187results about How to "Keep the distance" patented technology

A surgical instrument for being endoscopically or laparoscopically inserted into a surgical site for simultaneous stapling and severing of tissue includes force adjusted spacing between an upper jaw (anvil) and a lower jaw (staple cartridge engaged to an elongate staple channel) so that the height of staple formation corresponds to the thickness of the tissue, yet does not exceed the height range that may be accommodated by the length of the staples. In particular, resilient structures are formed into an E-beam firing bar that includes a cutting surface (knife) that severs tissue between a top pin that engages the anvil and a middle pin and lower foot that engage the lower jaw. The resilience responds to the force exerted by clamped tissue to vary the spacing.

Spinal stabilization devices, systems, and methods are described. In a first aspect, a foramenal spacer includes a rigid member adapted to maintain the integrity of the foramenal space. In a second aspect, facet joint stabilizing members and prosthetic facet joints are provided to augment or replace the native facet joint. In a third aspect, lateral spinal stabilization systems are adapted to be attached to the lateral surfaces of adjacent vertebral bodies. In a fourth aspect, anterior spinal stabilization systems are adapted to be attached to the anterior surfaces of adjacent vertebral bodies. In a fifth aspect, several embodiments of dynamic spinal stabilization devices and systems are described. Each of the foregoing devices, systems, and methods is suitable for use independently, in combination with other devices, systems, and methods described herein, and / or in combination with prosthetic intervertebral discs known in the art.

An intervertebral implant for separating an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra. The implant includes an upper mount having a first surface sized and shaped for mounting on the upper vertebra and a second surface opposite the first surface. The implant includes a lower mount having a first surface sized and shaped for mounting on the lower vertebra and a second surface opposite the first surface. The implant includes an element positioned between the upper mount and the lower mount spacing the first surface of the upper mount from the first surface of the lower mount by a predetermined distance. The element is configured to permit the upper mount to pivot relative to the lower mount. The element allows the upper vertebra to pivot relative to the lower vertebra while maintaining spacing between the upper vertebra and the lower vertebra.

The invention relates to a connecting member for maintaining the spacing between at least two anchor members screwed into vertebrae. It comprises two rigid rod-forming parts (12, 14) made of a first material and each having a fixing, first portion (16, 18) adapted to be fixed into an anchor member and a fastening, second portion (20, 22), said rods (12, 14) being aligned with each other and said fastening portions (20, 22) facing each other, and a connecting body (24) made of a second material which is more elastically deformable than said first material and which interconnects said rigid parts (12, 14) by means of the facing fastening portions (20, 22) so that said connecting body (24) is able to deform elastically, whereby the vertebrae, which are held spaced from each other, are movable relative to each other.

The spinal cage comprises a structural component having sufficient strength to withstand the compressive loading between vertebral bodies. The structural component is integrated with an osteoconductive component to facilitate bone growth between the vertebral bodies. The structural component may comprise any of PEEK, PEKK, or other structural material. The osteoconductive component may comprise any of allograft, natural bone, tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite or a blend of calcium carbonate, calcium lactate and other calcium salts. A method for making the spinal cage involves molding polymers around an osteoconductive component, heat staking, and may further include ultrasonically welding, snap fit or mechanically assembling and / or adhesively bonding components.

Various high performance, high efficiency filter media are provided that are cost effective and easy to manufacture. In particular, various filter media are provided having at least one layer with a waved configuration that results in an increased surface area, thereby enhancing various properties of the filter media. The filter media can be used to form a variety of filter elements for use in various applications.

