129 results about "Reticulated foam" patented technology

Several embodiments are set forth of devices, systems and methods for modifying an atrial appendage such as a left atrial appendage (LAA). In one embodiment, a device includes a body that is collapsible and self-expanding. The body includes a textured surface with protruding portions and recessed portions. The body may be formed of a reticulated foam material and may exhibit a substantially spherical geometry or a truncated spherical geometry. The body may be substantially hollow. In one embodiment, portions of the textured surface may be metalized or have a coating placed thereon to enhance frictional engagement of the body with the atrial appendage wall. In another embodiment, a mesh bag is disposed within an LAA and one or more self-expanding bodies are disposed within the mesh bag. The mesh bag is then secured to retain the self-expanding bodies within the bag and the LAA.

A micro heat exchanger system includes a first flow path and a second flow path transverse thereto for transferring thermal energy between a first fluid flowing through the first flow path and a second fluid flowing through the second flow path. The first flow path and the second flow path are filled with a thermally conductive porous network which incorporate unique structures, such as tubes, honeycomb, corrugated metal, reticulated foams, woven meshes or nonwoven mats or felts, engineered lattice structures, or a combination of these structures. In another embodiment, the thermally conductive porous network is coated with catalyst to provide an integrated heat exchanger and catalytic reactors.

Methods and devices for occlusion of the fallopian tubes of a woman. The method involves thermally damaging the lining of the utero-tubal junction with relatively low power, followed by placement of a reticulated foam plug. In one embodiment, vascularized tissue grows into the plug and prevents or discourages formation of scar tissue around the plug. Another embodiment with a relatively small foam pore size encourages formation of a vascularized capsule around the plug. The presence of this vascularized capsule limits the patient's foreign body response, so that the capsule does not constrict around the plug. Also presented is a catheter designed for wounding the epithelial layer of the utero-tubal junction, and a method of using the catheter to form a long yet shallow lesion in the utero-tubal junction.

A seating construction with a plurality of plenums into which is received temperature conditioned air. The air passes through the seat via a plurality of channels formed in the foam of the seat cushion. The air then migrates through a reticulated foam layer that is itself covered with an air permeable layer of material. The reticulated foam and stitching of the seat fabric facilitate diffusion of the air from the foam channel conduits. The air then convectively circulates against and near the occupant of the seat to facilitate climate control around the occupant.

Methods and devices for occlusion of the fallopian tubes of a woman. The method involves thermally damaging the lining of the utero-tubal junction with relatively low power, followed by placement of a reticulated foam plug. In one embodiment, vascularized tissue grows into the plug and prevents or discourages formation of scar tissue around the plug. Another embodiment with a relatively small foam pore size encourages formation of a vascularized capsule around the plug. The presence of this vascularized capsule limits the patient's foreign body response, so that the capsule does not constrict around the plug. Also presented is a catheter designed for wounding the epithelial layer of the utero-tubal junction, and a method of using the catheter to form a long yet shallow lesion in the utero-tubal junction.

A surgical device providing multiple functions including aspiration, irrigation, traction, filtration, dissection and compression of tissue, the surgical device comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a mobilization tip operatively attached at the distal end of the elongate shaft for manipulating tissue, and a valve assembly operatively connected to the proximal end of the elongate shaft for selectively delivering and removing an irrigation fluid to and from a surgical site through the elongate shaft. The surgical device is operable with one hand. The surgical device is dimensioned according to its use in either open or minimally invasive surgery. The mobilization tip comprises a traction-enhancing material formed of reticulated foam or from a woven or braided fabric. The mobilization tip further includes a porous filter for preventing biological matters from being inadvertently drawn into the aspiration holes or windows at the distal end of the elongate shaft.

A micro heat exchanger system includes a first flow path and a second flow path transverse thereto for transferring thermal energy between a first fluid flowing through the first flow path and a second fluid flowing through the second flow path. The first flow path and the second flow path are filled with a thermally conductive porous network which incorporate unique structures, such as tubes, honeycomb, corrugated metal, reticulated foams, woven meshes or nonwoven mats or felts, engineered lattice structures, or a combination of these structures. In another embodiment, the thermally conductive porous network is coated with catalyst to provide an integrated heat exchanger and catalytic reactors.

