7542results about How to "Improve grip" patented technology

A surgical instrument for being endoscopically or laparoscopically inserted through a cannula of a trocar into an insufflated body cavity or lumen (“surgical site”) for simultaneous stapling and severing of tissue including gripping surfaces on inner surfaces of an upper and lower jaw that enhance use as a grasping instrument to preposition tissue prior to performing a stapling and severing procedure. An illustrative version advantageously includes a separate closure trigger and closure mechanism that facilitates use as a grasper without the possibility for inadvertent firing (i.e., stapling and severing).

The invention is directed to a surgical wound retractor for retracting and sealing an incision and forming a functional opening or channel through which a surgical procedure may be executed. The wound retractor provides a path for a surgeon to insert his hand and / or instruments through the opening formed by the wound retractor. The wound retractor is sized and configured to be easily placed through a small incision and removed without further insult to the body tissue adjacent to the incision. The wound retractor is adapted to dilate a surgical wound incision to a desired diameter, and comprises a first ring having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision and being adapted for disposition interiorly of the wound incision; a second ring having an annular axis and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision and being adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound incision; and a flexible sleeve disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the first ring and the second ring, the first ring having at least one notch to facilitate folding or collapsing of the first ring during insertion and removal of the first ring through the wound incision. The first ring may further comprise a second notch disposed on an opposing end of the first notch to further facilitate folding or collapsing of the first ring. With this aspect, the first ring is folded by squeezing between the first and second notches during insertion and removal of the retractor from the incision. In another aspect, the wound retractor may further comprise a tether having a length, a first end attached to the first ring interiorly of the sheath, and a second end disposed outside of the wound incision, wherein the tether facilitates removal of the first ring by pulling on the second end to retrieve the first ring through the wound incision.

A method and apparatus for aligning and fixing vertebral bodies is provided. The low profile vertebral alignment / fixation assembly of the current invention comprises a hemispherical headed pedicle screw disposed within a slotted coupling unit designed to allow angular adjustment of the pedicle screw up to 90° and which may be securely locked into position via a single internal locking nut once a standard alignment rod has been inserted into the slotted coupling unit. The low profile vertebral alignment / fixation assembly enabling the angular adjustment of the fixation system hardware after final placement and insertion of the pedicle screw into the vertebral body. A system and method for aligning and fixing vertebral bodies using the low profile vertebral alignment / fixation assembly of the invention is also provided.

The present disclosure relates to a surgical instrument which includes a drive rod assembly having a hollow shaft portion. A central shaft is slidably disposed in and axially aligned with the hollow shaft portion. The instrument may further include a handle assembly coupled to hollow shaft portion and the central shaft of the drive rod assembly. A pair of opposing jaw members each operatively associated with the distal end of the hollow shaft portion, the jaw members being movable relative to one another between a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another and a second position wherein the jaw members are approximated towards one another. The instrument may further include a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member for conducting energy therebetween.

A device for grasping an implant is provided. The implant has a first and second surface, with at least one of the first and seconds surfaces being non-planar. The device includes a first grasping element having a first grasping surface that conforms to the first surface of the implant, and a second grasping element having a second grasping surface conforming to the second surface of the implant. At least one of the first grasping element and the second grasping element can be moved to grasp the implant, such that the first grasping surface contacts the first surface of the implant and the second grasping surface contacts the second surface of the implant.

Methods and apparatus for passing attachment apparatus (e.g., connector devices, staples, etc.) or connector material (e.g., suture thread, wire, cord, filament, monofilament, etc.) into or through the wall of a luminal anatomical structure (e.g., a blood vessel or other anatomical conduit) for the purpose of; i) closing the lumen of the anatomical structure, ii) forming an anastomotic junction between separate anatomical structures (or between approximated segments of the same anatomical structure), and / or iii) attaching an article (e.g., an endoluminal, extraluminal or transluminal graft) or other apparatus to the wall of the anatomical structure.

