2102 results about "Multi material" patented technology

A cooling system and method employing separation chutes and baffles is disclosed. The separation chutes separate the cooled air descending from a heat exchanger positioned above heat-generating equipment in an equipment room from heated air ascending from the heat-generating equipment. Separation of the airflows reduces turbulence and increases cooling efficiencies. The separation chutes are made of a variety of materials, both rigid and flexible, for a variety of applications.

A device useful for measuring an analyte in the interstitial fluid of an animal comprising an array chamber having an array of one or more microprojections and a detection compartment comprising a sensor in selective fluid communication with the array chamber. Also included are two extraction electrodes for inducing electrotransport of the interstitial fluid from the animal into the array chamber. A method includes the steps of forming a plurality of microchannels through a stratum corneum layer of an epidermis of the animal, inducing electrotransport of interstitial fluid containing the analyte through the microchannels and mixing one or more materials with the interstitial fluid to form a mixture, contacting the mixture with detection electrodes and analyzing the mixture with the detection electrodes.

A composition, system, articles and method for the enhancement of clotting in wounds with extravascular blood flow, especially where the surface of the tissue has been broken is described. The system consists of biotolerable, porous particulates applied to the surface of a wound with liquid blood thereon. The porous nature of the particulate material, either free-flowing or packaged or restrained on or in a surface, enhances clotting. Chemical or biochemical agents, such as additional clotting agents, therapeutic agents, antibiotics, clot strengthening agents (such as fibrous structural materials), and the like may optionally be included on, with or within the porous particles. The particles may comprise such diverse materials as organics, metallics, inorganics, ceramics, and the like, both natural and artificial. It is generally preferred that the pore size distribution lies within a general range, and this range may vary from animal to animal and condition to condition, but generally falls within about 0.5 to 1000 nanometers or 3,000 to 200,000 Daltons.

A co-forged iron type golf club is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention discloses a co-forged iron type golf club with the body portion made out of a first material and at least one weight adjustment portion monolithically encased within the body portion of the co-forged iron type golf club head without the need for secondary attachment or machining operations. The present invention creates of an iron type golf club head from a pre-form billet that already contains two or more materials before the actual forging process resulting in a multi-material golf club head that doesn't require any post manufacturing operations such as machining, welding, swaging, gluing, and the like.

An apparatus and method for combining multiple materials. The multiple materials may include both a major material and one or more minor materials. The major and minor materials are added at transient or steady state flow rates, depending upon a command from a control signal. The actual flow rates track the commanded flow rates, but deviate by an error. The claimed arrangement provides an instantaneous and time-based error believed to be unobtainable in the prior art.

A medical device delivery system, having a rolling retractable sheath covering a medical device mounting region on the system is disclosed. The rolling retractable sheath comprises an inner wall and an outer wall and may be formed of one or more materials, optionally porous. Optionally, a lubricant may be applied selectively to the interior and exterior walls of the stent.

A non-invasive variable depth ultrasound treatment method and system comprises a variable depth transducer system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient. An exemplary variable depth transducer system can comprise a transducer configured to provide treatment to more than one region of interest, such as between a deep treatment region of interest and a superficial region of interest, and / or a subcutaneous region of interest. The variable depth transducer can comprise a transduction element having a piezoelectrically active layer, matching layers and / or other materials for generating radiation or acoustical energy. The variable depth transducer may be configured to operate at moderate frequencies within the range from approximately 750 kHz to 20 MHz or more. In addition, the transduction element may be configured with a variable depth device comprising one or more materials configured to allow for control and focusing / defocusing of the acoustic energy to more than one region of interest.

