Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivery of a drug or compound into a fluid flowing within a tube or catheter. In one embodiment a catheter includes an inner surface coated with a polymer matrix such as a hydrogel. The hydrogel includes captured within it a therapeutic agent. The method of capture may be by various means, including photolabile bonds between the therapeutic agent and the hydrogel. The therapeutic agent is released from the hydrogel by the application of energy to the hydrogel, such as by a laser emitting a wavelength which resonates and breaks the photolabile bond. The released therapeutic agent diffuses out of the hydrogel into the liquid flowing within a lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the production of labeled plastic bottles, to produce labeled bottles at a high output rate and with a reliable label hold wherein the bottles are labeled in a continuous flow directly after leaving the blowing machine. The bottles are still clean and dry, and allow for a reliable attachment of the labels at a high rate.

Abstract: A method for forming convexities and/or concavities on cloths for a garment at almost entire portions of the garment or any desired portion of the garment without any substantial limitation from a design point of view. The method for forming a garment having convexities and/or concavities which can expand and contract in both the weft and wrap directions like a knitted fabric. Cloths including thermoplastic fiber are cut into parts of the garment, the parts are sewn in a shape of the garment. The garment is overlaid on a thermo-shrinkable cloth. They are sewn together with stitches of water-soluble threads. The sewn cloths are heated under dry heat and without applying any pressure to the cloths so as to permit the thermo-shrinkable cloth to shrink and form convexities and/or concavities on the cloths of the garment. The water-soluble threads are solved and removed, and the cloths of the garment are separated from the thermo-shrinkable cloth.

Abstract: Methods for selectively moving a microelectronic-device substrate assembly in a processing machine having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a processing path extending from the first side to the second side. The processing machine can also include a cassette proximate to a second side of the processing station that moves to position a substrate at the processing path. In one aspect of the invention, the substrate handling apparatus includes a guide member attached to the processing machine, an arm slidably attached to the guide member, and a clamp attached to the arm. The guide member is generally fixedly attached to the processing machine, and the guide member generally has a shape corresponding to the processing path. The arm can include a first section moveably attached to the guide member to translate along the guide member, and a second section projecting from the first section to position at least a portion of the second section at least proximate to the processing path.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of forming a distal tip on a catheter. The method includes defining an area on the distal end of a polymeric tube, creating at least one void by removing at least some of the material within the area, and sealing the cut edge closed. The area is defined by a boundary, which includes a first location on the distal tip, a second location on the distal tip radially spaced apart from the first location, and a third location proximal to the distal tip. The preferred area is a cut having a V-shape. This method creates a superior catheter tip profile, specifically for soft tips.

Abstract: A method of making a covered stent comprises the steps of producing a stent (1) having a diameter corresponding to an unexpanded state of the stent (1) and producing a tube (2) of a film material. The film material of the tube (2) should be shrinkable by exposure to an elevated temperature and the tube (2) should, before shrinking, have a greater diameter than the stent (1). As further steps of the method, the stent (1) is introduced into the tube (2), and the tube (2) is exposed to the elevated temperature for reducing the diameter of the tube (2) such that the stent (1) is affixed within the tube (2). The tube may be longer than the stent such that the ends of the tube may be introduced into the ends of the stent and affixed by short sections of a stent material. Collars may be formed at the ends of the tube and may also be covered by the film material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conferring a cup shape to the terminal junction segment of pipes that are bi-axially oriented longitudinally and circumferentially and hence very sensitive to diameter and length reduction through heat. The apparatus includes a furnace which heats the segment to a differentiated temperature, increasing towards the end of the segment such that the inner diameter of the terminal segment progressively drops down to a controlled value as temperature increases (whilst length of the pipe is simultaneously reduced, with a corresponding increase in thickness of the wall of the terminal segment). Preferably then, in an appropriate station, an additional heating is executed to a plastic deformation temperature suited to obtain a correct preliminary dilation of the terminal segment, upon introducing a rigid element which acts as inner contrast, thereby inhibiting any retraction thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming an air bag release score line in a material by forming a ridge in the material along the line to be scored. By heat scoring the material along the ridge a ridge-induced twist prevents the formation of a witness line.

