3151results about How to "Increase the gap" patented technology

End effectors with redundant closing mechanisms, and related tools and methods are disclosed. The disclosed end effectors may be particularly beneficial when used for minimally invasive surgery. An example surgical tool comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a tool body disposed at the distal end of the shaft, a jaw movable relative to the tool body between a clamped configuration and an open configuration, a first actuation mechanism coupled with the jaw and operable to vary the position of the jaw relative to the tool body between the clamped configuration and the open configuration, and a second actuation mechanism coupled with the jaw. The second actuation mechanism has a first configuration where the jaw is held in the clamped configuration and a second configuration where the position of the jaw relative to the tool body is unconstrained by the second actuation mechanism.

A system and related methods and components for treating tissue swelling, and particularly swelling associated with cerebral edema, compartment syndrome, and congestive heart failure, by the use of water removal therapy, in order to remove only water from biological fluids. Included also is a system for such use that incorporates one or more monitors, optionally in addition to the use of water removal therapy. By removing only water, all other biologic agents, including essentially all solutes and formed blood elements (such as cells) are increased in concentration in the remaining bodily fluid(s). WRT can be applied to several clinical conditions in which there is an excess of water, and is ideally used in an extracorporeal fashion, in combination with other functions and related components as well, including ultrafiltration.

A micro-electro-mechanical transducer (such as a cMUT) having two electrodes separated by an insulator with an insulation extension is disclosed. The two electrodes define a transducing gap therebetween. The insulator has an insulating support disposed generally between the two electrodes and an insulation extension extending into at least one of two electrodes to increase the effective insulation without having to increase the transducing gap. Methods for fabricating the micro-electro-mechanical transducer are also disclosed. The methods may be used in both conventional membrane-based cMUTs and cMUTs having embedded springs transporting a rigid top plate.

A low profile shelf system that improves the merchandising of product by creating more spacing between shelves to accommodate larger product includes low profile shelf supports. Each low-profile shelf support may define a back portion and a front portion. The back portion may include a fastening plate attached thereto, each fastening plate having a hook formation that can be inserted into a slotted upright. The back portion of the shelf support may be at least 75% vertically longer than the front portion, resulting in the front portion having a significantly lower profile than the back portion of the shelf support, thereby creating more spacing between shelves to accommodate larger product.

The subject invention pertains to electrochromic polymers and polymer electrochromic devices. In a specific embodiment, two complementary polymers can be matched and incorporated into dual polymer electrochromic devices. The anodically coloring polymers in accordance with the subject invention can allow control over the color, brightness, and environmental stability of an electrochromic window. In addition, high device contrast ratios, high transmittance changes, and high luminance changes can be achieved, along with half-second switching times for full color change. Also provided are electrochromic devices such as advertising signage, video monitors, stadium scoreboards, computers, announcement boards, warning systems for cell phones, warning / information systems for automobiles, greeting cards, electrochromic windows, billboards, electronic books, and electrical wiring. The subject invention also provides for the use of complementary electrochromic polymers in the manufacture of electrochromic devices. In some embodiments, the devices of the invention can be prepared using metal vapor deposition or line patterning.

Provided are a nitride semiconductor light emitting element having a nitride semiconductor layered on an AlN buffer layer with improved qualities such as crystal quality and with improved light emission output, and a method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor. An AlN buffer layer (2) is formed on a sapphire substrate (1), and nitride semiconductors of an n-type AlGaN layer (3), an InGaN / GaN active layer (4) and a p-type GaN layer (5) are layered in sequence on the buffer layer (2). An n-electrode (7) is formed on a surface of the n-type AlGaN layer (3), and a p-electrode (6) is formed on the p-type GaN layer (5). The n-type AlGaN layer (3) serves as a cladding layer for confining light and carriers. The AlN buffer layer (2) is manufactured by alternately supplying an Al material and an N material at a growing temperature of 900° C. or higher.

An infusion device with a disposable administration set which is inexpensive to manufacture. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the disposable administration set has a plurality of elongated cam followers connected to a plate assembly, wherein the cam followers are displaced in a predetermined sequence and forced against a delivery tube by cam means driven by rotary drive means. The disposable administration set is injection molded as a single integral piece. The disposable administration set includes adjustment spacers disposed between the plate assembly and the cam followers which adjust the distance between them to keep the device accurate. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the cam assembly is configured to provide fluid delivery at a consistent and uniform rate. The device may also incude a pressure sensing pin positioned on the cam assembly which contacts the tubing during the pumping cycle. The drive current is sampled and processed at predetermined phases during the cam rotation cycle to detect the presence of an occlusion in the tubing.

