Abstract: A method of controlling oxygen vacancy concentration in a semiconducting metal oxide includes exposing a treated surface of a crystalline metal oxide to water at a temperature and pressure sufficient to maintain the water in a liquid phase. During the exposure, a portion of the water is adsorbed onto the treated surface and dissociates into atomic oxygen and hydrogen. The atomic oxygen is injected into and diffuses through the crystalline metal oxide, forming isolated oxygen interstitials and oxygen defect complexes. The isolated oxygen interstitials replace oxygen vacancies in the crystalline metal oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dip-coating method as a method of coating an outer surface of a target mold including steps of: preparing and putting a supporting liquid in a container; applying a coating material to the target mold; dipping the target mold in the supporting liquid; shaking the target mold surrounded by the coating material in the supporting liquid; curing the coating material surrounding the target mold in the supporting liquid; and taking out the coated target mold from the supporting liquid.

Abstract: A method of making garment material, the method having the steps: applying coagulant (34) to a substrate (32); applying a foam (38) of the polymeric material to the substrate (32); allowing the coagulant (34) to coagulate some of the foam (38); and removing uncoagulated foam (38) from the substrate (32) to leave a layer of coagulated polymeric material on the substrate (32).

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described.

Abstract: Disclosed are cellulose capsules, methods for preparing a cellulose capsule, and compositions comprising cellulose capsules, including sustained- or controlled-release dosage forms comprising cellulose capsules.

Abstract: There is provided, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, a glove having a textured surface or textured foam coating produced by embedding a layer of discrete particles, such as a salt, into a previously formed liquid layer, gelling or curing the layer and dissolving the discrete particles to leave a textured or textured foamed surface.

Abstract: Extra coagulant is added to the cuff portion of the former by a spray nozzle located between the coagulant and latex dipping tanks. A former is placed into a coagulant. After removal from the coagulant, additional coagulant to the cuff portion of the former by any conventional means, such as a spray nozzle. The higher concentration of coagulant at the cuff portion results in a thicker latex thickness at the cuff portion and counteracts the reduced dwell time of the cuff in the latex dipping tank as compared to the fingertip portion of the former. The thickness of the cuff portion can be controlled by altering the concentration of the coagulant applied by the spray nozzle.

Abstract: Accelerator composition for a rubber latex derived from a conjugated diene and optionally a vinyl aromatic comonomer comprising: (i) a diisopropyl xanthogen polysulphide (DIXP), (ii) an alkyldithiocarbamate wherein the alkyl chain contains from 5 to 20 carbon atoms, and (iii) diphenylguanidine (DPG), a curable aqueous synthetic rubber latex composition comprising said accelerator composition, a process for the water-based solvent-free manufacture of synthetic shaped synthetic elastomeric articles, prepared by using said accelerator composition.

Abstract: A method of making a non-tacky, powder-free neoprene article, preferably by dipping a former in a neoprene or neoprene copolymer latex, comprises the use of one or more anionic anti-tack agents in order to prevent any significant development of tack for a period of up to at least seven days when the article is stored at 70° C. or at least 90 days when stored at 45° C. Preferably, the article is a glove or condom further comprising a layer of hydrogel.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a catheter shaft, having an inner lumen defined by a layer of polymer coating, and a method for forming such a medical device. In some embodiments, the method generally includes the steps of applying a polymer coating to an elongated mandrel, and constructing the remainder of the catheter shaft body around the polymer coated mandrel. In some embodiments, the polymer coating layer is made from water dispersible polymer or water soluble polymer.

Abstract: A process for producing an article in a flexible foamed polymer material, including treating a former with a coagulant; dipping the treated former in a latex foam mixture to form a layer of the mixture on the former that includes air cells; curing the layer to gel the foam mixture to a cross-linked open cell structure; and stripping the layer from the former; where the latex foam mixture includes a natural latex polymer as a primary polymer component, and a synthetic latex polymer as a secondary polymer component, which synthetic latex polymer is selected to enhance the evenness and/or fineness of said open cell structure.

