1504 results about "Shape change" patented technology

A valve replacement system that can be used for treating abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract in a nonsymmetrical region of a vessel or conduit that includes a prosthetic valve device and a foundation structure. The foundation structure contacts a portion of the inner wall of a vessel or conduit, and undergoes a shape change resulting in a corresponding change in the wall of the vessel or conduit. As a result, the lumen of the conduit is made symmetrical, and is complementary to the exterior surface of the stented valve, and thereby, improves the functioning of the valve. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method for replacing a pulmonary valve that includes forming a symmetrical region in a lumen of a conduit and placing a stented valve in the symmetrical region.

A computer system modifies digital images of the human form as well as other objects. The computer system provides intuitive means for accessing warp, smooth, stretch, copy, and paste tools for image modification; undo, toggle and restore tools for change management; and zoom, fit, and full tools for image display sizing. The computer system is controlled by a program that uses a combination of novel approaches to make image manipulation fast and easy. Buttons are displayed only when they are actually available for use, based on the current system operating mode. The image sizing tools enable an image size change to accomodate the tool size without a required change to the cursor state or to the edit mode state. When regions are defined by the user, the cursor shape changes to indicate whether the cursor is located inside a region, outside the region, and on the region bounding box; allowing a user to perform different operations depending upon cursor location rather than depending upon, and requiring, user executed button pushing as a specific operation. The computer system uses display contexts and bitmap masks that enhance operation speed. Operations are always performed on the full image resolution rather than a displayed image resolution.

A drilling system includes a steerable bottomhole assembly (BHA) having a steering unit and a control unit that provide dynamic control of drill bit orientation or tilt. Exemplary steering units can adjust bit orientation at a rate that approaches or exceeds the rotational speed of the drill string or drill bit, can include a dynamically adjustable articulated joint having a plurality of elements that deform in response to an excitation signal, can include adjustable independently rotatable rings for selectively tilting the bit, and/or can include a plurality of selectively extensible force pads. The force pads are actuated by a shape change material that deforms in response to an excitation signal. A method of directional drilling includes continuously cycling the position of the steering unit based upon the rotational speed of the drill string and/or drill bit and with reference to an external reference point.

A device for reshaping a cardiac valve (26), which is elongate and has such dimensions as to be insertable into a cardiac vessel (24). The device has two states, in a first state (K) of which the device has a shape that is adaptable to the shape of the vessel (24), and to the second state (k′) of which the device is transferable from said first state (K). Further, the device comprises a fixing means (22,23;22a,23a) for fixing the ends of the device within the vessel (24), when the device is first positioned therein, a shape-changing member (20;20a) for transferring the device to the second state (K′) by reshaping it, and a delay means (21;21a) for delaying said reshaping until the fixing of the ends of the device has been reinforced by keeping said device in said first state (K) until the delay means (21;21a) is resorbed.

Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e.g., mitral valve) by positioning an implantable device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device alters the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve. The implantable device may alter the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve by applying an inward force and/or by circumferential shortening (cinching). The shape change of the heart wall acting on the valve is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example, to reduce regurgitation.

Catheters having selectively insertable or selectively activatable and releasable stiffening mechanisms are provided. In general, the catheter is inserted, navigated and withdrawn from a subject in a relaxed, flexible condition and stiffening mechanisms are deployed to prevent the catheter from shifting during placement or operation of an accessory device or tool through the catheter. Stiffening members(s) may be inserted into and removed from one or more longitudinal channel(s) provided in proximity to the catheter wall and generally coaxial with the primary catheter lumen to change the stiffness properties of the catheter. The properties, configuration and size of the stiffening members and channels may be varied to vary the stiffness properties of the catheter and stiffening members may be constructed from materials having shape change properties or materials that change conformation or stiffness with application of heat, current or electrical field. Stiffening mechanisms may also employ energy absorbing and viscoelastic polymer materials having variable stiffness properties depending on ambient conditions.

A haptic device includes a processor, a communication module coupled to the processor for receiving a shape input, and a housing for housing the communication module and including a deformable portion. The deformable portion includes a deformation actuator, and the processor provides a signal to the deformation actuator in response to the shape input to deform the housing. The shape of other areas of the device may also change in response to the signal. The shape changes may provide haptic effects, provide information, provide ergonomic changes, provide additional functionality, etc., to a user of the device.

An electrical storage device of the present invention is characterized in that a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a lithium electrode, and an electrolyte capable of transferring lithium ion is included, the lithium electrode is arranged to be out of direct contact with the negative electrode, and lithium ion can be supplied to the negative electrode by flowing a current between the lithium electrode and the negative electrode through an external circuit. With the above characteristic, problems such as non-uniform carrying of lithium ion to the negative electrode, shape-change of a cell, and temperature increase of an electrolytic solution under incomplete sealing of a cell and the like can be easily solved. A using method of the electrical storage device is characterized in that, by using the lithium electrode as a reference electrode, the positive electrode potential and negative electrode potential can be measured, and the potential of the positive or negative electrode can be controlled when the electrical storage device is charged or discharged. Therefore, the potentials of the positive electrode and negative electrode can be monitored, thereby it can be easily determined whether deterioration of the electrical storage device is caused by the positive electrode or the negative electrode. Also, it is possible to control the device with the potential difference between the negative electrode and reference electrode, that is, the negative potential. In addition, when characteristics deteriorate such as the internal resistance increase, an appropriate amount of lithium ion can be supplied to the negative electrode and/or positive electrode by the lithium electrode.

