings in the core.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongated shaft and a balloon on a distal shaft section, the elongated shaft comprising an outer tubular member, and an inner tubular member which has a bonded portion along which an outer surface of the inner tubular member is bonded to an inner surface of the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member has a proximal portion proximal to the bonded portion, and a distal portion distal to the bonded portion with higher axial compression stiffness and column strength than the proximal portion thereof. The catheter has improved trackability, axial collapse resistance, pushability, and crossability, for improved ability to position the balloon at a desired location in a patient's body lumen.

Abstract: A medical catheter device is disclosed that comprises a tubular shaft member, a soft tip member, and a wire guide lumen extending longitudinally within the tubular shaft member and the soft tip member. The wire guide lumen is offset relative to the centerline within the soft tip member. By offsetting the inner diameter of the soft tip member in such a way as to not change the outward profile of the catheter, the soft tip will have improved tracking across existing stents and eccentric lesions.

Abstract: A pouch-cell battery arrangement has a shrink sleeve covering (50), that surrounds the pouch (22) at least in places in an interlocking manner.

Abstract: A method for producing a fixing-unit member including a base, a rubber elastic layer, and a PFA layer includes a step of forming a primer layer by applying a primer containing a low-melting fluorocarbon resin to the outer circumferential surface of a rubber roller having the rubber elastic layer on the outer circumferential surface of the base; a step of sheathing the rubber roller with a thermally shrinkable tube formed by diametrically expanding a PFA tube so as to have an inner diameter more than the outer diameter of the rubber roller; a step of forming the PFA layer from the thermally shrinkable tube by heating the thermally shrinkable tube so as to be thermally shrunken and fused with the rubber roller; and a reheating step of heating the PFA layer to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the PFA contained in the PFA layer.

Abstract: An endoscope including a deflection section, an objective head, a deflection section cover and a sleeve. The deflection section comprises a flexible frame. The objective head is connected to a front end of the deflection section. The deflection section cover extends over the deflection section and extends over a portion of the objective head. The sleeve is located on an exterior side of the objective head and an exterior side of the deflection section cover at a joint between the objective head and the deflection section cover. The sleeve compresses the deflection section cover against the objective head. Another compression sleeve can be located on an exterior side of a shaft cover and the deflection section cover at a second joint, wherein the second sleeve compresses the shaft cover and the deflection section cover against a frame of a shaft of the endoscope.

Abstract: The present invention describes a label comprising a shrinkable film material section with a leading end, a trailing end, an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion, where the upper edge portion and the lower edge portions extend between the leading end and the trailing end of the section, wherein the section is wrapped around an article with the leading end secured to the article with a patterned adhesive, and the adhesive is confined to a narrow region of the leading end such that the trailing end overlaps and is secured to the leading end by the patterned adhesive, and the adhesive is also confined to a narrow region of said trailing edge, allowing the section to encircle the article in an initially unshrunken or first condition such that when a catalyst is subsequently applied to the section, the section shrinks around the article and is thus securely adhered to the article by the adhesive at both the leading end and the trailing end of the film section.

Abstract: A low-profile rapid-exchange catheter device having desirable strength between joined proximal and distal portion may be constructed using a method that includes a textile sleeve and a thermoplastic polymer overlay.

Abstract: A balloon catheter with a rod embedded within a catheter shaft is provided. The catheter shaft can have a polymer filled solid body with an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen extending at least partially therethrough. A balloon member can be attached to a distal end of the shaft. The embedded rod is extended through at least a portion of the polymer filled solid body along the inflation and guidewire lumens. The rod is preferably in non-translatable contact with the shaft body. The rod can be disposed within the balloon region of the shaft to increase the tensile strength of that region. To increase pushability and tractability of the balloon catheter, the rod may include a first length with a diameter and a second length with a lesser diameter, with a tapered region interposed between the first and second lengths.

Abstract: A stent device delivery system and method of making. The stent device delivery system includes a stent device, an outer sheath overlaying the stent device in a radially compact, delivery configuration of the stent device, and an inner catheter extending axially and radially within a lumen of the stent device. The inner catheter provides a stent bed upon which the stent device is located so that a radially inner surface of the stent device engages a radially outer surface of the stent bed. The stent bed may define an inwardly tapering profile, narrowing in radius from a distal portion of the stent device to a proximal portion of the stent device.

