In an example method, benzyl alcohol is applied to a surface of a first polyamide-based 3D object, a surface of a second polyamide-based 3D object, or both the surface of the firs polyamide-based 3D object and the surface of the second polyamide-based 3D object. Each of the first and second polyamide-based 3D objects is independently selected from the group consisting of a second polyamide 3D object and a polyamide elastomer 3D object. The first polyamide-based 3D object has a different chemical composition than the second polyamide-based 3D object. After the benzyl alcohol is applied, the surface of the first polyamide-based 3D object is directly contacted with the surface of the second polyamide-based 3D object. While the surfaces are in contact, the first polyamide-based 3D object and the second polyamide-based 3D object are exposed to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to weld the surfaces together.

The invention relates to a process for bonding a silicone or silicone based material to a polyurethane and use of the bonded silicone-polyurethane in the manufacture of biomaterials, devices, articles or implants, in particular long term implantable medical devices in the fields of cardiology, orthopaedics, plastic surgery and gastroenterology. The process involves the steps of (a) flame treating a surface of the silicone or silicone based material and (b) bonding the polyurethane to the flame treated surface of the silicone or silicone based material.

An embodiment of a reagent container includes a bottle with a pipe to reduce the effects of reagent sloshing. The bottle has an elongated base and an opposed cover connected by side walls and an end wall. A flat platform surrounded by a raised rim lies in the base opposite an opening in the cover. A ribbed pipe frictionally fits within the bottle opening and may attach to the anchor region leaving vent passages around the pipe. The pipe includes an aperture adjacent to the anchor region and oriented toward the end wall so that sloshed fluid has only a small effect on the level of reagent in the pipe during transfers. A modified blow molding process produces the anchor region by extending a pin a predetermined distance into a mold while the molded material is still plastic.

Microscale fluidic devices and components thereof having a fluid retention groove, as well as systems and methods related thereto. The fluid retention groove facilitates uniform bonding of microfluidic device components.

A method of fabrication of a medical balloon, and a balloon device useful for various medical balloon procedures, such as gastrointestinal, vascular, reproductive system, urinary system and pulmonary applications. At least two layers of a thermoplastic film are sealed at their peripheral edges and heat sealed at one or more locations inside an area enclosed by the sealed edges at predetermined locations, in one implementation of the balloon device. Such configuration enables the balloon to articulate to a desired shape upon inflation, with the desired shape being selected to accommodate a specific medical application.

A snap fitting far use in plumbing is provided. The snap fitting includes a main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around a cylindrical pipe to snap over the pipe and an inset for extending from an interior side of the main body into a hole in the cylindrical pipe.

A method of fabrication of a medical balloon, and a balloon device useful for various medical balloon procedures, such as gastrointestinal, vascular, reproductive system, urinary system and pulmonary applications. At least two layers of a thermoplastic film are sealed at their peripheral edges and heat sealed at one or more locations inside an area enclosed by the sealed edges at predetermined locations, in one implementation of the balloon device. Such configuration enables the balloon to articulate to a desired shape upon inflation, with the desired shape being selected to accommodate a specific medical application.

A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate by applying a process solvent to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may be configured as an ionic-liquid based solvent and the welded substrate may be a congealed network after the process solvent has been adequately swollen and/or mobilized the substrate. A welding process may be configured such that individual fibers of a substrate are not fully dissolved such that material in the fiber core may be left in the native state by controlling process variables. The welding process fibers may have a tenacity 10% or 20% greater or a diameter 25% less than that of a cellulosic-based yarn substrate.

Provided is a joint treatment method that enables smooth joint treatment without damaging the ultraviolet radiation curable resin formed on the interior sheet surface. The joint treatment method is for joining a butt joint portion of interior sheets, the protective layer being formed as a surface layer of each of the interior sheets. The method includes: (1) a step of injecting a joint treatment agent, which has no dissolving ability with respect to at least the protective layer, into the butt joint portion; and (2) a step of attaching, before the injected joint treatment agent is cured, an adhesive tape so as to straddle the butt joint portion such that the tape is in contact with the protective layer and the joint treatment agent present in the butt joint portion.

Plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm provide easy to manufacture and robust systems, as well readily made components such as valves and pumps.