Abstract: A process for fixing a rotor winding, which is hooked to connection lugs of commutator lamellas of a commutator in the vicinity between the connection lugs and winding heads that are embodied on the end face of the rotor body. In order to simplify the process, a shrink sleeve is placed over the commutator of the completed rotor and is slid onto the winding heads until the connection lugs and the connection wires of the rotor winding that extend to the connection lugs are covered. The mechanically fixed shrink sleeve is homogeneously heated with hot air while the rotor rotates so that after cooling, the shrink sleeve shrinks onto the connection lugs and connection wires as well as onto parts of the winding heads.

Abstract: A casing member for forming a connection between tubular sections. The member has heat shrinkable end portions, for connecting on respective adjacent end surfaces of the tubular sections adjacent the joint, and a middle portion for spanning between the end surfaces of the tubular sections. The end portions are formed integrally with at least a portion of the middle portion and have a zone that has a relatively small wall thickness while the middle portion having a relatively large wall thickness. This member may be made by heat shrinking a sleeve on an inner core on a mandrel or by uniting opposed ends of a heat shrink sheet having one or more auxiliary layers bonded to it. The properties of the core or auxiliary layer or layers may be tailored to provide desired properties or capabilities.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent formed from helically wound and braided filaments of bioabsorbable polymers such as PLA, PLLA, PDLA, and PGA.

Abstract: Shape-memory biodegradable and absorbable materials which make it possible to easily treat vital tissues by suture, anastomosis, ligation, fixation, reconstitution, prosthesis, etc. without causing burn. These materials never induce halation in MRI or CT and never remain in vivo. Such a shape-memory biodegradable and absorbable material is a material made of a molded article of lactic acid-based polymer and can be recovered to the original shape without applying any external force thereto but heating to a definite temperature or above. It is obtained by deforming a molded article (a primary molded article) made of a lactic acid-based polymer and having a definite shape into another molded article (a secondary molded article) having another shape at a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature thereof but lower than the crystallization temperature thereof (or 100° C.

Abstract: A method for improving the radial enlargeability and other properties of tape-reinforced tubular vascular graft formed of sintered fluoropolymer(s), such as expanded, sintered PTFE. Broadly, the method comprises the step of radially shrinking the reinforcement tape layer of the graft, or the entire tape-reinforced graft, after sintering thereof. Such radial shrinkage of the reinforcement tape layer, or of the entire graft, renders the graft subsequently radially enlargeable by more than 5%, without tearing or breaking of the reinforcement tape layer of the graft. Radially enlargeable grafts of the present invention may be combined with various types of stents or anchoring systems, to form endovascular graft devices which are transluminally insertable and implantable within the lumen of a host blood vessel.

Abstract: A dimensionally heat recoverable tubular article (1) is made by spirally wrapping cross-linked polymeric sheet (3) a number of times, and directly fusing together overlapping layers (5) of the cross-linked sheet (3) to form a consolidated tubular article. The final article has a wall thickness of at least 2.2 mm. Articles according to the invention may be made of different diameter and different wall thickness, starting from the same thickness initial sheet material, simply by changing the circumference of wrapping or the number of spiral wraps. Articles according to the invention are particularly useful as casings over joints between district heating pipes.

Abstract: An apparatus for conferring a cup shape to the terminal junction segment of pipes that are bi-axially oriented longitudinally and circumferentially and hence very sensitive to diameter and length reduction through heat. The apparatus includes a furnace which heats the segment to a differentiated temperature, increasing towards the end of the segment such that the inner diameter of the terminal segment progressively drops down to a controlled value as temperature increases (whilst length is simultaneously reduced, with a corresponding increase in thickness of the wall of the terminal segment). Preferably then, in an appropriate station, an additional heating is executed to a plastic deformation temperature suited to obtain a correct preliminary dilation of the terminal segment upon introducing a rigid element which acts as inner contrast, thereby inhibiting any retraction thereof.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing thermoplastic tubes from hollow thermoplastic sleeves by a variety of different manufacturing processes. The machine used in the method is a single apparatus having an indexing device with a plurality of mandrels for holding hollow thermoplastic sleeves for the purpose of transporting the same around a closed manufacturing path. The method involves advancing sleeves around the closed manufacturing path to form tubes from the sleeves.