Abstract: A method for the layer-by-layer assembly of a free standing thin film includes the steps of preparing a support with a suitable substrate; forming a thin film having a plurality of layers onto the substrate utilizing a layer-by-layer assembly process; removing the substrate and thin film from the support; and separating the substrate from the thin film. Various compounds improving the strength, flexibility, tension and other mechanical properties may be included in the assembly to improve the structural quality of the film. Similar effect may also be achieved by cross-linking the applied layers.

Abstract: A textured elastomeric article and a method of making such an article is disclosed. The article includes a substrate body having an inside surface and a plurality of alkaline earth salt particles embedded within at least a portion of the inside surface but not extending through the thickness of the article such that no separate binder material is needed to affix the particles.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical thin film on a substrate comprises the steps of preparing a sol solution containing minute particles for an optical element dispersed in a dispersion medium, putting the prepared sol solution in a tightly closable vessel to heat and pressurize the sol solution, and then applying the heated and pressurized sol solution onto an optical substrate. The obtained thin film has a refractive index of 1.16 with respect to a light beam having a wavelength of 193 nm, in which the transmission loss is not more than 0.5%. An optical lens including the optical thin film formed on the surface, and an exposure apparatus including the lens provided for a projection optical system or an illumination system are provided.

Abstract: A method of treating an elastomeric matrix is disclosed. The method includes providing a transfer substrate including a treatment, providing an elastomeric matrix on a former, the matrix having an exposed surface, and contacting the matrix to the transfer substrate such that the treatment is transferred from the substrate to the exposed surface.

Abstract: Cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol fibers prepared from a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, which satisfy the following requirements: (1) a water absorption in water at 30° C. ranging from 10 to 100 times the weight of the fibers; (2) a fiber diameter in water at 30° C. as a result of absorbing water ranging from 2 to 10 times the diameter of the fibers not having absorbed water; and (3) a melting point ranging from 160 to 220° C., and a heat of fusion ranging from 40 to 100 J/g.

Abstract: Pore-free rubber articles are prepared by dip-molding in a dipping medium that includes a vulcanizing agent, then by immersing the dip former in a heated liquid bath that is chemically inert. A particularly effective liquid bath is molten inorganic salt. In addition, the tensile properties of an article of vulcanized rubber can be improved to an unusually effective degree by immersing the already vulcanized article in a solution of a vulcanizing agent to cause the rubber of the article to absorb or imbibe the vulcanizing agent from the solution, and then immersing the rubber and the imbibed vulcanizing agent in a heated liquid bath to increase the degree of vulcanization.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of removing a rubber article from a former and producing a powder-free nitrile rubber article without the necessity of any post-stripping powder removal techniques. The process includes contacting a former with a powder-free coagulant composition and then contacting the former with a nitrile latex emulsion to form the matrix of the article on the former. The latex is then cured to form the rubber article on the former. After the rubber article is cured, the article is contacted with a bath, such as a hot water bath. The bath causes the nitrile rubber film to swell and break free of the former. The article may then be dried, cooled, and easily stripped from the former. In one embodiment, the powder-free rubber articles may be stripped and immediately packed for distribution with no further processing of the articles required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production of a metal oxide thin film and a method for production of an arrayed metal oxide functional device, comprising the steps of: preparing a sol containing a material and a solvent; gelating the sol to give a gel member; processing the gel member under a pressure of not less than 0.2 MPa at 100 to 400° C. in a water-vapor-containing atmosphere; and conducting a heat treatment on the water-vapor-processed gel member at 200 to 400° C.

Abstract: A modified elastomeric glove is disclosed having a lubricous coating made up of polyvinyl alcohol and a thickening agent. The thickening agent is initially added in order to increase the processability of the polyvinyl alcohol coating in order to prevent runbacks and drips during the manufacturing process. A hydroscopic thickener may be used. The polyvinyl alcohol coating becomes lubricous when wetted in a water bath and therefore becomes particularly useful in applying a water-activated resin casting material for forming orthopaedic casting bandages.

