An improved nozzle box is disclosed having side walls spaced apart from each other, a base and a ventilation wall spaced apart from it, thereby forming an interior space. A plurality of ventilation openings arranged offset to each other is provided in the ventilation wall, the nozzle box is provided on its ventilation wall with a plurality of protrusions that are raised by at least a height (H) in relation to the sections of ventilation wall or the top side or surface of the ventilation wall the sections being located adjacent to the protrusions, the ventilation openings are configured raised in the region of the protrusions in relation to the top side or surface of the ventilation wall and/or the ventilation wall includes in the transverse direction (Q) of the nozzle box opposing side flanges that overlap the side walls of the nozzle box outside the interior space of the nozzle box.

A method of making a flexible medical article or tube, for example, a sheath for a vascular access device, is provided. The method can include extruding a polymer, for example, a polycarbonate-urethane copolymer, to form a tube and annealing the extruded polymer. The method can further include cutting the extruded tube to a desired length before or after annealing, flaring one end of the annealed tube and over-molding the flared portion onto a hub, and forming the other end of the tube into a tip. A sheath formed by such a method is also provided.

A method of making a flexible medical article or tube, for example, a sheath for a vascular access device, is provided. The method can include extruding a polymer, for example, a polycarbonate-urethane copolymer, to form a tube and annealing the extruded polymer. The method can further include cutting the extruded tube to a desired length before or after annealing, flaring one end of the annealed tube and over-molding the flared portion onto a hub, and forming the other end of the tube into a tip. A sheath formed by such a method is also provided.

A method for marking a workpiece (6) uses a device, wherein the workpiece (6) is formed at least partially in a thermal master or forming process, comprises a surface (10) directed towards the workpiece (6), wherein a number of individually controllable heating elements (2) is distributed behind the surface (10) for a local heating of a workpiece surface portion. Each of the heating elements (2) comprises a solid material (11) having a surface structure and a heating structure (3), wherein the surface (10) directed towards the workpiece (6) encompassing the surface structures (40) has a uniform smooth surface allowing to dark, burn or foam the surface (7) of the workpiece (6) through heat introduction.

A method for marking a workpiece (6) uses a device, wherein the workpiece (6) is formed at least partially in a thermal master or forming process, comprises a surface (10) directed towards the workpiece (6), wherein a number of individually controllable heating elements (2) is distributed behind the surface (10) for a local heating of a workpiece surface portion. Each of the heating elements (2) comprises a solid material (11) having a surface structure and a heating structure (3), wherein the surface (10) directed towards the workpiece (6) encompassing the surface structures (40) has a uniform smooth surface allowing to dark, burn or foam the surface (7) of the workpiece (6) through heat introduction.

The present subject matter is directed towards a system and a method for selectively post-curing a three-dimensional (3D-printed) object to attain variable properties. The system comprises a selective post-curing chamber coupled to a computer in communication with a database for accessing a digital model or data concerning the 3D-printed object. The chamber comprises a movable light source assembly and a mounting platform for supporting at least one 3D-printed object thereon. The computer includes one or more executable instructions for selectively emitting a curing light onto the 3D-printed object along a predetermined curing toolpath based on the digital model. The curing of the 3D-printed object along the predetermined curing toolpath generates variable properties along different regions of the 3D-printed object.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a sheet for use in a tongue plaque cleaner, capable of reliably cutting loops of thread members provided at a given density, and forming thread members each having a shape with an arc portion sufficient enough to scrape off tongue plaque, through steps that are simple, low-cost and suitable for mass production. A method for manufacturing a sheet 1 for use in a tongue plaque cleaner for scraping off tongue plaque, includes: a step of heating a sheet material having multiple looped thread members 2 protruding from one surface of the sheet material, at a temperature below the melting point of the thread members 2; and a step of forming first thread members 3, 8 and second thread members 4, 9 by cutting loops of the thread members 2 heated.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a sheet for use in a tongue plaque cleaner, capable of reliably cutting loops of thread members provided at a given density, and forming thread members each having a shape with an arc portion sufficient enough to scrape off tongue plaque, through steps that are simple, low-cost and suitable for mass production. A method for manufacturing a sheet 1 for use in a tongue plaque cleaner for scraping off tongue plaque, includes: a step of heating a sheet material having multiple looped thread members 2 protruding from one surface of the sheet material, at a temperature below the melting point of the thread members 2; and a step of forming first thread members 3, 8 and second thread members 4, 9 by cutting loops of the thread members 2 heated.

Disclosed methods include formulating azobenzene-based polymer networks to induce a modulus change in a highly crosslinked polymer, in vivo, with no external heat requirement and using a benign light as the source of stimuli. A modulus change can be achieved via a coating on the substrate and within the bulk of the substrate via photoexposure. The azobenzene-based polymer network can be formed as a coating or in the bulk of a material from either a glassy composition comprising methyl methacrylate (MMA), poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) or a soft material comprising of long-chain difunctional acrylates. The disclosed technology also includes methods of biofilm disruption and removal from the surface of a substrate, and includes methods of inhibiting biofilm growth and cell attachment to a substrate.

A process to cure and/or modify the surface of a three dimensional (3D) printed part comprising the steps of immersing a three dimensional (3D) printed part, containing reactive moieties, into a liquid bath at an elevated temperature to effect polymerization of the reactive moieties of the 3D printed part to provide a cured 3D printed part is described. The liquid bath can further contain reactive molecules that can react with the surface of the 3D printed part to provide a coating which alters the surface characteristics of the 3D printed part.