An actuator and method of manufacturing an actuator that includes a core fiber with polymers aligned along the length of the core fiber, and a wire that is wound around and fixed to the core fiber. The winding of the wire is engineered based on the torsional actuation. Upon heating the core fiber, the wire impedes radial expansion of the core fiber and converts the radial expansion into a torsional actuation.

An actuator and method of manufacturing an actuator that includes a core fiber with polymers aligned along the length of the core fiber, and a wire that is wound around and fixed to the core fiber. The winding of the wire is engineered based on the torsional actuation. Upon heating the core fiber, the wire impedes radial expansion of the core fiber and converts the radial expansion into a torsional actuation.

A filament manufacturing device includes an impregnation unit and a twisting unit. The impregnation unit is configured to impregnate a bundle of transported continuous fibers with a resin so as to form a filament. The twisting unit is configured to twist the filament downstream of the impregnation unit in a transport direction in which the bundle of continuous fibers is transported, so as to form the twisted filament.

A filament manufacturing device includes an impregnation unit and a twisting unit. The impregnation unit is configured to impregnate a bundle of transported continuous fibers with a resin so as to form a filament. The twisting unit is configured to twist the filament downstream of the impregnation unit in a transport direction in which the bundle of continuous fibers is transported, so as to form the twisted filament.

An actuator and method of manufacturing an actuator that includes a core fiber with polymers aligned along the length of the core fiber, and a wire that is wound around and fixed to the core fiber. The winding of the wire is engineered based on the torsional actuation. Upon heating the core fiber, the wire impedes radial expansion of the core fiber and converts the radial expansion into a torsional actuation.

An actuator and method of manufacturing an actuator that includes a core fiber with polymers aligned along the length of the core fiber, and a wire that is wound around and fixed to the core fiber. The winding of the wire is engineered based on the torsional actuation. Upon heating the core fiber, the wire impedes radial expansion of the core fiber and converts the radial expansion into a torsional actuation.

A continuous automatic twisting, and winding device and method for the polymer fiber artificial muscle are provided. The device includes a wire feeding mechanism, polymer fibers, a twisting mechanism, a winding, mechanism, a translation mechanism, and a base plate. The center axis of the rolling bearing I in the wire feeding, mechanism is horizontally aligned with the center axis of the spline shaft in the winding mechanism; the polymer fibers are generally nylon fibers, polyester fibers, etc.; the twisting mechanism, winding mechanism and the translation mechanism are mounted on the base plate; the twisting mechanism articulation seat in the twisting, mechanism is fixed on the front support seat in the winding mechanism; the mounted bearing in the translation mechanism is connected to the spline shaft in the winding mechanism by interference fit. The guide rod in the translation mechanism is mounted on the rear support seat in the winding mechanism.

A continuous automatic twisting, and winding device and method for the polymer fiber artificial muscle are provided. The device includes a wire feeding mechanism, polymer fibers, a twisting mechanism, a winding, mechanism, a translation mechanism, and a base plate. The center axis of the rolling bearing I in the wire feeding, mechanism is horizontally aligned with the center axis of the spline shaft in the winding mechanism; the polymer fibers are generally nylon fibers, polyester fibers, etc.; the twisting mechanism, winding mechanism and the translation mechanism are mounted on the base plate; the twisting mechanism articulation seat in the twisting, mechanism is fixed on the front support seat in the winding mechanism; the mounted bearing in the translation mechanism is connected to the spline shaft in the winding mechanism by interference fit. The guide rod in the translation mechanism is mounted on the rear support seat in the winding mechanism.

Small-diameter suture materials and suture coating materials made from the twisting or braiding of biocompatible polymeric fibers have been developed, which support drug delivery and maintain a high tensile strength. The fibers entrap (e.g., encapsulate) one or more therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents and provide prolonged release over a period of at least a week, preferably a month. While monofilament fibers lose tensile strength with the inclusion of active agents, twisting the drug-loaded, multifilament fibers allows for an increase in the tensile strength for the overall composites, while still retaining a small diameter. The methods of making these materials and using them for ocular surgery and vasculature repair have also been developed.

Small-diameter suture materials and suture coating materials made from the twisting or braiding of biocompatible polymeric fibers have been developed, which support drug delivery and maintain a high tensile strength. The fibers entrap (e.g., encapsulate) one or more therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents and provide prolonged release over a period of at least a week, preferably a month. While monofilament fibers lose tensile strength with the inclusion of active agents, twisting the drug-loaded, multifilament fibers allows for an increase in the tensile strength for the overall composites, while still retaining a small diameter. The methods of making these materials and using them for ocular surgery and vasculature repair have also been developed.