408results about How to "Maintain tension" patented technology

Apparatus and methods for conditioning and pre-tensioning soft tissue grafts during joint repair surgery, such as during repair of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The inventive apparatus is advantageously adapted and configured so as to enable a surgeon to independently apply a desired tensile load to individual graft strands or graft bundles of a multi-strand tissue graft. The inventive methods enable each graft strand or bundle to be properly tensioned so as to both “condition” the graft to prevent subsequent stretching, relaxation or elongation following surgery, which can destabilize the joint, and to pre-tension each graft strand or bundle to a predetermined amount so that each contributes to the strength and stability of the joint, thus resulting in a stronger and more durable joint. The tensioning device is advantageously equipped with structure for attachment to a patient's limb during the conditioning and pre-tensioning procedure. It has multiple adjustable tension applicators that can be independently manipulated so as to apply a separate tensile load to one or more ends of a tissue graft strand attached to each adjustable tension applicator.

A surgical clip includes a pair of opposed arms joined at one end by an integrally formed flexible hinge and a hinge lock. A male head element near the free end of one arm is configured to spread tissue when the male head element is urged towards a head mating element near the end of the opposite arm. The clamping side of an arm may include a protruding feature, such as a wedge shape elongated ridge, while the clamping side of the opposite arm includes a corresponding trough or aperture that receives the protruding feature. Clamping surfaces may include non-slip protrusions, such as ribs, ridges, cones or pins. An applicator holding feature, such as a boss, near the hinge prevents the clip from yawing and becoming askew during application.

Suture Locks, as well as related systems and methods, are provided for fixing strands of one or more sutures relative to tissue. The suture locks, systems and methods are simple and reliable in use, facilitate complete perforation closure and adjustment of the suture strands, and are adaptable to a variety of suture fixation and perforation closure situations. The suture lock includes a locking pin and a retaining sleeve. The locking pin has a main body and a grip. The retaining sleeve has a tubular body with an internal wall defining an internal passageway sized to receive the locking pin therein. The suture lock is operable between a locked configuration and unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration, the suture strands are compressed between the grip and the internal wall of the tubular body.

A surgical clip includes a pair of opposed arms joined at one end by an integrally formed flexible hinge and a hinge lock. A male locking pin near the free end of one arm is configured to penetrate tissue when the male locking pin is urged towards a mating female aperture near the end of the opposite arm. The clamping side of an arm may include a protruding feature, such as a wedge shape elongated ridge, while the clamping side of the opposite arm includes a corresponding trough or aperture that receives the protruding feature. Clamping surfaces may include non-slip protrusions, such as ribs, ridges, cones or pins. An applicator holding feature, such as a boss, near the hinge prevents the clip from yawing and becoming askew during application.

A tensioner system for use in tensioning graft strands in a knee reconstruction procedure can include a handle assembly, a tensioner assembly coupled relative to the handle assembly, and a drive shaft slidably received through and supported by the handle assembly. The tensioner assembly can include an arm support member rotatably coupled to the handle assembly and first and second arm members each rotatably coupled to lateral sides of the arm support member. Each arm member can include at least one graft attachment area adapted to be coupled to a graft strand. The arm support member can be configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tensioner system and perpendicular to an axis of rotation of each of the arm members. The drive shaft can include proximal and distal ends that extend beyond respective proximal and distal ends of the handle assembly.

A tissue anchoring system includes a tissue anchor affixed to an end of a cable and supported for insertion on a delivery device, the manipulation of which permits placement of the anchor on a far side of the tissue. A tensioning, crimping and cutting tool designed for use along the cable's longitudinal axis, thus reducing the number of incisions required. A suture anchoring system is also described for introducing a loop of suture into a surgical site and anchoring it, for instance, across a tear in soft tissue.

Abstract of the disclosure method for the determination of a winning value upon reaching of a game result at a coin operated entertainment automat with a symbol game arrangement. Coin operated entertainment automat comprise a symbol game arrangement where the circulating bodies displays in a rest position of winning or non-winning symbol combination. The winning value associated with the displayed symbol combination can in following under danger of loss in a risk game be staked against a higher winning value. This new feature is to assure that the player always maintains a maximum game tension independent of the amount of the stake. This is accomplished in that at jackpot is continuously filled from the game stake and is present to be released at an unknown point in time. An achieved winning value can be staked in the risk game against the jackpot.

A system and method for providing operational control and/or remote monitoring of a manufacturing device as in a foam dispenser device such as a foam-in-bag dispensing device. In architecture, the remote monitoring system includes a server device containing a remote monitoring system. The remote monitoring system further includes a transceiver to receive an indication of a help condition, connect to the manufacturing device; and receive data from the manufacturing device. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for providing remote monitoring of a manufacturing device. The method operates by (1) receiving an indication of a help condition; (2) connecting to the manufacturing device; and (3) receiving data from the manufacturing device. The operational control system is designed to control operation of one or more sub-systems of the manufacturing device as in a foam dispenser's chemical supply (proper temperature and pressure) and solvent supply as well as performance of a reciprocating valve device. With a foam-in-bag system, the control system provides for additional control over, for example, film feed and tensioning, bag edge and end seals as well as dispenser output into the bag. In a preferred embodiment, the operational control system and remote monitoring control interface with each other.

