A process for making a multicomponent fiber is disclosed. The process comprises extruding at least one water dispersible polymer to create a first polymer flow, extruding at least one water non-dispersible synthetic polymer to create a second polymer flow path, directing the resulting multiple polymer flows into a spinneret having a shaped cross section with a plurality of distribution flow paths, and combining the flow paths together to form a multicomponent fiber having a shaped cross section, wherein the multicomponent fiber comprises: (A) at least one water dispersible polymer; and (B) a plurality of domains comprising one or more water non-dispersible polymers, wherein the domains are substantially isolated from each other by the water dispersible polymer intervening between the domains; and wherein the water dispersible polymer is present at the perimeter of the outside cross-section of the multicomponent fiber in a proportion of no greater than 55% water dispersible polymer.

A process for texturing a multicomponent fiber is provided. The process comprises: (A) providing a multicomponent fiber having a shaped cross section and at least one water dispersible polymer; and a plurality of domains comprising one or more water non-dispersible polymers, wherein said domains are substantially isolated from each other by said water dispersible polymer intervening between said domains; and wherein the water dispersible polymer is present at the perimeter of the outside cross-section of the multicomponent fiber in a proportion of no greater than 55% water dispersible polymer; and (B) passing the multicomponent fiber through a first zone comprising a first heating device and a twisting unit, wherein the first heating device has a heating temperature that is at least 10% less than the temperature used for a fiber without the water dispersible component having the same water non-dispersible polymer, same number of total filaments in the fiber, and the same total denier for a given type of equipment and process conditions.

A knitted sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and method of construction thereof are provided. The sleeve includes an elongate, knitted wall having a circumferentially continuous, tubular outer periphery extending along a central axis between opposite open ends. The wall includes knitted shrinkable yarn and knitted non-shrinkable yarn. The shrinkable yarn provides the wall with an ability to be radially constricted from a first, diametrically enlarged state to a second, diametrically shrunken state, wherein said shrinkable yarn and said non-shrinkable yarn are knit in alternating groups of courses with one another.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a biodegradable thread including: a thread supply unit for supplying a biodegradable thread; a cog forming unit for forming cogs on the outer surface of the biodegradable thread supplied by the thread supply unit; and a cog axially deforming unit for axially deforming the cogs of the biodegradable thread, which has the cogs formed by the cog forming unit, with respect to a virtual central line of the biodegradable thread.

The present invention relates to woven tubular nanotextiles, fabrication thereof using a weaving apparatus, and use thereof in vascular graft applications. The woven nanotextile conduit is 0.1 to 50 mm in diameter and includes a multitude of hierarchically arranged nanofibers. They are made from low strength bundled nanoyarns containing thousands of nanofibers with improved mechanical strength. The weaving apparatus interweaves the warp and weft yarns in longitudinal and transverse directions, resulting in a flexible and strong woven product. The physical and biological properties of the woven nanotextile were significantly enhanced when compared to non-woven nanofibrous form and conventional medical textiles. The nanotextile displayed superhydrophilic behavior in an otherwise hydrophobic material and when implanted as a vascular graft was robust, suturable, kink-proof and non-thrombogenic, with complete endothelialization of the graft luminal area.

A method of fabricating a rope that can serve as both a resistance band, jump or rolling rope includes the steps of: (a) braiding a plurality of elastic tubes into a braided rope which has two ends, (b) forming a loop at each of these ends, (c) securing each of these loops to this braided rope with a knot or a zip tie, (d) attaching a handle to this braided rope proximate each of these ends, (e) wherein these elastic tubes are: (i) fabricated from materials in the group including a latex rubber and a non-latex, synthetic rubber, (ii) selected from the group including those having differing diameters, wall thicknesses, and weights per linear foot, and (iii) selected to makeup a specific, braided rope having a specified elasticity and weight per linear foot.

Composites based on a polymer and a mixture of proteins derived from a MaSp (major ampullate spidroin) protein are provides. Further, methods for preparation of same, and method of use of the composites are provided.

Composites based on a polymer and a mixture of proteins derived from a MaSp (major ampullate spidroin) protein are provides. Further, methods for preparation of same, and method of use of the composites are provided.

The invention provides devices for supporting regeneration of body tissue and of tubular structures, such as the esophagus or intestine, and methods for making and for using the devices.

Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a shock-absorbing lanyard for easy length adjustment of partially oriented yarn (POY). The method for manufacturing a shock-absorbing lanyard for easy length adjustment of POY according to the present disclosure includes (a) weaving a safety tube band which is a tube fabric woven using fiber yarn and rubber yarn, and placing a core material in the safety tube band at the same time, wherein the core material is made of a plurality of POY and stretches in a longitudinal direction to absorb shock; (b) adjusting a length of the core material after weaving the safety tube band; and (c) combining the safety tube band with the core material to form a combination.