Abstract: A packaging machine for forming doy-pack bags includes: a base; a reel-holding frame, configured to carry a reel of packaging film or a sheet-holding reel having a band with packaging sheets; a gripping and folding group configured to pick up and fold like a book, by facing two symmetrical parts thereof, either a portion of the packaging film or a packaging sheet; shaping apparatus for shaping a recessed bottom (B) of a doy-pack bag (A); a joiner for sealing the facing side edges of the two symmetrical parts either of a portion of the packaging film or of a packaging sheet; pick-up apparatus adapted to remove the portion of the packaging film or the packaging sheet, folded and with the facing side edges sealed, from the gripping and folding group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are medical systems and devices that include an elongate probe configured for insertion into a patient, where the elongate probe includes an atraumatic tip and where the atraumatic tip includes one or more of a loop, a curl, coil, a flexible distal tip section, a steerable distal tip section, a distal tip section configured to transition away from a first shape toward a second shape upon insertion of the elongate probe within the patient. The optical fiber includes sensing core fibers configured to facilitate a determination of a physical state of the elongate probe. The elongate probe is also configured to project illuminating light away from a distal end and receive imaging light at the distal end.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tubular medical implant, such as a stent, includes introducing a liquid polymer material into an axial lumen of an elongate metal tube, the metal tube having an inner wall defining the lumen; allowing the polymer material to solidify within the metal tube lumen, the solidified polymer forming a high friction surface in contact with the inner wall of the metal tube; securing the metal tube, including the solidified polymer material therein, to a collet of a laser etching system; and laser etching a predetermined pattern of openings in the metal tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a flexible vinyl chloride resin composition, a molded product obtained from the resin composition, an electric wire coating material, and an electric wire coated by the electric wire coating material. In the flexible vinyl chloride resin composition, based on 100 parts by mass of (A), the content of (B) is 0.1 parts by mass to 20 parts by mass and the content of (C) is 10 parts by mass to 150 parts by mass. A molded product having excellent surface smoothness and excellent flexibility can be obtained via the flexible vinyl chloride resin composition even under the condition of high production speed.

Abstract: An uninterrupted bag making machine includes a conveyance unit, a conveyance unit driving means, a sealing unit having sealing assemblies, a sealing unit driving means, a perforating unit having a cutting device, a perforating unit, a perforating unit driving means, a breaking unit, and a control unit. With the conveyance unit, a film tube is conveyed to pass through the sealing unit, the perforating unit, and the breaking unit. Furthermore, with the control unit in cooperation with various driving means, the sealing assemblies can be moved in the direction of the film tube being moved, and the cutting device of the perforating unit is rotated in synchronous with the film tube being moved. As such, the film tube can be processed with sealing operations, perforating operations, and breaking operations at predetermined locations along the film tube without an interruption, so that the production rate and capacity can be increased.

Abstract: Thin PTFE layers are described having little or no node and fibril microstructure and methods of manufacturing PTFE layers are disclosed that allow for controllable permeability and porosity of the layers. In some embodiments, the PTFE layers may act as a barrier layer in an endovascular graft or other medical device.

Abstract: Apparatuses for expanding tubing and methods of use are provided herein. An exemplary process may include heating tubing to an expansion temperature, expanding the heated tubing within an expansion chamber by injecting a first fluid within the heated tubing to expand the heated tubing, and constraining expansion of the heated tubing within the expansion chamber by introducing a second fluid between an outer sidewall of the heated tubing and an inner sidewall of the expansion chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving along a tube extrusion line. An extruded tube is pushed through the extrusion line, by means of pressure generated by an extruder, to a withdrawal unit that takes over further driving of the tube. In a first-moving along phase, in which the tube has not yet passed a sealing of a calibration cooling unit relative to the atmosphere, the latter is under atmospheric pressure. In a second phase, in which the tube has passed the sealing, the calibration and cooling unit is placed under underpressure. In the first phase, the tube is supported either by internal overpressure or by a mechanical inner guide. A support cylinder extends axially from a casing head of the extruder and extends coaxially into a calibration sleeve in a first section of the calibration and cooling unit. A support plate is disposed between the casing head and an inlet of the calibration sleeve and provides external support for a tube exiting the casing head.

