Abstract: An improved skin substitute is presented comprised of non-biological materials produced with a series of regularly-spaced pores and a nylon weave netting. The top component is a thin (approximately 0.001? thick) silicone elastomer in which pore holes have been vacuum-pulled; physically attached to the silicone elastomer is a fine knitted nylon fabric (12/1, 15/1 denier); incorporated into the silicone/nylon structure are collagen peptides [about 10 micrograms per square centimeter of Porcine type 1—“the active component”] without cross-linking agent to enable a quick interaction with fibrin in the wound to achieve acute adherence. The vacuum-pulled holes provide a range of porosities to ensure minimum fluid accumulation beneath the skin substitute without wound desiccation. The range of hole diameters preferred in the present invention is 0.75 mm to 1.05 mm and at holes centered at ¼?-??.

Abstract: An improved skin substitute is presented comprised of non-biological materials produced with a series of regularly-spaced pores and a nylon weave netting. The top component is a thin (approximately 0.001? thick) silicone elastomer in which pore holes have been vacuum-pulled; physically attached to the silicone elastomer is a fine knitted nylon fabric (12/1, 15/1 denier); incorporated into the silicone/nylon structure are collagen peptides [about 10 micrograms per square centimeter of Porcine type 1—“the active component”] without cross-linking agent to enable a quick interaction with fibrin in the wound to achieve acute adherence. The vacuum-pulled holes provide a range of porosities to ensure minimum fluid accumulation beneath the skin substitute without wound desiccation. The range of hole diameters preferred in the present invention is 0.75 mm to 1.05 mm and at holes centered at ¼?-??.

Abstract: A vibration damped apparatus comprising a damping mass which is mechanically coupled to a member subject to vibration. The damping mass is formed from a elastic material throughout which a plurality of sub-masses are distributed. The sub-masses are relatively positioned so that the damping mass has different moduli of elasticity in tension and compression, so as to quickly dampen a broad frequency range of vibrations in the vibrating member. In a preferred embodiment, the vibrating member is a tubular post upon which vibration-sensitive optical components are mounted, the damping mass being disposed within a cavity in the post to damp vibrations of the post and optical components thereon.