Abstract: An illuminated suction apparatus including a hand-held surgical device combining a high-performance illumination waveguide with suction. This device would be useful in a wide array of various surgical procedures including open and minimally invasive orthopedics.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing paint roller covers is disclosed in which the paint roller covers are manufactured from a seamless, tubular knitted pile fabric sleeve that is installed onto a core member. To facilitate the manufacture of the paint roller covers, the knitted pile fabric sleeve is initially placed upon the outside of a thin hollow cylindrical mounting tube, and the core member with an adhesive bonding material provided on the exterior surface thereof is inserted into the interior of the mounting tube. The knitted pile fabric sleeve is installed onto the exterior surface of the core member by withdrawing the mounting tube from the knitted pile fabric sleeve while maintaining the respective positions of the knitted pile fabric sleeve and the core member, with the knitted pile fabric sleeve being retained on the core member by the adhesive bonding material.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system comprises an inner tube, a medical device disposed about a portion of the distal region of the inner tube, a medical device sheath disposed about the medical device, a medical device sheath retraction device extending proximally from the medical device sheath and an outer sheath disposed about a portion of the medical device sheath retraction device. The distal end of the outer sheath terminates at least one medical device length proximal of the medical device. The medical device sheath is movable relative to the outer sheath and relative to the inner tube.

Abstract: A process for affixing an insulating label to a container involves applying a thermoplastic hot-melt adhesive to a first edge of the label and applying a thermoplastic hot-melt adhesive and a thermosetting adhesive to a second edge of the label. The insulating label is applied to a container, and provides improved heat resistance, thereby reducing occurrences of delamination during subsequent heating of the container.

Abstract: A covering for a sports helmet is provided. The covering including a band having at least a portion composed of a first heat shrink material. The band being sized to cover the sports helmet after an application of heat to the first heat shrink material. Also provided is a sports helmet.

Abstract: A wrapper for packaging one or more articles, is constituted by a sleeve of heat-shrink plastics material for shrinking onto the article(s) for packaging, said sleeve being made from a film that is folded in half and whose corresponding end zones are united. The wall of the sleeve is embossed at least in part with a predetermined pattern so that said pattern appears in relief on the outside face and/or the inside face of the sleeve and remains after said sleeve has been shrunk onto the article(s) to be packaged.

Abstract: In a toner roller for use in a developer station for a printer or copier, a roller-shaped base body has an electrically conductive surface on which is arranged an insulation layer. The insulation layer comprises plastic and has a layer thickness and arranged between 150 ?m and 1000 ?m. The insulation layer also comprises a filler where the filler comprises electrically conductive additives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shrink sleeve for use on a closure of an article. The present invention does so by providing a decorated closure for an article, such as a container, used to package an item or items. The decorated closure includes a shrink sleeve and a closure for an article. The closure has a top end, a bottom end, and a side surface. The closure may further include a centerpoint of the top end and a centerpoint of the bottom end with a longitudinal axis passing therethrough. The shrink sleeve is shrunk around at least the side surface of the article, and includes at least one visible decoration on a surface of the shrink sleeve.

Abstract: A method of forming a tubular body for a catheter, sheath or lead comprises extruding a polymer core having an integrally formed core wall, first lumen, and second lumen, placing a first layer over an outer circumferential surface of the extruded polymer core, and bonding the first layer to the circumferential surface of the extruded polymer cover via a reflow process. The first and second lumens are mandrel free during the reflow process, and a temperature of the reflow process is below a softening point of the polymer core to maintain a collapse free first and second lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a plurality of arrow shafts in alignment for applying a heat-shrinkable sleeve thereto. The apparatus includes a support and an arrow holding assembly for holding more than one arrow shaft relative to the support. An adjuster ring is moveable along the support to hold the sleeves in the desired positions on the shafts. The apparatus and method of this invention allows for consistent positioning of shrinkable sleeves around multiple arrow shafts and simultaneous shrinking of sleeves onto the multiple arrow shafts.

Abstract: A balloon catheter device (300) of the present invention includes an elongate catheter shaft (301) comprising a helically-cut hypotube having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion includes a coating that allows the shaft to provide a patent fluid passage, and a part of the distal portion inside a balloon (304) may be uncoated or otherwise open to the balloon lumen, allowing for passage of fluid through the shaft into the balloon lumen.

Abstract: A catheter includes a braid assembly having a dual-laminate coating. The braid assembly includes a plurality of braid members interwoven to provide for interstices between the braid members, each braid member having an electrically conductive element, a flexible non-electrically-conductive polymer coating that insulates the electrically conductive element and a thermoplastic bonding adhesive coating. The braid assembly is formed between an inner polymer layer and an outer polymer layer. One or more of the braid members may be coupled to an energy delivery element.