An incrementally adjustable wound retractor (100), having a first ring (102) with a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision. A second ring (104), having an annular axis and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision. A flexible sleeve (106), disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the first and second rings (102, 104), the second ring may be rolled over itself and around the annular axis to provide a sleeve with a radical retraction force sufficient to stretch the incision to the desired diameter.

A protective article formed of a laminate between at least a layer of a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable barrier, and at least a layer of a stretchable or elastomeric, nonwoven fiber web is described. The barrier is reinforced at least on one side by the nonwoven fiber web, which remains elastic after being bonded to the barrier layer. The elasticity of both barrier and bonded fiber layers simulate the flexibility of natural or synthetic latex or other polymer films. The nonwoven fiber web includes at least about 75% of individual fibers with a length of over about 1 mm, and the fibers are substantially continuous. A second nonwoven web, a second barrier layer, or both may be attached to the exterior side of the breathable barrier. An elastomeric material coating, such as either a nature or synthetic latex or other polymers, may be applied over at least a portion of the article to provide for additional protection.

This invention is a self-locking, surgical instrument designed to be utilized in surgical procedures where total and / or partial vascular occlusion of large blood vessels, or other structures, is needed, thus providing secure stanching of the vessels and structures due to its curved lateral design. This innovative design not only allows for a clear view of the entire extension of the clip, but also has a “male-to -female” self-locking system, which stays clear of the area being clipped, thus constituting an improvement upon the existing traditional straight clips.

An electrical connector adapted for interconnection with a helically corrugated outer conductor coaxial cable via axial compression. Threads formed in an interior bore of the connector body threadably engage helical corrugations of the outer conductor. Upon axial compression of an interface into an interference fit with the body, a leading edge of the outer conductor is deformed, creating a high quality uniform electrical interconnection and preventing unthreading of the cable from the connector. Gaskets environmentally sealing the various entry paths into the connector are also sealably compressed by the axial movement of the various connector components during axial compression.

A method for planning a bone implant ascertains a condition of a bone to be treated, and identifies a dysfunctional part of the bone. A free-form area then can be ascertained and registered, wherein the free-form area lies below the dysfunctional part. A control data set then is produced that forms the basis for ablating the bone on the ascertained free-form area.

A connector assembly includes an electrical connector and a sleeve. The electrical connector has opposite first and second ends. The first end is rotatable with respect to the second end and configured to couple to a mating connector. The second end is configured to terminate a cable. The sleeve has an outer gripping surface, and an inner bore for receiving the electrical connector such that the sleeve and the first end of the connector are rotatable together.

A coaxial cable connector includes an annular post defining an axial bore therein, a cylindrical connector body coupled to the post, a nut rotatably coupled to the post and a sleeve movably connected to the connector body. The sleeve includes at least one radially outwardly extending ridge formed on an outer surface thereof, which frictionally engages an inner surface of the connector body. As a result, the inner surface of the connector body does not require a recess or other engagement structure formed thereon.

A method of manufacture of a silicone grip, comprising coating a solution of a silicone composition onto a substrate surface to form a silicone layer, wherein the solution comprises: a catalyst that promotes cure of the silicone composition, a higher molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, a lower molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule, and a solvent; and curing the silicone layer to form the silicone grip conformable with the substrate surface, wherein the cured silicone layer has a Shore A Durometer of less than or equal to about 60.

To provide an implant for securing neighbouring bone plates, especially neighbouring cranial bone plates, wherein the bone plates each have an inner face and an outer face, comprising an inner contact element that is adapted to rest on the inner faces of the neighbouring bone plates, an outer contact element that is adapted to rest on the outer faces of the neighbouring bone plates, and an in a linear manner flexible tensioning element for connecting the inner contact element and the outer contact element in such a manner that they can no longer be separated from one another, with improved properties, it is provided that the outer contact element comprises at least one recess for at least partially accommodating a connection region between free strands of the tensioning element or for feeding the connection region through into a separation gap between the neighbouring bone plates.

