Abstract: A method of manufacturing simulated animal or fish skin includes pouring a silicone compound over a sample of the skin to be simulated as, for example, dried fish skin. After the silicone compound jells, it is removed from the sample as a layer and forms a mold of the skin to be simulated. The mold is then cleaned and covered with a fiberglass cloth. A flex resin compound is poured onto the fiberglass cloth to fill the mold. After waiting a predetermined period of time, the fiberglass cloth is removed leaving behind the simulated skin which may then be painted to achieve realism. The painted simulated skin may then have a backing material such as cloth or vinyl applied thereto and the composite material cut to a desired shape.

Abstract: A porous implantable oral prosthesis which can be used to replicate and replace any hard tissue portion of the mouth such as bone and teeth is described. The prosthesis comprises sintered polymeric particles coated with a hydrophilic material. The polymeric particles vary in size so as to provide an area of relatively coarse porosity where the prosthesis is intended to interface with bone tissue and relatively fine porosity where it is intended to interface with soft tissue. A process for producing such prosthesis by filling a mold with appropriate molding compounds comprised of polymeric particles and a hydrophilic monomer, sintering the particles and polymerizing the monomer by dielectric heating, removing the sintered material from the cooled mold, and placing the prosthesis in a hot liquid to remove residues is described. An entire tooth, including a nonporous crown may be produced.

Abstract: A method for preparing a female mold employing a thermoplastic resin sheet which is softenable and moldable at a relatively low temperature and hardenable at a room temperature. This female mold is accurately profiled by a head of a person who will wear a wig and advantageously employable as a female mold for forming a head model or male mold used for a wig base or used as a workbench for the wig.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for production of plastic optical fiber connectors specifically for production of plastic plug ferrules employable for plastic optical fiber connectors, wherein improvements are realized to decrease the production cost thereof, to enable accurate finished dimension thereof, to enhance the advantage of mass production thereof, and to decrease the connection loss thereof.

Abstract: An aid for molding a filling material used in the cranioplasty to fill in a defective part of the skull. The aid allows a quick, efficient molding. It includes a bar made of an elastic material and being of a substantially L-shape section and a core member embedded therein to maintain the aid in a desired position.

Abstract: A method of making a body cavity insert, e.g. an ear insert, comprises deforming by pressure a pressure deformable sheet of material over an impression of a body cavity, e.g. an ear canal, and separating the impression from the sheet of material without permanently disturbing the shape into which the sheet has been deformed to leave a mould cavity in the sheet of material. A moulding material is then introduced into the mould cavity to provide, when the moulding material solidifies, the body cavity insert.Typically the pressure deformable sheet of material is a sheet of non-toxic, thermoplastics material, e.g. a polycarbonate or silicon rubber material. One example of a suitable moulding material is an acrylic plastics material.

Abstract: A polyol gel is made from 15-62 wt. % (based on the sum of polyurethane matrix plus dispersing agent) of a high molecular weight covalently cross-linked polyurethane matrix; 85-38 wt. % (based on the sum of polyurethane matrix plus dispersing agent) of a liquid dispersing agent which is firmly bonded to the matrix; and optionally, active ingredients, fillers, additives, catalysts, and mixtures thereof. The liquid dispersing agent is a polyhydroxyl compound having a molecular weight of between 1,000 and 12,000 and an OH number between 20 and 112. This dispersing agent should have virtually no hydroxyl compounds having a molecular weight below 800 present. These gel compositions may be used to make mold impressions and highly stable active-ingredient releasing compositions.

Abstract: A method of forming the bridge portion of a conventional eyeglass frame to the exact configuration and dimension of a bridge portion of a predetermined wearer's nose and securing the formed bridge portion to a conventional eyeglass frame. Proper fitting of the formed bridge portion to the wearer's nose is thereby accomplished and slipping of the eyeglasses from the nose is thereby eliminated.

Abstract: A method for preparing a female mold employing a thermoplastic resin sheet which is softenable and moldable at a relatively low temperature and hardenable at a room temperature. This female mold is accurately profiled by a head of a person who will wear a wig and advantageously employable as a female mold for forming a head model or male mold used for a wig base or used as a workbench for the wig.

