1449 results about "Pivot joint" patented technology

A surgical instrument system having an instrument member or shaft with a distal portion positionable through an incision of a patient to an internal site and for operation by a surgeon from outside the patient. A tool is carried at the distal end of the instrument shaft controlled by the surgeon in performing a procedure at an operative site of the patient. At least first and second turnable members are spacedly disposed along the instrument shaft distal portion, both disposed within the internal site, and each controlled from outside the patient for providing at least respective first and second degrees of freedom of control of the tool. The turnable members may be either a pivot joint or a bendable section.

A surgical instrument particularly suited to endoscopic and laparoscopic insertion through a cannula of a trocar into an insufflated body cavity or lumen includes a bending member in an elongate shaft that acts to rotate an end effector about an articulation pivot joint. A proximally directed camming surface (e.g., gear segment, cam recess) aft of a pivotal attachment of the end effector to a proximal frame ground of the elongate shaft interacts with a bending member whose proximal end is ground to the proximal frame ground. Differential fluidic actuators or mechanical cam bars deflect a distal end (e.g., rack, cam point) of the bending member to effect articulation. Thereby, the end effector may act upon tissue that would otherwise be obscured, such as behind an organ. The articulated end effector also advantageously allows an endoscope to be positioned behind the end effector without being blocked by the instrument shaft.

The invention relates to a surgical instrument (100; 200) comprising:an elongated arm (111; 207) according to a longitudinal axis and having a distal end (105; 204) mounted with a pivot joint on the elongated arm according to an axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis;a drive shaft (103; 3), substantially coaxial with the elongated arm, comprising means forming a universal joint (104; 206) facing the pivot joint; and,distal tool (9) securely fastened on the drive shaft and rotatively mounted on and in the extension of the distal end of the elongated arm, such that the distal tool has two rotational degrees of freedom, distinct and independent of each other, one being around an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated arm and the other being around an axis substantially collinear to an own axis of the distal tool, characterized in that the means forming a universal joint comprise a flexible drive sleeve (104; 206).

An ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a pivot head assembly coupled between a ultrasound transducer array and the distal end of the catheter. The pivot head assembly includes a pivot joint enabling the transducer array to pivot through a large angle about the catheter centerline in response pivot cables controlled by a wheel within a handle assembly. Pivoting the ultrasound transducer array approximately 90° once the catheter is positioned by rotating the catheter shaft and bending the distal section of the catheter, clinicians may obtain orthogonal 2-D ultrasound images of anatomical structures of interest in 3-D space. Combining bending of the catheter by steering controls with pivoting of the transducer head enables a greater range of viewing perspectives. The pivot head assembly enables the transducer array to pan through a large angle to image of a larger volume than possible with conventional ultrasound imaging catheter systems.

A connecting device for spinal osteosynthesis has an osseous anchoring device, a connector that accommodates a joining shaft and is fixed to one end of the anchoring device, and a tightening device for immobilizing the joining shaft. The connecting device is characterized in that the connector is fixed to the anchoring device with the aid of a pin that penetrates the anchoring device and embodies a pivot joint. Furthermore, the device comprises an arrangement for stabilizing the connector relative to the anchoring device when the device is implanted in the patient, the stabilizing arrangement being located on the plane encompassing the shaft and the anchoring device.

A polyaxial screw system and method are provided. The system comprises a receiver having a pivot area defined by a pivot joint or a material between a pair of receiver walls or members that permit the receiver walls or members to move or pivot relative to each other so that a dimension of a socket area can be changed. The socket area is defined by socket walls that when at least one of the receiver members pivots relative to another receiver member or wall, a distance between the socket walls gets smaller so that the socket walls can engage and lock against a head of a polyaxial screw.

Jaw assemblies for a surgical stapler are provided. The jaw assemblies comprise a first jaw having a first clamping surface and a plurality of staples disposed therein and second jaw assembly having a second clamping surface. The jaw assemblies can be actuated from a closed configuration in which the first clamping surface contacts or is adjacent to the second clamping surface to an open configuration in which the second jaw is pivoted away from the first jaw to a stapling position in which the second clamping surface is parallel to the first clamping surface and spaced apart from the first clamping surface. A pivoting link or sliding pivot joint can couple the second jaw to the first jaw to facilitate motion between the closed position, the open position, and the stapling position.

A changing table for a playard includes a front and rear rails, and a pair of side rails connected to each other to form a platform substantially rectangular or elliptical in shape. A first pivot joint with a button mounted at the exterior is provided at one end of one of the pair of side rails. One end of the rear rail is attached to a second pivot joint which corresponds to the first pivot joint in structure. The first and second pivot joints may be coupled to each other to define a space therein to receive a toothed disc and a compression spring. By means of the cooperation between the pivot joints, toothed disc and compression spring, the first pivot joint moved by the side rail is rotatable within a predetermined angular range and may be locked at a predetermined angle. By such arrangement, the user can readily actuate the button of the first pivot joint to swing the side rail attached to the first pivot joint, to thereby conveniently fold and / or unfold the changing table.