The present invention relates to an air filter for removing contaminants from air. Such a filter is useful in removing particulate matter, as well as volatile organic compounds (VOC's). In particular, the air filter of the present invention includes a reticulated foam substrate having a gel applied thereto. The substrate may be used alone or in combination with an electrostatic filter, which helps to trap smaller particles (i.e., less than 3 microns in diameter). The substrate itself may trap larger particles (i.e., greater than 3 microns in diameter).

A molten carbonate fuel cell having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte matrix disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. An electrode support constructed of a high porosity reticulated foam material is disposed on an anode electrode face of at least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode facing away from the electrolyte matrix and forming a plurality of pores. An electrolyte is disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of pores, whereby at least a portion of the electrolyte flows into the electrolyte matrix during initial conditioning of the fuel cell.

The invention discloses a preparation method of alumina foam ceramic, and relates to the technical field of production of high-tech ceramic product foam ceramic. The preparation method comprises the steps of stirring polyether or polyester polyol with a catalyst, a surfactant and a foaming agent, adding nano magnesium oxide and alumina ceramic powder, uniformly stirring, adding a curing agent, completely and uniformly mixing, reacting and curing in a shaping container, implementing perforation treatment on a cured foam ceramic sponge, and sintering at high temperature to obtain the alumina foam ceramic. The preparation method disclosed by the invention, which directly forms a three-dimensional reticulated foam ceramic green body, can greatly reduce production process, guarantee uniform and consistent alumina foam ceramic structure prepared, greatly reduce manpower demand and manual labor, shorten production cycle, and can also improve stability of product performance.

A mount for a microphone that includes an optional windscreen is disclosed. The mount includes preferably two resilient microphone supports that each comprise a resilient microphone ring attached to a plurality of resilient ring bands. Each ring can accommodate and frictionally retain microphones of various sizes and diameters. Each microphone support is fixed at a lower end thereof to a microphone support base which has least one mounting aperture therein. The mount further includes an elongated generally cylindrical cage that has a front open end, a rear open end, and an acoustically-permeable rigid wall. A bottom surface of the cage includes a resilient base fixture that includes at least one mounting aperture therein. A pair of reticulated foam hemispheric end caps are preferably included that are slidably, frictionally retained within the open ends of the cage. A rigid, preferably metallic or plastic cage mounting bracket is included that has at least one mounting aperture therein and includes a pivot mounting means. A rigid mounting post is pivotally and selectively fixed to the pivot mounting means of the cage. A pair of mounting bolts are included that secure the cage mounting bracket, the resilient base fixture of the cage, and the microphone support base together. The cage preferably further includes an electric microphone connector that is fixed through the rigid wall of the cage, and a windscreen cover that may be selectively mounted around the cage to provide wind noise dampening.

A personal air purifier employs tapered reticulated foam semi-cylinders sized to be closely received within a user's nostrils through slight expansion of the nostril. The semi-cylinders include a flat base and a spherical shaped surface at a distal end with flattened surfaces circumferentially spaced about the semi-cylinder for enhanced fit within the nostril. A lanyard is attached to tabs extending from the semi-cylinders to secure the personal air purifier when not inserted in the nostrils.

A personal air purifier employs tapered reticulated foam semi-cylinders sized to be closely received within a user's nostrils through slight expansion of the nostril. The semi-cylinders include a flat base with flattened surfaces circumferentially spaced about the semi-cylinder for enhanced fit within the nostril. The flat base of the two semi-cylinders is connected by an integral flexible band with arcuate edges tangentially interfacing the bases which extends across the end of the septum of the user's nose to preclude over-insertion and aid in removal. Electrostatic charging of the dielectric foam further enhances performance of the personal air purifier.

Heat sinks are provided that achieve very high convective heat transfer surface per unit volume. These heat sinks comprise a spreader plate, at least two fins and at least one porous reticulated foam block that fills the space between the fins.

Several embodiments are set forth of devices, systems and methods for modifying an atrial appendage such as a left atrial appendage (LAA). In one embodiment, a device includes a body that is collapsible and self-expanding. The body includes a textured surface with protruding portions and recessed portions. The body may be formed of a reticulated foam material and may exhibit a substantially spherical geometry or a truncated spherical geometry. The body may be substantially hollow. In one embodiment, portions of the textured surface may be metalized or have a coating placed thereon to enhance frictional engagement of the body with the atrial appendage wall. In another embodiment, a mesh bag is disposed within an LAA and one or more self-expanding bodies are disposed within the mesh bag. The mesh bag is then secured to retain the self-expanding bodies within the bag and the LAA.

