An object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal alignment film which does not lose a function as a liquid crystal cell even in a case where three-dimensional formation is performed with a high degree of freedom, a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional liquid crystal cell using the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal alignment film, and a three-dimensional liquid crystal cell produced by the method of manufacturing a three-dimensional liquid crystal cell. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal alignment film of the present invention includes a step of arranging a liquid crystal alignment agent to a heat-shrinkable film satisfying a heat shrinkage rate of 5% to 75%, and a step of drying the liquid crystal alignment agent arranged at 40 C. to 150 C. so as to form the liquid crystal alignment film.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal alignment film which does not lose a function as a liquid crystal cell even in a case where three-dimensional formation is performed with a high degree of freedom, a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional liquid crystal cell using the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal alignment film, and a three-dimensional liquid crystal cell produced by the method of manufacturing a three-dimensional liquid crystal cell. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal alignment film of the present invention includes a step of arranging a liquid crystal alignment agent to a heat-shrinkable film satisfying a heat shrinkage rate of 5% to 75%, and a step of drying the liquid crystal alignment agent arranged at 40 C. to 150 C. so as to form the liquid crystal alignment film.

An implantable medical device includes an elongated tubular body having opposed proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis. The elongated tubular body includes an interior lumen extending therethrough. A plurality of axially spaced apart electrode rings are operatively associated with the distal end portion of the tubular body. The electrode rings are formed from at least one of bismuth or pyrolytic graphite. A plurality of electrical conductors extend through the interior lumen of the tubular body. Each of the electrical conductors is operatively associated with a respective one of the plurality of electrode rings. The electrical conductors are formed from at least one of bismuth or carbon fiber.

A medical device includes a balloon expanded scaffold crimped to a catheter having a balloon. The scaffold has a network of rings formed by struts connected at crowns and links connecting adjacent rings. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes using protective polymer sheaths or sheets during crimping, and adjusting the sheaths or sheets during the crimping to avoid or minimize interference between the polymer material and scaffold struts as the scaffold is reduced in size.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of joining resin tubes, in which the degree of freedom of selecting a tube material is large, and further a defect such as stiffness and contraction at joining portions of the tubes is not developed. The method of joining resin tubes according to the present invention is a method of joining resin tubes so that a first tube is joined to a second tube, the first tube and the second tube each being made of synthetic resin, the method comprising: a surface activation step of activating each of a joining region of the first tube and a joining region of the second tube; and an adhesion step of adhering the joining region of the first tube obtained via the surface activation step with the joining region of the second tube obtained via the surface activation step to each other.

A portable drug sampling device for handheldly collecting a sample from exhaled breath of a subject for further sensor based analysis. The device comprising: a housing (406) comprising at least one inlet (407) and at least one outlet (408) for the exhaled breath to exit through, and a sampling membrane (302) arranged in the housing. A tubular element (40) having a mouthpiece section (401) for the subject to exhale into, and a saliva trap section comprising baffles (103) to create a non-straight gas flow path for letting aerosols pass through the tubular element. The sampling membrane (302) is arranged to collect the aerosols from the exhaled breath. The portable drug testing device further comprises a volume collecting element (208).

The present disclosure provides a method for assembling members, at least one of which is provided with a polymer member, comprising steps of: deforming at least one portion of the polymer member; putting the deformed portion of the polymer member into a second member; heating the deformed portion for engaging the portion with the second member. Through the steps described above, the portion of the polymer member may be in interference-fit engagement with the second member, based on which, adhesive is no longer necessary for improving reliabilities of engagement therebetween.

A softball or baseball bat with modified restitution characteristic is provided. The bat can comprise a substantially rigid core coupled with a single or multi-piece sleeve. The core can comprise a tip end, a barrel portion, a handle taper, and a handle. A sleeve assembly can be disposed over the barrel portion, and the sleeve assembly can comprise one or more materials capable of impact absorption. The sleeve assembly can include a ring portion positioned about a circumference of the barrel portion, an outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve disposed between the outer sleeve and the barrel portion.

An apparatus including a first hollow tube having an inner chamber and an outer peripheral surface, a cable having outer insulation and an inner conductor wire, and a hand held device for blowing hot air. The first hollow tube may have an inner diameter which is greater than an outer diameter of the cable so that the first hollow tube can be slid over the cable, so that a portion of the cable resides in the inner chamber of the first hollow tube in a first state. The cable may have a length which is substantially greater than a length of the first hollow tube. The hand held device for blowing hot air may be configured to blow hot air on the outer peripheral surface of the first tube, in the first state, to cause the first tube to shrink and become attached to the cable to repair a defect in the cable.

An apparatus including a first hollow tube having an inner chamber and an outer peripheral surface, a cable having outer insulation and an inner conductor wire, and a hand held device for blowing hot air. The first hollow tube may have an inner diameter which is greater than an outer diameter of the cable so that the first hollow tube can be slid over the cable, so that a portion of the cable resides in the inner chamber of the first hollow tube in a first state. The cable may have a length which is substantially greater than a length of the first hollow tube. The hand held device for blowing hot air may be configured to blow hot air on the outer peripheral surface of the first tube, in the first state, to cause the first tube to shrink and become attached to the cable to repair a defect in the cable.