Disclosed are embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) printer for building 3D objects with layer based, additive manufacturing techniques. The 3D printer can have an extrusion assembly including a hot end for heating consumable material and depositing the consumable material in layers on a printing bed. The hot end can be moved in a horizontal plane parallel the printing bed while the printing bed can be moved perpendicular to the horizontal plane to print the 3D object.

A protective packaging formation device is disclosed herein. The protective packaging formation device can include an inflation assembly having a fluid conduit that directs fluid between first and second overlapping plies of a web material and a sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism can include a heating zone of the sealing mechanism operable to heat the plies to create a longitudinal heat seal that seals the first and second plies together as the web is driven over the heating zone in a downstream direction. The sealing mechanism can also include a pinch zone that overlaps longitudinally with the heating zone. The pinch zone defined by an isolation element that applies a first pressure to the web material along a first region. The pinch zone is also defined by a support structure and a compression element that applies a second pressure to the web material there-between along a second region transverse to the first region.

A protective packaging formation device is disclosed herein. The protective packaging formation device can include an inflation assembly having a fluid conduit that directs fluid between first and second overlapping plies of a web material and a sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism can include a heating zone of the sealing mechanism operable to heat the plies to create a longitudinal heat seal that seals the first and second plies together as the web is driven over the heating zone in a downstream direction. The sealing mechanism can also include a pinch zone that overlaps longitudinally with the heating zone. The pinch zone defined by an isolation element that applies a first pressure to the web material along a first region. The pinch zone is also defined by a support structure and a compression element that applies a second pressure to the web material there-between along a second region transverse to the first region.

According to the invention, there is provided a drainage device (10) including a body (14) defining a passage (16) having opposing end regions (18) which extend between and interconnect overflow and drainage apertures (20) and (22) defined in the receptacle (12) to permit fluid flow therebetween, typically from the overflow aperture (20) via the drainage aperture or plug hole (22) to a drain (not shown).

Simulated anatomical components, such as simulated vascular vessels, produced by a method that includes forming an anatomical component mold from a soluble polymer such that the mold defines an interior void of the simulated anatomical component. One or more layers of an elastomeric material is applied around the anatomical component mold and the material is allowed to cure to form a wall of the simulated anatomical component. At least a portion of the mold is dissolved to form a passage for liquid within the simulated anatomical component. Simulated anatomical components are connectable to other components of a surgical simulation system and can be modularized.

A method of manufacturing a microfluidic device, said method comprising placing a length of material in a liquid polymer, configuring the length of material to define the path of a microfluidic channel, curing or setting the polymer liquid to form a solid polymer around the configured length of material, and dissolving the configured length of material with a solvent to provide a microfluidic channel in the solid polymer.

The invention is directed to a method of forming a moulded item said method comprising the steps of (a) providing a mould former comprising an indentation having an inner surface and a bottom face and made of plastics and manufactured by a 3-dimensional printing process, said mould former being shaped to form a mould having (i) an indentation corresponding to the desired shape of said moulded item; and (ii) a series of holes extending between the inner surface and the bottom face of the mould former, (b) forming a mould in said mould former from a plastics material; (c) positioning an elongate member in said mould; (d) introducing a volume of liquid into said indentation; (e) positioning a cover over said mould and sealing it thereto; (f) causing said liquid to solidify.

Simulated anatomical components, such as simulated vascular vessels, and systems including the same. Such a system includes a housing, a simulated anatomical component inside the housing, and a simulated anatomical abnormality within a passage of the simulated anatomical component, the simulated anatomical abnormality formed as a material of an anatomical mold used to form the simulated anatomical component that has been partially removed to form the passage.