Abstract: According to a fabrication method, an extruded tubular member HA is formed, using an extrusion die 23 which has an extrusion orifice 25 having an opening-side inner circumferential surface 25a having a circular section and a core-side die 26 disposed concentrically with the extrusion orifice 25, by extruding a tube material through an extrusion passage 27 defined between the opening-side inner circumferential surface 25 and a core-side outer circumferential surface 26d of the core-side die 26. As this occurs, a bent configuration is given to the extruded tubular member HA by changing contact areas where the tube material contacts the opening-side inner circumferential surface 25a and the core-side outer circumferential surface 26d in a circumferential direction so as to set velocities at which the tube material is extruded to different values in the circumferential direction by controlling the position of the core die 26 in rotating and axial directions relative to the extrusion orifice 25.

Abstract: A composition includes: a) polystyrene, the polystyrene including polybutadiene; b) vegetal fibers having a length lower than 50 ?m; and c) at least one compatibility agent including a polybutadiene maleic anhydride copolymer, the copolymer including at least 17% by weight of the copolymer of maleic anhydride. The composition is used for manufacturing a plastic composition. The plastic composition obtained by heating the composition, a sheet obtained by extruding the plastic composition, and a container obtained by thermoforming the sheet are also described.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the degradation profile of a biodegradable stent scaffolding are disclosed. Disclosed methods include controlling features of the degradation profile including the time to loss of radial strength and the degradation time of the stent.

Abstract: A double-sided, slip resistant material is produced using a blown film process which produces a film having an interior heat sealable layer, a core layer of flexible polyolefin and an exterior polyolefin elastomer layer in combination with a blowing agent and optionally grit to produce a double-sided slip resistant material. A number of rollers may be provided after nip rollers have fused the film together, and which form part of a machine direction orienter (MDO) that may be used in line in the manufacturing process to heat, and then cool and condition (anneal and relieve any stresses and/or thickness inconsistencies in the film) prior to the film being wound onto a roll for storage.

Abstract: Articles made of a porous material having a fibrillar microstructure of bent fibrils and provided with a fracturable coating whereby the physical size of the article may be changed by the application of force to the article in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of orientation of the fibrils. The application of a tensile force to such an article in a direction substantially parallel to orientation of the bent fibrils results in fracturing of the fracturable material and straightening of the bent fibrils. Methods of making such articles are also described. The articles may include implantable articles such as vascular grafts and stent-grafts; such devices may, for example, be forcibly increased in diameter or in length wherein the force results in fracturing of the coating. One such coated material is porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene provided with a coating of fluorinated ethylene propylene.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device, such as a stent, with improved fracture toughness through annealing a polymer construct below the glass transition temperature of the polymer of the construct prior to a deformation step are disclosed herein. The deformation of the construct induces crystallization in the polymer construct through strain-induced crystallization. The annealing of the polymer construct accelerates the crystallization induced during the deformation and results in an increase in crystallite density with smaller crystallites as compared to deformation of a tube that has not been annealed. A stent scaffolding is then made from the deformed tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer film for forming medical solution pouches that help prevent or reduce the presence of bubbles or foam in the solution after heat sterilization. In particular, the present invention provides a multilayer film for forming medical solution pouches that are capable of passing the bubble test as set forth in the Chinese State Drug Package Container Material Standard No. YBB00112005. In particular, the present invention provides a multilayer film in which polyamide 612 or calcium stearate component has been incorporated as an anti-foaming agent. The presence of polyamide 612 or calcium stearate in one or more layers of the film helps prevent the formation of foam in the solution after heat sterilization.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension thermally shrinkable tube of the present invention is formed in a shape corresponding to a vehicle-suspension coil spring having a spiral shape and is formed so as to have a larger diameter than the diameter of the spring so as to allow the spring to be coupled by insertion; and is formed from a material the volume of which shrinks upon applying heat when the spring is coupled by insertion; and, after the spring has been slotted in and coupled, heat is applied and said tube is made to attach intimately to the spring.

