233results about How to "Constant force" patented technology

Methods and devices for fastening tissue are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a tissue fastener is provided and includes a male fastening member having a base plate with at least one post extending therefrom and having a tissue-piercing tip. A protective member is coupled to the male fastening member and is movable between an open position in which the tissue-piercing tip is enclosed within the protective member such that the tissue-piercing tip is prevented from penetrating tissue, and a compressed position in which the tissue-piercing tip is exposed to penetrate tissue. A female fastening member is configured to mate to the male fastening member and to engage tissue therebetween.

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has opposable seal surfaces on its jaws for grasping and sealing vessels and vascular tissue. Inner and outer instrument members allow arcuate motion of the seal surfaces. An open lockbox provides a pivot with lateral support to maintain alignment of the lateral surfaces. Ratchets on the instrument members hold a constant closure force on the tissue during the seal process. A shank portion on each member is tuned to provide an appropriate spring force to hold the seal surfaces together. During surgery, the instrument can be used to grasp and clamp vascular tissue and apply bipolar electrosurgical current through the clamped tissue. In one embodiment, the seal surfaces are partially insulated to prevent a short circuit when the instrument jaws are closed together. In another embodiment, the seal surfaces are removably mounted on the jaws.

A surgical clip assembly which includes a pair of generally linear compression elements for securing tissue between them and for applying to the secured tissue a compression force. The clip assembly has an initial, open position in which the linear compression elements may be positioned about tissue to be secured between them. The assembly also has a final, closed position where the compression elements are substantially parallel to each other, applying a compressive force to the secured tissue. The clip assembly also includes a force means disposed between the pair of compression elements and operative to transmit operational forces between them.

A system and method of moving and stretching plastic tissue using dynamic force. A preferably non-reactive force applying component is adjustably attachable to one or more tissue attachment structures for securing the force applying component to the plastic tissue, providing a self adjusting system that is capable of exerting relatively constant tension over a certain distance.

A system of non-reactive components for moving or for moving and stretching plastic tissue that exerts a relatively constant dynamic force over a variety of distances and geometries, that is easily adjustable, and is self-adjusting. This system includes a “button anchor system” for moving tissue, particularly including deep fascia and muscle layers of the abdominal or thoracic cavity wall, in surgical, post surgical, and post traumatic reconstruction where the wound margins are beyond a distance that permits normal re-approximation. Button anchor assemblies allow re-approximation of severely retracted abdominal wall and full thickness thoracic wounds where a closure force is required to be applied to the sub-dermal layers. Systems of this invention allow for such a force to be applied and externally controlled during treatment.

A multi dust-collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The apparatus includes a dust-collecting unit having an air guide member to separate dirt particles from drawn-in air by using a gravity and an inertia and a filter member to remove dirt particles from the discharged air. The apparatus also includes a plurality of cyclones to swirl the air discharged from the dust-collecting unit and separate minute dirt particles from the air by using a centrifugal force.

A multi dust-collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The apparatus includes a dust-collecting unit having an air guide member to separate dirt particles from drawn-in air by using a gravity and an inertia and a filter member to remove dirt particles from the discharged air. The apparatus also includes a plurality of cyclones to swirl the air discharged from the dust-collecting unit and separate minute dirt particles from the air by using a centrifugal force.

An optic fiber connector has a terminus (24) with a front tip (110) that lies at an initial position at which the tip is at least flush with or forward of the surrounding housing front surface (112) and which is moved rearwardly by a mating terminus (22) so the tips of the termini are halfway between front and rear ends (132, 134) of an alignment sleeve (34). The housing has a peripheral portion (120) that projects forward of the ferrule front tips to protect them even though they project forward of the housing front surface. The alignment sleeve has a short length (A) that is about three times its inside diameter (C), and a long spring (84) is used to bias the terminus forwardly and maintain a substantially constant forward force on the terminus, the spring having an initial length (B) which is at least 150% of the alignment sleeve length. A plug (96) that holds the alignment sleeve in place, has an internal bore with a rear bore portion (154) that receives the front end of the terminus body (90). A retainer (100) includes a clip holder (102) with a holder rear portion (172) surrounded by the spring.

