10545results about How to "Relieve stress" patented technology

The present invention relates to a unique solution for relieving repetitive stress to dental professionals during the course of a day and is directed to sets of identical instruments, having handles made with varying diameters for grasping, designed to be used interchangeably throughout the day, thus cutting down on the repetitive grasping action through the change of grasp. Therefore, even if a dental professional uses the same type of instrument throughout the day, the hands, wrists and elbows can experience varying rather than repetitive action because the positioning of the hands, wrists and elbows are interchanging throughout the day. The dental instrument may also be ergonomically designed. Additionally, the instrument may also have a vibratory module. Further, a rotator may also be implemented.

The present invention expands a spinal canal by drilling a cylindrical passage in each pedicle of a vertebra, making a circumferential pedicle cut (osteotomy) through each pedicle from within the passage, separating each pedicle cut by inserting an implant into the passage which distracts the pedicle cut to expand the spinal canal, and securing each pedicle cut, allowing the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded. The implant includes an outer sleeve, an inner bolt, and expandable flanges. The outer sleeve includes an upper portion and a lower portion, with the expandable flanges connected to the lower portion and housed within the upper portion. Rotation of the inner bolt causes the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve to separate, causing the pedicle cut to widen and the expandable flanges to radially extend into and stabilize the widened pedicle cut to effectuate expansion of the spinal canal.

A dynamic bone stabilization system is provided. The system may be placed through small incisions and tubes. The system provides systems and methods of treating the spine, which eliminate pain and enable spinal motion, which effectively mimics that of a normally functioning spine. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the spine and for implanting the subject systems.

A series of nips (200, 202, 204, 412, 414) formed by intermeshing grooves (22, 24, 26, 28) provides for a higher degree of stretch, particularly for lightweight webs (100) by stretching in stages in multiple grooved nips. The ability to adjust the degree of stretch at each nip can provide a high degree and variability of stretch with reduced web damage compared to a single step application of the same stretch. Improvements to the manufacture of lightweight components of personal care products such as diaper backing components are obtained.

An apparatus and the method of its operation for rapid prototyping of a three-dimensional object which includes a radiant energy source of a wide beam of radiant energy of suitable intensity and wavelength for curing a layer of photo-curable resin contained in an open vat, a spatial light modulator (SLM) having an array of pixel elements which are individually digitally controllable by a computer, for modulating the radiant energy beam projected from the radiant energy source on a pixel by pixel basis, to form a series of time sequential images of the cross-sectional laminae of the object, an optical system for focusing each image formed by the SLM, one at a time, onto successive layers of photo-curable resin for predetermined exposure times to thereby form stacked laminae of cured resin, each lamina of cured resin being in the shape of a different one of the cross-sectional laminae, and a piston support for lowering each lamina of cured resin after it is formed by the SLM and for depositing a layer of resin corresponding to the thickness of one cross sectional lamina of the three-dimensional object before the step of projecting a new image by the SLM. The SLM, the piston support for lowering, and the optical system operate repeatedly and sequentially until a complete copy of the object is thereby produced.

A telemetric tibial tray includes a lower plate that defines a plurality of cylindrical transducer cavities having circular load diaphragms. An upper plate is attached to the lower plate through support posts projecting from the load diaphragms. The support posts have a circular cross-section and a diameter of about 5.0 mm. The lower plate further defines wiring channels communicating between the transducer cavities and a central cavity housing the circuit board for the telemetric tray. The wiring channels are arranged at a 45 degree angle relative to the sagittal plane of the knee joint in order to reduce the effects of the wiring channel intersection on the strain sensitivity of the tray. Each transducer cavity includes a radial strain gage array with four pairs of radially aligned strain gages, each pair aligned at a 45 degree angle relative to the sagittal plane of the knee joint. Each pair of strain gages includes an inner gage positioned at the point of maximum positive micro-strain across the diaphragm when loaded, and an outer gage positioned at the point of maximum negative micro-strain, to thereby increase the differential strain measured by the gages and increase the strain sensitivity of the tibial tray.