A compact four degrees of freedom parallel mechanism suitable for use as a hand control or wrist is provided that has backdrivability, is singularity free and has a large workspace and a large force reflecting capability. The structure is light but rigid, and the electric actuators are all placed on the ground or base and provide independent control of each degree of freedom. Each degree of freedom is connected to an actuator either directly or through a cable drive system. The first two degrees of freedom are created by two identical pantographs pivoted together on pivoted joints to define a hemispherical motion of an object (end point) about a center point (hemisphere center). The third and fourth degrees of freedom represent rotation and sliding motions of the object around and along the radius of the created hemisphere, respectively. The axes of these latter degrees of freedom are concentric, and these axes intersect with the axis of the pantographs pivoted joints at the hemispheric center.

An infusion system for delivery of therapeutic fluids from a remote source into a patient's body. The system has an infusion assembly, a rotating pivot joint member, a fluid connector assembly, and a sealing assembly retained within the infusion assembly between the housing of the infusion assembly and the rotating pivot joint member. The seal reduces leakage of fluids. The rotating joint may be pivoted to three distinct positions to allow for emplacement on the patient, delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the patient, and protected, sealed closure of the fluid channels to avoid patient fluid backflow.

A pelvic support and walking assistance device is disclosed which includes a trunk support member and a thigh lifting member coupled to each other at a pivot joint positioned opposite a hip joint of a user. The device functions to prevent pelvic sway. With a spring coupled with said pivot joint, the device further provides a thigh lifting torque to partially compensate for proximal leg weakness. The spring assistance pivot device includes a winding device that can be adjusted in use for varying forward torque for varying situations.

A skateboard for use on pavement, ice or snow using a single narrow-footprint wheel, ice-blade or ski-runner attached to each foot, thus requiring the rider to dynamically balance the board. The skateboard is capable of self-propulsion at considerable speed on the flat or uphill by using an undulating motion. It can also lean up to 30 degrees and has a steering circle of only two feet. The board's construction comprises a front footboard, a rear footboard, and a strut which connects the two footboards and resists bending and extension. Each footboard includes a footpad, an attachment (i.e. a wheel, blade or ski), and a pivot joint connecting to the strut. The axis of this joint is aligned perpendicular to the footpad which allows the rider to steer each footboard independently by torsionally rotating the lower leg.

An attachment for use with a vacuum cleaner, includes a suction nozzle, a conduit communicating the nozzle with the vacuum cleaner, and a support plate. A pivot joint connects the support plate to the suction nozzle. A cleaning sheet is selectively attached to the support plate for collecting dust and dirt to be cleaned.

A collapsible fan. The collapsible fan may be disposed in parallel or series with one or more other fans. If the collapsible fan becomes inactive or non-operable, such as by malfunction or failure, then its fan blades collapse to a less restrictive flow configuration allowing the remaining fans to operate more effectively. The fan blades may have any suitable expansion and contraction mechanism, such as a hinge, a pivot joint, or a multi-section inner or outer support structure having different sections of the fan blades.

A mirror for facilitating appearance related functions includes a circular ring-shaped frame holding therein back-to-back reflective mirror plates having different magnification factors, e.g. 1× and 5×, each plate having a circular central imaging reflective area and an outer concentric light transmissive window area. Continuously rotatable pivot joints support the frame between opposed arms of a yoke protruding upwardly from a stanchion and base for placement on a table, or an arm and wall bracket for mounting on a wall, enabling the frame to be rotated to interchangeably orient 1× and 5× mirror plates in a forward facing use position. A ring-shaped, printed circuit board with circumferentially spaced apart light emitting diodes (LED's) protruding radially outwards of an outer circumferential edge of the board is located between inner facing surfaces of the mirror plates. Illumination of objects in front of the mirror plates is effected by direct LED rays emitted forwardly through the light transmissive windows, and intensified by indirect LED rays reflected from reflective inner facing surfaces of the mirror plates. Electrical power is supplied to the LED's from a battery power supply in the base of the mirror by electrically conductive pins which protrude radially outwards from opposite sides of the frame, the pins being rotatably supported in electrically conductive cups located in opposed arms of the yoke, the cups being connected to the power supply via wires disposed through the yoke arms and stanchion to the power supply.

In an artificial heart valve for the replacement of an aortic or a mitral valve, including an annular body, which is provided at its outer circumference with means for mounting the artificial valve in place by surgical procedures and which defines in its interior a blood flow passage in which valve flap elements are pivotally supported so as to open or close the blood flow passage depending on their pivot positions, the annular body includes circumferentially spaced projections extending into the flow passage and being provided at their inner ends with pivot joints on which the valve flap elements are pivotally supported.

An orthopedic device and method for correcting angular deformation of a bone structure having a growth plate. The device includes first and second hinge members connected together at a hinge joint. The device is adapted for mounting the orthopedic device to the bone structure with the pivot joint positioned over the growth plate. Alignment of the pivot joint with the growth plate promotes asymmetric growth of the growth plate to thereby correct the angular deformation.