Abstract: A conforming valved cervical cap assembly is provided with an elastomeric inner layer molded and cured in situ adjacent the exocervical surface of a cervix uteri. The inner layer is wettable, nonporous and matingly fits and resiliently complements the exocervical surface. In order to prevent the molding material from clogging or otherwise impairing operation of the valve, a valve cover is detachably connected to the valve during molding and curing.

Abstract: A method of making a mandrel for a breast prosthesis in which a negative cast is formed of the wearer's remaining breast and the area of the missing breast. A positive cast is formed of the negative cast and a model is made of the missing breast. A flexible mold is formed over the modeled breast and a portion of the positive cast. The flexible mold together with the molded breast are removed from the positive cast. An additional flexible mold is formed over the rear of the modeled breast to form a rear wall. The rear wall is removed and the modeled breast is discarded. The forward and rear walls are secured together to form a cavity. Fiberglass resin fill is inserted into the cavity and the resin is cured until it hardens to form the mandrel.

Abstract: A method of making a mask which comprises molding a sculptable material, affixing the said molded material to a facial form to the desired contours of the mask, which contours are different than the contours of the form, applying wetted strips of plaster-impregnated gauze to the molded material, drying the wetted gauze to form a completed mask and removing the form from the mask. The finished mask may be coated with a coat of white glue and decorated.

Abstract: An implement is provided for in situ molding of an impression of a cervix uteri from a medical grade impression paste. In the preferred form, the implement is an impression tray with a flexible cervix uteri-receiving cup and a hollow-elongated stem which is connected to the cup for passage of impression paste into the cup. The cup is fabricated with a circumferential flange that extends radially inwardly from the annular rim of the cup. The circumferential flange provides a retainer which holds the cervix uteri in place and also resiliently seals against the exocervical surface of the cervix uteri to facilitate retention of the impression paste in the cup during in situ molding of the cervical impression.

Abstract: Method for making a coded, resilient ear plug including forming an impression with wax and release agent, investing the impression, agitating to remove air, hardening the investment and after removal of the impression material casting a hardenable material in the investment cavity.

Abstract: A method of making a contoured cushion removably disposed on a recess defining support, with the cushion contour conforming to the shape of the portion of a person's body resting on the cushion.

Abstract: A molding kit to facilitate the synthetic cloning of body parts, such as fingers, the kit including a supply of alginate powder and a mold form having a bottom opening that is sealed when the form is seated on a base. A charge of powder is mixed with water to form a quick-setting, flowable molding compound. This is poured into the mold form, after which the body member is inserted and held therein until the compound sets to form an elastic gel. The gel is then pushed out of the mold form through the bottom opening, and the body part withdrawn to expose the impression cavity. The gel is returned to the mold form which is again seated and a flowable casting compound of the same composition as the molding compound is poured into the cavity and permitted the set to create a flesh-like clone of the body part. This clone is readily removable from the cavity without marring the impression therein.

Abstract: A uniform thin replica film of a specimen for electron microscopy having a high resolution power such as approximately 1 A is presented. This uniform thin replica film is directly prepared on the specimen by a plasma polymerization technique by depositing organic monomer vapors on a specimen placed on a negative electrode in a high vacuum atmosphere. The deposition is carried out by applying a discharge voltage of from 0.5 to 3 K.V.D.C. between a pair of positive and negative electrodes for 1 to 15 minutes to effect a glow discharge under the conditions of a current density of the glow discharge of from 0.1 and 2 mA/cm.sup.2 and a gas pressure of from 1 to 10.sup.-2 Torr in the system.

Abstract: A rigid, shaped, mass support system, such as support or seating appliances for disabled or handicapped persons, is provided by charging a flexible container (2) made of elastic polymeric film with a uniform mixture of rigid particles of a mesh size relatively small compared to the size of the system and a curable adhesive polymeric binder material. The charged container (2) and its contents are molded to adapt to or fit the shape of the mass, such as the contour of that portion of the body to be supported, and evacuated to remove volatiles and fix the shape of the contents of the container. The adhesive binder is then cured to solidify the molded contents of the container to form a composite, from which the polymeric film can be stripped away, after which an adhesive paint is applied to seal and protect the surface.