A clip comprising: a body portion; one or more arms connected to the body portion and projecting away from the body portion; a deformable portion of the one or more arms that is distal from the body portion; and a lip on the one or more arms that is proximate to the body portion.

An AFM that combines an AFM Z position actuator and a self-actuated Z position cantilever (both operable in cyclical mode and contact mode), with appropriate nested feedback control circuitry to achieve high-speed imaging and accurate Z position measurements. A preferred embodiment of an AFM for analyzing a surface of a sample in either ambient air or fluid includes a self-actuated cantilever having a Z-positioning element integrated therewith and an oscillator that oscillates the self-actuated cantilever at a frequency generally equal to a resonant frequency of the self-actuated cantilever and at an oscillation amplitude generally equal to a setpoint value. The AFM includes a first feedback circuit nested within a second feedback circuit, wherein the first feedback circuit generates a cantilever control signal in response to vertical displacement of the self-actuated cantilever during a scanning operation, and the second feedback circuit is responsive to the cantilever control signal to generate a position control signal. A Z position actuator is also included within the second feedback circuit and is responsive to the position control signal to position the sample. In operation, preferably, the cantilever control signal alone is indicative of the topography of the sample surface. In a further embodiment, the first feedback circuit includes an active damping circuit for modifying the quality factor ("Q") of the cantilever resonance to optimize the bandwidth of the cantilever response.

A compression clip system where compression is used to close a tissue opening, reduce the volume of an organ, ligate dilated blood vessels or compress tissue adjacent to various other types of lesions to induce healing. Compression prevents bleeding and the leakage of body fluids into a body cavity. The opening may be surgery induced as in gastrectomies or formed naturally such as peptic ulcers and hemorrhoids. The system may include a compression clip, a suitable clip applier, a grasper assembly and an endoscope all brought to the compression site via a multi-lumen sleeve.

A system and method of moving and stretching plastic tissue using dynamic force. A preferably non-reactive force applying component is adjustably attachable to one or more tissue attachment structures for securing the force applying component to the plastic tissue, providing a self adjusting system that is capable of exerting relatively constant tension over a certain distance.

A couple 10 includes a valve seal member 71 (36) provided in a flow path between a valve 35 and a coupler main body 31 which can be opened and closed, and a container-inside-outside seal member (73) which is used as both a container seal member (73) for forming a seal between the container main body 31 and a valve holder 38 and a holder seal member (73) for forming a seal between the coupler main body 31 and the valve holder 38. By this arrangement, the number of the seal members can be reduced, processes for assembling can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be saved. Mounting position of the holder 38 can be controlled by a mounting position control section 74 to enable sealing for maintaining energizing force by energizing means 39 constant and ensuring opening of the coupler as well as for securing the sealed state accurately.

Methods and devices for fastening tissue are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a tissue fastener is provided and includes a male fastening member having a base plate with at least one post extending therefrom and having a tissue-piercing tip. A protective member is coupled to the male fastening member and is movable between an open position in which the tissue-piercing tip is enclosed within the protective member such that the tissue-piercing tip is prevented from penetrating tissue, and a compressed position in which the tissue-piercing tip is exposed to penetrate tissue. A female fastening member is configured to mate to the male fastening member and to engage tissue therebetween.

