141results about How to "Variable stiffness" patented technology

A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to the spine and nervous system. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to ablate or electrically stimulate the target tissue. Embodiments of the stimulation lead include single or multiple lead elements. The multiple lead element embodiments can be selectively deployed to cover a targeted area. The lead may also includes central infusion passageway(s) or lumen(s) that communicates with various infusion ports spaced at selected locations along the lead to thereby direct the infusion of nutrients / chemicals to the target tissue. Some embodiments utilize a disposable sheath in combination with a reusable stimulation lead.

A catheter comprising an outer shaft comprising a first section of electroactive polymer. The first section of electroactive polymer affecting either the flexibility of the catheter or the steerability of the catheter.

A catheter comprising an outer shaft comprising a first section of electroactive polymer. The first section of electroactive polymer affecting either the flexibility of the catheter or the steerability of the catheter.

A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to the spine and nervous system. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to ablate or electrically stimulate the target tissue. The invention also includes a method of activating electrodes in the electrical stimulation lead whereby an ablative lesion can be formed in a desired shape and size. The invention further includes a method of managing pain in a sacrum of a patient, and a method of assembling an electrical stimulation device.

The variable stiffness heating catheter includes a heating catheter shaft including at least one electrically conductive member, a reinforcing tube with apertures formed around the surface of the reinforcing tube, and at least one coaxial outer layer of a polymer, metal, or both for providing desired variations in stiffness along at least a portion of the length of the shaft. The apertures can be formed as axial or helical slits in the surface of the reinforcing tube, and the reinforcing tube can also be formed to be tapered at the point where the apertures are formed in the reinforcing tube to provide a heating catheter that is torqueable and pushable at the proximal end, yet soft and flexible at the distal end.

A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to the spine and nervous system. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to ablate or electrically stimulate the target tissue. The invention also includes a method of activating electrodes in the electrical stimulation lead whereby an ablative lesion can be formed in a desired shape and size. The invention further includes a method of managing pain in a sacrum of a patient, and a method of assembling an electrical stimulation device.

The present foot prosthesis includes various structural features that provide the foot with advantageous rollover properties. In certain embodiments, the foot guides rollover toward the medial side. For example, an asymmetrical upper element and a correspondingly shaped resilient ankle member support more of the wearer's weight on the lateral side as the foot rolls over. In another embodiment, stiffeners added to the resilient ankle member increase the stiffness on the lateral side relative to the medial side. In certain other embodiments, the foot provides progressively increasing support from mid stance through toe off. For example, a gap between the resilient ankle member and the lower element closes during the later portion of the wearer's gait. The closing gap increases a contact area between the resilient ankle member and the lower element, providing progressively increasing support. In another embodiment, the foot includes a gap between a lower front edge of an attachment adapter and the upper element. The gap may be filled with a resilient material.

The variable stiffness vasoocclusive coil is given variable stiffness along the length of the coil by selectively heat treating certain segments of a primary or secondary coil. The primary coil can be selectively heat treated to form soft or deformable segments along the length of the coil, and can then be shaped into a secondary shape that is set by a heat treatment process. Distal regions of the coil can also be heat treated to make the distal ends of the coil softer, more deformable, or less traumatic.

A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to the spine and nervous system. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to ablate or electrically stimulate the target tissue. Embodiments of the stimulation lead include single or multiple lead elements. The multiple lead element embodiments can be selectively deployed to cover a targeted area. The lead may also includes central infusion passageway(s) or lumen(s) that communicates with various infusion ports spaced at selected locations along the lead to thereby direct the infusion of nutrients / chemicals to the target tissue. One embodiment utilizes a dissolvable matrix for infusion as opposed to remote delivery through an infusion pump.

A semirigid swim cap (100) is disclosed, having a unitary construction. The swim cap is generally open at the bottom and includes a forward edge (104), a rearward edge (106), oppositely disposed ear cover portions (108), and a center portion (101). In a preferred embodiment, the swim cap is made from an elastomeric thermoplastic and the center portion is relatively thick, while the peripheral edge portions are relatively thin and therefore less rigid. A pair of sealing ridges (110) extends from an inner surface of the swim cap, near the open bottom.

The present invention relates to a device for generating stiffness and a method for controlling stiffness, which can generate stiffness by using elastic members and can control the stiffness, and a joint of a robot manipulator to which the device and method can be applied. The device for generating stiffness includes a rotating shaft; a plurality of elastic members fixed to the rotating shaft; upper and lower circular plates that are disposed so as to be spaced from each other with the elastic members interposed therebetween, are independently driven with respect to the rotating shaft by power generating units thereof, respectively, and respectively have slits of which the number is equal to the number of the elastic members; and a plurality of moving members that are inserted into the slits formed in the upper and lower circular plates, respectively, and are connected to the elastic members so as to move.

