77results about How to "Flexible limit" patented technology

An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic and non-lordotic designs are disclosed, as well as lordotic and non-lordotic expandable cages for both PLIF (posterior lumber interbody fusion) and TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) procedures. The expandable implants may have various shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, banana-shaped, kidney-shaped, or other similar shapes. By virtue of their posteriorly implanted approach, the disclosed artificial FSU's allow for posterior decompression of the neural elements, reconstruction of all or part of the natural functional spinal unit, restoration and maintenance of lordosis, maintenance of motion, and restoration and maintenance of disc space height.

This invention resides in an apparatus for inhibiting full extension between upper and lower vertebral bodies, thereby preventing pain and other complications associated with spinal movement. In the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a generally transverse member extending between the spinous processes and lamina of the upper and lower vertebral bodies, thereby inhibiting full extension. Various embodiments of the invention may limit spinal flexion, rotation and/or lateral bending while preventing spinal extension. In the preferred embodiment, the transverse member is fixed between two opposing points on the lower vertebral body using pedicle screws, and a cushioning sleeve is used as a protective cover. The transverse member may be a rod or cable, and the apparatus may be used with a partial or full artificial disc replacement. To control spinal flexion, rotation and/or lateral bending one or more links may be fastened to an adjacent vertebral body, also preferably using a pedicle screw. Preferably a pair of opposing links are used between the upper and lower vertebral bodies for such purposes.

An orthopedic device is described for stabilizing the spinal column between first and second vertebral bodies. The device has first and second screws adapted for fixation to the first and second vertebral bodies, respectively. The device further includes an elongated ligament with a first end connected to the first screw and the second end operatively connected with the second screw. The ligament is made preferably of a nickel titanium alloy selected to have ductile inelastic properties at body temperature and is capable of continuous plastic deformation to allow relative constrained motion between the vertebral bodies. In a preferred embodiment the second pedicle screw includes a bearing for receiving the ligament in a slideably engageable relationship. The device further includes optional first and second dampening members surrounding the ligament for restraining the spinal column during flexion and extension. Other preferred devices and kits containing such devices are also described.

A man-machine interface is disclosed which provides force, texture, pressure and temperature information to sensing body parts. The interface is comprised of a force-generating device (900) that produces a force which is transmitted to a force-applying device (902) via force-transmitting means (908). The force-applying device applies the generated force to a sensing body part. A force sensor (909) associated with the force-applying device measures the actual force applied to the sensing body part, while angle sensors (917) measure the angles of relevant joint body parts. A computing device (911) uses the joint body part position information to determine a desired force value to be applied to the sensing body part. The computing device combines the joint body part position information with the force sensor information to calculate the force command which is sent to the force-generating device. In this manner, the computing device may control the actual force applied to a sensing body part to a desired force which depends upon the positions of related body parts. In addition, the interface is comprised of a displacement-generating device (901) which produces a displacement which is transmitted to a displacement-applying device (902) (e.g., a texture simulator) via displacement-generating means (920). The displacement-applying device applies the generated displacement to a sensing body part. The force-applying device and displacement-applying device may be combined to simultaneously provide force and displacement information to a sensing body part. Furthermore, pressure and temperature-applying devices may be combined to also provide pressure and temperature sensations to a sensing body part. In addition, a force-applying device may be attached to a sensing body part and apply force to the sensing body part, where the force is applied relative to a reference location not rigidly affixed to the living body.

Spinous process constraint structures include a first attachment element for placement over a first spinous process and a second attachment element for placement over a second spinous process. The attachment elements are joined by a single connector which may optionally include a compliance member for providing controlled elasticity between the spinous processes.

A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain.

Various methods and devices for replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy posterior elements, such as the facet joints, the lamina, the posterior ligaments, and/or other features of a patient's spinal column, are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a posterior implant is provided and it can be adapted to control movement of two or more adjacent vertebrae. In particular, the implant can be adapted to control extension, flexion, and lateral bending of the adjacent vertebrae. The implant can also be adapted to substantially prevent rotation of the adjacent vertebrae. In another exemplary embodiment, the implant can have an envelope of motion that is within an envelope of motion of a disc, either natural or artificial, that is disposed between the adjacent vertebrae. In other words, the implant can be configured to allow flexion, extension, lateral bending of the vertebrae to within the amount of flexion, extension, and lateral bending allowed by the particular disc. The implant can also be adapted to substantially prevent rotation of the vertebrae relative to one another.

