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.

Fibrous materials, compositions that include fibrous materials, and uses of the fibrous materials and compositions are disclosed. For example, the fibrous materials can be operated on by a microorganism to produce ethanol or a by-product, such as a protein or lignin.

A method for manufacturing a composite is provided herein, including laying at least one reinforcement layer onto the inner surface of a mold, positioning a degradable membrane onto the outermost reinforcement layer of the at least one reinforcement layer, applying suction between the inner surface of the mold and the degradable membrane to press the at least one reinforcement layer towards the inner surface of the mold, covering the degradable membrane with at least one vacuum film, generating a vacuum in the region between the vacuum film and the mold, injecting resin into this region by means of vacuum, and letting cure the resin, initiating a degradation of the degradable membrane by provoking a physical or chemical change of the membrane material after having generated a vacuum in the region between the vacuum film and the mold and before the resin has cured completely.

Systems and methods for making a custom sleep apnea mask or other wearable article are disclosed. The sleep apnea system comprises a face mask, a headband integrally connected to the face mask, and at least one air duct configured to direct air from the CPAP machine to nasal tubes. The face mask preferably comprises: an inner surface having the same shape as the user's face; an upper surface configured to sit at a first predetermined distance between the user's nose and eyes; and an outer surface configured to extend a second predetermined distance from the inner surface. Nearly shape and position of substantially all the surfaces of the mask are configured based on the shape and or location of facial features, resulting in a highly customized mask optimized for each individual patient.

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.

A fiber-reinforced plastic substrate is described in which a plurality of resins having different properties are firmly compounded and that includes components [A], [B], and [C]: [A] reinforcing fibers; [B] thermoplastic resin (b); and [C] thermoplastic resin (c),
wherein the component [A] is arranged in one direction, in the fiber-reinforced plastic substrate, a resin area including the component [B] and a resin area including the component [C] are present, the resin area including the component [B] is present on a surface of one side of the fiber-reinforced plastic substrate, and a distance Ra.sub.(bc) between Hansen solubility parameters of the component [B] and the component [C] satisfies formula (1):
Ra.sub.(bc)={4(DBDC).sup.2+(PBPC).sup.2+(HBHC).sup.2}.sup.1/28
wherein Ra.sub.(bc), DB, DC, PB, PC, HB and HC are as defined.

A plastic film is produced by blending a polymer with particles encapsulating an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide. Optionally, an oxodegradable and/or oxo biodegradable additive that promotes degradation of the polymer in the presence of oxygen may be blended into the plastic film. The presence of the oxidizing agent within the plastic film ensures degradation of an article of manufacture, e.g., a plastic bag, when it is disposed of in an anaerobic environment, such as a landfill. In some embodiments, the particles are microcapsules and/or nanocapsules each having a polymer shell encapsulating a core that includes the oxidizing agent. In some embodiments, the particles are microparticles and/or nanoparticles each having a matrix in which the oxidizing agent is encapsulated.

Provided are a crystalline and easily recyclable polyester heat shrinkable film, having a three-layer structure of layer A/layer B/layer C, in which the layer A is prepared by raw materials consisting of polyethylene terephthalate glycol copolymer (PETG), a functional master batch and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the layer B is prepared by raw materials consisting of a modified PET, PET, a nucleating agent, a chain extender, and a foaming agent.

Disclosed are a method for preparing a closure end of an occluder, and a device for preparing a closure end of an occluder. The method includes: step 100, performing a first pressing on a front end of a strip, and simultaneously hot-melting the front end of the strip to preform the front end of the strip; step 200, performing a second pressing on the preformed front end of the strip, and simultaneously hot-melting the preformed front end of the strip, so as to form the preformed front end of the strip; and step 300, cooling the formed front end of the strip to obtain the closure end. Through first pressing and hot-melting, a strip sets and is formed into a preset shape; and then, through second pressing, the strip is better fitted to a mold and debubbled, so that a formed closure end has a higher strength.

Compositions and methods of preparing amorphous drug formulations through hot melt extrusion which result in decreased decomposition of the desired drug are provided herein. Also provided are methods and compositions which further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable thermoplastic polymer. In some embodiments, these compositions comprise a therapeutically active agent which is only sparingly soluble in water.