Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

Other

F Andrew Ubel

Joel D Oxman

Todd R Williams

John H Ko

Michael Govek

Carole Sedlock

Sharon R Benjamin

Patrick Darby Hyde

Philip G Martin

Lani S Kangas

William L Parish, Jr

Matthew T Scholz

Steven M Aasen

Richard L Severance

Miroslav M Tochacek

Jacquelyn A Schmidt

John M Kokorudz

Sumita Basu Mitra

Michael C Palazzotto

Eric G Larson

M Zaki Ali

Robert L Wheeler

Robert J Rothrum

Jon W Fundingsland

Anthony J Campagna

Kurt Allenberg

Charles C Polta

Melvin Y Wong

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for storing moisture-sensitive products such as moisture-curable orthopedic splinting/casting product, in flexible, preferably elongated, pouches. The product is folded into a repeating series of discrete sections where each section has at least one segment that extend along the pouch length. By configuring the product in this way, it can be efficiently packaged, stored, and dispensed. Other embodiments of the invention include closure systems that permit sealing the pouch opening when product is not being dispensed and substantially sealing the pouch around the product during dispensing.

Apparatus and methods for packaging and storing moisture-sensitive products in resealable pouches

Method for adhering to hard tissue

The present invention provides a tube and cable restraint comprising: a strip of flexible material having a generally elongated rectangular loop-section adapted to form a loop about the tube with an attachment means near the first end of the loop-section adapted to secure (e.g., adhere) the strip to a surgical drape and a refastenable loop forming means adapted to secure (e.g., adhere) the second end of the loop-section to the first end thereby forming a loop around the tube or cable. In another embodiment, the restraint is adapted to secure a tubular drape around a projecting object such as a microscope eyepiece.

Method for making a refastenable tube and cable restraint

The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a blend of a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone with a modifier selected from the group consisting of carboxylic; straight chain monohydric alcohols; branched chain monohydric alcohols; polyethylene glycols; and polyethylene glycol ethers. The composition may also comprise one or more fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Modified polycaprolactone composition

The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Thermoplastic lens blocking material

Photocurable addition-polymerizable compositions containing a free-radically-polymerizable monomer and a photoinitiator system containing i) an arylidonium salt, ii) a sensitizing compound, and iii) an electron donor having an oxidation potential that is greater than zero and less than or equal to that of p-dimethyoxybenzene (1.32 volts vs. S.C.E.). The compositions cure rapidly and deeply under ultraviolet or visible light.

Inks containing a ternary photoinitiator system and image graphics

The present invention provides methods of holding ophthalmic lens blanks using thermoplastic lens blocking compositions. Preferred compositions either comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, or have a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one method, the composition is injected into the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another method, the surface of a lens block comprising the thermoplastic lens blocking composition is heated and formed against the lens blank. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Method of holding an ophthalmic lens blank

Polycaprolactone lens blocking material

Thermoplastic molding compositions are made from a blend of high molecular weight and low molecular weight polycaprolactones. The blends have lower viscosity, and can have higher modulus, than a composition containing only high molecular weight polycaprolactone. The blends are especially useful for dental impressioning.

Blended polycaprolactone thermoplastic molding composition

The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsiloncaprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Refastenable tube and cable restraint for medical use

The present invention provides a narrow orthopedic casting tape which can be handled in longer lengths suitable for economical production of coated fabric products. The narrow casting tape of the present invention is knitted as a wide fiberglass fabric with at least one removable connecting yarn in the length (i.e., warp) direction of the fabric which acts to connect two narrower strips of fiberglass fabric. The removable connecting yarn is subsequently removed from the fabric by a heat treatment process which separates the wider fabric into two narrower fabrics and also heat sets the fabric. Alternatively, the removable connecting yarn may be removed from the fabric by a dissolution process. Narrow fabrics of the present invention can also be constructed of organic yarns. The present invention also provides a tearable orthopedic casting tape which has a high degree of extensibility. The tearable casting tape of the present invention is knitted as a wide fabric, preferably fiberglass, with at least one tearable connecting yarn in the length direction of the fabric which acts to weakly connect two or more narrower fabrics. The tearable connecting yarn is capable of being easily torn or slit causing the fabric to separate into narrower webs.

Narrow fiberglass knit tape

Thermoplastic molding compositions are made from a mixture of thermoplastic material (for example, polycaprolactone), a free-radically polymerizable resin (for example, a urethane diacrylate oligomer), and free-radical initiator (for example, a visible-light cure photoinitiator). The mixture is solid at 38.degree. C., has a melting or softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, and can be imprinted with a heat-stable custom shape memory and semi-thermoplastic properties by shaping the composition to a desired shape and then causing or permitting the resin to undergo polymerization.

Semi-thermoplastic molding composition having heat-stable custom shape

Ternary photoinitiator system for addition polymerization

Growing community of inventors

Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

F Andrew Ubel