Abstract: Provided herein are liquid crystal polymers and elastomers configured to include a thermal circuit for creating thermal paths between various nodes of the thermal circuit including a heat source, a heat sink, and an insulated area or insulated body. The liquid crystal elastomers described herein may be configured to include portions of the thermal circuit with modified conductivities that meet specifications for the heat flows along thermal paths and for the temperatures of nodes in the thermal circuit. The liquid crystal elastomers described herein include modifiable thermal conductivities based on a selected alignment of directors of the liquid crystal elastomers. Described herein are methods for designing alignments of directors for several and different portions of the liquid crystal elastomer and methods to create various thermal circuits utilizing liquid crystal elastomers and polymers.

Abstract: A helmet for improved impact protection includes a shell and a first pad disposed within the shell. The first pad includes a first lattice structure with at least one LCE pillar. In some aspects, the helmet includes a plurality of pads. Each pad may include multiple regions. Each region of a pad may be comprised of different lattice structures, some of which contain LCE pillars and some of which do not.

Abstract: A device for a metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint includes a body with a stem and a head. The stem may be hollow and include a plurality of perforations about its length to improve osseointegration. The head may include one or more perforations and/or one or more islands. The one or more perforations and one or more islands are configured to promote bonding the body and liquid-crystalline elastomer (LCE) that is applied to the head. The device may be inserted into bone to form an MTP joint replacement.

Abstract: Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) are described herein that include novel arrangements of bio-mimicking properties for use in surgery, therapy, and treatment of medical or comfort issues. Through the particular arrangements medical devices and portions of them may be adapted to have properties that dampen and dissipate vibrations such as shocks to body tissues during surgical recovery and/or during subsequent use. This dampening is attained by novel arrangements of LCP and processes for forming them that vary from prior attempts at synthesizing activated LCP elements. These novel arrangements include using LCP bodies that include thicknesses and properties that have not been demonstrated or achieved for medical or other purposes and that are achieved using distinct processes. These novel LCP arrangements and methods of creating them can produce medical devices that bio-mimic natural tissue or operation to provide better results for patients.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a consumable capsule containing an active ingredient in at least one compartment movably sealed by a stimuli responsive actuator, and an activation device configured to communicate with the consumable capsule. The activation device is configured to emit a wireless signal to activate the stimuli responsive actuator of the consumable capsule, and the consumable capsule is configured to release the active ingredient into an external environment based on the activation of the stimuli responsive actuator.

Abstract: Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) are described herein that include novel arrangements of bio-mimicking properties for use in surgery, therapy, and treatment of medical or comfort issues. Through the particular arrangements medical devices and portions of them may be adapted to have properties that dampen and dissipate vibrations such as shocks to body tissues during surgical recovery and/or during subsequent use. This dampening is attained by novel arrangements of LCP and processes for forming them that vary from prior attempts at synthesizing activated LCP elements. These novel arrangements include using LCP bodies that include thicknesses and properties that have not been demonstrated or achieved for medical or other purposes and that are achieved using distinct processes. These novel LCP arrangements and methods of creating them can produce medical devices that bio-mimic natural tissue or operation to provide better results for patients.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a consumable capsule containing an active ingredient in at least one compartment movably sealed by a stimuli responsive actuator, and an activation device configured to communicate with the consumable capsule. The activation device is configured to emit a wireless signal to activate the stimuli responsive actuator of the consumable capsule, and the consumable capsule is configured to release the active ingredient into an external environment based on the activation of the stimuli responsive actuator.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a consumable capsule containing an active ingredient in at least one compartment movably sealed by a stimuli responsive actuator, and an activation device configured to communicate with the consumable capsule. The activation device is configured to emit a wireless signal to activate the stimuli responsive actuator of the consumable capsule, and the consumable capsule is configured to release the active ingredient into an external environment based on the activation of the stimuli responsive actuator.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for polymerizing and programming a liquid crystal polymer, including a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) with two-way shape-memory via a stepped or self-limiting reaction. In the described method, the reaction may be stepped to achieve different aspects of the two-way shape-memory effect in the produced LCE. In one embodiment, the method creates a polydomain LCE body with a completed thiol-acrylate Michael addition reaction polymerization. The method may further crosslink the polydomain LCE body under a stimulus, thereby locking a domain state in a portion of the polymer. A two-way shape-memory effect of the LCE may thereafter be programmed and locked into the LCE the second stage polymerization reaction. The self-limiting reaction allows for unprecedented control over LCE domain states and cross-linking densities, as well as the resultant mechanical and optical properties of the LCE formed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a consumable capsule containing an active ingredient in at least one compartment movably sealed by a stimuli responsive actuator, and an activation device configured to communicate with the consumable capsule. The activation device is configured to emit a wireless signal to activate the stimuli responsive actuator of the consumable capsule, and the consumable capsule is configured to release the active ingredient into an external environment based on the activation of the stimuli responsive actuator.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a consumable capsule containing an active ingredient in at least one compartment movably sealed by a stimuli responsive actuator, and an activation device configured to communicate with the consumable capsule. The activation device is configured to emit a wireless signal to activate the stimuli responsive actuator of the consumable capsule, and the consumable capsule is configured to release the active ingredient into an external environment based on the activation of the stimuli responsive actuator.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a consumable capsule containing an active ingredient in at least one compartment movably sealed by a stimuli responsive actuator, and an activation device configured to communicate with the consumable capsule. The activation device is configured to emit a wireless signal to activate the stimuli responsive actuator of the consumable capsule, and the consumable capsule is configured to release the active ingredient into an external environment based on the activation of the stimuli responsive actuator.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for polymerizing and programming a liquid crystal polymer, including a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) with two-way shape-memory via a stepped or self-limiting reaction. In the described method, the reaction may be stepped to achieve different aspects of the two-way shape-memory effect in the produced LCE. In one embodiment, the method creates a polydomain LCE body with a completed thiol-acrylate Michael addition reaction polymerization. The method may further crosslink the polydomain LCE body under a stimulus, thereby locking a domain state in a portion of the polymer. A two-way shape-memory effect of the LCE may thereafter be programmed and locked into the LCE the second stage polymerization reaction. The self-limiting reaction allows for unprecedented control over LCE domain states and cross-linking densities, as well as the resultant mechanical and optical properties of the LCE formed.

Abstract: Transcervical contraceptive devices (TCDs) are disclosed. The TCDs are constructed of shape memory polymer (SMP) materials capable of assuming a memory shape at physiological temperatures. These SMPTCDs (410) have a post-implantation memory shape that is substantially identical to or slightly larger than the insertion site (420) to adapt to changes that may occur in a fallopian tube. The SMPTCDs (410) may be formed as occlusion devices (i.e., plugs) having a number of different structural features. The SMPTCDs (410) may provide for a temporary or permanent means of contraception.