Abstract: A method for the preparation of a regenerated silk fibroin solution comprises the steps of: treating silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between ?0.001 and ?0.05 at 25° C.; and subsequently degumming the treated silk or silk cocoons; or alternatively, degumming silk or silk cocoons; and subsequently treating the degummed silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between ?0.001 and ?0.05 at 25° C. The invention also extends to fibroin solution, a fibroin material and an implant useful for cartilage repair.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a regenerated silk fibroin solution comprises the steps of: treating silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between ?0.001 and ?0.05 at 25° C.; and subsequently degumming the treated silk or silk cocoons; or alternatively, degumming silk or silk cocoons; and subsequently treating the degummed silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between ?0.001 and ?0.05 at 25° C. The invention also extends to fibroin solution, a fibroin material and an implant useful for cartilage repair.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a tubular body having a lumen and a long axis; and a plurality of silk elements laid substantially parallel along the long axis of the lumen of the tubular body. A method of manufacturing the medical device comprises forming the tubular body and introducing the silk elements into the lumen of the tubular body so as to lie substantially parallel along the long axis of the lumen of the tubular body. The device can be used in a method for the regeneration of nerve cells comprising the implantation of a medical device at a site for regeneration of nerves.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a regenerated silk fibroin solution comprises the steps of: treating silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between ?0.001 and ?0.05 at 25° C.; and subsequently degumming the treated silk or silk cocoons; or alternatively, degumming silk or silk cocoons; and subsequently treating the degummed silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between ?0.001 and ?0.05 at 25° C. The invention also extends to fibroin solution, a fibroin material and an implant useful for cartilage repair.

Abstract: A cartilaginous tissue repair device with a biocompatible, bioresorbable three-dimensional silk or other fibre lay and a biocompatible, bioresorbable substantially porous silk-based or other hydrogel partially or substantially filling the interstices of the fibre lay; with or without an integral means of firmly anchoring the device to a patient's bone.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a tubular body having a lumen and a long axis; and a plurality of silk elements laid substantially parallel along the long axis of the lumen of the tubular body. A method of manufacturing the medical device comprises forming the tubular body and introducing the silk elements into the lumen of the tubular body so as to lie substantially parallel along the long axis of the lumen of the tubular body. The device can be used in a method for the regeneration of nerve cells comprising the implantation of a medical device at a site for regeneration of nerves.

Abstract: A resorbable implantable device, such as a suture or prosthesis, comprising one or more silk elements made at least partially (poly)alanine Wild silk proteins of a saturnid moth or analogues thereof.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed, electrolytic capacitor is provided having a lid incorporating a liquid seal on the wet side of the lid and a hermetic seal on the dry side of the lid. The lid includes a plate, with a hole through its thickness, and a flange creating an orifice in the hole, adjacent the underside of the lid. A liquid seal is positioned in the orifice and has a terminal insulated from the plate by an elastomeric ring. The terminal is electrically connected to the capacitor element on its wet side, and the terminal is electrically connected to the hermetic seal on its dry side.

Abstract: An electrolytic capacitor is provided having a metal-glass-metal hermetic seal and a liquid seal, which protects the hermetic seal from the electrolyte solution in the capacitor. The liquid seal is formed by compressing an elastomeric ring between the underside of the lid of the capacitor and a terminal plate, connected to the capacitor element, whereby compression of the elastomeric seal is maintained by the lead, which connects the terminal plate and a metal post in the hermetic seal.

Abstract: A dietary supplement for treating or preventing prostate disease and/or vascular disease including saw palmetto, d-alpha tocopherol, d-gamma tocopherol, d-delta tocopherol, d-beta tocopherol, selenium, lycopene, zinc, folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6, each in a therapeutically effective amount.

Abstract: A dietary supplement for treating or preventing prostate disease and/or vascular disease including saw palmetto, d-alpha tocopherol, d-gamma tocopherol, d-delta tocopherol, d-beta tocopherol, selenium, lycopene, zinc, folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6, each in a therapeutically effective amount.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming liquid spinning solution into a solid formed product whereby the solution is passed through at least one tubular passage (17) having walls formed at least partly of semipermeable and/or porous material. The semipermeable and/or porous material allows parameters, such as the concentration of hydrogen ions, water, salts and low molecular weight, of the liquid spinning solution to be altered as the spinning solution passes through the tubular passage(s).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming liquid spinning solution into a solid formed product. The liquid spinning solution is passed through a die assembly having a tubular passage having walls formed partly of semipermeable and/or porous material. In operation, draw down of the liquid spinning solution is performed partly within the die assembly. The semipermeable and/or porous material allows parameters, such as the concentration of hydrogen ions, water, salts and low molecular weight constituents, of the spinning solution to be altered as the spinning solution passes through the tubular passage.

Abstract: An improved glass fiber winding apparatus including a pair of winding collets rotatably supported by a turret and separated by a movable winding shield. The collets are controllably rotated by the turret between a winding position and an unloading position. At the winding position, one collet is active for purposes of winding glass fibers, while the collet at the unloading position is inactive and the fibers wound upon that collet may be removed such that the collet is freed for future winding. The winding shield is interposed between the two collets so that debris, such as lubricants, are prevented from contaminating the inactive collet. The winding shield is configured such that it can be moved to avoid interference with the fibers during the process of moving a fully wound collet from the winding position to the unloading position. The collet moved from the unloading position is moved upon that collet.

Abstract: A fluid valve for a beverage-making appliance such as a coffee brewer, for example, which valve comprises a housing which contains a valve actuating means and which is closed at its inlet end by a filter, the filter being dome-shaped and having a small central aperture whereby air bubbles in a fluid within the valve may escape upwardly and out so that the valve may be used in appliances subject to microwave radiation.

Abstract: A solar collector which comprises a panel including flat collector plates or absorbers interconnected by integral interfitting members which simultaneously support fluid-conducting tubing and retain the tubing in efficient heat-conductive relation with the plates whereby heat absorbed by the plates may be efficiently transferred to the circulating fluid in the tubing.

Abstract: An appliance for sterilizing and melting plastic items such as found in hospitals or the like, for example, which appliance includes a chamber containing a foil casing within which the items are placed, and means for heating the chamber for a temperature and time cycle sufficient to soften or melt the plastic items which when cooled will form a solid body of plastic material containing within it other non-melted disposable items such as might have been included with the plastic items.