Methods are provided to manipulate phagocytosis of cancer cells, including e.g. leukemias, solid tumors including carcinomas, etc.

A semiconductor material which has a high carbon dopant concentration and is composed of gallium, indium, arsenic and nitrogen is disclosed. The material is useful in forming the base layer of gallium arsenide based heterojunction bipolar transistors because it can be lattice matched to gallium arsenide by controlling the concentration of indium and nitrogen. The disclosed semiconductor materials have a low sheet resistivity because of the high carbon dopant concentration obtained.

An endoscopic electrosurgical instrument is presented for encapsulating and resecting biologic tissue, such as a polyp, from an anatomical structure, such as a lumen. The instrument includes an encapsulation assembly which includes a snare coupled to an electrically non-conductive, shrinkable pouch in a drawstring-like configuration. The encapsulation assembly may be folded within the elongated cylindrical housing of the endoscopic instrument, positioned within the patient at the surgical site, and deployed for use. Once positioned over the polyp, the snare is tightened around the peduncle thereof, and the pouch is activated, thereby shrinking and encapsulating the polyp. The polyp may then be resected using conventional or electrosurgical techniques. The disclosed instrument may include surgical tools and / or electrosurgical electrodes for performing surgical procedures. The disclosed system may reduce the occurrence of undesirable arcing and may aid retrieval of resected tissue.

The present invention relates to certain novel dinucleotides and formulations thereof which are highly selective agonists of the P2Y2 and / or P2Y4 purinergic receptor. They are useful in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as chronic bronchitis, PCD, cystic fibrosis, as well as prevention of pneumonia due to immobility. Furthermore, because of their general ability to clear retained mucus secretions and stimulate ciliary beat frequency, the compounds of the present invention are also useful in the treatment of sinusitis, otitis media and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. They are also useful for treatment of dry eye disease and retinal detachment as well as facilitating sputum induction and expectoration.

An objective of the invention is to provide anti-C5 antibodies and methods of using the same. The invention provides anti-C5 antibodies and methods of using the same. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-C5 antibody of the present invention binds to an epitope within the β chain of C5 with a higher affinity at neutral pH than at acidic pH. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acids encoding an anti-C5 antibody of the present invention. The invention also provides host cells comprising a nucleic acid of the present invention. The invention also provides a method of producing an antibody comprising culturing a host cell of the present invention so that the antibody is produced. The invention further provides a method of producing an anti-C5 antibody comprising immunizing an animal against a polypeptide which comprises the MG1-MG2 domain of the β chain of C5. Anti-C5 antibodies of the present invention may be for use as a medicament. Anti-C5 antibodies of the present invention may be for use in treating a complement-mediated disease or condition which involves excessive or uncontrolled activation of C5. Anti-C5 antibodies of the present invention may be for use in enhancing the clearance of C5 from plasma.

Methods and apparatus for forming a housing, such as for an electronic device, from multi-layer materials are disclosed. The multi-layer materials include at least two layers. Typically, one or more of the layers are metal. However, different layers of the multi-layer materials can be different metals. In one embodiment, an inner layer of the multi-layer materials can be provided with or form internal features that can be for attaching parts or components to the multi-layer materials. In another embodiment, processing of an inner layer of the multi-layer materials can facilitate part formation with increased curvature and / or internal part clearance. In another embodiment, the multi-layer materials can include an intermediate layer that facilitates creation of internal features that can be for attaching parts or components to the multi-layer materials. In still another embodiment, the multi-layer materials can provide a protective layer that serves to protect an outer surface of the housing during manufacturing and / or assembly.

A tool for separating components of a modular prosthesis includes an upper and lower body, each defining opposing bills at one end that are sized to fit in juxtaposed relation within an initial gap between the components. The upper body is provided with a handle so that the tool may be manually held by the surgeon with the opposing bills in position in the prosthesis. The tool includes a jack assembly disposed between the upper and lower bodies of the tool that is configured to be driven into an extended position, gradually separating the upper and lower bodies, and consequently exerting a separation force on the prosthesis components through the bills of the tool. The jack assembly is driven by a threaded actuator rod that bears against one element of the jack assembly as the actuator rod is rotated within a threaded bore in one of the bodies of the tool.