An implantable electrode array (30) that can adopt a first configuration selected to allow the array (30) to be inserted into a cochlea (12) of an implantee and at least a second configuration in which the array can apply tissue stimulation. The array (30) comprises an elongate carrier (31) having a proximal end (37), a distal end (34), and an inner surface (35) conformable with the inner wall of the implantee's cochlea (12). A plurality of electrodes (36) are supported within the carrier (31) at respective spaced locations thereon in a region between the proximal end (37) and the distal end (34) with at least one of the electrodes having a surface that is at least adjacent the inner surface (35) of the carrier (31). The carrier (31) is formed in the second configuration from a first layer (32) and at least a second layer (32) of resiliently flexible material. A method of forming an array (30) is also described.

A composite screw preferably made of a metallic pin embedded in a polymeric tubular structure having the outwardly facing threads, wherein the metallic pin comprises a screw head, an intermediate shaft and a screw tip, and the polymeric threaded tube is either molded onto the metallic shaft or the threaded is machined after molding a polymeric structure onto the shaft.

The invention relates to a variable-stiffness continuous type mechanism based on an air pressure locking principle. The variable-stiffness continuous type mechanism comprises a continuous type mechanism body, a state switching device used for changing the stiffness and flexibility states of the continuous type mechanism body and a pose control system used for controlling the bending degree of the continuous type mechanism body; the continuous type mechanism body is formed by a base and joints through friction sliding blocks, the base and the joints are connected in series, one end of each joint is provided with a connecting disc with a square shaft hole, and the other end of each joint is provided with a first friction disk provided with a round shaft hole; and each friction sliding block comprises a second friction disk matched with the corresponding first friction disk. The state switching device comprises a cylindrical silica gel air bag, an air guide pipe and a port. The pose control system is composed of steel wires and a driving motor, one end of each steel wire is connected with the joints, and the other end of each steel wire is connected with the driving motor. By means of the variable-stiffness continuous type mechanism, the technologies of positive pressure control and air bag locking are adopted, the continuous type mechanism can be extremely high in stiffness in the locking state, the response speed is high, rigid and flexible state switching is rapid, and the beneficial effects that the stiffness is variable, the response speed is high, and the positioning stiffness is high are achieved.

The variable stiffness heating catheter includes a heating catheter shaft including at least one electrically conductive member, a reinforcing tube with apertures formed around the surface of the reinforcing tube, and at least one coaxial outer layer of a polymer, metal, or both for providing desired variations in stiffness along at least a portion of the length of the shaft. The apertures can be formed as axial or helical slits in the surface of the reinforcing tube, and the reinforcing tube can also be formed to be tapered at the point where the apertures are formed in the reinforcing tube to provide a heating catheter that is torqueable and pushable at the proximal end, yet soft and flexible at the distal end.

A system and method for improving mechanical assemblies, such as prosthetic implants, intended to be installed in living tissue such as bone. Force-imparting devices are adapted and may include angularity, which may be introduced with specialized additive manufacturing, which may impart congruent cross-sections while providing variable stiffness. In some cases, the variable stiffness may be “stretchy” in a longitudinal direction and “rigid” in a radial directional which may provide an assembly bias. Additive manufacturing may allow the material of a prosthesis to be varied (e.g., density / porosity) to create variable stiffness over a length.

An apparatus has a first structure, a second structure, and an activated seal. The second structure has a first position adjacent to the first structure such that the first structure is not in contact with the second structure. The activated seal is attached to at least one of the first structure and the second structure. The activated seal has a variable stiffness that may be changed in response to a stimuli such that the activated seal is capable of being deformed when at least one of the first structure and the second structure are moved relative to each other.

An injection adaptor hub for a medical catheter.

A device and method for treating a patient with total or near total occlusion is provided. The device can be positioned in a blood vessel at a treatment site. An occlusion at the treatment site is enlarged by a catheter. The catheter can be advanced over a guidewire into the occlusion. One or more of [a] compression or torsion applied to the guidewire or [b] compression or torsion applied to the catheter body expands or creates a path through the occlusion. The expansions or creation of the access path can be by cutting or abrading the occlusion or by a shoe-horn effect.

A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to intervertebral discs. The combination lead may be placed proximate to intervertebral disc cellular matrix and nucleus pulposus tissue to promote tissue regeneration and repair, as well as nociceptor and neural tissue modulation. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to stimulate the target tissue. The lead also includes a central infusion passageway or lumen that communicates with various infusion ports spaced at selected locations along the lead to thereby direct the infusion of nutrients / chemicals to the target tissue. One embodiment utilizes a dissolvable matrix for infusion as opposed to remote delivery through an infusion pump.