Various single-part catheter assemblies, multi-part integrated catheter assemblies, and methods and apparatus for making the same are disclosed. The single-part catheter assemblies include a catheter hub integrally formed with a catheter tube for insertion into the bloodstream of a patient. The multi-part integrated catheter assemblies include a catheter hub integrally formed to a catheter tube for insertion into the bloodstream of a patient. The catheter assemblies of the invention may be injection molded in a single step or in multiple steps by injecting flows of molten plastic into a cavity of molds provided herein such that the flows converge into an even distribution about the circumference of the sleeve. The mold may have a core pin designed to fit into the cavity. Through the use of the even distribution of flows, the core pin may be seated within the cavity in an untensioned manner. The catheter assemblies of the invention may be produced of a single material or of multiple materials.

A non-invasive variable depth ultrasound treatment method and system comprises a variable depth transducer system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient. An exemplary variable depth transducer system can comprise a transducer configured to provide treatment to more than one region of interest, such as between a deep treatment region of interest and a superficial region of interest, and / or a subcutaneous region of interest. The variable depth transducer can comprise a transduction element having a piezoelectrically active layer, matching layers and / or other materials for generating radiation or acoustical energy. The variable depth transducer may be configured to operate at moderate frequencies within the range from approximately 750 kHz to 20 MHz or more. In addition, the transduction element may be configured with a variable depth device comprising one or more materials configured to allow for control and focusing / defocusing of the acoustic energy to more than one region of interest.

An LED system that simulates bare or exposed neon in appearance. The curvilinear LED light source comprises a rigid, formable light guide having a generally circular cross-section and a flexible LED light engine. The light guide is made of a material or materials that can be heated and formed into a desired shape. The light guide retains the desired shape upon cooling. The flexible light engine is inserted into a groove in the light engine.

Methods and systems of stereolithography for building cost-efficient and time-saving multi-material, multi-functional and multi-colored prototypes, models and devices configured for intermediate washing and curing / drying is disclosed including: laser(s), liquid and / or platform level sensing system(s), controllable optical system(s), moveable platform(s), elevator platform(s), recoating system(s) and at least one polymer retaining receptacle. Multiple polymer retaining receptacles may be arranged in a moveable apparatus, wherein each receptacle is adapted to actively / passively maintain a uniform, desired level of polymer by including a recoating device and a material fill / remove system. The platform is movably accessible to the polymer retaining receptacle(s), elevator mechanism(s) and washing and curing / drying area(s) which may be housed in a shielded enclosure(s). The elevator mechanism is configured to vertically traverse and rotate the platform, thus providing angled building, washing and curing / drying capabilities. A horizontal traversing mechanism may be included to facilitate manufacturing between components of SL cabinet(s) and / or alternative manufacturing technologies.

A golf club head having a multi-material face. The golf club head has a hard, wear resistant material as the ball-impacting face surface coupled to a softer material, allowing the multi-material face to be joined to a soft body material such that the body can be bent and customized. The multi-material face allows for improved playing characteristics by allowing the club designer to use a thinner face and lighter body material while still providing improved face wear resistance and durability.

Embodiments are directed to microneedle array devices for intradermal and / or transdermal interaction with the body of patient to provide therapeutic, diagnostic or preventative treatment wherein portions of the devices may be formed by multi-layer, multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods and wherein individual microneedles may include valve elements or other elements for controlling interaction (e.g. fluid flow). In some embodiments needles are retractable and extendable from a surface of the device. In some embodiments, interaction occurs automatically with movement across the skin of the patient while in other embodiments interaction is controlled by an operator (e.g. doctor, nurse, technician, or patient).

This invention provides a vertebral implant for impaction in a disc space to restore and / or maintain desired disc space height and spinal orientation. The implant has an elongated basis body having a generally lens-shape provided by convex upper and lower surfaces. Bearing surfaces are provided on the cross-edge surfaces of the endwalls. Grooves are provided in the upper and lower surfaces positioned between the bearing surfaces. The implant can be prepared from a wide variety of materials including metallic materials, synthetic materials, polymeric materials, ceramic materials, and composite materials including reinforced materials i.e. glass, fiber, and / or carbon fiber reinforced materials (CFRP). These preferred materials for fabricating implants in the present invention reduce costs, increase service life and provide excellent physiological compatibility. The non-metallic material can be selected to be either a substantially permanent material, a biodegradable material or a bioerodable material. Further, the implant material can be provided to be radio opaque to facilitate monitoring of bone ingrowth both into the implant and between the opposing endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.