A method for producing a topographical pattern on or in a papermachine fabric. The method for creating the pattern on or in an fabric, includes producing a topographical polymer pattern on or in a papermachine fabric using a rotary screen. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

An improved electrochromic rearview mirror for motor vehicles, the mirror incorporating thin front and rear spaced glass elements having a thickness ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.5. A layer of transparent conductive material is placed onto the mirror's second surface, and either another layer of transparent conductive material or a combined reflector / electrode is placed onto the mirror's third surface. A chamber, defined by the layers on the interior surfaces of the front and rear glass elements and a peripheral sealing member, contains a free-standing gel comprising a solvent and a crosslinked polymer matrix. The chamber further contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the solvent and interspersed in the crosslinked polymer matrix. The gel cooperatively interacts with the thin glass elements to form a thick, strong unitary member which is resistant to flexing, warping, bowing and / or shattering and further allows the mirror to exhibit reduced vibrational distortion and double imaging.

A bone graft system for providing bone graft material to a site of interest includes a multiple unit bone graft material loading device and a conduit. The multiple unit bone graft material loading device is configured to accept a plurality of pre-formed bone graft material units and includes a plurality chambers configured to accept a pre-formed bone graft unit. The conduit includes a first opening and second opening. The first opening is operably connected with the multiple unit bone graft material loading device to accept bone graft material from the multiple unit bone graft material loading device. The second opening is configured to deliver bone graft material to a site of interest.

An improved electrochromic rearview mirror for motor vehicles, the mirror incorporating thin front and rear spaced glass elements having a thickness ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.5. A layer of transparent conductive material is placed onto the mirror's second surface, and either another layer of transparent conductive material or a combined reflector / electrode is placed onto the mirror's third surface. A chamber, defined by the layers on the interior surfaces of the front and rear glass elements and a peripheral sealing member, contains a free-standing gel comprising a solvent and a crosslinked polymer matrix. The chamber further contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the solvent and interspersed in the crosslinked polymer matrix. The gel cooperatively interacts with the thin glass elements to form a thick, strong unitary member which is resistant to flexing, warping, bowing and / or shattering and further allows the mirror to exhibit reduced vibrational distortion and double imaging.

A spinous process spacer implant and method of use are provided. The implant can be configured to be placed between adjacent spinous processes. The implant can comprise at least one pair of notches that can be positioned such that portions of the adjacent spinous processes are engaged therewithin to maintain a size of a desired space between the adjacent spinous processes.

An adhesive sheet (S) is expanded by expanding means (20) with a plate-like article (W) being mounted to a frame (F) after dicing of the plate-like article (W) to increase spacings between individual chips (T), an expanded state of the adhesive sheet (S) is maintained by expansion maintaining means (10), so that the plate-like article (W) is able to be conveyed together with the frame (F) with the spacings between the chips (T) being maintained, thereby preventing adjacent chips (T) from interfering with each other during the conveyance. This allows the plate-like article (W) after the dicing to be conveyed together with the frame (F) without edges of the adjacent chips (T) coming into contact with each other by vibration during the conveyance to cause chipping or microcracks in the edges.

An integrated circuit stacking system is provided including fabricating an integrated passive device including: providing a semiconductor substrate, forming an integrated inductor, a resistor block, or an integrated capacitor integrated on the semiconductor substrate, and forming contact pads, on the semiconductor substrate, coupled to the integrated inductor, the resistor block, or the integrated capacitor; positioning an integrated circuit die for maintaining an inductor spacing; mounting the integrated circuit die on the integrated passive device; and encapsulating the integrated circuit die and the integrated passive device.

Concatenatable lighting fixtures, each comprising a unitary cover member having a circuit board mounting platform integrally formed with suitable heat sinking and which mounts onto a cooperating base chassis. In one embodiment, the circuit board mounting platform extends farther from one end of the cover member than the other so as to facilitate placement of LEDs in a fashion which enhances lighting uniformity and minimizes dark spots. In one embodiment, first and second guide members may be positioned in respective opposite ends of adjacent fixtures, each guide member having a plurality of extending fingers with a flexible electrical conductor-carrying conduit disposed between the respective opposite ends and retained in position by the fingers.

Various high performance, high efficiency filter media are provided that are cost effective and easy to manufacture. In particular, various filter media are provided having at least one layer with a waved configuration that results in an increased surface area, thereby enhancing various properties of the filter media. The filter media can be used to form a variety of filter elements for use in various applications.

