The invention provides a method for producing photochromic silicone hydrogel (SiHy) contact lenses based on thermal cast-molding technology in a relatively efficient and consistent manner. The method is characterized by selecting a high radical-reactive hydrophilic acrylic monomer while eliminating any low radical-reactive hydrophilic N-vinyl amide monomer in a lens formulation (polymerizable composition), by selecting a weight ratio of low-radical-reactive hydrophilic N-vinyl amide monomer to a high radical-reactive hydrophilic acrylic monomer in a lens formulation if the low radical-reactive hydrophilic N-vinyl amide monomer is needed, and/or by using a relatively high temperature thermal initiator in a lens formulation, to control the lens properties (e.g., water content, elastic modulus, etc.) and lens processability (capability of dry-delensing from molds) of thermally cast-molded SiHy contact lenses while minimizing loss in photochromic ability of resultant SiHy contact lenses.

Simulated tissue structures and methods of making them are disclosed. An elastic first material is placed in tension. An elastic second material is adhered to the first material while the first material is in tension. The adhered second material and the first material in tension forms a first shape of the simulated tissue structure. Tension on the first material is released. In releasing the tension of the first material, a force is exerted on the adhered second material bring the combination of the first material and the second material into a second shape. The first shape is maintained by a mold or mandrel and the second shape is the desired shape of the simulated tissue structure.

Silicone-containing light fixture optics. A method for manufacturing an optical component may include mixing two precursors of silicone, opening a first gate of an optic forming device, moving the silicone mixture from the extrusion machine into the optic forming device, cooling the silicone mixture as it enters the optic forming device, filling a mold within the optic forming device with the silicone mixture, closing the first gate, and heating the silicone mixture in the mold to at least partially cure the silicone. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing an optical component may include depositing a layer of heat cured silicone optical material to an optical structure, arranging one or more at least partially cured silicone optics on the layer of heat cured silicone optical material, and heating the heat cured silicone optical material to permanently adhere the one or more at least partially cured silicone optics to the optical structure.

An article includes a non-tacky cured silicone first layer, an optional foamed material and a tacky cured silicone second layer wherein the first layer is directly bound to the second layer and the article is conformable to a body part. The article removably adheres to a body part. Also described is a method of making the article.

A method of forming a composite structure including coupling a plurality of components together forming a joint: wherein the plurality of components are oriented to form a radius gap therebetween: forming a filler structure that includes a closed cell foam core that has a porosity within a range defined between about 20 percent and about 40 percent by volume of the closed cell foam core and wherein the closed cell foam core is formed from a silicone-based material. The method also includes positioning the filler structure in the radius gap: and applying at least one of heat or pressure to the plurality of components and the filler structure.

A helmet has inner and outer shells separated by a plurality of interconnected relatively soft columns or posts. The columns each have a middle post or pillar section, a capital that is of larger diameter than the post, and a base also of larger transverse dimension than the post. When an impact above a design threshold occurs on the outer shell, the columns, particularly the post sections thereof, near the impact location compress and buckle, dissipating impact kinetic energy, while columns spaced from the impact zone stretch and support more of the impact force. The applied force is therefore reduced and spread out over a relatively large area, and a resultant wave created within the column manifold disperses additional heat, further reducing the force and torque applied on the outer shell and transmitted to the inner shell and onto the skull of a helmet user. A method and mold for fabricating the column manifold are also disclosed.

A method of manufacturing a flexible element configured for pressing against composite material received on a mold surface of a mold during cure, including placing a porous material over the mold surface, forming a sealed enclosure containing the mold surface and the porous material, infusing a curable liquid material such as silicone in liquid form into the enclosure under vacuum and through the porous material, curing the liquid material to form the flexible element, and opening the enclosure and disengaging the flexible element from the mold. In a particular embodiment, the flexible element is a pressure pad.

A simulated abdominal wall model that is ideal for practicing laparoscopic first entry surgical techniques is provided. The model includes a simulated abdominal wall portion captured between two frame elements of a support. The support is connectable to a surgical trainer. When connected to the trainer, the model provides a penetrable abdominal tissue portion for accessing an internal cavity of the trainer. The simulated abdominal wall includes a plurality of layers including a skin layer, a fabric posterior rectus sheath layer, a simulated fat layer of low-resilience polyurethane foam and at least two layers that provide distinctive haptic feedback upon penetration of the simulated transversalis fascia and muscle layers. The simulated abdominal wall includes a simulated umbilicus across several layers of simulated tissue.

The disclosure discloses a bionic digestive tract as well as a preparation method and application thereof, belonging to the field of bionic technologies and the field of biological technologies. The bionic digestive tract of the disclosure is prepared by mixing a base material (one or more of silica gel, latex and hydrogel) and auxiliary materials (silicone oil and a curing agent) in a certain mass ratio (the mass ratio of the base material to the silicone oil to the curing agent is 100:(0.5 to 10):(0.5 to 3.5)). The simulation performance of the bionic digestive tract is excellent, has strong consistency with a true human digestive tract in terms of performance, structure and function, can simulate the true states of food, drugs and microorganisms in a digestive system, and has great application prospects in the research process of food and drugs.

Creating a replica of an anatomical structure. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: accepting a plurality of pictures of the anatomical structure of a subject; creating an object file that contains an initial model of an outside surface of the anatomical structure; cutting the initial model to a predetermined exterior shape circumscribing the anatomical structure, the cutting creates a positive model of the anatomical structure within the predetermined exterior shape; creating a negative model of the anatomical structure from the positive model; placing a stem tool object on an outside surface of the negative model in relationship to an orifice of the anatomical structure, and thereby creating a final negative model; printing, by way of a three-dimensional printer, the final negative model to create a negative mold; and casting the replica of the anatomical structure using the negative mold.