Abstract: A breast prosthesis for use as a replacement in the case of a mastectomy where the chest of the wearer presents problems in providing a satisfactory support surface for a standardized prosthesis. The prosthesis includes an internal filler part which seats in the cavity so that the prosthesis assumes its normal position.

Abstract: This invention relates to the method of producing a flexible, life-like model of physiological organs. These models are produced by injecting under pressure for a predetermined time a settable material such as silicone. The organ is then digested in a solution leaving a solid fabricated model. A multi-layered mold is fabricated around the solid model and once formed, is disassembled to remove said model. The mold is then reassembled and after proper coating is filled with liquid wax or similar material which is permitted to solidify. The mold is again disassembled and the wax model removed. The surface of the wax model can then be polished and otherwise cleaned prior to dipping in a settable liquid such as silicone which allows a build-up coating to be applied to such wax model. The thus coated model is then placed in boiling water or other environment to melt out the core to form a hollow casting by the lost wax technique.

Abstract: The novel splint-cast, before use, is a longitudinally flexible strip consisting of fibreglass reinforcing mat overlying and sealed adjacent an insulating layer at least partially by a non-permeable wrap material. On the other side of the insulating layer is a liner material of preferably a wool/cotton composition. The splint-cast blank may be prepared for use by passing a curable hardening agent into a vacuumed envelope formed by the wrap and the insulating material or the wrap and a latex layer, the fibreglass reinforcing mat absorbing the hardening agent along the length of the splint-cast blank. Before the hardening agent sets, the splint-cast is applied to an injured limb as a bandage but with consecutive wrappings about the limb in spaced relationship to each other. The splint-cast is simple and convenient to both prepare for use and apply. The open wrapping nature of the splint-cast on an injured limb permits air circulation while also providing desired firm support.

Abstract: A method and device for making artificial limb sockets is disclosed. To form the socket, the patient's below the knee stump is covered with a pair of stockinettes and a balloon is invaginated thereover to form a smooth surface for producing a mold of the stump. A plaster mold is formed over the stump and removed before the plaster has totally hardened. A device comprising a caliper for measuring the dimension across the patient's adductor tubercle is applied to the mold before removal from the stump. After removal from the patient's stump the adductor tubercle dimension is reestablished using the caliper before the plaster hardens. The mold is employed to form a casting of the patient's stump and the accurate reproduction of the adductor tubercle dimension allows the formation of a satisfactory supracondylar suspension.

Abstract: A method for creating a wig archetype to the shape of the human head, comprising:a. softening a sheet of a thermoplastic composition comprising polyisoprene, said polyisoprene having at least 90% of the isoprene monomer units in the trans-1,4 configuration and an intrinsic viscosity of 1.2 to 3 when measured in toluene at 30.degree. C;b. applying the sheet to the scalp of a human head;c. hardening the sheet; andd. removing the sheet from the scalp.

Abstract: Silicon containing compounds having Si-bonded hydrogen are added to an aliphatic multiple bond in the presence of a platinum catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum compounds of the formula(R.sup.1)PtX.sub.2,where R.sup.1 represents a cyclic hydrocarbon radical or a substituted cyclic hydrocarbon radical having 2 aliphatic carbon-carbon double bonds, X is the same or different halogen atoms and/or the same or different alkyl radicals, and compounds of the formula(R.sub.2 SO)(Z)PtY.sub.2where R represents the same or different hydrocarbon radicals or substituted hydrocarbon radicals, Z represents a hydrocarbon having a carbon-carbon double bond and Y represents the same or different halogen atoms.An example of a platinum compound having the general formula(R.sup.1)PtX.sub.2,is dicyclopentadiene-platinum dichloride, while an example of a platinum compound having the general formula(R.sub.2 SO)(Z)PtY.sub.2is dimethylsulfoxide-ethylene-platinum-(II)-dichloride.

Abstract: An anterior total contact hyperextension orthosis apparatus method of making a hyperextension orthosis. A stockinette is placed on a patient's body and marked for pre-determined patient features. A cast is formed on the patient's body for making a drape mold. The stockinette markings transfer to the cast and to the mold. The mold is modified including conforming the mold to the measured patient's breast portion and breast position, and the orthosis body is drape formed on the mold. The orthosis body is a molded plastic material having a breast support portion formed to be supported on the patient's breast, along with a pubic support portion and a center support portion formed between the breast support portion and the pubic support portion to conform to the patient's body therebetween to apply pressure primarily to soft tissue. Straps are attached to the anterior body portion and to a lumber pad for attaching the brace to the patient.