An AFM that combines an AFM Z position actuator and a self-actuated Z position cantilever (both operable in cyclical mode and contact mode), with appropriate nested feedback control circuitry to achieve high-speed imaging and accurate Z position measurements. A preferred embodiment of an AFM for analyzing a surface of a sample in either ambient air or fluid includes a self-actuated cantilever having a Z-positioning element integrated therewith and an oscillator that oscillates the self-actuated cantilever at a frequency generally equal to a resonant frequency of the self-actuated cantilever and at an oscillation amplitude generally equal to a setpoint value. The AFM includes a first feedback circuit nested within a second feedback circuit, wherein the first feedback circuit generates a cantilever control signal in response to vertical displacement of the self-actuated cantilever during a scanning operation, and the second feedback circuit is responsive to the cantilever control signal to generate a position control signal. A Z position actuator is also included within the second feedback circuit and is responsive to the position control signal to position the sample. In operation, preferably, the cantilever control signal alone is indicative of the topography of the sample surface. In a further embodiment, the first feedback circuit includes an active damping circuit for modifying the quality factor (“Q”) of the cantilever resonance to optimize the bandwidth of the cantilever response.

A tool for multiple purposes features one ore more dogs that can engage a collar groove or restriction sub in the wellbore. The dogs are extendable through a sleeve biased in opposed directions and are supported from a mandrel. The dogs can retract into mandrel grooves to clear restrictions on the trip into the well. On the way up to a collar that has just been passed, the dogs engage and an upward pull on the mandrel displaces fluid through a restriction to allow enough time to get a meaningful surface signal of the overpull force. Thereafter, the applied force can be reduced as the dogs release at a lower applied force to reduce the slingshot effect. The tool can be inverted and used to keep a constant force on a bottom hole assembly during offshore drilling where a heave compensator is employed.

Exercise equipment of the type comprising a frame structure; a handle coupled to the frame structure and adapted for movement by a user, back and forth in a first direction and in an opposite second direction; and at least one weight, coupled to the handle for applying a gravitational force to the handle in the second direction. According to the invention, a spring device, having two ends, is coupled to the handle at one end and to the frame structure at the opposite end to apply a spring force to the handle in the second direction. With proper choice of the spring constant of the spring device, when the handle is rapidly moved by the user in the first direction and then suddenly moved in the second direction, the total force applied to the handle in the second direction is maintained above minimum threshold value which is sufficient for “high-speed training”.

An object / test material interaction microti iridic device comprising a sample inlet adapted to receive a fluid sample comprising a plurality of objects, an outlet adapted to output the fluid sample from the device, at least one internal surface defining a flow cavity within the device, wherein the flow cavity extends between and is connected to the sample inlet and the outlet for flow of the fluid sample through the flow cavity, the flow cavity comprises a test area to which at least one test material is attached and which is situated in the flow cavity for flow of the fluid sample over the test area, and the flow cavity has an aspect ratio which, when the flow cavity is substantially filled by the fluid sample, provides a substantially constant shear force between the test area and the fluid sample flowing over the test area. The invention further comprises a system incorporating the device, methods of use of the device and system, and methods of analysing interactions.

A contact assembly for making electrical connection between coaxial members generally includes a rotor having a plurality of spaced apart circumferential electrically conductive rings, and a stator surrounding a rotor with a plurality of spaced apart grooves aligned with the plurality of rings at a variable distance therefrom. A plurality of circular canted-coil springs is provided with each spring being disposed and a corresponding groove providing constant force against a corresponding ring independent of the variable distance between the compression ring and the groove. A plurality of electrical leads is provided with each lead being electrically connected to a corresponding ring.

A caliper gauge (1) includes a feeding mechanism (12) that moves a slider (11) along a main scale (10), in which the feeding mechanism (12) includes: an outer roller (121); an inner roller (122) provided in a manner rotatable around a rotary axis of the outer roller (121) to be in contact with the main scale (10); and a constant-pressure unit (123) that transmits the rotation of the outer roller (121) to the inner roller (122) and allows free rotation of the outer roller (121) relative to the inner roller (122) when more than a predetermined load is applied on the inner roller (122), the constant-pressure unit (123) including: saw-toothed projections provided on an inner circumference of the outer roller (121); and a plate spring fixed on an outer circumference of the inner roller (122) at a midsection thereof and contacted with the saw-toothed projections of the outer roller (121) on both ends thereof.

