Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the actuator system includes a twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and at least one of (i) wire connections that enable electrical heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, (ii) a radiation source and radiation pathway that enables photothermal heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and (iii) a delivery system for delivering chemicals whose reaction produces heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator.

A method of preparing fiber includes blending bio-compatible ceramic powder and first polyester to form a ceramic powder composition, wherein the bio-compatible ceramic powder and the first polyester have a weight ratio of 10:90 to 60:40. The method further includes blending the ceramic powder composition and second polyester to form a composite material, wherein the ceramic powder composition and the second polyester have a weight ratio of 0.4:99.6 to 40:60. The method also spins the composite material to form a fiber. The first polyester has an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of 0.35 dL/g to 0.55 dL/g, and the second polyester has an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of 0.6 dL/g to 0.8 g/dL. The fiber can be woven to form an artificial ligament/tendon.

Disclosed herein are methods of using spun synthetic fibers to model ligaments of a joint of an animal. Further disclosed are models of joints which comprise spun synthetic fibers used to model ligaments. In certain aspects, the models of joints can be used for instructional purposes, as phantom models for testing medical devices or as models for calibration of tools used in physiological and/or biomechanical measurement.

Provided is a textile made of filament yarn comprising a polymer composition that is durable and reusable having permanent or near-permanent antiviral properties and that includes a polymer, a metal ion, preferably a zinc and/or copper ion, and an optional phosphorus compound, wherein fibers and/or fabric formed from the polymer composition demonstrate antiviral properties and wherein the polymer is hygroscopic. The present disclosure also describes methods of forming the polymer compositions and methods of preparing fibers from the polymer composition.

A polymer composition for molded products having antimicrobial and/or antiviral properties comprising from 50 wt. % to 99.9 wt. % of a polymer, from 0.01 wt % to 10 wt % zinc, optionally from a zinc compound, less than 1 wt % of a phosphorus compound, and from 0 wt % to 20 wt % molding additives, wherein a molded product formed from the polymer composition demonstrates a Staphylococcus aureus log reduction greater than 1.0, as determined via ISO 22196:2011.

A polymer composition having antimicrobial properties, the composition comprising from 50 wt % to 99.99 wt % of a polymer, from 10 wppm to 900 wppm of zinc, less than 1000 wppm of phosphorus, and less than 10 wppm coupling agent and/or surfactant, wherein zinc is dispersed within the polymer; and wherein fibers formed from the polymer composition demonstrate a Klebsiella pneumonia log reduction greater than 0.90, as determined via ISO20743:2013 and/or an Escherichia coli log reduction greater than 1.5, as determined via ASTM E3160 (2018).

Provided is a method of manufacturing a dental cord. The method including: producing a spinning solution by dissolving a fiber-moldable hydrophobic polymer material in a solvent; spinning the spinning solution to obtain a polymer nanofiber web composed of nanofibers and including three-dimensional micropores; laminating the polymer nanofiber web to obtain a polymer membrane; slitting the polymer membrane to obtain a nanofiber tape yarn; hydrophilic-treating the nanofiber tape yarn to obtain a hydrophilic-treated nanofiber tape yarn; plying and twisting the hydrophilic-treated nanofiber tape yarn with a covered yarn to obtain a nanofiber multiple yarn; and impregnating the nanofiber multiple yarn with a hemostatic agent.

A wound dressing for use in vacuum wound therapy comprising a wound contact layer which is an open structure comprising a yarn comprising gel-forming filaments or fibres, the structure having a porosity which allows exudate to flow through it.

A textured fabric for an implantable bioprosthesis is provided. The textured fabric can include a woven base layer and a plurality of loops projecting from the woven base layer. The plurality of loops are formed from a composite core-sheath yarn. The core can be made of a material that is different from the sheath. The core material can be selected to impart strength and resiliency to bending and the sheath material can be selected to impart a larger surface area or texture that facilitates cellular or tissue in-growth.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide structures for sensing, activation, and signal networking in a composite textile. According to one embodiment, a composite textile can comprise an activation layer of a reactive yarn knit into a fabric. The reactive yarn can have at least one physical property that changes in response to a stimulus. A signaling layer of a first conductive yarn can be knit into the fabric with the activation layer. The first conductive yarn provides the stimulus to the reactive yarn. A sensing layer comprising second conductive yarn can be knit into the fabric with the activation layer and signaling layer. The second conductive yarn can provide a feedback signal corresponding to the stimulus provided by the first conductive yarn of the signaling layer.