Plasma polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene. III. Capacitive audio frequency (10 kHz) and AC discharge

The plasma polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) is studied in a capacitively coupled system with internal electrodes using a 10 kHz (af) and a 60 Hz (ac) source. The emphasis is on identifying conditions that are compatible with continuous coating of plasma polymer on a substrate moving through the center of the interelectrode gap. Operation at a pressure below 100 mTorr is most favorable for deposition of a substantial portion of the plasma polymer on this substrate. Plasma polymer deposited in this way is characterized by ESCA and by deposition rate data and compared to that deposited using rf power in both capacitively and inductively coupled systems. The polymers found in all systems are broadly similar and completely different from conventional poly(TFE). The distribution of power density in the various systems has been identified and compared. This is accomplished by using the known susceptibility of fluorine-containing polymers (including plasma polymer) to a high-power plasma as a probe of plasma power density within the interelectrode gap in the capacitively coupled system. The most active zone of the af or ac plasma is close to the electrode at a plasma pressure of approximately 40 mTorr. The use of a magnetic field leads to an intense localized glow such that etching by active fluorine atoms occurs at a specific locus on the electrode. By contrast, the low-pressure rf capacitively coupled glow discharge is the mildest of those investigated, and its most active zone is further from the electrode and much more diffusely localized by a magnetic field.     

Experience of reoperations followed by repairs of abdominal aortic aneurysms

We experienced 8 cases who required reoperations, including 2 re-redo operations, after repairs of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Of 8 patients, one patient developed a new aneurysm due to atherosclerosis in thoraco-abdominal aorta involving all visceral arteries and other 7 patients had aneurysmal formations at proximal anastomotic sites, including 3 suprarenal, 2 juxtarenal and 2 infrarenal aortic lesions. Etiology at initial operation in patients who subsequently developed anastomotic aneurysms included vasculo-Beh?et disease in 4, atherosclerosis in 2 and dissecting aortic aneurysms type III due to Marfan syndrome in 1. At reoperation, all who had vasculo-Beh?et disease had ruptures of anastomotic sites and 2 patients underwent repairs of dehiscent patch, 1 extra-anatomic bypass between ascending and abdominal aorta and 1 interposition of graft. One patient who had graft infection after repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm required axillo-femoral bypass with removal of infected graft. A patient who had dehiscence of proximal anastomosis after repair of aortoiliac occlusive disease required interposition of graft. Two patients, Marfan syndrome and aneurysm in thoraco-abdominal aorta, underwent graft replacement of thoraco-abdominal aorta concomitant with reconstruction of all visceral arteries. There were 8 patients who required reoperations for aneurysms at distal anastomotic sites after repairs of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Five patients underwent repairs of new aneurysms, including replacement of total arch in 3, descending aorta in 1 and iliac artery in 1. In all cases, no hospital death was noted, however, late deaths were occurred in vasculo-Beh?et disease, Marfan syndrome and graft infection. Thus, late result depends on etiology of disease. Although patients who requires reoperation after repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms have higher operative risk factors, early and late results are satisfactory compared to initial operations.     

Air sampling methods for s-tetrachloroethane and other related chlorinated hydrocarbons

An acid-treated Pittsburgh Activated Carbon (PAC) tube for sampling s-tetrachloroethane in air is described that minimizes sample losses through dehydrogenation and dehydrohalogenation reactions. Commercially prepared NIOSH characoal, untreated PAC, and acid-treated PAC tubes are compared as to their effectiveness in stabilizing s-tetrachloroethane. Common homologues and analogues of s-tetrachloroethane cause no interference with the gas chromatographic method. -n addition the effectiveness of the untreated PAC and acid-treated PAC tubes was also evaluated for four different chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons.     

The therapeutic effect on patients with spinal cord lesions according to urinary drainage methods taken in the acute stage (author''s transl)

Intraventricular repair was performed successfully in a 6-year-old body having a ventricle associated with d-loop and d-transposition in situs solitus of the atria and viscera. A spiral Teflon patch was utilized to partition the ventricle. Complete heart block did not result, and the patient is doing well 8 months after the operation. Details of the pre- and postoperative studies, as well as details of the surgical technique, are presented. A review is presented of the operative procedures that have been designed for the correction of a single ventricle associated with transposition of the great arteries and have been reported previously in the literature. The advantages for use of the techniaue employed in the present case are discussed.     

Preparation of gas separation membranes by plasma polymerization with fluoro compounds

Plasma polymerization coatings were applied for the preparation of gas separation membranes. Mainly fluoro compounds were used as coating materials. The membranes showed good separation characteristics with high flux for gaseous systems. The plasma polymerization composite parameter given by W/FM plays an important role in obtaining excellent separation characteristics. The correlation between the conversion rate DR/FM, where DR is the deposition rate of plasma polymer, and W/FM is useful to consider the plasma polymer character under the different plasma polymerization conditions (discharge power W and monomer flow rate F). The proper conditions for membrane preparation lie in the intermediate region between the region in which the monomer flow rate is deficient and that in which the discharge power is deficient. Furthermore, the plasma polymerization coatings with the higher molecular weight monomer gave the higher separation characteristics. Plasma polymer composite membranes in this study showed superiority for the molecular sieve type of separation over the solution-diffusion type of separation.     

Recommended Dielectric Tests and Test Procedures for Converter Transformers and Smoothing Reactors

The dielectric conditions which are unique to converter transformers and smoothing reactors are examined. Both steady state and transient situations are discussed. Two additional tests are recommended for this equipment - a long term dc applied potential test and a polarity reversal test. Formulae are developed to calculate proposed test levels, and guidelines are presented concerning allowable partial discharge levels during the tests.