Abstract:
A vent for a machinery enclosure such as an automotive axle comprises a vent body having passageway between the interior of the enclosure and the exterior of the enclosure and an ePTFE membrane covering the passageway. The membrane and a fibrous sorbent are disposed within the passageway between the interior of the enclosure and the membrane.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a non-evertable blood filter that divides the transverse cross sectional area of a venous vessel into three annular regions or zones. The inner zone, the region immediately surrounding the longitudinal axis of the vessel, is maintained in a relatively open state with only minimal interference from the members making up the filter device so that blood flow can be maintained at a relatively normal rate. Concentrically surrounding the inner zone is the intermediate zone, to which captured emboli are directed out of the bloodstream passing primarily through the inner zone. Finally, concentrically surrounding the intermediate zone is the outer zone adjacent to the vessel wall. This is also intended to be kept free of emboli, so that emboli in the bloodstream immediately adjacent the vessel wall are directed away from the wall by the filter design and into the intermediate zone, thereby avoiding the accumulation of emboli adjacent the vessel wall that might otherwise result in stenosis. The blood filter is intended primarily for use as an inferior vena cava filter, although it can be made in a range of sizes allowing its use in blood vessels and particularly venous vessels of differing diameters. The filter is preferably removable.
Abstract:
A solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the solid polymer electrolyte membrane has a failure force greater than about 115 grams and comprises a composite membrane consisting essentially of (a) at least one expanded PTFE membrane having a porous microstructure of polymeric fibrils, and (b) at least one ion exchange material impregnated throughout the porous microstructure of the expanded PTFE membrane so as to render an interior volume of the expanded PTFE membrane substantially occlusive; (c) at least one substantially occlusive, electronically insulating first composite layer interposed between the expanded PTFE membrane and the first surface, the first composite layer comprising a plurality of first carbon particles supporting a catalyst comprising platinum and an ion exchange material, wherein a plurality of the first carbon particles has a particle size less than about 75 nm, or less than about 50 nm, or less than about 25 nm.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.
Abstract:
The invention provides a renewable composite filter media for removal of particles from a fluid stream comprising a membrane filtration layer comprising a porous polymeric membrane having an upstream side and a downstream side relative to the direction of fluid flow, a first depth filtration media layer having an upstream side and a downstream side relative to the direction of fluid flow, the first depth filtration media layer being disposed on upstream side of the membrane filtration layer; and at least one additional depth filtration media layer removab y attached to the upstream side of the first depth filtration media layer. In this aspect, the first depth filtration media layer may be remova+y attached to the membrane filtration layer.
Abstract:
A method of conditioning a fuel cell having an anode supplied with a fuel, and a cathode supplied with an oxidant comprising the steps of: (i) applying a first external load to said fuel cell to produce a first voltage which is less than open circuit voltage for a first period of time less than about 20 minutes; (ii) Removing the external load for a second period of time less than about 2 minutes; and (iii) Applying a second external load to said fuel cell to produce a second voltage which is less than open circuit voltage for a third period of time less than about 20 minutes.
Abstract:
Novel balloon catheter assemblies comprising controlled failure portion that fails at a pressure which will prevent undesired balloon rupture. The controlled failure portion can be located on or in a catheter shaft, a hub assembly, and/or a hub extension piece.
Abstract:
A prosthetic implantable device that offers a reduction in fluid loss when the device is punctured, such as by a dialysis needle or suture needle, and the needle is subsequently removed. The device may be made to be thin and flexible, and with longitudinal stretch, in order that it also offers good handling and kink resistance to a surgeon. While the device is preferably of tubular form, flat sheets or other forms may also be made. The device includes inner and outer layers of a porous material having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by bent fibrils, and having void spaces between adjacent bent fibrils. The inner and outer layers are joined by an elastomeric adhesive that may interpenetrate the void spaces of the adjacent surfaces of the inner and outer layers, that is, the inner surface of the outer layer and the outer surface of the inner layer. Optionally, a middle layer of an elastomeric material may also be provided, joined to the inner and outer porous layers by the interpenetrating elastomeric adhesive. The device is preferably a vascular graft and more preferably a vascular graft for kidney dialysis.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for filtering contaminants, such as particulates and vapor phase contaminants, from a confined environment such as electronic or optical devices susceptible to contamination (e.g. computer disk drives) by improving performance and possibly incorporating multiple filtration functions into a unitary filter. The filter includes flow layers which improve filter performance. Filtration functions include a passive adsorbent assembly and can include a combination of inlet, or breather filter and adsorbent filter. Moreover, recirculation filter, diffusion tube and outside mount functions can be added to the filter depending on desired functionality within the enclosure.