Abstract: A method for making an ornamental replica of a hand, including the steps of placing the hand to be reproduced onto a smooth surface, applying an elastic, impression-forming material over the hand and providing a support means for the impression-forming material to prevent any distortion thereof, allowing the impression-forming material time in which to form a mold over the hand and thereby create a negative impression of the hand therein, removing the hand from the impression-forming material and filling the negative impression therein with a fluid material capable of hardening to form a positive impression, and withdrawing the hardened positive impression of the hand from the elastic impression-forming material and applying an ornamental finish to the positive impression of the hand. The method provides a decorative replica of a hand, the replica having a planar bottom surface which particularly lends it to use as a paperweight, bookend or the like.

Abstract: Impression compositions containing (a) an organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups and containing at least 20 mol percent of monoorganosiloxane units, (b) an organopolysiloxane having at least 3 Si-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule, (c) a catalyst which promotes the addition of Si-bonded hydrogen atoms to alkenyl groups and (d) 30 to 90 percent by weight of a filler, based on the total weight of the composition. Impressions are obtained by applying a composition containing components (a), (b), (c) and (d) to a surface of which an impression is to be made, crosslinking said composition and thereafter removing the formed structure from the contacted surface.

Abstract: A method of custom fitting eyeglass frames to the nose of a wearer, which is in part performed by an optician or the like and in part performed by an eyeglass frames laboratory. The optician or the like heats a preferably horseshoe shaped wax wafer until it is moldable, then positions such on the bridge area of the wearer's nose and applies pressure thereto, bending the wafer concavely to conform its shape to that of the bridge of the nose. The eyeglass frames are then situated against the convex surface of the wafer in their normal viewing position and an imprint of the nose bridge portion of the frames is made on the outer surface of the wax wafer. Finally, the wax pattern thus formed is removed from the frames and wearer's nose and cooled to fix its shape, and the outline of eyeglass frames bridge is drawn thereon.

Abstract: Using a highly flowable silicone putty which can be combined with catalysts to set, dentures can be repaired and modified by flowing the putty onto the dentures, allowing it to set while in intimate contact therewith, removing the dentures from the set putty for effecting changes, and subsequently reinserting the dentures in the set putty to effect any necessary changes, modifications or repairs. Prior art practices often used dental stone which had to be chipped away from the dentures when effecting repair or modification.

Abstract: Method for making a tooth positioning and retaining appliance with air holes. The apparatus includes a mold with a cavity having models of the upper and lower teeth arranged so that when an appliance is molded thereby the appliance will have upper and lower archways for receiving upper and lower arches of a person, tooth sockets in the archways arranged in ideal relationship and preselected positions to urge the teeth received thereby into the preselected positions of the sockets. The mold additionally includes air hole or airway forming means extending across the models of the teeth in the mold and being insertable into the mold prior to the molding operation and thereafter removable from the mold with the molded appliance. The air hole forming means is easily separable from the appliance to ultimately define the air holes between the archways and between the labial and lingual sides of the appliance. The method of making the air holes concerns the handling of the mold and the air hole forming means.

Abstract: Fishing lures are made by molding or casting in a two part mold. The lower part of a mold form is first filled with mold material, and a specimen of bait fish is partially embedded in this lower part of the mold, with suitable means for release of the bait fish if necessary. Appurtenances such as hooks, suitable to the lure, are also partially embedded in the lower part of the mold, at strategic locations along the bait fish, as is a metallic eye adjoining the head of the bait fish. Other devices for filling and venting the mold may also be added at this time. The upper part of the mold form is then filled with mold material on top of the bottom part -- with suitable means for separating the two parts if necessary -- until the bait fish and all of its appurtenances are completely covered. When the mold material is set, the parts are separated, and the specimen of bait fish and all of its appurtenances are removed.