Abstract: Methods of producing a unitary personal care article such as a toothbrush having an inner cavity.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a fluorine-containing polymer and 2 to 30 parts by weight of an unsaturated compound containing at least one polar group selected from the group consisting of an epoxy group and a carboxyl group, wherein the fluorine-containing polymer has been graft-modified with the polar group-containing unsaturated compound by irradiation of ionizing radiation, a production process thereof, and formed products such as a heat-shrinkable tube equipped with a layer composed of the adhesive composition.

Abstract: A medical fluid container of a flexible plastic material is produced as follows: at first, a plastic compound is produced from a heterogeneous mixture of a first, lower-viscosity raw polymer component having a first melt viscosity and a second, higher-viscosity raw polymer component having a second melt viscosity which is greater than the first melt viscosity. Then the plastic compound is extruded. The extrudate is confectioned. Finally, the confectioned extrudate is sealed to form the finished fluid container. A film tubing may serve as intermediate product for the medical container. The medical container or the film tubing thus produced has surface structures with a typical average size of 15 to 200 ?m. The production method requires little effort while fulfilling demanding requirements with respect to the stability of the produced fluid container.

Abstract: The flexible tubular moulded body (10) comprises an unprofiled or profiled straight or bent shaped and a circumferential wall (11) provided with a corrugated profile (12), which is formed from a strength support insert embedded in a thermoplastic material comprising cord surfaces running in the longitudinal direction of the moulded body as pressure support elements and fixing threads running transversely to the threads and holding these in position.

Abstract: A single-sided, slip resistant, self-adhesive material is produced using a blown film process which produces a film having an interior layer capable of being treated or coated to accept a pressure sensitive adhesive, a middle layer of flexible polyolefin and an exterior polyolefin elastomer layer in combination with a blowing agent to produce a single-sided slip resistant material. A number of in-line rollers are provided after a pair of rollers, which form part of a machine direction orienter (MDO) that is used in line in the manufacturing process to heat, and then cool and condition (anneal and relieve any stresses and/or thickness inconsistencies) the film prior to the film being coated on one side with a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an oriented thermoplastic polyester resin sheet which is excellent in tensile strength, tencile modulas and heat resistance, and a light laminate-molded body using the same, which has a low linear expansion coefficient and is excellent in impact resistance, durability, easiness of handling, productivity, and others. A process for producing an oriented thermoplastic polyester resin sheet, which includes: pultrusion-drawing a thermoplastic polyester resin sheet in an amorphous state at a temperature from the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polyester resin ?20° C. to the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polyester resin +20° C.; and then drawing the resultant uniaxially at a temperature higher than the temperature for the pultrusion-drawing. A laminate-molded body, wherein a thermoplastic resin layer is laminated on each of the surfaces of the resultant oriented thermoplastic polyester resin sheet.

Abstract: Methods relating to polymer-bioceramic composite implantable medical devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating veins and venous conditions, such as chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, are provided. In one aspect, the disclosed subject matter provides an intraluminal scaffold having a generally tubular body with a lumen defined therethrough, the tubular body having a compressed condition for delivery and an expanded condition for implant within a vessel having a distended portion, at least a length of the tubular body configured to form an enlarged portion in the expanded condition to engage a wall of the distended portion of the vessel. Methods for fabricating and using the scaffold, methods for remodeling a vein, and methods of deploying a medical device in a vessel without negatively impacting the function of a valve of the vessel, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for angioplasty or parts thereof, which is made of elastomeric material, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a polyamide-based polymer obtained from the polymerization of a compound forming polyamide blocks that is selected from the group consisting of an aminocarboxylic acid of Formula (1) and a lactam of Formula (2): with a polyether diamine triblock compound of Formula (3): and a dicarboxylic acid of Formula (4): HOOC—(R3)m-COOH??(4) wherein the groups R1, R2 and R3 are each binding groups comprising a hydrocarbon chain therein that may be interrupted by one or more amide groups; x is an integer from 1 to 20; y is an integer from 4 to 50, z is an integer from 1 to 20; m is 0 or 1.