Abstract: A powder free medical glove having an outer side a silicon treated surface and the inside of cross linked coagulated glove bonded with a layer formed of an anti-blocking composition. The anti-blocking composition includes of a polymer or copolymer mixed together with a micronised high density polyethylene material and wax in suitable blends that result in the composition having anti-blocking and improved lubricity properties. The medical glove with the skin contacting anti-blocking coating enables donning of the glove to be effected without the aid of donning powder such as starch powder. When the finished glove is washed and rinsed with water to remove the coagulant powder, and the said glove treated with a silicon solution, a glove substantially free of loose powder glove is produced and has good lubricity for donning.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of an antimicrobial rubber article which includes incorporating an effective amount of an antimicrobial agent into the natural rubber after the article has been shaped but before the article has been cured is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a glove in an elastomer deposition process employs a folded glove form. The form has a hand forming portion having palm and finger forming portions. The finger forming portions terminate in distal tips and the cuff forming portion terminates in a terminal end for forming the cuff opening. The form is folded so that finger forming portion distal tips and the cuff forming portion terminal end lie in separate planes and in facing relationship to one another. To form the glove, the form is vertically oriented and dipped into a bath of elastomer with both the cuff forming portion terminal end and the finger portion distal tips facing upwards.

Abstract: Rubber articles are produced by applying a first latex to a former and then applying either a second latex, or a separation material followed by a latex which may be the same as, or different to, the first latex, curing both latices, and removing both layers jointly, so as to make an article with an outer translucent layer and an inner darker layer, with capillary action permitted between the layers.

Abstract: Method of making a multilayer protective covering such as a surgical glove, finger cot or condom. Mold with a first layer is dipped into a gas-releasing solution which comprises a release agent, a blowing agent, and/or a coagulant. The mold is then dipped into a layer-forming solution to form a second layer. Heat is applied and gas forms between the layers, separating the layers. An antimicrobial solution may replace gas between the layers.

Abstract: A glove configuration and method for making same of a thin flexible film is shown. The glove and form having an ambidextrous shape useful for either the left or right hand use and a cuff configuration which resists rolldown. The configuration of the cuff includes a corrugated portion and a broadly fluted portion. The former giving increased strength and thickness and the latter providing a place to improve the ease with which the glove may be stripped from its dipping form.

Abstract: A process for making powder-free medical gloves that are nevertheless easy to don involves first forming a glove on a form by successively dip-coating layers of a coagulant containing acid-soluble powder dispersed throughout, an elastomer, and an antiblocking composition with particles distributed throughout. After curing the elastomer and applying a silicone coating, the glove is removed from the form and treated successively with acid, to dissolve the powder, and with bleach, to reduce blocking. Using this process, high quality natural rubber medical gloves can be produced.

Abstract: A method of making a balloon catheter. The method includes the steps of providing a tube having an outer surface and a plurality of lumens including first and second lumens, the tube including a first lumen access opening in the outer surface communicating with the first lumen; simultaneously coating a first portion of the outer surface with an amount of a bond preventing agent effective to prevent bonding to the first portion of the outer surface and plugging the first lumen access opening; and subsequently coating a second portion of the outer surface and the coating of bond preventing agent on the first portion of the outer surface with a polymeric bonding composition, wherein a resilient overcoat layer is created which is fixed to and integral with the tube proximate the second portion of the outer surface and free from adherence to the tube proximate the first portion of the outer surface. An alternate embodiment provides a method of mass-producing balloon catheters.

Abstract: This invention relates more particularly to a process for making a balloon to be used with an endoscope in which, according to the present invention, the balloon is processed of a basic material solution including a natural rubber latex or synthetic rubber latex to which is added a sensitizer to radiation cross-linking so as to act and accelerate its cross-linking effect by irradiating ionizing radiations such as gamma (.gamma.) rays utilizing a Co-60 source upon the rubber latex mixed with the sensitizer to radiation cross-linking, which is characterized in that such the balloon can be provided without any vulcanizing process as in the conventional, process.