A fiber matrix is provided for maintaining space in soft tissue, for example for use in procedures for assisting drainage of aqueous humor from an eye to treat glaucoma. The fiber matrix comprises a plurality of crossing fibers forming a mesh with a plurality of void spaces. The fibers and void spaces are sized and arranged so as to permit passage of fluid through the fiber matrix and to inhibit formation of scar tissue through the fiber matrix. The fibers may comprise a polymeric material, and the fiber matrix may be manufactured by electrospinning. The fibers may comprise a biostable and / or a biodegradable material. In one method of using a fiber matrix, the fiber matrix is positioned under a scleral flap, with at least part of the fiber matrix under the scleral flap.

Concatenatable lighting fixtures, each comprising a unitary cover member having a circuit board mounting platform integrally formed with suitable heat sinking and which cover member mounts onto a cooperating base chassis. In one embodiment, the circuit board mounting platform extends farther from one end of the cover member than the other so as to facilitate placement of LEDs in a fashion which enhances lighting uniformity and minimizes dark spots. First and second guide members may be positioned in respective opposite ends of adjacent fixtures, each guide member having a plurality of extending fingers with a flexible electrical conductor-carrying conduit disposed between the respective opposite ends and retained in position by said fingers.

A camera module has a sensor unit holding an image sensor and a lens unit holding a taking lens. The sensor unit and the lens unit are joined in such a manner that an imaging plane of the image sensor is orthogonal to an optical axis of the taking lens. Each of top and bottom surfaces of the lens unit has a pair of held members to be held by holding jigs. This held member is a depression of triangular cross section defined by a bottom face that inclines toward rear surface of the lens unit. Each held member contains a positioning member that receives a pin jig when the position and angle of the sensor unit is adjusted relative to the lens unit.

A rain-screen siding system for buildings, including clips to support siding boards parallel with a flat surface of a building wall structure but spaced apart from the building wall to allow air to circulate between the building wall structure and the siding boards. The clips include paired, opposed channels and the siding boards have tongues that fit into the channels. Drainage grooves are defined in the clips. Bottom support members may extend horizontally to support the siding boards at the bottom of the rain screen siding. Corner closing members are provided to protect end faces of siding boards at an exterior corner of a building wall.

The present invention provides a heat resistant spacer fabric comprising a first and second fabric layers that are formed of a flame resistant material arranged in opposing face-to-face relation and are spaced apart from each other. The first and second fabric layers are interconnected to each other with one or more spacer fibers that interconnect the first and second fabric layers and define a space therebetween. The spacer fibers comprise at least one core fiber having one or more wrap fibers of a flame resistant material wrapped thereabout. The wrap fibers protect the core fibers from direct contact with heat and flame. If the spacer fabric is exposed to heat / flame, the flame resistant wrap fibers help to prevent any melted material of the core fibers from flowing out of the spacer fabric. The spacer fabric can be used in protective garments such as coats, gloves, pants, cover-alls, suits, etc.

To improve the reliability of contact with an anisotropic conductive film in a semiconductor device such as a liquid crystal display panel, a terminal portion (182) of a connecting wiring (183) on an active matrix substrate is electrically connected to an FPC (191) by an anisotropic conductive film (195). The connecting wiring (183) is manufactured in the same process with a source / drain wiring of a TFT on the active matrix substrate, and is made of a lamination film of a metallic film and a transparent conductive film. In the connecting portion with the anisotropic conductive film (195), a side surface of the connecting wiring (183) is covered with a protecting film (173) made of an insulating material. Accordingly, the portion in which the metallic film is surrounded by the transparent conductive film, the insulating base film, and the protecting film (173) to which it is in contact with, can be avoided from exposure to air because the side surface of the metallic film of the connecting wiring is covered with the protecting film (173).