Disclosed herein is a catheter for use in an emboli containment system. In one embodiment, the catheter includes a flexible elongate member having self-expanding sealing means mounted on its distal extremity. This self-expanding sealing means can take any suitable form, such as a braided structure formed of a suitable shape memory material such as a nickel titanium alloy. In order to prevent abrasion of a vessel, it is desirable to cover the braided structure with a covering of a suitable material such as a polymer which extends over the braided structure and which moves with the braided structure as it expands and contracts.

Disclosed herein is a bat comprising a handle portion, a transition portion attached to the handle portion, and a barrel portion attached to the transition portion. The barrel portion includes one or more first cross-sections having a first stiffness and a plurality of second cross-sections having a second stiffness. Each first cross-section is beside one second cross-section or between two of the second cross-sections and the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness. The variance in stiffness between the first cross-sections and the second cross-sections is created by varying the amount of material in the cross-section or by, more accurately, removing material in the second cross sections to make the second cross-sections more flexible by creating slots. Likewise, a bat may be provided with third cross sections on the sides of the second cross-sections distal from the first cross-section whereby the third cross-sections are less stiff that the second cross-sections because more material is removed.

An occluding device designed for occlusion of fluid flow through a body cavity. The device comprises a coil and fibers attached to the coil. The coil has a proximal and distal portion, with variable rigidity along the length of the coil. The distal portion has greater rigidity than the proximal portion. The fibers extend from the coil at a length.

The invention discloses a flexible driver with controllable damping and used for a robot joint. The existing flexible driver is lag in drive response, and uncontrollable in flexibility. The inner ringof a hollow rotary platform of the flexible driver disclosed by the invention is driven by an external force, and drives an electric brush rotor and an output disc to rotate; an inner rotary disc comprises a disc body and a central stud; the inner ring of a planar torsional spring is fixed to an output disc, and the outer ring of the planar torsional spring is fixed to a cross support frame and the disc body; an outer rotary disc is born on the central stud, and compressed with an end surface opposite to the disc body, and a compression force is adjusted by an adjustment device; 2-4 grooves are formed in a part close to the edge, of the disc body; a magnetorheological fluid is injected into each groove; two fluid through holes are formed in the bottom of each groove, and the outer ends ofthe two fluid through holes are communicated by a pipeline; each pipeline is wound with a coil; and cylindrical bodies as many as the grooves are arranged on the inner end surface of the outer rotarydisc, and each cylindrical body is embedded in the corresponding groove and divides the groove into two cavities. The flexibility of the flexible driver disclosed by the invention is effectively improved, and a controllable movement flexibility degree is achieved.

An electrostatic clutch is described comprising a plurality of micron-scale thickness electrodes, adjacent electrodes being separated by a thin film of dielectric material. A power source and controller apply a voltage across two electrodes, causing an electrostatic force to develop. When engaged, a force can be transferred through the clutch. A tensioning device maintains the alignment of the clutch when the electrodes are disengaged, but permits movement in at least one direction. In some embodiments, multiple clutches are connected to an output to provide variable force control and a broad range of torque input and output values. Moreover, the clutch can be used as an energy-recycling actuator that captures mechanical energy from negative work movements, and returns energy during positive work movements.

An implantable electrode array (30) that can adopt a first configuration selected to allow the array (30) to be inserted into a cochlea (12) of an implantee and at least a second configuration in which the array can apply tissue stimulation. The array (30) comprises an elongate carrier (31) having a proximal end (37), a distal end (34), and an inner surface (35) conformable with the inner wall of the implantee's cochlea (12). A plurality of electrodes (36) are supported within the carrier (31) at respective spaced locations thereon in a region between the proximal end (37) and the distal end (34) with at least one of the electrodes having a surface that is at least adjacent the inner surface (35) of the carrier (31). The carrier (31) is formed in the second configuration from a first layer (32) and at least a second layer (32) of resiliently flexible material. A method of forming an array (30) is also described.

A spring designed to be mounted adjacent and in conformance with a convex or concave surface that has varying radii of curvature. The stiffness against bending of the spring varies along its longitudinal axis. The stiffness against bending of various portions of the spring is proportional to the radii of curvature of portions of the surface adjacent which each portion of the spring is to be disposed. The mounting structure for the spring includes female mounting members that are to be engaged to male mounting members. The female mounting members and male mounting members can be engaged to one another by sliding the two components together. The spring and mounting system are particularly well adapted for holding objects adjacent an inner surface of body panels of a vehicle.