Described herein are suture passers for suturing tissue in a continuous manner by passing a suture attached to a suture shuttle through. A suture passer may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tissue perpetrator that is retractable and extendable from the first jaw. The tissue penetrator may have a suture shuttle engagement region, and the second jaw may include a shuttle dock. The suture shuttle may be transferred between the first and second jaws as the tissue penetrator is extended from the first jaw and engages the second jaw. In some variations of the tissue passer, one or both jaws are tissue penetrating. In some variations, the jaws open in parallel, allowing large tissue regions to be positioned between the jaws. Methods of using these devices are also described, as are systems and kits including these devices.

A system improves the design of artificial implant components for use in joint replacement surgeries. The system includes an anthropometric static image data analyzer, an implant model data generator, a kinematic model simulator, and a dynamic response data analyzer. The implant model data generator may also use image data of a joint in motion for modification of the implant model data used in the kinematic simulation. Dynamic response data generated by the kinematic model simulation is analyzed by the dynamic response data analyzer to generate differential data that may be used to further refine the implant model data.

A parallel plate type plasma processing apparatus including a RF feed rod for applying a high frequency power to a susceptor and a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of a substrate on the susceptor is configured to reduce an effect that high frequency current flowing in the RF feed rod has on temperature detection of the temperature detection unit. A surface portion of the susceptor serves as a mounting unit including an electrostatic chuck and a heater. A shaft, which is a protection pipe extracted downward from the processing chamber, is provided under the mounting unit. A chuck electrode of the electrostatic chuck serves as an electrode for applying a high frequency voltage. Provided in the shaft are two RF feed rod for supplying a power to the electrode and an optical fiber, i.e., a temperature detection unit, having a dielectric fluorescent material is disposed in a leading end thereof. Then, the two RF feed rods and bar type conductive leads for the heater are alternately arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction on a circle having the optical fiber at the center thereof such that the region having therein the optical fiber is an electromagnetic wave-free region since the electric force lines respectively traveling from the RF feed rods to bar type conductive leads are offset with each other.

A honeycomb structured body in which a plurality of porous ceramic members are combined with one another by interposing an adhesive layer, each of the porous ceramic members having a plurality of cells placed in parallel with one another in a longitudinal direction with a cell wall therebetween and an outer edgewall on the outer edge surface thereof, wherein the thickness of the outer edge wall of the porous ceramic member is greater than the thickness of the cell wall, and each of the porous ceramic members has a filling body which is provided so as to fill in at least one corner portion of at least one outermost cell of the porous ceramic members.

There is provided a flow system of a dialysis device including a dialysate conduit which is capable of being in fluid communication with the peritoneal cavity of a patient's body and of being in fluid communication with a flow path, the flow path allowing dialysate to flow from a patient's body to a sorbent capable of removing contaminants within the dialysate in an outflow mode and in an inflow mode returning the dialysate substantially free of contaminants to the patient's body. The device also includes a pump for moving the dialysate along the flow path in both the outflow mode and inflow mode and a plurality of valves disposed along the flow path. There is also provided a portable dialysis device.

In an active matrix semiconductor display device in which pixel TFTs and driver circuit TFT are formed on the same substrate in an integral manner, the cell gap is controlled by gap retaining members that are disposed between a pixel area and driver circuit areas. This makes it possible to provide a uniform cell thickness profile over the entire semiconductor display device. Further, since conventional grainy spacers are not used, stress is not imposed on the driver circuit TFTs when a TFT substrate and an opposed substrate are bonded together. This prevents the driver circuit TFTs from being damaged.

Minimally invasive deployable epicardial array devices are provided. The devices include deployable platform comprising two or more effectors, such as sensors and actuators, where the devices are configured to be deployed at an epicardial location via a minimally invasive, e.g., sub-xiphoid approach. In embodiments of the present invention, at least one area of the electrode patch is an electrical control area that comprises a series of effectors, e.g., sensors and/or electrodes. Other embodiments provide localized physical constraint and dynamic mechanical stimulation of the heart to effectuate physical and biological responses. Still other embodiments provide both of these functions. Also provided are methods of using the devices, as well as systems and kits that include the devices.

