45results about How to "Facilitate such flexion" patented technology

A connecting band for a highly flexible tissue-type heart valve having a stent with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The connecting band follows the cusps and commissures and extends outwardly. The valve is connected to the natural tissue along the undulating connecting band using conventional techniques, such as sutures. The connecting band may be a cloth-covered inner suture-permeable member and attaches to the underside of the valve at the cusps to provide support to the stent and to the outer side of the valve at the commissures. The connecting band includes commissure portions defining generally axial gaps that help permit flexing of the valve. The inner member may include one or more slits along the cusps to enhance flexibility. The inner member may further include a continuous outwardly projecting sewing ridge around its periphery which includes a series of ribs separated by grooves around the inflow edge of the cusps. The sewing ridge enables supra-annular implant of a valve constructed with the connecting band.

A flexible support frame for a prosthetic heart valve having commissure tips that are shaped to even out stresses imposed during use. The support frame is an elongated wire-like element formed by a plurality, typically three, of arcuate cusp regions on an inflow end alternating with the same number of commissures terminating in tips on an outflow end. The commissure tips are elongated relative to more simple shapes. The commissure tips may be shaped with a complex curve having two enlarged convex flexure portions separated by a concave bridge portion at the midpoint of the commissure tip. The support frame may be fabricated by separating a two-dimensional blank from a sheet and then converting the blank into a three-dimensional support frame shape. The cross-sectional thickness of the support frame may be variable, such as by adjusting the thickness of the pattern of the two-dimensional blank in the sheet. Desirably, the radial thickness remains constant while the circumferential dimension varies with a maximum located at the commissure tips.

A method of making a microelectronic assembly includes providing a microelectronic package having a substrate, a microelectronic element overlying the substrate and at least two conductive elements projecting from a surface of the substrate, the at least two conductive elements having surfaces remote from the surface of the substrate. The method includes compressing the at least two conductive elements so that the remote surfaces thereof lie in a common plane, and after the compressing step, providing an encapsulant material around the at least two conductive elements for supporting the microelectronic package and so that the remote surfaces of the at least two conductive elements remain accessible at an exterior surface of the encapsulant material.

A microelectronic package includes a microelectronic element having faces and contacts and a flexible substrate spaced from and overlying a first face of the microelectronic element. The package also includes a plurality of conductive posts extending from the flexible substrate and projecting away from the first face of the microelectronic element, wherein at least some of the conductive posts are electrically interconnected with the microelectronic element, and a plurality of support elements supporting the flexible substrate over the microelectronic element. The conductive posts are offset from the support elements to facilitate flexure of the substrate and movement of the posts relative to the microelectronic element.

A method of making a microelectronic assembly includes providing a microelectronic package having a substrate, a microelectronic element overlying the substrate and at least two conductive elements projecting from a surface of the substrate, the at least two conductive elements having surfaces remote from the surface of the substrate. The method includes compressing the at least two conductive elements so that the remote surfaces thereof lie in a common plane, and after the compressing step, providing an encapsulant material around the at least two conductive elements for supporting the microelectronic package and so that the remote surfaces of the at least two conductive elements remain accessible at an exterior surface of the encapsulant material.

In a rod fixation system of the type used to treat various spinal conditions, the same fastener is used to lock both a polyaxial screw and a rod in position. A spinal correction device according to the invention, adapted for use with a rod and a polyaxial screw having a ball-shaped head and a threaded end, comprises a head-body and a cap. The head-body includes a lower internal cavity to receive the ball-shaped head of the screw, an upper bore to receive a fixation rod therethrough, and an upper end configured to receive the cap. The head-body and the cap are configured such that a first rotation of the cap locks the polyaxial screw in position, and a second rotation of the cap locks the rod in position. In the preferred embodiment, the head-body includes one or more gaps to facilitate flexion of the head-body as a rotational torque is placed on the cap. The gap or gaps may be horizontal, vertical or other angles relative to the axis of the entrapped rod.

A flexible support frame for a prosthetic heart valve having commissure tips that are shaped to even out stresses imposed during use. The support frame is an elongated wire-like element formed by a plurality, typically three, of arcuate cusp regions on an inflow end alternating with the same number of commissures terminating in tips on an outflow end. The commissure tips are elongated relative to more simple shapes. The commissure tips may be shaped with a complex curve having two enlarged convex flexure portions separated by a concave bridge portion at the midpoint of the commissure tip. The support frame may be fabricated by separating a two-dimensional blank from a sheet and then converting the blank into a three-dimensional support frame shape. The cross-sectional thickness of the support frame may be variable, such as by adjusting the thickness of the pattern of the two-dimensional blank in the sheet. Desirably, the radial thickness remains constant while the circumferential dimension varies with a maximum located at the commissure tips.