An osmotic delivery system for controlled delivery of a beneficial agent includes an implantable capsule containing a beneficial agent and an osmotic engine that swells on contact with water, thereby causing the release of the beneficial agent over time. The osmotic delivery system has a membrane material that allows a controlled amount of fluid to enter from an exterior of the capsule, while preventing the compositions within the capsule from passing out of the capsule. The osmotic delivery system is designed to meet at least the operating pressures of 1000 psi. The membrane material is cast, calendered or extruded followed by machining (i.e., die-cutting, stamping or otherwise cutting to shape) to provide a uniform nonribbed membrane material. The capsule also includes a membrane material-retaining means that is positioned at a fluid uptake end to retain the membrane material within the capsule, even under periods of high pressure.

The invention is a transvaginal ultrasound probe having an attached echogenic needle that is useful in the treatment of uterine fibroids. The echogenic needle has an echogenic surface near its tip that allows the physician to visualize its location using ultrasound imaging. In one embodiment, the needle has an active electrode at its distal end. The active electrode supplies radio frequency energy to a fibroids causing necrosis of the targeted fibroid or by destroying the fibroid's vascular supply. The radio frequency needle preferably has a safety device that shuts-off energy if the needle punctures the uterine wall. In a second embodiment, the needle has a cryogen supply tube and cryogen supply. This embodiment destroys fibroid tissue by freezing it or its vascular supply when the tissue comes in contact with the needle's frozen distal end. The invention further includes the method of using the ultrasound probe with the attached needle.

Apparatus and methods for integrating transmission cable into the body of selected downhole tools, such as drilling jars, having variable or changing lengths. A wired downhole-drilling tool is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a housing and a mandrel insertable into the housing. A coiled cable is enclosed within the housing and has a first end connected to the housing and a second end connected to the mandrel. The coiled cable is configured to stretch and shorten in accordance with axial movement between the housing and the mandrel. A clamp is used to fix the coiled cable with respect to the housing, the mandrel, or both, to accommodate a change of tension in the coiled cable.

A touch-sensitive display with tactile feedback is provided which includes a first layer with a mechanically flexible display medium, a second layer with a least one receptor, wherein the second layer is disposed in such a way that the receptor detects a contact in at least one section of the first layer and generates at least one first signal, a third layer with at least one controllable actuator, wherein the third layer is disposed in such a way that the controllable actuator mechanically manipulates the first layer at least in some points of the section, and a control device which contacts the second layer and the third layer in such a way that, in an initial stage, at least one second signal for controlling the actuator is generator, and at least one modified second signal is generated on the basis of the first signal.

A surgical port comprising a body and first and second cannula extending from the body and movable with respect to the body via an instrument inserted through the respective cannula. The cannulas can extend distally from the body and can include one or more seals. A port assembly and first and second instruments manipulatable in a crossed configuration are also disclosed.

A game pad controller for connection to a portable phone has an outer casing and a game control unit within the casing. The front of the casing has a seat for locating the portable phone and at least one keypad adjacent the seat for user engagement to control a game. The seat has a channel for slidably receiving an adapter, which is either attached to the rear face of the phone or to a holder for the phone. A releasable latching mechanism at the inner end of the channel releasably secures the adapter in the channel. The adapter may be a dimpled hub device. The arrangement allows the game pad controller to be used with any type of portable phone.

A silicone grip comprising a cured silicone film layer with a Shore A Durometer of less than or equal to about 60 wherein the silicone film layer is formed from a curable silicone composition comprising a catalyst that promotes cure of the silicone composition, a higher molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, a lower molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, and an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule. The cured silicone layer is used in combination with an adhesive to provide a flexible and malleable grip, and / or in combination with a backing layer that can be solid or foamed.

The invention is an article of footwear having a sole comprised of one or more support elements formed of a resilient, compressible material. The support elements are designed such that the positions of one or more bands that encircle the exterior surface of the support elements may be altered such that the deflection characteristics of the support elements are changed. In order to facilitate the repositioning of the bands, the support element includes an access indentation defined by the exterior surface or flanges that are secured to each band.