Abstract: A rubber composition containing 20 parts by weight-200 parts by weight of hydrogenated styrene thermoplastic elastomer and poly-olefin for 100 parts by weight of rubber which is dynamically vulcanized with a resin vulcanizing agent to disperse the rubber in a mixture of the hydrogenated styrene thermoplastic elastomer and the poly-olefin.

Abstract: A method for forming a socket on a pipe of biaxially oriented polyvinyl chloride including: placing a support in an end section of the pipe, heating the pipe in the region of the end section; deforming the pipe to produce a socket in the region of the heated end section, the heated end section being supported internally while the socket is being formed; cooling the pipe in the region of the end section, the end section being supported internally during the cooling operation; and removing the support from the pipe. For the purpose of heating the internally supported end section of the pipe, the end section is first heated until the end section has reached, substantially homogeneously, the glass transition temperature of polyvinyl chloride and is then further heated until the end section has reached, substantially homogeneously, a temperature near, preferably just above, the orientation temperature of polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: A headed thermoplastic tube is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched, sleeve by positioning the sleeve over a forming mandrel so the sleeve has an exposed portion. While rotating the forming mandrel which holds the sleeve, the inner surface of the exposed portion of the sleeve is heated above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material to render the inner surface molten while the outer surface provides support for the exposed portion of the sleeve. The heated exposed portion is then shaped into a conical shape, such as by heating the outer surface, the rotation of the mandrel is stopped and pressure applied to the conical shaped exposed portion to form a headed thermoplastic tube. The headed tubes produced have a body portion, shoulder portion and neck portion, without any seams, all of which are formed from the starting thermoplastic extruded, stretched sleeve.

Abstract: A headed thermoplastic tube having a closure member is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched sleeve by positioning the sleeve over a forming mandrel with an exposed portion and heating the exposed portion. The heated exposed portion is shaped into a head in a single step by contacting the exposed portion with a closure means which is later retained on the head after initial contact. The internal cavity of the closure means, which may have threads or grooves formed in the internal cavity, is made of an incompatible material to facilitate the forming of a head in said cavity. The closure means may also have tamper evident features.

Abstract: A method for sheathing a substrate with a fluorine resin tube in accordance with the present invention includes placing a substrate sheathed with a heat-shrinkable fluorine resin tube into a cylindrical surface transfer member and heat-pressing the heat-shrinkable fluorine resin tube between the substrate and the cylindrical surface transfer member so that the heat-shrinkable fluorine resin tube is melt-bonded to the substrate. The fluorine resin tube after sheathing has excellent heat resistance and strength, and has a desired surface unevenness.

Abstract: A PTFE fiber that is adapted to be sewn at high speeds. The fiber has a toughness greater than about 0.36 grams per denier (g/d). A range for the toughness is from about 0.36 to about 1.01 g/d, with a preferred range being from about 0.50 to about 0.80 g/d. The toughness of the inventive PTFE fiber is most preferably about 0.60 g/d. The inventive fiber has a peak engineering stress greater than about 1.6 g/d and a break strain greater than about 15.5 percent. A preferred range for the peak engineering stress is from about 3.0 g/d to about 5.0 g/d, and a preferred range for the break strain is from about 20 percent to about 50 percent. Most preferably, the peak engineering stress is about 4.4 g/d, and the break strain is about 24 percent. In another aspect, this invention provides a process for making a fiber that involves providing a PTFE fiber and heating the PTFE fiber to a temperature of from about 300.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for aperturing a laminate. The first step is to provide a laminate having at least one nonwoven web of thermoplastic fibers and at least one elastic member. The laminate is forwarded through a pressure biased nip having a relief patterned nip defining member having a plurality of pattern elements and a nip defining anvil member. The nip defining members are biased towards each other with a predetermined pattern-element loading. Each nip defining member is heated to a temperature that is sufficiently above the melt temperature of the thermoplastic fibers of the nonwoven web and above the melt temperature of the elastic member to enable aperturing of the laminate.