An imaging lens in which a positive (refractive power) first lens group, positive second lens group, and negative third lens group are arranged in order from the object side to the image side. The first lens group includes a positive first lens having a convex object-side surface and a negative second lens having a concave image-side surface near the optical axis. The second lens group includes third and fourth lenses each having at least one aspheric surface. The third lens group includes a negative fifth lens having a concave object-side surface near the axis, a positive sixth lens having a convex image-side surface near the axis, and a negative seventh lens having a concave image-side surface near the axis. The lenses are not joined to each other and the seventh lens has an aspheric image-side surface whose shape changes from concave to convex as the distance from the axis increases.

A shape-changing anatomical anchor includes an activation means arranged to convert the anchor from a de-activated state to an activated state, and one or more members which extend away from the activation means and thereby change the shape of the anchor when the anchor is activated. The anchor is installed within bone and/or soft tissue when de-activated; when activated, the shape change acts to increase the force with which the anchor is retained within the tissue in which it is installed. Both piloted and non-piloted versions are described.

A new shape changing staple and instrument for the fixation of structures to include bone tissue and industrial materials. This new staple stores elastic mechanical energy to exert force on fixated structures to enhance their security and in bone affect its healing response. This staple once placed changes shape in response to geometric changes in the materials structure, including healing bone tissue. The staple is advanced over prior staples due to its: 1) method of operation, 2) high strength, 3) method of insertion, 4) compressive force temperature independence, 5) energy storing staple retention and delivery system, 6) compatibility with reusable or single use product configuration, 7) efficient and cost effective manufacturing methods, and 8) reduction in the steps required to place the device. In addition to the staple's industrial application an embodiment for use in the fixation of the musculoskeletal system is shown with staple, cartridge, and extrusion handle.

Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e.g., mitral valve) by positioning an implantable device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device alters the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve. The implantable device may alter the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve by applying an inward force and/or by circumferential shortening (cinching). The shape change of the heart wall acting on the valve is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example, to reduce regurgitation.

Controlling the transformation of the microstructure of shape memory material implants. A surgeon can use the inventive energy delivery device to control the rate of implant shape change, the extent of implant shape change, as well as the force exerted on the surrounding tissue. The invention allows for the fine control of force when fixating osteoporotic bone and rate of bone transport. This system models or measures the heating profile of the implant and provides the surgeon a method to control the extent of microstructure phase transformation so that the rate, force or extent of tissue movement can be controlled individually or together.

An endless track assembly that mounts to a wheeled vehicle. The assembly provides 1) a track suspension having fixed or adjustable, independently biased sets of idler wheels to vary the track contour without affecting track tension, 2) an eccentric bearing housing at a drive sprocket controls track tension, 3) a contoured peripheral edge at the drive sprocket prevents ice and mud buildup, 4) rubber-coated, plastic idler wheels facilitate track movement, 5) a multi-vehicle compatible adapter mounting plate accommodates a variety of vehicles, 6) a rotation limited torsion coupler and/or rotation limiting coupler arms prevent track contact with the vehicle, 7) a locking steering arm coupler prevents loss of steering control, and 8) shaped track lugs and channels clear and direct debris away from the track suspension and drive assembly. The improved suspension particularly supports sets of idler wheels in pivotal relation to the track support frame and resiliently biases a pre-tensioned rocker arm that links adjacent suspension arms mounted to the adjoining idler wheels. Suspension arm movement induces expansion and contraction of tension springs coupled to the rocker arms to augments shape changes at the track contact surface to optimize traction and steering control.

A fastening device having a bellows made of a material that changes shape when activated by a catalyst, and having a pleated structure that contracts from an extended state to a contracted state upon activation. The shape changing material may be a shape memory metal alloy, shape memory polymer or elastic memory composite. A method of using this fastener provides apposition and compression of abutment surfaces to join together two pieces of material, and is suitable for joining apposing bone surfaces together to heal fractures via the use of orthopedic hardware.

The present invention relates generally to dynamic and/or adjustable support devices, methods of providing dynamic and/or adjustable support to target tissues, and kits comprising these devices. These devices may have particular utility in providing support to the urethra. The dynamic support devices generally comprise at least one attachment member for attachment to bodily tissue, and at least one expandable member capable of assuming an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The adjustable support devices generally comprise at least one attachment member for attachment to bodily tissue, and at least one shape-changing portion that is capable of assuming first and second configurations, each with different shapes. Additionally, the dynamic support devices may comprise features of the adjustable support devices, and vice versa.

The invention discloses a method for improving earth surface shape change monitoring precision of an InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology based on a high-precision DEM (Digital Elevation Model). The method comprises five steps below: step 1, generating an interferogram by using radar data; step 2, generating a differential interference phase diagram; step 3, establishing error phases and performing feature analysis; step 4, establishing an error phase optimal function calibration model; step 5, recovering earth surface shape change information of a monitoring region based on results of steps 2 and 4. According to the invention, the error phases and elevation values or the error phases, the elevations and coordinate values along a distance/azimuth of different regions of a research region are extracted, the optimal function calibration models of the error phases of corresponding regions are established respectively based on a least square method, and a simulative error phase is finally removed from the differential interference phase diagram to further recover shape change information along a direction of a sight line of a radar in the monitoring region. The method for improving the earth surface shape change monitoring precision of the InSAR technology based on the high-precision DEM has practical value and wide application foreground in the application field of a satellite borne synthetic aperture radar monitoring technology for earth surface shape change.

A sensor provides a persistent indication that it has been exposed to temperatures below a certain critical temperature for a predetermined time period. An element of the sensor made from shape memory alloy changes shape when exposed, even temporarily, to temperatures below the Austenitic start temperature A_s and well into Martensite finish temperature M_f off the shape memory alloy. The shape change of the SMA element causes the sensor to change between two readily distinguishable states. The sensor includes a one-way stop element that creates a persistent indication of the temperature history, allowing the sensor to be manufactured and stored at temperatures above the Austenitic temperature without causing the indication of an over-temperature event.