An assembly and method for array processing of hermetically sealed Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Devices employs a non-conductive material having an array of spaced cavities extending into the material for receiving a SAW die face down, in a flip-chip arrangement. Each cavity has a peripheral recess dimensioned to receive a lid for hermetically sealing the die within the cavity. Conductive paths are provided from the interior of the cavity to the surface of the array for providing an electrical contact with the SAW die. Individual SAW devices are then provided by cutting along separation lines between adjacent cavities after a plurality of die have been hermetically sealed within its cavity.

Disclosed is a display device which can maintain a space between a lower substrate and a portion of an upper substrate with a transmitting hole formed therein, in an atmospheric pressure state. The display device includes a display unit and a guide frame. The display unit includes a panel which is sealed, with liquid crystal being charged between an upper substrate and a lower substrate. The guide frame supports the display unit. The guide frame includes a guide side wall guiding a side surface of the panel, and a panel supporting part supporting the panel.

In order to improve a surgical instrument comprising a clamping device for holding and / or clamping tissue, a severing device for severing tissue and a handling device for actuating the clamping device and / or the severing device, the clamping device comprising at least one clamping member having a clamping surface and a clamping member opening, and the severing device comprising a severing member movable at least partially into the clamping member opening, so that short circuits can be reliably prevented between the at least one clamping member and the severing member, it is proposed that a severing member guide device be provided for guiding the severing member in the clamping member opening and for maintaining a spacing from inner side surfaces of the clamping member opening.

Disclosed herein are a fiber-reinforced heating unit (100) and a mattress comprising the fiber-reinforced heating unit (100) installed therein. The heating unit (100) comprises flexible filaments (11) woven vertically and horizontally in a net, a stiff synthetic resin filament (12) alternately woven with the flexible filament (11) in either a vertical direction or a horizontal direction, and copper wires (32) woven together with the flexible filaments (11) on the longitudinal edges at both sides and the center and the woven material is dipped in liquid carbon, followed by drying. The copper wires (32) on the both longitudinal edges are connected to positive (+) terminal (31, 51) and the copper wires at the center are connected to a negative (−) terminal (41). The carbon-coated woven material has coating layers (90) formed by compression or impregnation with a gel type flexible synthetic resin at the top and the bottom. The heating unit (100) can maintain an original net structure by the stiff synthetic resin filament (12) while maintaining flexibility. The heating unit (100) has excellent durability since the flexible filament (11) is not disconnected even when heating unit is bent or folded. Also, the heating unit (100) can provide partial heating by selectively applying electricity to the positive (+) terminals (31, 51) at the both edges.

A wafer carrier and methods of making the same for use in a system for growing epitaxial layers on one or more wafers by chemical vapor deposition. The wafer carrier includes wafer retention pockets recessed in its body. A thermally-insulating spacer is situated at least partially in the at least one wafer retention pocket and arranged to maintain a spacing between the peripheral wall surface and the wafer, the spacer being constructed from a material having a thermal conductivity less than a thermal conductivity of the wafer carrier such that the spacer limits heat conduction from portions of the wafer carrier body to the wafer. The wafer carrier further includes a spacer retention feature that engages with the spacer and includes a surface oriented to prevent centrifugal movement of the spacer when subjected to rotation about the central axis.

A filling installation comprising a fixed frame, a tank mounted on the fixed frame so as to rotate about an axis, and a lid associated with the tank and provided with a feed pipe, positioning means being fixed to the lid, and being mounted on the fixed frame to slide parallel to the axis of rotation between a position in which the lid is applied against an edge of the tank so as to close off said tank and a position in which the lid is spaced apart from the edge of the tank.

A hardtop convertible roof for a vehicle includes rigid panels that are interconnected to one another to selectively cover the passenger compartment. The roof panels rearward of a forwardmost roof panel are directly pivotally connected to a single pair of brackets which are fixedly connected to opposite sides of the vehicle. An interior surface of a third roof panel faces a majority of an exterior surface of a second roof panel when the roof panels are in a stowed position. The rearmost two roof panels form an at least four-bar linkage and a moveable link interconnecting the two panels is positioned between the majority of portions of the rearmost panels and the pivotal connections of these panels to a fixed location.