Abstract: A process for producing polyolefin materials is disclosed which comprises the steps of (a) preparing a molded article of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin having a viscosity-average molecular weight of more than 500,000; (b) stretching said article by more than thirty-fold; (c) contracting the thus stretched article to an extent ranging from 0.3 to 80% in the direction of stretch; and (d) re-stretching the thus contracted article. The resulting polyolefin materials are improved in mechanical strength and elasticity modulus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved cathode element for the production of electrolytic copper, and more particularly to an improved cathode element of the reusable type which includes a cathode plate. With the intention of preventing a sleeve-like copper build-up around the cathode plate, the cathode element is provided with electrically insulating edge strips along at least those side edges of the cathode element which, in an active position, are located in the electrolyte bath, wherein the electrically insulating edge strips are chemically bonded to the cathode plate, preferably by vulcanization or by gluing.

Abstract: A method of producing a tubular container which can efficiently and integrally produce a thinly walled neck section on the tubular container without altering the appearance and profile of the container. The method of producing a tubular container comprises the first step of arranging a thinly walled tube to a tube holder, the second step of softening the inside of the front end of the thinly walled tube, the third step of shrinking the front end of the thinly walled tube, and the fourth step of forming a neck section and a shoulder section to the front end of the thinly walled tube by means of a male mold. After heating the thinly walled tube with hot air, the air is drawn and removed, and the outer wall surface is cooled so as to make the subsequent steps to be conducted smoothly and efficiently. Since hot air is drawn after heating the outer wall surface, a thinly walled tapered shoulder section can be produced without altering the appearance and profile of the tubular container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus process a thinly walled tube of thermoplastic resin to produce a tubular container having an inwardly directed flange section in a hole formed at an end of the thinly walled tube. In a first step, the thinly walled tube is secured to a tube holder provided with a male mold for molding the flange section in the hole and forming an opening located inside the flange section. The front end of the thinly walled tube projects by a predetermined distance from the front end of the tube holder. Then, in a second step, hot air is blown to an inner wall surface of the thinly walled tube at and near the front end thereof and the outer wall surface of the thinly walled tube is cooled also at and near the front end thereof. This produces a temperature difference between an inside and an outside of the thinly walled tube, so as to deform the front end of the thinly walled tube into a flange projecting radially.

Abstract: The sample liquid aspirating and dispensing probe includes a tubular plastic inner member and a tubular metallic outer member. One or more sections of the plastic inner member are drawn-down in dies to provide a large diameter section, a small diameter section and an intermediate transition section. The plastic member is inserted in the metal member and annealed to conform the profile of the plastic member transition section with a streamlined transition section of the metal outer member. The dual member probe has an ultra-smooth interior surface, substantially free of eddy-forming imperfections. Thus there is minimal likelihood of turbulent eddies forming when rinse liquid is directed through the probe. The metallic member provides the probe with a conductive capability for capacitive liquid level sensing.

