Abstract: An elongated segmented wound packing product comprised of individual linked segments of hydrogel enclosed within a liquid permeable pliable material, the individual segments being connected in a strand-of-beads like configuration.

Abstract: A biocompatable multi-layer article suitable for use in blood oxygenation is disclosed. The article is made up of a microporous polypropylene tube, a perm-selective, water vapor impermeable, carbon dioxide and oxygen permeable, homogeneous layer directly adhered to the polypropylene tube and active heparin linked through a covalent bond to the permselective layer. The polypropylene tube has an inside diameter from 240 to 400 .mu.m, a wall thickness from 10 to 50 .mu.m, and a porosity from 20 to 80 percent. The perm-selective layer is a polysulfone which has the structure ##STR1## where R is an alkyl group having 16 carbon atoms and n is 3,500 to 35,000. A method for producing a biocompatible multi-layer article suitable for use in blood oxygenation is also disclosed. The method involves the steps of immersing a microporous polypropylene tube which has an inside diameter from 240 to 400 .mu.m, a wall thickness from 10 to 50 .mu.

Abstract: Polyarylene thioether is easily prepared by oxidative polymerizing an aromatic compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy group, and Y is a hydrogen atom or a group of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy group and X is --O--, --S--, a methylene group or an ethylene group with a sulfidizing agent in the presence of an acid and an oxidizing agent, or in the presence of an acid, a catalyst for oxidative polymerization and oxygen, or in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst.

Abstract: A copolymer of sulfur dioxide and polyalkylpolysilylstyrene composed of repeating units of formula I: ##STR1## where R is a lower alkyl group, p is an integer between 2 and 5, q in an integer between 1 and 10 representing the sequence length of polyalkylpolysilylstyrene, and n is a number between 5 and 10,000, and having a number-average molecular weight of 2,000 to 2,000,000. This copolymer is a novel and useful positive resist material which is highly sensitive to light, or electron-beam or X-ray radiation and is of high dry etching resistance.

Abstract: Asymmetrical layered structures such as asymmetrical films are disclosed. The main body section contains a multitude of pores (voids). A thin surface skin is free of pores. The entire structure is fabricated from a polyalkylene sulfone resin in which the alkylene moiety contains 6 to 18 carbon atoms. Processes for preparing the structures also are disclosed. The structures are semi-permeable to gases and are used as membranes to enrich the oxygen content of oxygen/nitrogen mixtures.

Abstract: There is disclosed the preparation of an alpha-olefin-sulfur dioxide copolymer derived from the C.sub.8 to C.sub.18 alpha-olefins. The polymers undergo clean thermal degradation, having high permeabilities to oxygen and carbon dioxide, and are readily processed into a membrane article. Maximum permeabilities are obtained with the C.sub.16 based polymer. New uses of the copolymer are set forth including perfusion membranes, soft contact lenses and biocompatible articles for contact with human body fluids including surgical tubing, wound dressings, and prosthetic devices such as artificial veins, arteries and heart valves.