Abstract: A double-sided, slip resistant material is produced using a blown film process which produces a film having an interior heat sealable layer, a core layer of flexible polyolefin and an exterior polyolefin elastomer layer in combination with a blowing agent and optionally grit to produce a double-sided slip resistant material. A number of rollers are provided after nip rollers have fused the film together, and which form part of a machine direction orienter (MDO) that is used in line in the manufacturing process to heat, and then cool and condition (anneal and relieve any stresses and/or thickness inconsistencies in the film) prior to the film being wound onto a roll for storage.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft formed via extrusion. The shaft has one or more lumens extending therethrough. The lumen(s) each define a cross-sectional configuration. An end effector assembly is coupled to a distal end of the shaft. One or more components are coupled to the end effector assembly. The component(s) extend proximally from the end effector into the lumen(s) of the shaft. One or more of the components is formed via stamping. The component(s) define a cross-sectional configuration substantially complementary to the cross-section configuration of the lumen into which they extend.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a film comprising at least one layer of a thermoplastic fluoro-polymer and at least one layer of another polymer (A). The inventive method consists in using extrusion blow molding to coextrude a fluoro-polymer and polymer (A) which adhere to one another; with a layer of another thermoplastic polymer (B) such that it forms a layer which is adjacent to the fluoropolymer/polymer (A) layer According to the invention, the thermoplastic polymer (B) is incompatible with the fluoro-polymer and polymer (A) and has adequate extrudate behavior to support the layers of fluoro-polymer and/or polymer (A). Once the coextrudate has been cooled, by separating the layer(s) of (B), at least the film is recovered, said film comprising at least one layer of a polymer selected from among thermoplastic fluoro-polymers and polymers (A).

Abstract: A thermoplastic board (20) comprising at least one smooth side edge (21) is produced by means of extrusion. The side edge of a synthetic web is heated at least to its melting temperature following calibration while the peripheral surface zones are kept at a temperature below the softening temperature by cooling. A smoothing device (10?) for a side edge of the thermoplastic board encompasses a guiding groove (14?) that is provided with at least one heating means (15?), located within the face (11?), and at least one respective cooling means (16?, 17?) located within the side surfaces (12?, 13?) that face each other. A cutting edge (21, 24) of a synthetic board (20) that can be guided inside the guiding groove (14?) rests against the face (11?) while the peripheral surface zones (22, 23) thereof lean against the side surfaces (12?, 13?).

Abstract: It is intended to provide a method of producing a hollow construct, which may be in various shapes such as a fiber or a film as well as in various sizes and has chemical resistance, made of a fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer, a fluorinated carbon polymer or a polymer carrying a nitrogen-containing group, a silicon-containing group, an oxygen-containing group, a phosphorus-containing group or a sulfur-containing group having been introduced into the above-described polymer; and a hollow construct obtained by this method.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable scaffolds made at least in part of a poly(L-lactide)-based composite are disclosed. The composite includes poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) or poly(L-lactide)-b-polycaprolactone block copolymer, which increases the fracture toughness or fracture resistance of the scaffold. The composite can further include bioceramic particles, L-lactide monomer, or both dispersed throughout the composite. The bioceramic particles improve the radial strength and stiffness of the scaffold. The L-lactide monomer is used to control the absorption rate of the scaffold.

Abstract: A method for producing a flexible tube device includes supplying a tubular structure to an extrusion head, extruding a molten rigid resin and a molten non-rigid resin at a constant pressure to the tubular structure through an orifice formed in the extrusion head, controlling a moving speed of the tubular structure when extruding the molten rigid resin such that the moving speed becomes a highest speed VH when the proximal end passes through the orifice, and decreases at a first constant acceleration rate until a first change point, located closer to the proximal end than to the distal end, passes through the orifice to reach a lowest speed VL, controlling the moving speed of the tubular structure when extruding the molten non-rigid resin, and cooling the tubular structure to obtain the flexible tube device.

Abstract: Fluid line and method of making fluid line that includes an inner contour structured with wave peaks and wave troughs. Each wave peak has a front flank and a rear flank, and the front flanks are structured with an inclination angle, relative to a longitudinal axis, shallower than an inclination angle of the rear flanks.