Abstract: Trans-polyisoprene composition of improved dimensional stability and stiffness are prepared by blending trans-polyisoprene with glass fibres and reinforcing silica. A crystalline wax may also be added to the compositions, to provide easier moldability.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a device for selectively applying pressure to discrete selected acupuncture pressure points on the auricular surface of the ear without penetrating skin. The selected acupuncture points are first marked with a marking substance, and then an impression is made by inserting malleable material into the ear. When the impression is removed from the ear, it has a surface which is complementary to the auricular surface and is marked by the marking substance to identify the selected acupuncture points. Projections are provided to the surface of the impression, and a mold is then formed from the projection bearing impression. The mold is filled with a moldable substance, which is hardened; and thereafter removed from the mold and polished as the device of the present invention. This device is preferably polished, provided with an earhole to allow unimpeded hearing, and may be worn in fitted, self-retaining pressure on the selected acupuncture points.

Abstract: A process for making an aural communications receiving device of formed-in-place elastomeric composition constructed especially to provide a smooth, tight seal over the mouth of the ear canal when stretched and including a formed-in-place sound transmitting passageway acoustically coupled to an integral connecting means for securing a communications component or to an embedded speaker at an outwardly presented surface.

Abstract: A breast prosthesis in which a negative cast is formed of the wearer's remaining breast and the area of the missing breast. A positive cast is formed of the negative cast and a model is made of the missing breast. A flexible mold is formed over the modeled breast and a portion of the positive cast. The flexible mold is removed and a coating is applied to the positive body cast to form a rear wall with a filling opening. A resilient coating is applied within the flexible mold to form a forward wall of the prosthesis and both the forward and rear walls are secured together. Gel fill is inserted through the filling opening into the interior space formed between the forward and rear walls.

Abstract: An anatomically configured stent for a tanned, expanded natural tissue heart valve, a valve prosthesis including the stent, and a process for preparing the prosthesis are disclosed. The stent comprises a frame having three struts, two of which are biased radially inwardly and the third of which is also biased radially inwardly or generally parallel to the frame axis and a fabric cover covering at least the exterior of the frame, the cover having a bead along its perimeter that provides a site for attachment of the valve to the stent.

Abstract: A substantially rigid dome-shaped shell encloses a deformable cap-like headpiece of uniform thickness. The headpiece conforms to the contour of the wearer's head and cooperates with the shell to define a dome-shaped cavity which is sealed around its bottom portion. The cavity is filled with an expandable plastics foam material which conforms to the contour of the headpiece. In one embodiment, spacer members are positioned within the cavity and extend from the headpiece to the shell for positioning the shell relative to the headpiece, and in another embodiment, the shell is spaced within a slightly larger outer shell by resilient energy-absorbing foam pads. In a further embodiment, the headpiece is formed by stretching a piece of leather with a device having a predetermined contour.

Abstract: An orthopedic cast made of a thermoplastic polyester having a melting point between 40.degree. C and 70.degree. C, particularly poly(epsilon-caprolactone) having a weight average molecular weight of over 30,000. The cast is formed of a continuous or foraminous sheet which is either solid polyester or polyester on a substrate which is not melted at the melting point of the polyester. The sheet is made plastic by heating in water of suitable temperature and then wrapping around the subject limb.

Abstract: A decorative enclosure and a method for making such enclosure is disclosed in which a face mask of a person is made by applying a liquid material to the face, the material hardening at body temperature after which a casting is made from the hardened material. A hollow base is positioned in the casting before it is set and a sound speaker is mounted in the frame. A plastic coating is applied to the casting, the coating once hardened being painted in colors to duplicate the face on which the film was cast. In this manner, a personalized hi-fidelity speaker enclosure may be obtained.

Abstract: Synthetic anatomical members, such as a tympanic membrane and a malleus, are illustrated and a method for making them is disclosed. In accordance with the method, prepared collagenous tissue is placed in a mold and immersed in, or sprayed with, a buffered formaldehyde or functionally similar preservative. After removal from the mold, the tissue retains the shape assumed in the mold. Provisions are made for attaching other anatomical members, such as bone, to the tissue for use in, for example, en bloc reconstruction of an eardrum and ossicles.