The device is a thin, self-adhesive non-stretch splint, having the capability to flex. This device is intended for the treatment of repetitive stress injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with elements that provide user adjustable limitation of movement within acceptable medical parameters. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms include pain and numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, that are aggravated by compression of the median nerve. This device limits flexion, extension, ulnar and radial deviation movements of the wrist without compressing the median nerve The device limits movement by reducing skin elasticity on the surface skin above or below the wrist and up the forearm. The application provides biomechanical feedback to the wearer in the form of the tugging sensation on the skin around the perimeter of the device assisting the user in maintaining a more neutral wrist position without imposing wrist immobilization. The design elements allow the use of the device in such a manner that produces no additional pressure to the median nerve while in use. Furthermore the method of application provides a means for the user to regulate the amount of wrist movement to provide a greater comfort level while still limiting movement within medically proven parameters. The adhesive nature of the device eliminates the need for external straps that normally wrap completely around the forearm and hand to hold a splint in place. The application of the device limits movement by greatly reducing the ability of the skin to stretch by placing a self-adhesive non-stretch splint directly on the skin. The device, and how it is placed utilizes the wearers skin elasticity to provide biomechanical feedback to the user to promote better wrist posture.

An insulator for a wheel suspension system of a vehicle is formed of an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material defines a channel that provides increased flexibility to the insulator and defines an increased density about the channel that increases the durability of the insulator. The suspension system includes a support structure adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, a piston rod disposed within the aperture and displaceable relative to the support structure along a line of travel, and a plate mounted to the piston rod. The insulator is compressibly disposed between the support structure and the plate. The exterior channel increases the flexibility of the insulator to distribute localized stress on the insulator by the support structure and the plate. The increased density about the channel increases the durability of the insulator about the channel when the support structure and the plate exert a compressive force on the insulator.

According to the invention, a shoe having at least one base spring element, which is arranged between appendages at a heel zone of the shoe and at a shaft zone taking support at the front edge of the shin bone and which stretches in the course of an ambulation phase, characterized in that a tensioning assembly moves the appendage of the base spring element at the heel zone away from the appendage at the shaft zone upon planting of the shoe, for stretching of the base spring element.

An ice skate comprising a blade holder having U-shaped inner and outer members that are spaced apart to define a hollow space therebetween. The U-shaped outer member has an elongated blade-supporting base and front and rear pillars that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the blade holder. At least part of the elongated blade-supporting base, front pillar and rear pillar is made of a composite material such as a fiber-matrix composite material. The ice skate also has a blade comprising a runner and a body made of composite material with a matrix and a plurality of fibers embedded in the matrix.

In the present frame structure of a trunk lid: the trunk lid has an outer panel and an inner panel, and is formed such that its cross-section is approximately L-shaped, with a top face part and a rear face part; left and right hinge installation sections are provided, and a lock installation section is provided in the left to right center of the rear face part; left and right beading parts are provided on the inner panel; and fastening parts of hinge arms are arranged diagonally along the lengthwise direction of the left and right beading parts.

A collapsible exercise machine for strengthening the core muscles (transverse abdominal, internal obliques, external obliques, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae) includes a frame mounted on a base on which a user sits and manipulates an upstanding lever arm. A seat is convertible between two differently-angled positions for back extension or abdominal exercises. The lever arm rotates a curved tube having a plurality of force adjustment holes. The tube passes through a frame at the upper end of a gas spring, and engaging an adjustment pin on the frame with different adjustment holes changes the amount of resistance. The entire frame above the base can be vertically adjusted to accommodate different sizes of user without altering the relative position between the seat (and user's hips) and the axis of rotation of the lever arm thus not affecting/changing the designated resistance between users of different heights (resistance is affected when the lever arm is lengthened). The connection between the frame and the base enables the unit to be collapsed to a profile small enough to fit under a bed.