In some embodiments, an extragastric balloon is described in which the balloon is contoured to fit a portion of the stomach but not circumscribe the stomach. In some embodiments, the extragastric balloon comprises multiple material components. In some embodiments, the extragastric balloon comprises multiple inflateable compartments. In some embodiments, the extragastric balloon is filled with one or more of a gas, liquid, solid, or foams to create portions of the balloon with differing densities or buoyancies. In some embodiments, multiple anchors contact the stomach each of which are inflateable with a fluid such as a liquid, gas, or gel.

Systems and methods for using a three dimensional fabrication device, like a 3D Printer, for novel automation and additive manufacturing techniques in manufacturing medical devices such as orthotics, customized for a particular person. The systems and methods may use a plurality of work surfaces on the three dimensional fabrication device. The systems and methods may use a plurality of materials or a plurality of fabrication tools and processes to manufacture the customized product.

A method and apparatus for embedding features and controlling material composition in a three-dimensional structure (130) is disclosed. The invention enables the control of material characteristics, within a structure (130) made from a plurality of materials, directly from computer renderings of solid models of the components. The method uses stereolithography and solid model computer file formats to control a multi-axis head (480) in a directed material deposition process (123). Material feedstock (126, 127) is deposited onto a pre-heated substrate (19). Depositions (15) in a layer-by-layer pattern, defined by solid models (141, 146), create a three-dimensional article having complex geometric details. Thermal management of finished solid articles (250-302), not available through conventional processing techniques, is enabled by embedded voids (152) and / or composite materials (126, 127), which include dissimilar metals (210, 216). Finished articles control pressure drop and produce uniform coolant flow and pressure characteristics. High-efficiency heat transfer is engineered within a solid structure by incorporating other solid materials with diverse indexes. Embedding multi-material structures (132, 134) within a normally solid component (141) produces articles with diverse mechanical properties. Laser and powder delivery systems (420, 170) are integrated in a multi-axis deposition head (480) having a focused particle beam (502) to reduce material waste.

This invention pertains to a method of preparing mixed phase co-crystals of active agents with one or more materials that allows the modification of the active agent to a new physical / crystal form with unique properties useful for the delivery of the active agent, as well as compositions comprising the mixed phase co-crystals.

Methods and systems of stereolithography for building cost-efficient and time-saving multi-material, multi-functional and multi-colored prototypes, models and devices configured for intermediate washing and curing / drying is disclosed including: laser(s), liquid and / or platform level sensing system(s), controllable optical system(s), moveable platform(s), elevator platform(s), recoating system(s) and at least one polymer retaining receptacle. Multiple polymer retaining receptacles may be arranged in a moveable apparatus, wherein each receptacle is adapted to actively / passively maintain a uniform, desired level of polymer by including a recoating device and a material fill / remove system. The platform is movably accessible to the polymer retaining receptacle(s), elevator mechanism(s) and washing and curing / drying area(s) which may be housed in a shielded enclosure(s). The elevator mechanism is configured to vertically traverse and rotate the platform, thus providing angled building, washing and curing / drying capabilities. A horizontal traversing mechanism may be included to facilitate manufacturing between components of SL cabinet(s) and / or alternative manufacturing technologies.