In order to improve surgical scissors with two scissor blades mounted for pivotal movement relative to each other about a pivot axis and having one cutting edge each, the scissor blades having proximally of the pivot axis one sliding surface area each, the sliding surface areas sliding along each other and the scissor blades contacting each other distally of the pivot axis at a moving point of contact of the cutting edges sliding along each other when the scissors are opened and closed, and at least one of the cutting edges being provided with a hard material coating, so that their service life is further increased, it is proposed that at least one of the two sliding surface areas have a first hard material coating-free surface. A method for the manufacture of surgical scissors is also proposed.

A method and device provides features for the temporary “parking” of sutures with respect to a cannula. In the preferred embodiments the features are slots that maintain tension on, and orientation of, sutures placed therein. The slots or features may be integral with the cannula or part of a separate device which may be removably affixed to the external portion of a cannula. The invention eliminates the multiple steps inherent in current suture management techniques for arthroscopic procedures, particularly rotator cuff repair and assists in tensioning/advancement of tissue into its repair site.

In one embodiment, a chain tensioning system is provided which maintains tension on a chain and permits slow changes in chain tension while dampening sudden changes. An exemplary embodiment may permit slow changes in chain tension while dampening sudden changes through the use of a fluid dampening device. Additionally, some embodiments may permit slow changes in chain tension while dampening sudden changes in only one direction of chain tension change.

The invention provides devices and methods for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within an organ or vessel. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a method of closed-chest surgical intervention within an internal cavity of a patient's heart or great vessel. According to the method, the patient's heart is arrested and cardiopulmonary bypass is established. A scope extending through a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest is used to view an internal portion of the patient's chest. An internal penetration is formed in a wall of the heart or great vessel using cutting means introduced through a percutaneous penetration in an intercostal space in the patient's chest. An interventional tool is then introduced, usually through a cannula positioned in a percutaneous intercostal penetration. The interventional tool is inserted through the internal penetration in the heart or great vessel to perform a surgical procedure within the internal cavity under visualization by means of the scope. In a preferred embodiment, a cutting tool is introduced into the patient's left atrium from a right portion of the patient's chest to remove the patient's mitral valve. A replacement valve is then introduced through an intercostal space in the right portion of the chest and through the internal penetration in the heart, and the replacement valve is attached in the mitral valve position.

A retractable leash device is comprised of a housing with a handle, and a leash wound around an internal reel. The reel is biased by a spring to automatically retract the leash. A momentary unidirectional lock in the housing is arranged to be normally disengaged from unidirectional teeth on the reel. When the momentary unidirectional lock is actuated, the reel is engaged by a ratchet to prevent rotation in the release direction but permit rotation in the retract direction. A toggle lock in the housing is movable between an unlocked position away from the reel, and a locked position between cogs on the reel. A geared rotation damper is engaged with a concentric gear on the reel to limit retraction speed. A clip attached to the housing may be clipped around the leash when the leash is wrapped around a fixed object.

An inner tightening mechanism adapted to equip an article of footwear having a flexible or semi-rigid upper. The inner tightening mechanism includes a retention band that is connected to the inner surface of the upper by at least two anchoring points fixed on the lateral and medial sides, respectively, of the flexion in the direction of the heel, and at least one anchoring point is positioned substantially above the sole.

The present invention provides a large mask with a high mask accuracy for conducting selective deposition on a substrate with a large surface area. In accordance with the present invention, the mask body is fixed in a fixing position disposed on a line passing through a thermal expansion center in the width of the mask frame. Further, in accordance with the present invention, the substrate and mask body are fixed and deposition is carried out by moving the deposition source in the X direction or Y direction. A method comprising moving the deposition source in the X direction or Y direction is suitable for deposition on large substrates.

A hold-down system used to secure a building structure to the foundation, thereby enabling the building to better withstand forces like high winds and earthquakes because these forces may then be distributed to the foundation. The hold-down system is characterized as being continuously threaded and having stackable, individual take-up units. A continuously threaded hold-down system allows the system to compensate for shrinkage or crushing of the building's frame throughout each level of the building because the anchor of the system is always in communication with the foundation of the building. The individual take-up units are stackable allowing each level of the system to compensate for shrinkage or crushing on that level as well as adjacent levels.

A method and apparatus for reducing friction in a cam buckle for tightening a strap. The cam buckle includes a frame, a brake member, a roller member, a biasing element and a webbed strap. The brake member includes a serrated surface and is rotatably coupled to the frame and pivotal about a first axis. The roller member is rotatably coupled to the frame about a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially parallel to each other. The biasing element is operable to bias the serrated surface of the brake member toward the roller member. The webbed strap is formed from a polymeric material and is operable to be biased between the serrated surface and the roller member so that the brake member biases the webbed strap against the roller member. With this arrangement, when the webbed strap is placed in tension, such tension is maintained by preventing movement of the webbed strap in one direction and allowing movement in a second direction to increase the tension. The roller member is operable to rotate with movement of the webbed strap in the second direction to increase the tension in the webbed strap.

In a method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a towline connecting a mooring craft to an ejected object comprising the steps of monitoring velocity to determine when a point for optimum braking has been achieved and then engaging a brake system to retard deployment of the towline, a DC motor augments and controls the brake system. The DC motor further controls the retrieval of the object. A cutter mechanism uses a first blade to grip the towing cable to maintain tension thereon as a second blade cuts the cable. A spring biased boom in combination with spring biased fins on the ejected object rapidly deploys the object from its storage housing. A locking mechanism secures the deployment mechanism in a stable locked position upon the object reaching its fully extended position.