Abstract: The method of making polystyrene foam for foam products which comprises utilizing atmospheric gases as the blowing agents or preferably mixing one or more of these gases and a blending agent which is non-volatile at the extrusion temperatures, introducing the mixture to a molten thermoplastic polystyrene resin containing nucleating agents such as sodium bicarbonate and citric acid and extruding the thermoplastic in the form of a foam. The resultant foam has substantially no residual blowing agent, is dimensionally stable at ambient temperatures and when used with a non-volatile blending agent can be made with small amounts of blowing agent permitting cooling of the melt without high loading on the extruder. The foam may be coextruded with one or more layers of thermoplastic film so that the resultant product is adapted for use for plates, cups, food containers or packaging and for labels for containers such as glass and plastic containers and for labels that are shrunk in place on a container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a rigid circuit board has a circuit board with a reduced thickness in a bend region. The bend region may have several layers of laminate and conductive material. The circuit board is heated to the glass transition temperature which allows the circuit board to become flexible. The apparatus has a clamping member and a stationary member. The clamping member uses a shape memory alloy actuator with a transition temperature about the same as the glass transition temperature of the laminate. The actuator is used to form the bend region to a predetermined shape around the stationary member. When the circuit board is cooled, the circuit board again becomes rigid in its predetermined shape.

Abstract: A very light weight high pressure coiled retractable hose kit for marine vehicles and outdoor use which uses a helical structure to automatically retract when not used. The helical structure allows the hose to extend substantially the length of a typical fishing boat. A UV and thermal resistant material is used to withstand damage from prolonged exposure to sunlight, heat or cold. The material is also corrosion resistant to withstand damage from salt water. A high pressure rating allows a narrow diameter hose which occupies a small storage area to be attached to a conventional spigot and provide an increase in water velocity when the nozzle is activated. Input and output fittings and a nozzle retention bracket hold the hose structure in a tight helical spring configuration for storage. The light weight allows easy manipulation of the hose kit and provides improved safety by enhancing the ability to move the hose kit from underfoot during periods of intense activity such as when gaffing fish onboard a boat.

Abstract: In a guide wire is for a catheter, a core wire prepared by twisting a plurality of thin threads in which a leading end of the core wire is diametrically reduced to be a thinnest tip. A resin layer is coated on an outer surface of the core wire. The thinnest tip is treated by tightly uniting together a twisted ends of the thinnest threads.

Abstract: Beads capable of stably executing bead embroidery having high quality by using a continuous form of beads which can accomplish automatic bead embroidery. The beads comprise a laminate film 1a formed by laminating films 2 and 3 having different thermal shrinkage ratios in a predetermined direction. The laminate film 1a is heat-treated and curled into a cylindrical shape to form a cylinder 1b, and cuts 4 are formed into the cylinder 1b at predetermined intervals so as to form the continuous member 1c of the beads 6.

Abstract: Glass matt reinforced thermoplastics suitable for the production of paintable parts, comprisinga) a thermoplastic matrix polymer of a viscosity under processing conditions corresponding to a melt flow index (MFI 230/2.16) of polypropylene of at least 250 g/10 min andb) one or more glass matts which, upon heating, bring about an expansion of the glass matt reinforced thermoplastics to at least 2.5 times the original thickness, optionally in combination withc) an addition of fine-particle, mineral fillers.

Abstract: A method of treating a preformed flexible imaging belt including providing a rigid cylindrical support drum having a precisely predetermined outer circumference, a first end and a second end, providing a preformed flexible electrostatographic imaging belt, circumferentially expanding the belt with a flowing fluid under pressure until the circumference of the inner surface of the belt adjacent the first end of the drum is stretched to a new dimension of at least about 0.1 percent greater than the outer circumference of the rigid support drum while maintaining the belt below the elastic limit of the belt to smooth out physical defects, sliding the belt onto the drum from the first end toward the second end until substantially all of the belt encircles the outer surface of the drum, terminating the flow of the flowing fluid to allow the belt to contract onto the outer surface of the support drum, heating the belt to a treatment temperature of between about the glass transition temperature and about 10.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of an anode for a non-aqueous electrolyte cell, which is excellent in rapid charge/discharge characteristics, discharge capacity characteristics at high temperatures, charge/discharge characteristics at low temperatures and shelf life, and thus has high reliability. According to the present invention, a sheet, mainly composed of an alkali metal having a body centered cubic crystal structure as an active material, is pressed from a direction normal to the principal surface thereof, thereby preferentially orienting crystallites so that (100) planes, (110) planes, (211) planes, (310) planes, (321) planes or (222) planes are parallel to the principal surface of the sheet, and the thus pressed sheet is used for the anode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recovering flatness of a web material which comprises heating a side edge portion of the web material at a temperature in a range from a glass transition temperature minus 40.degree. C. to a melting point of the web material for a period of from 1 to 600 seconds, and an apparatus for recovering flatness of a web material which comprises a plurality of conveying rollers for conveying the web material and a side edge portion heating means which surrounds and heats the side edge portion of the web material traveling through conveying rollers. According to the method and apparatus, the side edge portion(s) elongated by the previous heat treatment is recovered to a state similar to the central portion by reheating to correct the side edge portion(s), and thereby, flatness of the web material can be improved.