A task chair including a seat support structure, a backrest frame attached to the seat support structure, and a backrest supported by the backrest frame. The backrest includes a back support surface which may ergonomically conform to a seated user when the user shifts positions while sitting in the chair. The back support surface includes rigid and flexible portions connected to one another, the flexible portions allowing resilient flexing of the back support surface to create conformance zones which dynamically support the back of a seated user in an ergonomic manner.

A microelectronic package includes a microelectronic element having faces and contacts and a flexible substrate spaced from and overlying a first face of the microelectronic element. The package also includes a plurality of conductive posts extending from the flexible substrate and projecting away from the first face of the microelectronic element, wherein at least some of the conductive posts are electrically interconnected with the microelectronic element, and a plurality of support elements supporting the flexible substrate over the microelectronic element. The conductive posts are offset from the support elements to facilitate flexure of the substrate and movement of the posts relative to the microelectronic element.

The present invention is a gait therapy device which facilitates the lower extremities particularly the action of flexion at the hip and knee to aid a patient in assisted ambulation, as well as knee, foot and ankle action. The gait trainer apparatus comprises: (a) a moveable frame adapted to move along the ground; (b) at least one motion responsive wheel attached to the frame and adapted to contact the ground and to turn as the frame moves along the ground, and at least one wheel having an offset motion portion having a right side and left side; (c) a left foot attachment, the left foot attachment connected to the left side of the offset motion portion by a flexible or elastic member; and (d) a right foot attachment, the right foot attachment connected to the right side of the offset motion portion by a flexible or elastic member.

A colonic overtube for maintaining a sigmoid colon in a straightened configuration has a proximal end for location externally of a colon, and a distal end for insertion into a colon. A colonoscope lumen extends through the overtube to facilitate passing the overtube over a colonoscope. The overtube has a convoluted corrugation which extends along the entire length of the overtube from the proximal end to the distal end. The corrugated configuration of the overtube provides the overtube with laterally flexibility so that the overtube may flex substantially without kinking during advancement of the overtube through a colon. A flexible seal, in the form of a tubular silicone sheath of film material, is provided at the distal end of the overtube for sealing between the overtube and a colonoscope extending through the colonoscope lumen. The flexible nature of the seal enables the seal to adapt itself to the size of the colonoscope extending through the colonoscope lumen to achieve a secure, effective seal between the overtube and a colonoscope regardless of the colonoscope size.

A fastener for fastening a golf ball cleaning device to clothing wherein the fastener has a base portion secured to the back surface of the golf ball cleaning device and a pair of resilient spaced retaining legs extending from the base portion parallel with and spaced from the back surface of the golf ball cleaning device. The legs form a slot for insertion and retention therein of a button having an extent of clothing thereover.

Optical-element mountings are disclosed for holding an optical element relative to an optical column of an optical system. The optical element can have mounting protrusions extending therefrom or lack such features. An exemplary embodiment of a mounting has a respective holding device mounted to each mounting protrusion. Each holding device has a first spring-loaded support member providing rigid support of the element in a gravity direction and flexible support in tangential, radial, and tilt directions. Each holding device also can include a second spring-loaded support member providing rigid support of the element in tangential directions and flexible support in the gravity and radial directions. Another embodiment includes multiple holding devices at respective locations relative to a mounting surface of the element. Each holding device includes a respective linking unit extending from the optical column to a respective bonding member attached to a bonding location on the mounting surface. Each bonding member has a bonding pad bonded to the respective bonding location and at least first and second spring members extending from the bonding pad in respective directions to the linking unit.

According to one embodiment, an orthopedic support for supporting a portion of a wearer's anatomy is provided. For example, the orthopedic support may be an ankle brace comprising a sheet of flexible material configured to at least partially enclose a wearer's ankle and a splint coupled to the sheet of material. The splint is configured to be positioned on a medial side of the wearer's ankle when the sheet of material is secured on the wearer's ankle and includes an undulating profile configured to conform to at least a portion of the medial side of the wearer's ankle and resist inversion of the ankle

An adjustable holographic gun sight has a base and a carrier pivotally connected to the base. An adjustment mechanism may be adapted to pivot the carrier with respect to the base. A pair of dropouts connects the carrier to the base and the dropouts allow the carrier to pivot with respect to the base. The dropouts may be mounted to an external portion of the carrier and the base thereby provides for external adjustment of the gun sight.

Downhole apparatus is described having a tubular main body and at least one flow channel formed on the body. The channel has at least one non-uniform dimension. A flow guide is located adjacent an end of the channel, and the flow guide and the channel together define a flow path for flow of a downhole medium along the body. The downhole apparatus may for example be a casing reamer shoe, a drill pipe, or a motor sleeve.

A fastening device for fixing a member to be fixed to a fixing member through a screw, the fastening device includes: a top plate portion; and a pair of leg piece portions respectively suspended from the two side edges of the top plate portion, wherein the top plate portion includes two pairs of first elastic securing pieces disposed opposed to each other for defining a first screw hole formed in the screw, and two pairs of regulating pieces respectively interposed between the first elastic securing pieces for defining a first guide hole having a diameter larger than the first screw hole.

