Recyclomers: Self-Healing, Recyclable, Reconfigurable Elastomers for HPS Training Modules

Medical simulation serves to bridge the gap between classroom presentation and live tissue training. Although simulation training can never completely replace live tissue training, it can enable earlier, more repetitive and more cost-effective training in proper technique, thereby accelerating development of the necessary cognitive and psychomotor skills. As combat medical training using human patient simulators (HPS) has improved, the need for technologies that can lower the cost, improve the reusability, or provide added value by enhancing the training experience has become clear. One desired materials solution to allow more sustainable medical simulation training is a realistic, tissue property-matching polymer system that allows training modules to be reused or recycled with minimal added cost, time, or equipment. In order to address this challenging need for materials that can be reused and/or recycled by those the medical simulation field, Luna Innovations proposes to develop a set of life-like self-healing and recyclable elastomers to be known as Recyclomers. These will utilize known reversible crosslinkers that are designed to rapidly form completely reversible covalent crosslinks with functionalized macromers. Sensor integration will also be explored, allowing the low-cost, reconfigurable Recyclomers to report pressure, direction of incision, depth of incision, and related feedback.