Abstract: Novel polymer shrink tubes, such as fluoropolymer shrink tubes and novel uses thereof. The polymer shrink tubes include at least one three-dimensional pattern formed along at least a portion of the inner surface of the tube. The polymer shrink tubes can be used for, for example, embossing a pattern into a polymer tube. Further use includes, for example, forming a catheter with at least one channel located in the catheter wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a can body (2) which is characterized in that a film piece (3c) is cut from a film web (3b), said film piece (3c) is wound up on a winding spindle (7) from its front edge to its rear edge and is maintained on the winding spindle (7) so that it somewhat overlaps. The film piece (3c) is transferred from the winding spindle (7) to a concave inner surface (11a) and the film areas of the front edge and the rear edge resting against each other are sealed with each other on the concave inner surface (11a) in the area of overlapping (14). According to the invention, a closed film piece (3d) can be transferred without complication onto a can body (2), thereby conferring on the can body (2) the function of the stable structure and on the film piece (3d) the function of the décor or the inner barrier in such a manner that both functions can be optimized in a substantially independent manner.

Abstract: A machine for labelling containers (100), comprising first transport means (2) for positioning at least a container (100) at a time in a labelling position, second transport means (3) for positioning an annular heat-shrinkable label (200) below the at least a container (100) in a labelling position, raising means (50, 52) for raising the label (200) for inserting the label from below onto a container (100) in a labelling position, and dispensing means (51, 53) for investing the label (200) with a hot fluid; the dispensing means (51, 53) being unconstrained to the second transport means (3) such as to be stationary with respect to the labels (200) which advance, activated by the second transport means (3), and are configured such as to perform heat-shrinkage of at least a portion of the label (200) inserted on the at least a container (100) in a labelling position thereon, in which the portion extends over an entire axial development of the label (200).

Abstract: A multi-section tubular member including a sleeve surrounding and bridging a joint between a first section and a second section of the tubular member, and a method of forming a multi-section tubular member are disclosed. A polymeric sleeve may extend over a portion of the first section and an adjoining portion of the second section. A length of heat shrink tubing may be placed over the sleeve and heated, thereby compressing the heat shrink tubing around the sleeve. The sleeve may then be thermally bonded to each of the first section and the second section. The heat shrink tubing may then be removed, leaving the sleeve securely joining the first section and the second section to form a multi-section tubular member.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes a lubricious inner liner having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, a reinforcing member positioned over the inner liner, and an outer jacket positioned longitudinally over the reinforcing member and the inner liner. The outer jacket has a higher durometer proximal portion, a lower durometer distal portion, and a transition zone between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The transition zone has a variable durometer from a junction with the outer jacket proximal portion to a junction with the outer jacket distal portion, to provide a transition between the higher durometer proximal portion and the lower durometer distal portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining “shrink sleeve” labels, comprises a carousel that is provided peripherally with a plurality of spindles configured for being wound from portions of plastic film, a sealing device cooperating with said spindles means for sealing opposite edges of said portions for obtaining said “shrink sleeve” labels, said sealing device comprising a laser device; a method for labelling containers, comprises in sequence: advancing a plastic film in an advancing direction; cutting said plastic film transversely to said advancing direction to obtain a portion of plastic film; winding said portion in such a way as to make opposite edges of said portion overlap one another; joining together said edges to obtain a “shrink sleeve” label, said joining comprising sealing by means of a laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides weather and use-protected sign posts, and methods of beautifying and extending the useful life of sign posts by protecting them against weather and use, through the application of a heat shrinkable material onto the post.

Abstract: A guide catheter shaft is formed from an inner tube structure and a multilayer sheath around the inner tube structure. The multilayer sheath includes an intermediate sheath and a shrink tube layer. The intermediate sheath is disposed around the inner tube and realized from a melt-processible first polyether-block amide material. The shrink tube layer is disposed around the intermediate sheath and realized from a different second polyether-block amide (e.g. a cross-linked polyether-block amide material) having a shrink temperature range greater than a melt temperature range of the first polyether-block amide material. The resulting structure is heated at a temperature within the shrink temperature range such that the outer shrink tube layer shrinks and the intermediate layer melts to thereby bond the multilayer sheath to the inner tube.

Abstract: Tubular objects having two or more concentric layers that have different properties are joined to one another during their manufacture primarily by compressive and friction forces generated by shrinkage during sintering and possibly mechanical interlocking. It is not necessary for the concentric tubes to display adhesive-, chemical- or sinter-bonding to each other in order to achieve a strong bond. This facilitates joining of dissimilar materials, such as ceramics and metals.

Abstract: An assembly for positioning sleeves on products such as bottles. The products are conveyed in the upright position one after the other along a conveyor line and the sleeves are removed from a sleeve-feed system by transfer members above the product. The assembly comprises a single sleeve-feed system and two pairs of alternately-operating transfer members which are installed on either side of the product conveyor line. Each transfer member is supported by a carriage to travel the length of an active path along the side of the product at the sleeve-application position in order to remove a sleeve and place the sleeve on the product, in an alternating manner with the other transfer member from the pair, while the carriage of the other transfer member from the second pair moves the other transfer member from the second pair along a return path at a distance from the active path.