A medical balloon is provided for which the working surface may be identified during an inverventional procedure with enhanced precision. Related methods of manufacturing such a balloon are also disclosed.

A simple and inexpensive method for forming a vacuum bagging film includes formation of ribs, each by a sequence including placement of pressing members on the film, on either side of a region of the film, then translational displacement of at least a second of the pressing members, to reduce a distance mutually separating the pressing members, while exerting respective pressures on the film by each of the pressing members such that the pressing member in translation drives the film with it by friction, whereby the region of the film is deformed by buckling in forming the rib, then the stopping of the translational displacement, and then removal of the pressing members.

Systems and processes for thermoforming an article are disclosed. The system can include a first heating station that can include a first heating zone and a second heating zone. The system can further include a first cooling station for reducing the temperature of the heated article to a range of about 50 C. to about 70 C. while exposing the article to atmospheric pressure. The system can also include a second cooling station that can expose an article to a pressure above atmospheric pressure.

A formable orthopedic device having at least one first configuration and at least one second configuration, the second configuration being adapted to provide support to at least one limb, the device being made of a thermoplastic polymeric material selected to have an elastic modulus of at least about 1500 MPa when measured according to ASTM D638, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of between about 65 C. and about 120 C., and elongation to break of at least 75% when measured according to ASTM D638, the device being capable to be formed into the second configuration by heating the device to said Tg.

The method of the present invention for producing a shaped film includes a step of arranging a thermoplastic resin film to divide a space into a first space located on one surface side of the film, and a second space located on the other surface side, a step of heating the thermoplastic resin film, a step of curving the thermoplastic resin film in one space by using a difference in pressure between the first space and the second space, a step of stopping the curving step of the thermoplastic resin film in a state where at least a convex curved surface of both surfaces of the film is exposed into the space, and a step of cooling the curved film.

A method of forming a material using a supersonic fluidic oscillator in a superplastic forming process and a related system is provided. The method comprises applying pressurized gas at a baseline pressure to a surface of the material when the material is received within a cavity of a forming tool, and creating pressure fluctuations with a supersonic fluidic oscillator relative to the baseline pressure within the tool cavity. Each pressure fluctuation (i) deforms the material and (ii) subsequently allowing for a partial stress relief of the material during the forming process.

A method for producing a tub-shaped sanitary object made of plastic with a visible side and a bottom, including the following steps: providing a plastic sheet to be molded to form the sanitary object; providing a forming device having a frame arrangement including a first frame with a first frame-shaped bending structure and a second frame with a second frame-shaped bending structure, wherein the plastic sheet is to be formed by bending structures; arranging and attaching the heated plastic sheet to the first frame; inserting the second frame into the open first frame into a forming end position so that the second frame takes along the plastic sheet with its bending structure when it is inserted, wherein the plastic sheet is formed into a tub shape by both the first and the second bending structure; and, cooling the formed plastic sheet.

Method for shaping a film/sheet, particularly for making three-dimensional shapes in it, in which case the outlines of the shape to be formed are warmed/heated and the film/sheet is stretched along the heated outline, in order to cause the part of the film/sheet inside it to deviate from the plane of the surface. The heated outlines are created by, for example, directing a moving beam of thermal radiation onto it. A countersurface is provided to limit the stretching and ensure that rupture does not occur. By repeating the procedure sequentially, a great variety of shapes may be created.

A composite material 10 for forming custom fitted orthopedic and other products. The composite material is easily formable when heated to temperatures of about two hundred degrees Fahrenheit for a time of at least six to eight minutes and then is rigid at temperatures of about one hundred thirty degrees. The composite material can be sewn and formed in complex shapes when initially heated to about two hundred degrees. Closure attachments 60 can be secured to the composite material as needed on site rather than at the manufacturing facility. The composite material can be custom fitted to a patient in situ.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a mandrel system for creating a stamp on multiple receptacles. Some embodiments of the method include performing a step in the stamping process on a single receptacle while simultaneously performing another step in the stamping process on a second receptacle. The mandrel system may include a rotating mandrel system for rotating the mandrels that hold the receptacles to various positions, where the positions may be aligned with certain steps, such as heating, stamping, or cooling a portion of the receptacle. Some embodiments include a reversible lid including a fastening mechanism to fasten the lid in at least two configurations. In some embodiments, one side of the lid can be used to stack receptacles and the other side of the lid can be used to hold objects in slots and be used as a seat.