Abstract: A thermoplastic liner is extruded in cylindrical form and deformed at a temperature below the crystallization temperature of the polyethylene material forming the liner into a generally W-shaped configuration. The liner in that configuration has three convex lobes and two concave lobes along one side of the liner with a convex portion of the liner wall along the opposite side. The cylindrical liner is initially extruded in cylindrical form and deformed by a series of axially spaced sets of rollers progressively inclined toward a vertical position wherein the final W-shaped configuration of the liner is formed. The liner has a cross-section in any direction less than one-half of the diameter of the liner when expanded into a cylindrical configuration. The deformed liner is coiled about a reel. At an installation site, the liner is pulled from the reel through the pipe and sealed at opposite ends. Steam under pressure expands the W-shaped liner to a cylindrical configuration to line the pipe.

Abstract: A stretch label adapted to be fitted to a container is manufactured and includes a stretch film, having a self-shrinking property, and a printing layer. The stretch film, in turn, includes a substrate made from an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or a mixture of a low density polyethylene and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and a surface layer made of a polyolefin resin. The surface layer is harder than the substrate and is provided on at least one surface of the substrate. The surface layer is the outer surface layer of the stretch label when the stretch label is fitted to the container.

Abstract: A composite sanitary fitting in which an inner body portion is secured within a overmolded stiffening sleeve which provides strength and rigidity to the fitting. The main body is comprised of a plastic such as PFA and the outer stiffening sleeve is comprised of a more rigid durable plastic such as PEEK. The main body portion has a flange portion which at the connecting end. The stiffening sleeve has an U-shaped portion extends around three sides of the flange locking the sleeve on the body portion.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a catheter method of manufacture. The method includes the provision of a subassembly of a lubricious liner and reinforcement. Over the subassembly, a shaft tube, transition tube, and soft tip tube are placed in an abutting relationship to each other, forming an assembly. A first tube of heat shrink is advanced over the assembly, heat is applied to fuse the assembly, and the first heat shrink is removed. Subsequently, the soft tip of the catheter is shaped using a second tube of heat shrink, which is placed over the distal end of the assembly. Heat is applied to the second heat shrink to cause the tip material to flow and to draw the tip material over the distal end of the lubricious liner. The second heat shrink is removed, completing the catheter manufacture.

Abstract: A decorating process including the steps of 1) providing a length of heat shrinkable tubing having a lateral insertion slit formed along the entire length thereof into a passageway running the entire length thereof, 2) positioning a length of electrical cord laterally through the lateral insertion slit into the passageway of the heat shrinkable tubing, and 3) applying heat to a top section of the heat shrinkable tubing located opposite the lateral insertion slit for a sufficient time to shrink the top section of the heat shrinkable tubing. In a preferred embodiment, the heat shrinkable tubing provided includes an outwardly directed interlocking lip defining one edge of the lateral insertion slit and an inwardly directed interlocking lip defining an opposite edge of the lateral insertion slit. The outwardly and inwardly directed interlocking lips are interlockable to maintain the heat shrinkable tubing closed around a length of electrical cord.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bottle with an ear obtained by orientation blow molding, in which a mounting portion positioned at a predetermined height which has a large diameter and whose upper portion is composed of an outer wall in the form of an injection molded flange and an inner wall oriented internally thereof and placed in close contact therewith, said mounting portion having a predetermined width in an outer periphery thereof, is formed below a mouth portion of a bottle by injection orientation blow molding, an upper edge of said mounting groove is formed to have an edge having a plurality of notches at equal intervals, a mounting ring internally provided with a plurality of projecting surfaces positioned at the mounting groove through said notches is formed integral with a bended end of an ear, and the projecting surfaces of said mounting ring and the upper edge of said mounting groove are fitted with each other whereby the ear and the bottle are integrally connected.