A basin for use in at least one of irrigation, debridement, cleaning and other procedures on a subject's appendage includes a flexible body including one or more walls. A first wall can define an appendage contour, which can flex under the weight of the appendage, providing a comfortable seat that conforms to the subject's appendage. The body can be a monolithic, one-piece structure constructed from a closed cell foam. The body can include integral stiffening structures that enhance its rigidity yet still enable the basin to be flexible when adjacent another appendage or body portion. The basin can include a sloped bottom to direct fluids toward an outlet port for draining, and baffles projecting from the bottom. The basin can include a reticulated foam insert positioned adjacent the bottom, on the baffles, where the insert minimizes splash back yet adequately captures debris and other items washed from the appendage.

A method of producing reticular structures, particularly metallic reticular structures, as well as a device suitable for the production thereof. The method and device enable continuous and / or automated production of such structures, and particularly, large-scale automated production of large-dimensioned reticular structures. A reticulated foam pre-structure is placed into a first container and infiltrated with a refractory material. After solidification, the mold formed by the refractory material is removed from the first container and the foam pre-structure stripped from the mold. The mold is then pre-heated and placed into a second container and infiltrated with a molten substance that forms the reticular structure when solidified. The filled mold may be covered with a solid jacket as a means of controlling the rate and progression of solidification of the molten substance to form a fine-grained, bubble-free structure.

Flexible reticulated foam fluid treatment media and a method of making same. The flexible fluid treatment media includes a flexible reticulated foam substrate, a binder coating the flexible reticulated foam substrate and a plurality of particles compressed into the binder to form a durable interconnected layer of particles that are bound together and collectively fixed to the substrate. The flexible reticulated foam fluid treatment media is flexible and easily cut and shaped without damaging the particle layer to form a wide variety of shapes and sizes that lend themselves to use within an equally wide variety of pipes, conduits, ducts, skimmers, filter housings and fluid treatment devices. The method used to create the fluid treatment reticulated foam media includes the steps of coating a soft reticulated foam substrate with a binder, subjecting the coated substrate to compression forces, allowing the coated substrate surface to become tacky, coating the binder with a plurality of metal particles or metal oxides or activated carbon particles or intimate mixtures of these particles combined together, subjecting the coated substrate to compression forces using a roller or by passing the coated substrate between a pair of adjacent rollers, removing any excess metal particles, and curing the binder by air drying using ambient air or heated air, and removing any excess particles.

A rain gutter filter apparatus and method utilize a filter element of a reticulated foam material adapted for insertion into a gutter having an open top defining a top width of the gutter. The filter element has a flat top surface with a width substantially matching the top width of the gutter, a flat bottom surface having a width less than the top width of the filter element, and front and rear surfaces extending upward from the bottom surface of the filter element to thereby form a front and a rear open passage for water on front and rear sides of the bottom surface of the filter element when the filter element is installed into the gutter. The reticulated foam material of the filter element has a composition that is flame resistant, germicidal, mold resistant, and resistant to degradation by exposure to ultraviolet rays.

A filter assembly for removing contaminants from a fluid includes a filter housing, a filter cartridge, and a reticulated foam fluid treatment media. The filter housing has an inlet, an outlet and a chamber extending through the filter housing. The filter cartridge is positioned in the chamber of the filter housing and is constructed from a fibrous material used to filter contaminants from a fluid. The reticulated foam fluid treatment media is disposed within a passageway of the filter cartridge. The reticulated foam fluid treatment media includes a porous polymeric substrate having surfaces, including pore walls, and particles secured to the surfaces of the porous polymeric substrate via a binder, the particles being substantially uniformly distributed throughout the porous polymeric substrate via sonic vibration of the porous polymeric substrate and particles.

A building panel, a shingle and a flooring tile are all provided including a reticulated foam body having a weather resistant coating made from a material selected from a group consisting of a polymer, a ceramic glaze and mixtures thereof. In addition, a method of producing these products is also provided.

