The present disclosure provides methods of improving adhesion of a non-di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to an acrylic-based polymer or an ABS-based polymer. Such methods may comprise blending the acrylic-based polymer or ABS-based polymer with an impact modifier so that a rubber content in the acrylic-based polymer or ABS-based polymer is greater than 12% (w/w). Also provided are components of a device (e.g., a medical device) made by the disclosed methods.

Multilayer polymer sheets are provided, as well as related methods, systems, and appliances.

A printing process of high resolution, preferably medical, devices with complex geometries is described, comprising the steps of: printing a model (1) with a three-dimensional printing method by using a three-dimensional printer; said model (1) positive reproducing the medical device (10) to be made; - said model (1) being printed of a first water-soluble polymer (2) or aqueous solutions; covering said model (1) with a layer of material (3) insoluble to a solution able to dissolve said first soluble polymer (2); said covering step making a shell of solid mold (7) provided with a surface comprising empty interstitial spots; - infiltrating an amount of water or aqueous solution into said solid mold through said empty interstitial spots so that to dissolve said model (1) and to make a mold cavity (8) negative reproducing said model (1); - infiltrating into the mold

A parison tube former utilizes a radial compression heater to heat a very specific portion of a preform tube for stretching. The heater has a plurality of compression dies that form a central cavity for receiving the preform tube. The working surfaces of the compression dies close down onto the outer surface of the preform tube to heat the tube via conduction, which more accurately and precisely heats the preform tube. A first stretched portion of the preform tube is produced by stretching the preform tube after heating. A second portion of the preform tube is then located within the central cavity and is also heated by the radial compression heater and stretched to produce a second stretched portion of the preform tube and an unexpanded portion of the preform tube, or balloon portion of the parison tube.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for solid freeform fabrication, especially selective laser sintering, as well as various articles made using the same, where the systems and methods utilize certain thermoplastic polyurethanes which are particularly suited for such processing. The useful thermoplastic polyurethanes are derived from (a) a polyisocyanate component, (b) a polyol component, and (c) an optional chain extender component; wherein the resulting thermoplastic polyurethane has a melting enthalpy of at least 5.5J/g, a Tc (crystallization temperature) of more than 70° C., a Δ(Tm:Tc) of from 20 to 75 degrees, where Δ(Tm:Tc) is the difference between the Tm (melting temperature) and Tc.

A method for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.

Microneedle arrays and methods of forming the same can include one or more bioactive components bonded to a biocompatible material such that the one or more bioactive components are cleavable in vivo to release the bioactive component from the biocompatible material.

A multi-layered hand-held massage tool for fascial manipulation includes a weight plate having a first side, a second side opposite from the first side, and an outer edge. The massage tool also includes a first outer layer located on the first side of the weight plate to form a first side of the massage tool, and a second outer layer located on the second side of the weight plate to form a second side of the massage tool. The multi-layered hand-held massage tool has a massage surface, adapted for fascial manipulation, coupling the first side of the massage tool to the second side of the massage tool and covering at least a portion of the outer edge of the weight plate.

A mould (1) and accessories thereof for the forming of an orthopaedic spacer made of medical cement, defining a moulding cavity (2) delimited by a moulding surface (3) configured to impart a pre-established shape to the medical cement and to create the orthopaedic spacer, wherein at least one sector (6) of the forming mould (1) defining at least one portion of the moulding surface (3) is made with a thermoplastic copolymer based material.

The present disclosure relates to an ultrasound phantom for a focused ultrasound wave. More specifically, the present invention provides an ultrasound phantom which mimics a body so as to correspond to a speed of sound in the body, in which agarose, sucrose, polydiacetylene vesicle, and distilled water are mixed, and a specific part onto which an ultrasound wave is irradiated by a focused ultrasound transducer is gradually discolored in accordance with a temperature.