The invention provides a medical device that includes a housing, a tubular member extending from the distal end of the housing, a first arm extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the first arm including a first electrode, a second arm extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the second arm including a second electrode and being disposed coaxially with the first arm, at least one solution infusion opening on each electrode, and a solution delivery channel for delivery of a conductive solution to the solution infusion openings. According to the invention, at least one of the first arm or the second arm is translationally moveable, and at least one of the first arm or the second arm is adapted to be coupled to a source of radiofrequency energy. The invention also provides a corresponding method for treating blood vessels or other tissues of the body.

The invention broadly facilitates reconstruction of the Annulus Fibrosus (AF) or the AF and the Nucleus Pulposus (NP). Such Reconstruction prevents recurrent herniation following Microlumbar Discectomy (MLD) other procedures. The invention may also be used in the treatment of herniated discs, annular tears of the disc, or disc degeneration, while enabling surgeons to preserve the contained NP. The methods and apparatus may be used to treat discs throughout the spine including the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines of humans and animals. In the preferred embodiment, a spinal repair system according to the invention comprises a first end portion adapted for placement within an intervertebral body, a second end portion adapted for placement within an adjacent intervertebral body, and a bridge portion connecting the first and second end portions, the bridge portion being adapted to span a portion of an intervertebral disc space and prevent excessive outward bulging.

A device for controlling the expansion of a hollow internal organ, comprising an inflatable balloon, which is inserted in an uninflated state into the desired position close to the organ using minimally invasive procedures. After insertion, the balloon is inflated to its required size and shape. The invention is useful for restricting the expansion of the stomach during meals, thus inducing a feeling of satiety and preventing over-eating. Inflation may be performed through a catheter connected to a readily accessible inflation port. In the case of the gastric embodiment, the balloon may be positioned pro-peritoneally, such that the procedure is surgically simple. One or more sensors located close to the organ to be controlled, may monitor a physiological effect relating to the organ, and the output of the sensor used to control the level of inflation of the balloon in order to correct the condition being monitored.

A method of treating glaucoma in an eye by managing fluid flow past an implanted shunt having an elastomeric plate and a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube. The plate is positioned over a sclera of the eye with an outflow end of the elastomeric drainage tube open to an outer face of the plate. An inflow end of the drainage tube tunnels through the sclera to the anterior chamber of the eye. The plate may have regions of greater propensity for cell adhesion alternating with regions of lesser cell adhesion. For example, regions of texturing around the plate or drainage tube may be provided to control the size of a bleb that forms over the implant. The effective surface area of the plate may be balanced against a number of fenestrations. The drainage tube has a reduced profile and may be shaped with a non-circular external cross-section to reduce its height. A scleral groove may be used to further reduce the height of the drainage tube on the sclera. A flow restrictor for the early post operative period will immediately lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) and simultanously prevent hypotony.

A prismatic battery wherein a wound electrode (2) is housed in a battery can (1) including a sealing plate (12) fixed onto an opening of a prismatic case (11) with the outer surface of the electrode (2) aligned with the bottom of the prismatic case (11). Current collector plates (3), (30) are placed at both ends of the wound electrode (2) where edges (21), (22) of a pair of positive and negative electrodes project. The current collector plates (3), (30) are connected to a pair of positive and negative electrode terminals (4), (40). The current collector plates (3), (30) and the electrode terminals (4), (40) are connected by flexible flexible lead members (5), (50).

A display system comprises a continuous flexible display and two main display supports being hingeably connected with respect to each other between a closed storage position and a planar open position for fixing the flexible display in an open position. Each of the supports is structurally configured to support respectively a first and a second portion of the flexible display, a segment of the flexible display is located between the said respective portions of the flexible display in the open position. The display system comprises a spring force biased mechanism operative in either the open or closed position or both the open and closed positions of the flexible display, biasing said segment of the flexible display in the respective position.

This invention provides a liquid container capable of stably supplying a liquid contained therein, a liquid using device, a printing apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the liquid container. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, a one-way valve used in an ink tank is constructed of a flexible sheet. In an area of the flexible sheet, an undulated portion is formed whose undulated form is maintained in an operation range of the one-way valve.