A lens comprises an internal cavity structure formed by dissolution of a soluble insert material. The internal soluble material may dissolve through a body of a lens such as a contact lens in order to form the cavity within the contact lens. The cavity within the lens can be shaped in many ways, and corresponds to the shape of the dissolved material, such that many internal cavity shapes can be readily fabricated within the contact lens. The insert can be placed in a mold with a pre-polymer material, and the pre-polymer material cured with the insert placed in the mold to form the lens body. The polymerized polymer may comprise a low expansion polymer in order to inhibit expansion of the lens when hydrated. The polymer may comprise a hydrogel when hydrated. The soft contact lens material comprises a sufficient amount of cross-linking to provide structure to the lens and shape the cavity.

The invention relates to a sensor element for detecting at least one analyte in a body fluid or in a body tissue, particularly for determining at least one metabolite concentration in a body fluid. The sensor element comprises an implantable, one-piece shaped body, which comprises a sensor end and a coupling end. The shaped body comprises, in the area of the sensor end, at least one sensor area, which comprises at least one sensor material. The sensor material changes at least one optically measurable property in the presence of the analyte. The shaped body also has at least one optically transparent coupling part, which is designed to transmit electromagnetic radiation in at least one spectral range between the sensor area and the coupling end. In the sensor area, the shaped body has at least one optically transparent matrix material, and the analyte can at least partially diffuse through the matrix material to the sensor material. The sensor material is embedded in the matrix material. The coupling part is formed at least partially by the matrix material.

A stimulation lead can include segmented electrodes arranged in a single or double helix or other helical arrangement. In one method of manufacture, an electrode carrier with segmented electrode receiving openings is used. Another method employs a connected framework of helically arranged pre-electrodes that are separated during manufacture. Yet another method employs a mold to generate a planar carrier over the segmented electrodes followed by rolling the carrier into a cylinder. A further method includes forming an electrode assembly by alternative segmented electrodes with non-conducting spacers.

Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training that include materials that better mimic natural human tissue are disclosed. In one aspect, multi-layer tissue simulations are provided. In another aspect, male genitalia models are provided. In another aspect, abdominal surgical wall inserts are provided. Systems and methods associated with these devices are also provided.

A second mold is placed on a planar surface of a first mold to form a first mold cavity, which is filled with a first material slurry containing a first material powder and the molded slurry is caused to set, thereby forming a first molded part on the planar surface of the first mold. A third mold is placed on the planar surface of the first mold from which the second mold is removed and on which the first molded part is formed, thereby forming a second mold cavity. The second mold cavity is filled with a second material slurry which contains a second material powder different from the first material powder so as to mold the slurry in contact with the first molded part. The molded slurry is caused to set, thereby forming a second molded part on the planar surface of the first mold.

A gasket for placement between a base of an aircraft structure and the underside of a workpiece, such as an aircraft antenna, is disclosed. The gasket has a cured polyurethane elastomeric gel body with a multiplicity of holes therethrough. The body typically has a flat lower surface and upstanding side walls, but the top surface is non-flat. The top surface may have sloped areas or raised tabular areas or a combination. The gel body may also have a skeleton member, such as a flexible metallic screen or other woven member. When the gasket is placed between the aircraft base and the workpiece, threaded on fasteners, and the fasteners torqued down, the non-flat upper surface will flow such that, at proper torque setting, it fully coats and fully covers the underside of the workpiece and, typically, makes contact with the screen or skeleton member, which also makes contact with the upper surface of the base.

A magnetically actuated capsule comprising two portions pivotally connected to each other for allowing tetherless reconfiguration of the capsule between a closed configuration and an open configuration inside a body cavity by an external magnet. The capsule can be used for noninvasive sampling of microbiomes and liquid within a body cavity, or to release a cargo within the body cavity. Methods of using and manufacturing the capsule are disclosed.

Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training that include materials that better mimic natural human tissue are disclosed. In one aspect, multi-layer tissue simulations are provided. In another aspect, male genitalia models are provided. In another aspect, abdominal surgical wall inserts are provided. Systems and methods associated with these devices are also provided.

An apparatus for manufacturing a multilayer microneedle patch and a method to manufacture a multilayer microneedle patch is disclosed along with multilayer microneedle patches.

Investment casting compositions are provided including: a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; b) a hydroxyl-functional poly(alkylene carbonate) polymer; c) a free-radical initiator; and d) a catalyst that aids in thermal decomposition of the hydroxyl-functional poly(alkylene carbonate) polymer. Methods of using the investment casting compositions are also provided, including: a) forming at least one investment casting pattern from an investment casting composition; b) investing the at least one investment casting pattern with at least one ceramic slurry to form a mold shell; and c) heating the mold shell to initiate decomposition of the hydroxyl-functional poly(alkylene carbonate) polymer and to form a ceramic mold. Use of these investment casting compositions tends to result in little to no cracking of the mold shell as well as allowing for significant removal of the investment casting pattern from the mold shell, upon heating of the mold shell.