Abstract: A tight, sterile connection between flexible tubing and a connector on a medical device is produced by pre-assembling the tubing and the connector, heat-shrinking the tubing onto the connector, and then sterilizing the connection while maintaining compression of the tubing against the connector.

Abstract: Thermoplastic, thermoshapable composite laminate bars, an orthopedic brace using the shaped composite bars as integral components, and a method of thermoshaping the composite bars for use as fitted components in the orthopedic brace are provided. The composite bars contain multiple fiber layers oriented in at least two directions with respect to the bar length to provide high flexural and torsional strength. The novel method of thermoshaping yields improved results over prior thermoshaping methods by providing an uncomplicated shaping capability while maintaining the structural and mechanical properties of the composite bar.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system for implanting a radially expandable stent within a body vessel including a catheter comprising an inner lumen tube, an inflation lumen tube, an inflatable balloon and at least one free standing built-up layer affixed to the outer diameter of the inner lumen tube, the built-up layer being internal to the balloon. A stent is mounted coaxially upon the balloon, the built-up layer extends coaxially within the stent but does not extend beyond the proximal and distal ends of the stent. The built-up layer is sufficiently thick as to cause the balloon to expand evenly and the stent to deploy uniformly. The method of manufacturing the built-up layer includes forming the layer from shrink wrap tubing or alternatively forming the layer from molded ultraviolet light curing adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a splittable conjugate fiber containing at least two incompatible polymers that are arranged in distinct segments across the cross-section of the fiber, wherein the segments are continuous along the length of the fiber. The fiber can be characterized in that the segments of the fiber dissociate in less than about 30 seconds when contacted with a hot aqueous fibrillation-inducing medium. The invention also provides a fabric containing the split fibers produced from the precursor splittable conjugate fiber and laminates containing the split fiber fabric. Additionally provided is a process for producing the split fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a catheter. This method includes the manufacturing of a tube-like basic body with a proximal and a distal end, the arranging of a connecting member to the proximal end, and the finishing of the distal end, wherein for the basic body at least partially material has been used which forms cross links when irradiated and wherein the basic body is exposed to controlled radiation.

Abstract: A composite structure and related fabrication method is provided which has a plurality of composite material layers and at least one embedded shape memory alloy component for providing controlled structural deformation. The shape memory alloy component includes a shape memory alloy tendon having a relaxed shape at temperatures below a predetermined transition temperature and a contracted shape at temperatures above the predetermined transition temperature. The shape memory alloy component also comprises a pair of electrically insulating opposing face sheets adhered to opposite sides of the shape memory alloy tendon to electrically isolate the shape memory alloy tendon from the surrounding composite material layers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat shrink clad core optical conduit and to an optical conduit having either a thermoplastic, thermoset or liquid, light transmitting core surrounded by, preferably a fluoropolymer cladding which is in turn surrounded by a tight-fitting, finish polymer jacket which may be either transparent or translucent, and is preferably made of a polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, acrylic or silicone material. Numerous fillers and inserts may be used in the finish jacket polymer and the finish jacket polymer may be formed into various shapes. Bondable jacket materials may be used. The preferred method of forming the manufacturing jacket around a heat shrinkable fluoropolymer cladding is by extruding a low extrusion temperature polymer over a heat shrink clad in its expanded form into which an increased interior pressure is maintained to prevent shrinkage during the extrusion process.