9444results about How to "Reduce tension" patented technology

Apparatus and methods for endoscope assemblies having working channels with reduced bending and stretching resistance are disclosed. In one embodiment, an endoscope assembly includes a sheath having a body portion adapted to at least partially encapsulate an endoscopic insertion tube, and a working channel attached to the body portion and extending along at least a portion of the body portion. The working channel includes a component for reducing the resistance of the assembly to bending and stretching. In alternate aspects, the working channel may include a cut, a gap, a sliding portion, or an expansion section. Endoscope assemblies having a working channel in accordance with the invention advantageously reduce the articulation and stretching resistance of the assembly during articulation of the endoscope assembly. Also, because the axial forces (tension and compression) within the working channel are reduced, the working channel can be fabricated out of a relatively hard, inelastic material, thereby reducing the friction within the working channel and improving the physician's ability to perform a medical procedure.

A tissue ablation catheter for forming a lesion along a substantially circumferential region of tissue is described. The catheter includes one or more sensors for monitoring the temperature of the tissue being ablated. The temperature sensors are mounted on the interior or exterior of an expandable member that is affixed to a shaft of the catheter.

A constraining sheath for use around an endoprosthesis (e.g., a stent device, with or without a graft covering), which may be a balloon expandable endoprosthesis but more preferably is a self-expanding prosthesis. The endoprosthesis is coaxially enclosed within and substantially covered by the constraining sheath, which is an outer, removable tubular sheath, preferably made of ePTFE. The sheath is preferably corrugated circumferentially along at least a portion of the length of the endoprosthesis. The constraining sheath and endoprosthesis are preferably mounted together as an assembly at the distal end of a delivery means such as a catheter shaft, for delivery of the endoprosthesis to a desired location within a body conduit such as an artery. The constraining sheath is removed by the application of tension to a tensile member such as a tether to cause sequential pulling out of the corrugations followed by release and deployment of the endoprosthesis. The use of a corrugated constraining sheath in comparison to a non-corrugated sheath results in a more smoothly applied tensile force to effect the endoprosthesis release as well as requiring less maximum force.

A coaxial connector with a connector body is provided with a connector body bore. An annular coupling groove is provided in the connector body bore open to a cable end of the connector body. A clamp sidewall of the coupling grove is angled inward from a bottom of the coupling groove. A slip ring seated within the coupling body bore is provided with a grip surface. An annular compression body is positioned between the slip ring and the clamp sidewall. The connector body and the coupling body are coupled together via threads. The slip ring is dimensioned for axial advance of the coupling body along the threads to exert a compression force against the compression body to clamp a leading edge of the outer conductor between the compression body and the clamp sidewall.

A hybrid cable comprising an optical fiber, an intermediate layer surrounding the optical fiber, and an electrically insulating jacket surrounding the intermediate layer. The intermediate layers include a collection of metallic strands. The hybrid cable may be used to establish simultaneous electrical and fiber-optic connection between two communication devices. Thus, the two communication devices may simultaneously transfer optical signals through the optical fiber and perform any of various electrical functions (power transfer, eye safety control) through the metallic strands. For example, an optical transceiver may couple to an optical antenna unit through the hybrid cable. Such an optical transceiver may serve as part of a point-to-point link, a point-to-multipoint link, and/or, a link between a primary transceiver unit and an optical router.

A respiratory mask for use with a patient, and that is suited for use with children, includes a flexible cushion arranged to interface with and deliver air to the patient's nose. The cushion has a tube connection portion at one or both sides adjacent the patient's nares, the tube connection portion being arranged to connect to an air delivery tube. This location, plus the very low profile of the mask, allows a patient (e.g. an infant) to sleep on their face more comfortably. A more rigid support structure adjacent the cushion is provided to stabilize the cushion and prevent it from collapsing. Headgear is also provided and arranged for releasable attachment to the support structure.

Break-away tethers to secure electronic, mechanical, optical, or other microstructures, during release from one substrate and transfer to another. Microstructures are fabricated with integrated tethers attaching them to a first substrate. The structures are undercut by etching and contacted and bonded to a second substrate. First and second substrates are separated, breaking the tethers.

A method is provided, including implanting, at an intraventricular site of a ventricle of a patient, a spool coupled to a first end portion of a longitudinal member, and coupling a second end portion of the longitudinal member to a portion of tissue facing a lumen of the ventricle. Other embodiments are also described.

A chain of loops of braided high strength suture for soft tissue to bone fixation. The suture chain is advantageous for use in knotless fixation of soft tissue to bone, and can be used for knotless side-to-side suturing of U-shaped defects, such as rotator cuff tears. The soft tissue to bone fixation includes: (i) providing a first medial row constructed with a first plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the first plurality of fixation devices being an anchor; (ii) providing a second lateral row constructed with a second plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the second plurality of fixation devices being a knotless fixation device, (iii) providing a suture loop construct that includes at least two loops formed of and connected by suture; and (iv) fixating the suture loop construct so that it extends over the soft tissue and is secured in place by at least one of the fixation devices or anchors.

A feedthrough terminal assembly for active implantable medical devices includes a structural wire bond pad for a convenient attachment of wires from either the circuitry inside the implantable medical device or wires external to the device. Direct attachment of wire bond pads to terminal pins enables thermal or ultrasonic bonding of lead wires, while shielding the capacitor or other delicate components from the forces applied to the assembly during attachment of the wires.

A device for tensioning suture which includes two telescopically slidable cannulated tubes. An adjustment wheel is coupled to and turns a threaded post which is threadingly engaged with the proximal end of one of the slidable tubes. A suture end is passed through the cannulated tubes of the suture tensioning device and secured to the adjustment wheel. Rotating the adjustment wheel counterclockwise increases the overall length of the suture tensioning device and increases tension on the suture.

A prosthesis system includes a reconfigurable socket. The socket changes configurations to adjust the socket fit. The socket includes a socket main body with a window and a panel positioned in the window. The panel and the socket main body cooperate to define a cavity for receiving a residual limb. A lacing system is coupled to both the socket main body and the panel and moves the panel with respect to the socket main body to adjust a volume of the cavity. A tensioning mechanism holds the lacing system to position the adjustment panel. The prosthesis system also allows for the escape of moisture from within the cavity.