A catalytic combustor (14) includes a first catalytic stage (30), a second catalytic stage (40), and an oxidation completion stage (49). The first catalytic stage receives an oxidizer (e.g., 20) and a fuel (26) and discharges a partially oxidized fuel / oxidizer mixture (36). The second catalytic stage receives the partially oxidized fuel / oxidizer mixture and further oxidizes the mixture. The second catalytic stage may include a passageway (47) for conducting a bypass portion (46) of the mixture past a catalyst (e.g., 41) disposed therein. The second catalytic stage may have an outlet temperature elevated sufficiently to complete oxidation of the mixture without using a separate ignition source. The oxidation completion stage is disposed downstream of the second catalytic stage and may recombine the bypass portion with a catalyst exposed portion (48) of the mixture and complete oxidation of the mixture. The second catalytic stage may also include a reticulated foam support (50), a honeycomb support, a tube support or a plate support.

A laminated material including a decorative or functional cover layer laminated to a porous material layer. The cover layer may include a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible material and the porous spacer material layer may include a reticulated foam, nonwoven textile, or a spacer fabric. The cover layer is laminated onto the porous material layer, increasing the seam strength, durability and dimensional stability of the material.

A foam mattress is provided having a body facing surface comprising a first foam layer on a first spring layer formed of a plurality of individual pocketed spring coils. A second foam layer formed of a reticulated foam supports the first spring layer. The foam mattress further having a bottom layer of conventional foam. The foam mattress is surrounded by a foam casing that has at least one vent formed in the casing. The first spring layer causes air to flow from the second foam layer through the vents.

The present invention provides a fireproof bulkhead, having a highly porous structure with an intumescent coating, the highly porous structure being formed as a reticulated foam or as a highly porous pimple or nub structure.

A body support cushion, such as a mattress, mattress topper or overlay, or pillow, is comprised of a layer of flexible foam and further has a volume of gelatinous material, e.g., elastomer gel, applied to a surface thereof. The gelatinous material alters a physical property, such as firmness or feel, of the layer of flexible foam. The gelatinous material can be applied in a number of ways including, but not limited to a spray application whereupon the spray force can be used to control how much gelatinous material penetrates into the layer of foam. The foam layer may be comprised of reticulated or non-reticulated foam. The foam layer may also be comprised of viscoelastic or non-viscoelastic foam.

The present invention provides a method of removing mercury from water. The method includes depositing selenium or a reactive selenium compound on a support structure, such as reticulated foam. The support structure is then placed in contact with mercury laden water whereby allowing the selenium and the mercury in the water to react. The selenium deposited support structure retains the mercury thereby removing the mercury from the mercury laden water.

A non-pneumatic wheel with reinforcement bands that provide structural support for the wheel and a method of manufacture of such a wheel are described. The reinforcement band forms part of an annular reinforcement structure that includes foam spacers positioned between the annular reinforcement band. The foam can be a reticulated foam into which a matrix material such as a polyurethane is introduced. The matrix material can also be used to form one or more features of the non-pneumatic wheel such as spokes, a mounting band, and a hub.

The present invention discloses a preparation method for a super macroporous polyurethane reticulated foam plastic. The method comprises the following steps: (1) preparing raw materials, wherein the raw materials comprise the following components: polyol, isocyanate, a silicone foam stabilizer, water, an auxiliary foaming agent, a cross-linking agent, a cell opening agent, a gel catalyst and a colorant; (2) storing the raw materials by a storage tank with a constant temperature freezing device; (3) concurrently adding the raw materials excluding the isocyanate to a mixing device, and uniformly stirring in 3 seconds to obtain a mixed material; (4) opening a isocyanate feeding valve, adding the isocyanate to the mixed material, carrying out high-speed stirring to obtain a mixture; (5) injecting the mixture into a foaming chamber to carry out foaming, closing the foaming chamber after 150-200 seconds, then opening a gas valve to carry out vacuum pumping; (6) removing the formed super macroporous polyurethane reticulated foam body with a reflection-like membrane from the foaming chamber, carrying out a reticulation treatment for the super macroporous polyurethane reticulated foam bodyto form the super macroporous polyurethane reticulated foam plastic. With the present invention, the super macroporous polyurethane reticulated foam plastic can be prepared.