A mirror includes a frame holding back-to-back a pair of reflective mirror plates having different magnification factors, each plate having a reflective central area and an outer concentric light-transmissive window area. Rotatable pivot joints supporting the frame between opposed arms of a support yoke and enable the frame to be rotated to orient a selected plate in a forward-facing use position. A hoop-shaped printed circuit board having circumferentially spaced apart light emitting diodes (LED's) protruding therefrom is located between inner facing surfaces of the mirror plates. Objects in front of a mirror plates are illuminated by direct LED rays emitted forwardly through the window areas and by indirect LED rays reflected from reflective inner facing surfaces of the mirror plates, and from the forward facing surface of a movable reflector ring within the frame which falls rearward when the frame is rotated.

A multi-axis Cartesian guided parallel kinematic machine has a frame, a base platform, a multi-axis Cartesian guiding mechanism assembly, multiple driving strut assemblies and a motion platform. The motion platform is connected to the base platform through the driving strut assemblies and the multi-axis Cartesian guiding mechanism assembly. The multi-axis Cartesian guiding mechanism assembly has multiple linear guiding mechanisms and rotary guiding mechanisms that are in-serial linked and arranged in orthogonal to each other according to the Cartesian coordinate system. The multiple driving strut assemblies are in-parallel connected to the base platform and the motion platform using pivot joints. Each driving strut assembly is a telescoping strut assembly or a sliding strut assembly. When the driving strut assemblies are actuated, the motion platforms can be driven to a desired position in the Cartesian workspace with a controllable platform orientation relative to the frame.

The present invention may provide various improvements over conventional cross connectors. For example, the present invention may provide various types of Real-X cross connectors, which may have an arch shape X-bridge that curves above the spinal bone segments of the patient. As such, the Real-X cross connectors may be more adaptive to the patient's spinal provide and provide better protect for the patient's the spinal bone segments. Moreover, the Real-X cross connectors may incorporate a complementary pivot joint configuration for smoothening the stress distribution and reducing the stress concentration around the center of the arch shape X-bridge. Advantageously, the complementary pivot joint configuration may enhance the rigidity and stability of the Real-X cross connectors.

This innovation provides a hedge shear extendable handle enhanced structure focusing on resolving the operating inconvenience and physical deficiencies such as bending and deformation resulting from the operations of legendary hedge shear. The main structure of the enhancement is a pivot joint formation of an inner and outer tube. The main feature is the H-shape profile structure of the inner tube with a slide way built with an internal diffusion slot and a perforation slot. The perforation slot has a few interleaved positioning fillisters along the slide way. The positioning fillisters in the inner tube will park the sliding block when it shifted upward and matching with the locating block on the top pillar while moving upward. A press button assembles on top of the pillar and remains in an upward position with the sliding block under normal condition with the help of a spring. The main functionality is retaining the convenience of the press button operation while maintaining ruggedness and endurance of the product using such technique.

A fastening assembly for use as a pivot joint for a first member and a second member which have alignable openings therethrough. The fastening assembly comprises a fastener having a longitudinal axis and a bushing mounted on the fastener with the bushing having a first end and a second end. The second end of the bushing being formed wherein upon the combined fastener and bushing being mounted within the aligned openings the second bushing end extends only through the opening of the first member whereby upon its engagement with the second member during installation it flares radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the fastener and between the first and second members thereby providing automatic retention of the bushing and, resilient spacing between the first and second members.

The invention discloses a pressure cooker with a cover-opening-closing protecting safe device. The pressure cooker comprises a steel cover, a plastic face cover, a cooker body, a ball float valve, a lower cavity formed in a top plate of the steel cover and provided with an upper opening, an upper cavity formed in the plastic face cover and provided with a lower opening, a connecting plate, a push rod and a push rod spring, and a containing cavity is formed by the upper cavity, the lower cavity and the circumferential wall of the steel cover. The pressure cooker further comprises a driving rod, a reset spring, a pivot joint base and a driven buckling plate, and the driven buckling plate comprises a driving end, a pivot joint part and a buckling plate part; the pivot joint base is fixed in the containing cavity, and the buckling plate part and a driving part of the connecting plate are buckled; the driving rod is fixed onto the driving end of the driven buckling plate and matched with a driving guiding hole in the steel cover. As the structure is adopted, after the cooker cover and the cooker body are buckled, when the cooker cover is not rotated to be in place, the top of a float is sheltered with a driven part of the connecting plate, and the float is prevented from rising when the pressure in the cooker is higher than the atmospheric pressure; it is guaranteed that the cooker cover and the cooker body are buckled to be in place, and potential safety hazards are eliminated.

The invention provides a pump assembly comprising an actuator lever, a supporting structure, a pump comprising a pump member moveable by actuation of the actuator lever, and an actuator for moving the actuator lever. A first stationary pivoting joint is formed between the actuator lever and the supporting structure, and a second floating pivoting joint is formed between the actuator lever and the pump member allowing the pump member to float relative to the actuator lever, the floating pivoting point providing a constant-length actuator arm defined between the first pivoting joint and the second pivoting joint.