Abstract: A removable elastomeric cervical cap includes a thin-walled cap-shaped member having the same shape as the exocervix and having an inside surface conforming identically to the exocervix surface. The method includes expanding the vaginal wall to substantially expose the exocervix surface. A layer of a liquid self-curing elastomeric material is then applied to only the exocervix surface, the inner surface of the layer conforming identically to the surface without distorting the surface. The liquid elastomeric material is then permitted to solidify.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preparing a model of a bone endoprosthesis, and is most effectively used for the preparation of models of proximal femur in artificial hip joints.The method of preparing said model consists in that a bone procured from a cadaver and corresponding to the bone to be subsequently replaced by a prosthesis is divided into two equal parts, the spongy tissue thereof is removed, thus forming a groove-like excavation in each part, thereafter the two parts are brought together in a fashion that the two grooves form a cavity serving as a casting mold wherein ventilation and filling orifices are made, wherethrough a self-hardening filling compound is poured, after which said mold is disassembled, and the model removed.

Abstract: A substantially rigid dome-shaped shell encloses a deformable cap-like headpiece of uniform thickness. The headpiece conforms to the contour of the wearer's head and cooperates with the shell to define a dome-shaped cavity which is sealed around its bottom portion. The cavity is filled with an expandable plastics foam material which conforms to the contour of the headpiece. In one embodiment, spacer members are positioned within the cavity and extend from the headpiece to the shell for positioning the shell relative to the headpiece, and in another embodiment, the shell is spaced within a slightly larger outer shell by resilient energy-absorbing foam pads. In a further embodiment, the headpiece is formed by stretching a piece of leather with a device having a predetermined contour.

Abstract: A process for forming a removable dental cast embedded with a plastic, threaded, cast ejector button, and apparatus for fabricating a plurality of cast ejector buttons comprised of a mold device including an upper plate containing a plurality of mold cavities, and a base plate incorporating coil spring means for resiliently maintaining the upper plate in a predetermined spaced-apart and open relation thereto and a plurality of rigid support elements attached, at their bottom ends, in vertically-upright relation on the base plate and slidably engaged, at their upper ends, in a bottom opening in each upper plate-mold cavity and extending in overlapping relation into the respective cavity. The upper ends of each rigid support element are threaded so that, when the mold cavities are poured with and filled by a suitable material, in the plastic flow form that is allowed to set for a specified period, a separate and internally threaded plastic cast ejector button is formed in each cavity.

Abstract: A method is provided of producing a moulding having a configuration corresponding to the surface configuration of a model. The method comprises the steps of bringing a gas-tight evacuatable container having at least one flexible wall portion in a position relative the configuration of the model such that the wall portion can be deformed to the contours of the model without cracking or creasing. A quantity of granular material is then poured into the container to deform the flexible wall portion to the shape of the model by pressure, whereafter at least a partial vacuum is created in the container to cause the granules to form a solid, persistent mass conforming to the shape of the model. The model is then removed while maintaining the condition of at least partial vacuum in the container.

Abstract: An improved system and method for producing lightweight and strong rigid enclosures formed by enclosing or wrapping the article in a dry peroxide catalyst-impregnated fabric and applying thereto an activated thermosetting vinyl type resin. The disclosed enclosure is especially useful as a porous surgical dressing or as an orthopedic support.

Abstract: In a dental model, a plurality of parallel non-tapered guide pins are slidably seated within cylindrical cavities in an apertured retainer. Extending sections of the guide pins are secured within removable cast teeth, whereby the guide pins and their mating cavities permit withdrawal and replacement of the removable cast teeth while maintaining the alignment of the removable cast teeth with respect to the dental model.

Abstract: A process for forming a removable dental cast embedded with a plastic, threaded, cast ejector button, and apparatus for fabricating a plurality of cast ejector buttons comprised of a mold device including an upper plate containing a plurality of mold cavities, and a base plate incorporating coil spring means for resiliently maintaining the upper plate in a predetermined spaced-apart and open relation thereto and a plurality of rigid support elements attached, at their bottom ends, in vertically-upright relation on the base plate and slidably engaged, at their upper ends, in a bottom opening in each upper plate-mold cavity and extending in overlapping relation into the respective cavity. The upper ends of each rigid support element are threaded so that, when the mold cavities are poured with and filled by a suitable material, in the plastic flow form that is allowed to set for a specified period, a separate and internally threaded plastic cast ejector button is formed in each cavity.