Abstract: Fluid line and method of forming the fluid line. The fluid line includes a cylindrical inner surface having uniformly distributed recesses in the form of spherical sectors formed in the inner surface.

Abstract: A method that includes producing a strand by extruding a textile pulp at an extrusion rate that correlates with a first removal speed of the strand to generate a hollow fiber membrane, transporting the hollow fiber membrane at the first removal speed, and elongating the hollow fiber membrane by transporting the hollow fiber membrane at a second removal speed that is 0.5 to 50% higher than the first removal speed.

Abstract: An apparatus enables forming extruded plastic material into a strip that may be formed into an irrigation pipe. The apparatus includes a pair of juxtaposed rollers which when rotated, the linear velocity of a contact surface of one of the rollers of the pair is different from the linear velocity of a contact surface of the other roller of the pair. Thus, extruded material that passes between the rollers is concurrently stretched and flattened.

Abstract: A medical device, the medical device formed at least in part from a melt blend of at least one polymer comprising hydrolysable groups and a carbodiimide.

Abstract: An extruded multilayer seal member having an expanded temperature range and an improved compression set resistance wherein the seal member comprises a first fluoroelastomer as the inner layer of the multilayer seal member and a second elastomer as the outer layer of the multilayer seal member; and a method for manufacturing the multilayer seal member which comprises extruding a multilayer tubular structure, crosslinking the extruded multilayer tubular structure on a mandrel, cutting the multilayer tubular structure to provide a plurality of uniform seal members and recovering the seal members, are described.

Abstract: Tapered layers of pre-cured composite material are integrated into a tapered, highly stressed laminate structure in order to provide improved compressive strength. The pre-cured composite material can advantageously be cured under tension as pultruded material, to further augment compressive strength. The thickness of composite layers can be tapered on their termination edges by mechanically abrading, chemical abrading, or other methods. Especially preferred embodiments include aircraft structural components such as wings, wing spars, wing skins, fuselage skins, rotor blades, propellers, and propeller blades. Preferred laminates can be constructed to have at least 6, 10, 30, 50, or 100 layers of material, and can have a maximum thickness of at least 0.15, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 5.0 inches.

Abstract: The present invention provides a large diameter thin-walled fluororesin tube, which has, even with a large diameter (for example, ø 100 mm or more), excellent wall thickness precision and a low degree of stable orientation; and a process for producing the same. Specifically, the present invention relates to a fluororesin tube having an average thickness of 70 ?m or less and an outer diameter of 100 mm or more, wherein variation in the tube thickness is within ±20% with respect to the average tube thickness and a degree of orientation (F) is within a range of 0.25 to 0.55.

Abstract: A blown film that comprises polypropylene that has a melt flow rate of 1.8 to 14.0 g/10 min. and a melting point of at least 115° C. The blown film has a haze of less than 10% and a gloss of greater than 70%. The blown film may be co-extruded with a medium density polyethylene or 15 wt % of an impact copolymer. A clarifier may also be incorporated. The blown film that comprises polypropylene is produced on a standard air cooled blown film line.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a plastic hollow body, the process comprising the following steps: a) a tubular stream of molten plastic is extruded; b) this stream is taken up by means of a tensioning device; c) a transverse cut is made in this stream so as to create a parison having one free edge that is not taken up by the tensioning device; d) the parison is moved relative to the tensioning device so that the free edge of the parison is also taken up by the tensioning device; and e) at least one longitudinal cut is made in the parison over its entire length. Equipment suitable for implementing this process.

Abstract: An integrally plastic outlet pipe and making process thereof includes the steps of: a. preparing a mold; b. mold closing at the first opposite position; c. injection molding a semi-finished first part member; d. opening mold to take out a semi-finished upper cover of the wasted second part member; e. mold closing at a second opposite position; f. hot pressing a finished outlet pipe of a third part member and injection molding the semi-finished first part member and the semi-finished upper cover of the second part member; g. mold opening to obtain a finished integrally plastic outlet pipe of the third part member; h. mold closing at the first opposite position again; i. hot pressing the finished outlet pipe and rejection molding the semi-finished first part member and the semi-finished upper cover of the second part member; j. opening mold to acquire a finished integrally plastic outlet pipe.

