A surgical simulator for electrosurgical training and simulation is provided. The surgical simulator includes one or more simulated tissue structures made substantially of a hydrogel comprising a dual interpenetrating network of ionically cross-linked alginate and covalently cross-linked acrylamide. Combinations of different simulated tissue structures define procedural-based models for the practice of various electrosurgical procedures including laparoscopic total mesorectal excision, transanal total mesorectal excision, cholecystectomy and transanal minimally invasive surgery. Methods of making the simulated tissue structures are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing a restructured hydrogel, including forming a hydrogel containing a first polymer, unidirectionally shrinking and dehydrating the hydrogel, and additionally cross-linking and rehydrating the dehydrated hydrogel.

A packaging material composition may be biodegradable and water-soluble. The packaging material may include a biodegradable nonionic polysaccharide, a biodegradable ionic polysaccharide, and a plasticizer. Optionally, additional components may be added to the packaging material for a desired purpose. Additional components may include a biocide, clay, metal oxides (i.e. titanium dioxide and zinc oxide), modified nanoclays, one or more crosslinkers, other functional agents, and residual solvent from the packaging material production process.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), comprising the steps of (vi) providing MMVF; (vii) providing an uncured binder composition; (viii) providing a superabsorbent polymer; (ix) forming a mixture of the MMVF, the uncured binder composition and the superabsorbent polymer; (x) curing the uncured binder composition in the mixture to form the coherent growth substrate product; wherein the uncured binder composition comprises at least one hydrocolloid.

A formaldehyde-free binder composition for mineral fibers which comprises at least one phenol containing compound and at least one protein.

An aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers which comprises at least one polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid.

The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensionally (3D) printed tissue engineering scaffold for tissue regeneration and a method for manufacturing the 3D printed tissue engineering scaffold. The 3D printed tissue engineering scaffold may be fabricated at least in part from a composite material having an insoluble component and soluble component. The three-dimensional tissue scaffolds of the disclosure may be fabricated via a rapid prototyping machine. In some instances, the three-dimensional shape of the fabricated tissue engineering scaffold may correspond to a three-dimensional shape of a tissue defect of a patient.

A method and a mineral wool product include a multiple of lamellae, such as a sandwich panel core. The product includes a plurality of lamellae cut from a mineral wool web, and bonded together by applying an adhesive on the surfaces of two adjacent lamellae to form a web-like product, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one hydrocolloid.

The invention relates to an aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers comprising at least one polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid.

The present invention relates to a method of providing thermal and/or acoustic insulation to a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate which comprises fibres; applying the substrate to the structure; blending the substrate with a binder composition before, during or after application of the substrate to the structure; allowing curing of the binder composition after the substrate and the binder composition have been applied to the structure; wherein the binder composition comprises at least one hydrocolloid. The present invention also relates to an insulated structure obtainable by said method.