Abstract: A polymeric casing with a textured (matte-finish) surface is manufactured by dipping a form having external contours conforming to the desired shape of the casing in a solution of a polymer dissolved in one liquid, withdrawing the form from the solution to retain the solution as a film over the form's outer surface, applying a second liquid over the surface of the film, the second liquid being one which is miscible with the first and in which the polymer is insoluble, then solidifying the polymer into a solid film, preferably by solvent evaporation. Application of the second liquid prior to complete drying of the polymer film causes the resulting film to have a matte finish, which has a lubricous effect without the need for added lubricant powders or liquids, particularly when combined with a mandrel which imparts a similar surface finish to the interior of the film.

Abstract: A polyurethane glove having improved tear and puncture resistance is made from the reaction product of an aliphatic diisocyanate, an aliphatic polyether diol having a molecular weight in the range of about 1,000 to about 5,000 and an aliphatic diol containing about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method of forming material including alternating layers of fibrin and collagen, formed into tubes, is disclosed for use in repairing transected nerve fibers either by tubulization of the approximated nerve ends, or as an artificial graft which are placed in the severed ends of the nerve, for promotion of nerve growth and regeneration. The new material is treated to reduce antigenicity and is resorbed into the body following regeneration of the nerve fibers.

Abstract: A powder coating process for producing soft, flexible polyurethane films particularly in the form of a surgical glove, wherein low melting crystalline prepolymer particles are powder coated and cured to an essentially non-crystalline film.

Abstract: A novel collagen condom consists of isotropically-strong, crosslinked, regenerated fiber collagen. A method of preparation involves the steps of at least twice dipping a mandrel into an acidic collagen dispersion; slowly removing the mandrel under spinning conditions; neutralizing and drying the membrane between dippings; crosslinking the finally dried membrane while on the mandrel and removing the membrane from the mandrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for manufacturing elastomer gloves having percentage elongation of at least 300%. In order to prevent excess deposits of the polymer latex in the areas of the tips of the fingers and the webs between the fingers when the hand-shaped molds are coated, by dipping, with the polymer, the surfaces of the mold in these areas are formed as non-rounded, non-horizontal inclined surfaces which join at an apex and define an included angle therebetween. This arrangement prevents the pooling of the polymer latex in the areas in question, this pooling being the cause of the excess deposits and being characteristic of prior molds of this general type. In order to provide sufficient coagulant around the sharp corners formed in the areas of the tips of the fingers and the webs between the fingers so as to provide sufficient coating in those areas, it is necessary to use a heated mold and to provide sufficient dwell time and withdrawal time for the mold from the coating baths during the process.

Abstract: A method of preparing an inflatable pad for a face mask in which a former (3) is coated with a curable composition which is cured to provide an elastic air-impermeable sheath (4) of rubber or like polymer which does not adhere to the former, thereby defining an inflation chamber. The former comprises a sheet of flexible material, e.g. polymer foam and remains within the pad in use thereby avoiding the conventional operations of slitting the air-impermeable sheath, removing the former and resealing the air-impermeable sheath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for manufacturing elastomer gloves having percentage elongation of at least 300%. In order to prevent excess deposits of the polymer latex in the areas of the tips of the fingers and the webs between the fingers when the hand-shaped molds are coated, by dipping, with the polymer, the surfaces of the mold in these areas are formed as non-rounded, non-horizontal inclined surfaces which join at an apex and define an included angle therebetween. This arrangement prevents the pooling of the polymer latex in the areas in question, this pooling being the cause of the excess deposits and being characteristic of prior molds of this general type. In order to provide sufficient coagulant around the sharp corners formed in the areas of the tips of the fingers and the webs between the fingers so as to provide sufficient coating in those areas, it is necessary to use a heated mold and to provide sufficient dwell time and withdrawal time for the mold from the coating baths during the process.

Abstract: There is described a method of manufacturing silicone rubber gloves with a non-blocking surface by repeatedly dipping a form in a solvent dispersion of uncured silicone rubber to build up a plurality of layers and then forming a layer of liquid droplets on the surface of the solvent-containing uncured rubber, thereby forming a textured surface as the solvent evaporates.