A hitting face of a golf club head having improved flexural stiffness properties. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. The main portion of the hitting face is a plate-like face made from a first material having a first density. A dense insert made from a second material having a second density that is greater than the first density is attached directly or indirectly to the plate-like face at or near the geometric center thereof. The dense insert increases the flexural stiffness of in a central zone of the hitting face so that a golf club head that has a larger zone of substantially uniform high initial ball speed. In another embodiment, the hitting face includes an insert that includes main plate and at least one wing extending therefrom. The insert is welded to the golf club head so that the main plate does not deflect separately from the remainder of the hitting face. The geometry of the insert controls the stiffness in the axial directions.

A biomaterial including a designed pattern of micropores one at least one surface of the biomaterial is described. The micropores can be provided in a regular or irregular pattern, and can be either continuous or discontinuous. The biomaterial may be formed from a variety of materials, such as a biocompatible polymer or biocompatible tissue. The biomaterial including micropores on a surface may be used for a variety of medical applications such as tissue scaffolding, drug delivery, or tissue fixation.

A hitting face of a golf club head having improved flexural stiffness properties. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. The main portion of the hitting face is a plate-like face made from a first material having a first density. A dense insert made from a second material having a second density that is greater than the first density is attached directly or indirectly to the plate-like face at or near the geometric center thereof. The dense insert increases the flexural stiffness of in a central zone of the hitting face so that a golf club head that has a larger zone of substantially uniform high initial ball speed. In another embodiment, the hitting face includes an insert that includes main plate and at least one wing extending therefrom. The insert is welded to the golf club head so that the main plate does not deflect separately from the remainder of the hitting face. The geometry of the insert controls the stiffness in the axial directions.

An LED system that simulates bare or exposed neon in appearance. The curvilinear LED light source comprises a rigid, formable light guide having a generally circular cross-section and a flexible LED light engine. The light guide is made of a material or materials that can be heated and formed into a desired shape. The light guide retains the desired shape upon cooling. The flexible light engine is inserted into a groove in the light engine.

Methods and devices for forming an anastomosis between hollow bodies utilizes magnetic force to couple anastomotic securing components and create a fluid-tight connection between the lumens of the hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created without using suture or any other type of mechanical fasteners, although any such attachment means may be used in conjunction with the magnetic attachment. The securing components have magnetic, ferromagnetic or electromagnetic properties and may include one or more materials, for example, magnetic and nonmagnetic materials arranged in a laminated structure. The system of anastomotic securing components may be used in many different applications including the treatment of cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, forming AV shunts for dialysis patients, etc., and may be sized and configured for forming an anastomosis to a specific hollow body, for example, a coronary artery or the aorta.

Acoustic shielding system and method for protecting and shielding non-targeted regions or tissues that are not intended to be treated by ultrasonic procedures from acoustic energy using a shield. In some embodiments, the shield comprises multiple layers made of one or more materials with one or more acoustic impedances. In some embodiments a multilayered shield includes materials with relatively different acoustic impedance levels. In some embodiments, the shield includes active components such as energy diversion devices, heating, cooling, monitoring, and / or sensing. In some embodiments, the shield is configured to protect an eye, mouth, nose or ear while allowing the ultrasound to treat the surrounding tissue. One embodiment of an eye shield is configured to fit under at least one eyelid and over a portion of the eye.

Disclosed herein is a delivery system, comprising dispensing means having an outlet for delivering one or more materials or one or more articles; dispensing control means for controlling the passage of the material or article through the outlet; first identification means operable for recording, emitting, carrying or associating first identity data to identify the dispensing means, or the material or article carried thereby; and permission control means operable to establish a predetermined condition of the dispensing control means when a corresponding predetermined relationship is established between the first identity data and second identity data of an associated entity.

A medical device containing an inflatable balloon structure for use in minimally invasive surgery and minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are described herein. The device is delivered by a catheter and expanded using gases, liquids or liquids that solidify in situ. The inflatable balloon may be constructed from a wide variety of materials and may be reinforced by supporting structures, when necessary. The device may form an endoprosthesis in a patient. In the preferred embodiment, the device is used in spinal fusion. Optionally, the device may also be used in combination with bone graft materials and bioactive factors.