摘要:
The present invention is directed to a device and method for precise positioning, or alignment of two or more articles with respect to each other. The device comprises a Unistructural Mass of Inherent Memory Polymer with two or more internal cavities which have inherent shapes with at least one cross-sectional configuration which is congruent to a cross-sectional configuration shape of the said article(s) in the positioned or aligned position(s). The unistructural mass cavities have cross-sectional configurations which are the same or smaller than those corresponding to the positions of the articles. The unistructural mass also includes at least one separate access cavity. It is deformed such that the articles can be readily inserted into the corresponding cavities. Once the articles are inserted into their corresponding cavities, the inherent memory polymer is returned to its inherent shape by non-mechanical stimulus to force the articles into precisely defined position and inspectional or operational access to the article(s) at or near the alignment portions is available through the separate access hole.
摘要:
The present invention involves an optical fiber splicer made of a unistructural mass of inherent shaped memory polymer material. The splicer has a longitudinal dimension with opposite ends having first bore at one end and a second bore at the other end wherein the bores go into the mass and to each other. Preferably, the first bore and the second bore are merely a single continuous oriface. The unistructural mass has a first shape and a second shape. The first shape is a recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein the first bore and second bore each have a preset diameter to accomodate and tightly hold end segments of denuded optical fibers of predetermined diameter in spliced, butted alignment with one another. The second shape is such that the first bore and second bore each have swollen predetermined diameters which are greater than the diameters of the end segments of optical fibers so as to loosely and freely receive the end segments. The unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material is initially formed in the first, inherent shape, and is then swollen and partially shrunk to its second, deformed shape and is capable of being returned to its first shape by application of a non-mechanical stimulus thereto, such as heat. The invention is also directed to preparing the optical splicer as well as to using the optical splicer to obtain a butt-to-butt splicing of optical fibers.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to a device and method for precise positioning, or alignment of one or more articles with respect to the device or to each other. The device comprises one or more elements of Unistructural Mass of Inherent Memory Polymer with one or more internal cavities which have inherent shapes with at least one cross-sectional configuration which is congruent to a cross-sectional configuration shape of the said article(s) in the positioned or aligned position(s). The unistructural mass has cross-sectional configurations which are the same or smaller than those corresponding to the positions of the articles. The unistructural mass is deformed such that the articles can be readily inserted into the corresponding cavities. In one embodiment, a single unistructural mass has a single cavity for precision positioning of the article. In another embodiment, the mass has at least two cavities for article alignment. In another embodiment, a plurality of unistructural masses are aligned or connected and each contains at least one such cavity. Once the articles are inserted into their corresponding cavities, the inherent memory polymer is returned to its inherent shape by non-mechanical stimulus to force the articles into precisely defined position.
摘要:
The present invention involves a multiple cavity optical fiber splice made of a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material. The unistructural mass has a longitudinal dimension with opposite ends which includes at least a first bore at one end and at least a second bore and a third bore at the other end wherein the bores go into the mass and at least two connect to each other. The unistructural mass has two shapes, the first shape is a unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein each bore has a preset diameter to accommodate and tightly hold end segments of denuded optical fibers of predetermined diameter and the second shape is a deformed shape which may be caused by solvent swelling and partial shrinking of the inherent memory polymer material such that each bore has enlarged predetermined diameters greater than the diameters of the segments of the denuded optical fibers so as to freely receive the end segments of the denuded optical fibers. The mass may be initially formed in the first shape, and may be then swollen and shrunk to its second shape. It is capable of being returned to its first shape by application of a non-mechanical stimulus.
摘要:
A method of treating hemorrhoids which comprises inserting into the rectum of a subject afflicted therewith a substantially cylindrical shaped insert, comprising a water swellable polymer having a water content of at least 35% by weight, said insert having previously been frozen by being subjected to a temperature below 0.degree. C. for a sufficient amount of time to freeze the free water therein and maintaining said insert with at least a portion thereof outside the sphincter muscle, and apparatus therefore.