Abstract: A piece of corrugated pipe cut from a longer length of pipe is provided with a pipe coupling part by subjecting one or more of the corrugation crests on the pipe to heat and pressure. This reshapes the one or more corrugations to form a seal receiving recessed spigot on the piece of pipe.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a plastic hollow body, the process comprising the following steps: a) a tubular stream of molten plastic is extruded; b) this stream is taken up by means of a tensioning device; c) a transverse cut is made in this stream so as to create a parison having one free edge that is not taken up by the tensioning device; d) the parison is moved relative to the tensioning device so that the free edge of the parison is also taken up by the tensioning device; and e) at least one longitudinal cut is made in the parison over its entire length. Equipment suitable for implementing this process.

Abstract: A composition for preparation of a hollow fiber porous membrane including 40-60 wt. % a polymer matrix, 20-30 wt. % an organic mixed solution, and 20-40 wt. % a water-soluble substance. The polymer matrix is a polymer capable of dissolving in an organic solvent and melt processing. The organic mixed solution is a mixture comprising 60-90 wt. % a first liquid soluble to the polymer matrix and 10-40 wt. % a second liquid insoluble to the polymer matrix. The water-soluble substance is a water-soluble polymer, a low molecular weight water-soluble particle, or a mixture thereof. A method for producing the hollow fiber porous membrane using the composition including a) preparing the organic mixed solution, b) mixing the components of the composition, c) applying melt spinning, d) drawing, and e) washing. The hollow fiber membrane has high strength, large flux, and low cost.

Abstract: Process for forming an annular member by extruding a thermoplastic profiled strip at an elevated temperature. Prior to cooling the strip, the still-molten ends undergo in-line compression molding to form an annular member having a joint section. The cross-section of the annular member is continuous in the joint section and the remainder of the body. Preferably, the extrudate may contain a thermoplastic elastomer, more preferably a thermoplastic vulcanizate formed by a dynamic vulcanization process. During the extrusion and compression molding processes, the extrudate may be supported on a rotatable turntable, or alternately on a rotatable molding cylinder.

Abstract: According to a fabrication method, an extruded tubular member HA is formed, using an extrusion die 23 which has an extrusion orifice 25 having an opening-side inner circumferential surface 25a having a circular section and a core-side die 26 disposed concentrically with the extrusion orifice 25, by extruding a tube material through an extrusion passage 27 defined between the opening-side inner circumferential surface 25 and a core-side outer circumferential surface 26d of the core-side die 26. As this occurs, a bent configuration is given to the extruded tubular member HA by changing contact areas where the tube material contacts the opening-side inner circumferential surface 25a and the core-side outer circumferential surface 26d in a circumferential direction so as to set velocities at which the tube material is extruded to different values in the circumferential direction by controlling the position of the core die 26 in rotating and axial directions relative to the extrusion orifice 25.

Abstract: A beaded preform includes a plurality of adjacently positioned beads for forming a plurality of voids in an engineered material. The beaded preforms may be comprised of a filaments (single strand of beads) and mats (two-dimensional and three dimensional arrays of beads). The filaments and mats may be coated to become tows and laminates, respectively, which may then be assembled into composite materials. The preforms may be produced using novel manufacturing apparatuses and methods, and incorporated into known manufacturing processes to produce porous structures, including stress-steering structures, in any material including metals, plastics, ceramics, textiles, papers, and biological materials, for example.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system for properly implanting a stent in a body lumen generally comprising a catheter having an elongated shaft with an inflatable balloon formed of compliant material and a stent mounted on the working length of the balloon. The balloon material is compliant within the working range of the balloon to provide substantial radial expansion. The wingless radially expansive balloon expands in a uniform manner, thereby producing uniform expansion and implantation of the stent. Another embodiment is directed to a balloon catheter, having a semi-compliant balloon or a noncompliant balloon formed at least in part of a block copolymer.