An expansion tool includes a housing and an expansion head coupled to the housing. The expansion head includes a casing and a plurality of jaws extending from the casing. The plurality of jaws is movable between a closed position and an expanded position relative to a longitudinal axis. Each jaw of the plurality of jaws includes a first sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first sizing portions of the plurality of jaws collectively define a first diameter when the plurality of jaws is in the closed position, the second sizing portions of the plurality of jaws collectively define a second diameter when the plurality of jaws is in the closed position, and the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.

A method for fabricating aircraft engine external target parts including complex geometries utilizes reusable reconfigurable shape memory polymer and conformable woven braided carbon fiber sleeves. The method includes providing a tubular three-dimensional reusable shape memory polymer mandrel assembly designed for a target part, and heating the shape memory polymer mandrel.

A dressing, system, and method for use with negative-pressure treatment is described. The dressing includes a tube formed from a non-porous material. The tube can have a first end, a second end, a lumen extending from the first end to the second end, and a wall surrounding the lumen. At least one blister is formed in the wall of the tube, the at least one blister proximate to the second end of the tube. At least one aperture is formed in the wall of the second end of the tube. The at least one aperture is configured to provide fluid communication across the wall from the lumen to an exterior of the tube.

A dressing, system, and method for use with negative-pressure treatment is described. The dressing includes a tube formed from a non-porous material. The tube can have a first end, a second end, a lumen extending from the first end to the second end, and a wall surrounding the lumen. At least one blister is formed in the wall of the tube, the at least one blister proximate to the second end of the tube. At least one aperture is formed in the wall of the second end of the tube. The at least one aperture is configured to provide fluid communication across the wall from the lumen to an exterior of the tube.

The present invention relates to drinking straws that are made from biodegradable material or bioplastics. The process to manufacture the present invention can use waste lipid wax byproducts. The present invention can incorporate chemical modification of corn or hemp fiber waste, and is comprised of wax byproduct, xanthan gum, carnauba wax and stearic acid. Stearin, hardener and plasticizers are mixed with corn or soy wax. A binder ingredient can be added to the waxes and fiber mixture, resulting in a smooth and hard, durable and biodegradable material with a high melting point. This material is then processed using an extrusion method, whereby the mixed ingredients are forced through an opening in a perforated plate or die with a design specific to form a straw, and then cut into a specific size by blades. The extruder consists of a large, rotating screw tightly fitting within a stationary barrel, at the end of which is the die. Extrusion enables mass production of food via a continuous, efficient system that ensures uniformity of the final product.

The present invention relates to drinking straws that are made from biodegradable material or bioplastics. The process to manufacture the present invention can use waste lipid wax byproducts. The present invention can incorporate chemical modification of corn or hemp fiber waste, and is comprised of wax byproduct, xanthan gum, carnauba wax and stearic acid. Stearin, hardener and plasticizers are mixed with corn or soy wax. A binder ingredient can be added to the waxes and fiber mixture, resulting in a smooth and hard, durable and biodegradable material with a high melting point. This material is then processed using an extrusion method, whereby the mixed ingredients are forced through an opening in a perforated plate or die with a design specific to form a straw, and then cut into a specific size by blades. The extruder consists of a large, rotating screw tightly fitting within a stationary barrel, at the end of which is the die. Extrusion enables mass production of food via a continuous, efficient system that ensures uniformity of the final product.

The present invention relates to a shaft for a catheter which may be usable having a tubular core which may be usable with a minimally invasive procedure such as intravascular medical treatment system. It also relates to a method of fabricating such shaft. The shaft has a longitudinal axis defining a radial distance, and a cross section having a polar axis defining an angular position, wherein the shaft comprises a tubular core which has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, and an outer layer for improving mechanical properties, which encloses the tubular core such that the outer perimeter of the core and the outer layer face each other, wherein the radial distance between the outer perimeter and the inner perimeter differs at different polar angular positions, forming zones of different stiffness at different angular positions, wherein different planes of the shaft oriented along the longitudinal axis and cutting the cross section at different polar angular positions have different flexural properties which are determined by the stiffness of the zones.

An expansion tool includes a housing and an expansion head having a casing and jaws. The jaws are movable between a closed position and an expanded position relative to a longitudinal axis. Each jaw includes a first tapered portion defining a first length along the longitudinal axis, a first sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis from the first tapered portion and defining a second length along the longitudinal axis, a second tapered portion defining a third length along the longitudinal axis, and a second sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis from the second tapered portion and defining a fourth length along the longitudinal axis. The first sizing portions define a first diameter and the second sizing portions define a second diameter greater than the first diameter when the jaws are in the closed position. The third length is greater than the fourth length.

A catheter configured to provide inherent antimicrobial properties includes a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). In some embodiments, an extruded catheter body is fabricated of a PHA. In some embodiments, an extruded catheter body has an exterior layer containing PHA, an interior layer containing PHA, or both exterior and interior layers containing PHA. The PHA layer may be co-extruded with the catheter body. The PHA layer may be coating applied to the catheter body. Useful PHA materials to provide inherent antimicrobial properties include poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers of P4HB. The catheter may be an IV catheter, a urinary catheter, a dialysis catheter, or any other catheter introduced into a body lumen.

Damage of the outer surface of a rubber hose due to friction can be prevented while the sealing performance and the productivity are ensured. The following components are provided: a pipe 11 whose one end is connected to a vulcanization pipe and in which pressed liquid is pumped from an inlet 11a disposed at the side face of the other end side; an annular member 12 which is attached to the pipe 11 so as to close an opening of the other end side of the pipe 11, and includes a hole 12a whose diameter is larger than the outer diameter of a rubber hose and in which the rubber hose passes through; and a pump which pumps more liquid than the liquid discharged outside the pipe 11 through the gap between the hole 12a and the rubber hose into an inlet 11a.