摘要:
The present invention guidewire involves an elongated, non-hydrogel core element forming an inner part of the device, and an integral outside tubular layer of elastomeric hydrogel ("hydrogel sleeve"). This outer hydrogel layer has unique physical characteristics. They are (a) Gradient of chemical composition with increasing concentration of polar groups in the outward direction away from the core element; (b) Gradient of swelling in contact with water with water content increasing in the outward direction away from the core element; (c) Compressive stress in the outer hydrophilic layer causing the hydrogel in that layer to swell to a water content lower than its equilibrium value in a free-swelling state; and, optionally, (d) Inward-directed radial stress pushing the outside hydrogel layer constantly against the inner core element. The present invention also involves the methods of making these guidewires, including melt extrusion directly onto the core element, coagulation from solution, in situ hydrogel polymer formation, and tubing extrusion followed by consequent shrink-fit over the core.
摘要:
An artificial intraocular lens features an optical body for refracting images onto the retina and an outer surface that encloses the optical body, is exposed to fluid within the eye, and has a refractive index no greater than 1.40. In another aspect, the optical body includes an internal refractive surface whose contour can be selectively changed to change its refractive power.
摘要:
The present invention contact lens is a soft, disposable lens which, under eye wearer conditions, changes one or more characteristics essential for comfortable use, at a predetermined time to initiate disposal thereof by the user. This lens, under wear conditions, changes, for example, at least its base curve redius and its deformability as a consequence of a change in hydrophilicity of at least a portion of the contact lens material. This hydrophilicity change may be achieved by various means, e.g. degradation of crosslinking bridges or conversion of less hydrophilic groups to groups having greater hydrophilicity. In one preferred embodiment, the conversion is achieved by hydrolysis of selected functional (hydrophobic) groups into hydrophilic groups.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for precision molding soluable polymers is disclosed, in order to form an exact and precisely shaped product, such as contact lenses and surgical implants. A preferred mold for forming contact lenses includes a female part having an indentation and a sharp circumferential edge surrounding the indentation. The mold also includes a male part which is adapted to contact the sharp circumferential edge of the female part to form the molding cavity between the indentation of the female part and the male part. A semi-permeable gate is formed between the female part and the male part for introducing coagulating fluid into the molding cavity while preventing the escape of the polymer solution from the molding cavity. The semi-permeable gate allows the diffusion of the coagulating fluid into the molding cavity at a faster rate than the rate of diffusion of solvent out of the molding cavity. The polymer solution is coagulated by the influx of the coagulating fluid into the polymer solution which causes both the coagulation and swelling of the polymer solution. Swelling of the polymer solution coagulates the solution under pressure within the molding cavity to form a precisely shaped product. Coagulation proceeds under pressure since the solvent diffuses out of the semi-permeable gate at a slower rate than the diffusion of the coagulating fluid into the molding cavity.
摘要:
A method is disclosed for preparing polyacrylonitrile copolymers by Heterogeneous reaction of polyacrylonitrile aquagel. Generally, the method includes the steps of preparing a solution of polyacrylonitrile by dissolving the polyacrylonitrile in a water-miscible solvent which is capable of dissolving the polyacrylonitrile but incapable of hydrolyzing the nitrile groups of the polyacrylonitrile under the dissolution conditions. Coagulating the polyacrylonitrile solution by replacing the solvent with a coagulating fluid such as water or a water-miscible fluid incapable of dissolving polyacrylonitrile at temperatures below 80.degree. C. and incapable of reacting with the nitrile groups of the polyacrylonitrile, thus obtaining the polymer in the aquagel state. Replacing the coagulating fluid with a fluid reagent capable of reacting with the nitrile groups of the polyacrylonitrile aquagel but incapable of dissolving the polyacrylonitrile aquagel at the selected reaction temperature. Allowing the fluid reagent to chemically react with the nitrile groups of the aquagel while the polyacrylonitrile aquagel is undissolved to form a copolymer product.The copolymer product is then either used in further chemical reactions involving newly formed and/or original side substituents, or isolated and utilized for molding or shaping into various articles. Various plasticizers, which when undiluted are capable of dissolving polyacrylonitrile, may be added to the copolymer product to assist in molding or shaping the material into an article.