Abstract: A band (1) comprising, on its inner surface, an irregular array of tacky areas or protrusions (6) that dissipate foci of stress in the skin (of the abdominal wall or other body areas). Wearing such a band around the abdomen is intended to help prevent the occurrence of stretch marks.

Abstract: A band (1) comprising, on its inner surface, an irregular array of tacky areas or protrusions (6) that dissipate foci of stress in the skin (of the abdominal wall or other body areas). Wearing such a band around the abdomen is intended to help prevent the occurrence of stretch marks.

Abstract: A method for growing tissue in vitro includes the steps of: (i) providing a deformable substrate which is seeded with tissue-forming cells and which defines at least one flow channel containing a fluid culture medium; (ii) applying, substantially parallel to the flow channel, a cyclically varying load to the substrate, which load deforms the substrate to provide mechanical cueing for the cells; and (iii) inhibiting the flow of culture medium in one direction of the flow channel so that the deformation of the substrate causes a net flow of the culture medium along the flow channel in the opposing direction, thereby refreshing the culture medium in the flow channel.