A vise and base system is disclosed. The vise includes a stationary jaw, a frame with a frame perimeter wall and a moveable jaw, the stationary jaw being fixed to the frame, and the moveable jaw that is movable along the frame. The vise cooperates with a hollow base that includes a first recessed area that is adapted for mating with the frame perimeter wall and a second recessed area that is adapted for mating with the stationary jaw. The base also includes a base panel that is attached to the base perimeter wall and a layer of flexible high friction material that is attached to the base panel, such that the base can support the vise in a generally horizontal position and in a generally vertical position.

A total knee replacement prosthesis is presented whose bearing surfaces are derived from an anatomically representative femur and a modified baseline tibial surface. The contacting femoral and tibial bearing surfaces comprise the inter-condylar as well as condylar regions.

Disclosed is a high-temperature thermal actuator that utilizes the dimensional change of a phase change media hermetically sealed within a shell. This actuator regulates and controls flow of a fluid between an intake and an exhaust utilizing a valve. In one example, the disclosed embodiments operate in temperature range between 350° C. and 400° C. This actuation range is tailored for specific applications utilizing an exemplary combination of RbNO3 and CsNO3 in precise proportion that provides operation within this range.

A rigid polymer porous material sheet is produced by feeding a slurry of polymer mixture comprising ultrafine polyvinylchloride particle, non-phthalate plasticizer, foaming agent and thermal stabilizer, polymer chips, fillers and fire retardant chemicals into a heated mold and pressing the mixture with high applied pressure. The temperature of the mold is below 190° C. to soften the polymer mixture and decompose the foaming agent forming the closed cell polyvinylchloride foam with 10 to 40% density with closed air cells. The thermal resistance of the rigid polymer porous sheet and sound attenuation properties are significantly improved. The rigid polymer porous sheet can be bent at sharp angles without crack formation facilitating its use as wall boards. The sheets produced may be embossed or molded to produce decoration boards, advertising boards, cabinet doors and furniture with decorative features. They can also be used in aeronautical applications as acoustic thermal insulation systems.

A horseshoe with splaying and flexibility features has a U shaped compliant metallic unitary body having left and right wings and a central toe area integral with the body, and a compliant leaf-spring formation disposed proximate to or as part of the toe area. The leaf spring is arch shaped and resiliently deforms and exerts horizontal pressure sideways on the left and right wings thus splaying the left and right wings. The arch shape forms a cavity which is optionally filled with a resilient material, e.g., polyurethane, to prevent accumulation of debris in the cavity. Contiguous serrations on the left and right wings provide relative vertical flexibility of the left and right wings. The splaying and flexibility enhance horse-hoof comfort and hoof-structure re-generation. The horseshoe may be cast / forged, blanked, or welded or produced by mechanical joining. Hardened stainless steel or Titanium, or other material may be used for the horseshoe.

A weatherstrip assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a body having a base and first and second legs which define a channel. The body includes an interior base surface, a first interior leg surface, and a second interior leg surface disposed within the channel. The assembly includes at least one sealing lip having an abutment surface and a wearstrip disposed along at least one of the interior base surface, the first and second interior leg surfaces, and the abutment surface and formed of a thermoplastic polyethylene material. The wearstrip has a plurality of alternating wear sections and gaps that define a series of alternating semi-rigid and flexible sections, respectively, with each wear section having first and second surfaces. The first surface of one of the wear sections and the second surface of an adjacent wear section face each other to define the gap.

A rotary fluid machine 10 has a rotor 12, a stator 14, and a plurality of gates. The rotor 12 and stator 14 are rotatable relative to each other and arranged one inside the other to define a working chamber 18 there between. Gates 16 are supported in radial gate slots 20 formed in the rotor 12 and cyclically extend from and retract into the gate slots 20 as the rotor 12 rotates about stator 14. A plurality of demountable lobes is supported on an outer circumferential surface 24 of stator 14. The surface 24 forms a surface of the working chamber 18. Circumferential surface 24 is composed of an intermediate surface 48 which extends in an axial direction and opposite curved surfaces 46. The gate 16 has opposite rounded corners 130 separated by an axial planar surface 132. The shape and configuration of the gate 16 and corresponding is made to match that of the outer circumferential surface 24 so that when the axial surface 132 lies substantially adjacent and parallel to intermediate surface 48 each of the curved surfaces 130 lie closely adjacent to and substantially parallel with the concavely curved surfaces 46.

An article of footwear is provided including at least an upper, an outsole with protrusions, and a segmented toe region. The protrusions underneath the outsole provide the grip, traction, and anti-slipping features desirable in certain field sports or other activities. The segmented toe region comprises a plurality of compartments, providing autonomous, mobility, and flexibility for individual toes.