A connector system for interconnecting a hearing aid (3) with a fixture (5) anchored in a bone segment (7). An abutment (9) has a contact surface (21) with is a substantially circular surface. A connector plate (17) with a substantially circular connector contact surface (20) is in contact with the abutment contact surface (21) when the hearing aid (3) is connected to the abutment (9). The abutment (9) has a wide abutment coupling area and a narrow portion. The abutment coupling area is enclosable by coupling shoes (15). The coupling shoes (15) exert a pressure against the abutment coupling area disposed on a mantle surface (25) of the abutment. The coupling shoes are movable in a radial direction relative to the connector plate (17). The coupling area has an increasing diameter in a lateral direction (L). A coupling area (29) of the coupling shoes has an increasing diameter in the lateral direction (L) to exert a pressure on the abutment (9) against a connector contact surface when the coupling shoes (15) are pressed in the radial direction against the abutment (9).

A clip comprising: a body portion; one or more arms connected to the body portion and projecting away from the body portion; a deformable portion of the one or more arms that is distal from the body portion; and a lip on the one or more arms that is proximate to the body portion.

A connector system for interconnecting a hearing aid (3) with a fixture (5) anchored in a bone segment (7). An abutment (9) has a contact surface (21) with is a substantially circular surface. A connector plate (17) with a substantially circular connector contact surface (20) is in contact with the abutment contact surface (21) when the hearing aid (3) is connected to the abutment (9). The abutment (9) has a wide abutment coupling area and a narrow portion. The abutment coupling area is enclosable by coupling shoes (15). The coupling shoes (15) exert a pressure against the abutment coupling area disposed on a mantle surface (25) of the abutment. The coupling shoes are movable in a radial direction relative to the connector plate (17). The coupling area has an increasing diameter in a lateral direction (L). A coupling area (29) of the coupling shoes has an increasing diameter in the lateral direction (L) to exert a pressure on the abutment (9) against a connector contact surface when the coupling shoes (15) are pressed in the radial direction against the abutment (9).

A connector (10) for sealing an elongated tube (14) to a body (22) comprises a nut (12) concentrically about the tube (14) proximate the flared end (16). The nut (12) has a threaded exterior portion (34) and an abutting face (42) proximate to and concentric with the exterior face (32) of the flared end (16). A non-linear spring (44) between the exterior face (32) of the flared end (16) and the abutting face(42) of the nut (12), and is displaced upon tightening of the nut (12) to the body (22) to generate a substantially constant restorative force over a portion of the displacement to urge the interior face (30) of the flared end (16) into sealing engagement with and against the shoulder (38) of the body (22).

Exercise equipment of the type comprising a frame structure; a handle coupled to the frame structure and adapted for movement by a user, back and forth in a first direction and in an opposite second direction; and at least one weight, coupled to the handle for applying a gravitational force to the handle in the second direction. According to the invention, a spring device, having two ends, is coupled to the handle at one end and to the frame structure at the opposite end to apply a spring force to the handle in the second direction. With proper choice of the spring constant of the spring device, when the handle is rapidly moved by the user in the first direction and then suddenly moved in the second direction, the total force applied to the handle in the second direction is maintained above minimum threshold value which is sufficient for “high-speed training”.

A glass workpiece being processed in a vacuum plasma processing chamber is dechucked from a monopolar electrostatic chuck by gradually reducing the chucking voltage during processing while maintaining the voltage high enough to clamp the workpiece. A reverse polarity voltage applied to the chuck at the end of processing assists in dechucking. The workpiece temperature is maintained at a high value at the end of processing to assisting in dechucking. Peak current flowing through the chuck during lifting of the workpiece from the chuck controls the amplitude and / or duration of the reverse polarity voltage during the next dechucking operation.