5519 results about "Structural element" patented technology

Metal foils, wires, and seamless tubes with increased mechanical strength are provided. As opposed to wrought materials that are made of a single metal or alloy, these materials are made of two or more layers forming a laminate structure. Laminate structures are known to increase mechanical strength of sheet materials such as wood and paper products and are used in the area of thin films to increase film hardness, as well as toughness. Laminate metal foils have not been used or developed because the standard metal forming technologies, such as rolling and extrusion, for example, do not lend themselves to the production of laminate structures. Vacuum deposition technologies can be developed to yield laminate metal structures with improved mechanical properties. In addition, laminate structures can be designed to provide special qualities by including layers that have special properties such as superelasticity, shape memory, radio-opacity, corrosion resistance etc. Examples of articles which may be made by the inventive laminate structures include implantable medical devices that are fabricated from the laminated deposited films and which present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface that has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent-graft and web-stent that is made of a laminated film material deposited and etched into regions of structural members and web regions subtending interstitial regions between the structural members. An endoluminal graft is also provided which is made of a biocompatible metal or metal-like material. The endoluminal stent-graft is characterized by having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods.

A system and method for deploying balloon-expandable (i.e., plastically-expandable) prosthetic heart valves so that they assumed their desired operational shape. The system includes a balloon that accommodates non-uniform expansion resistance in the heart valve to expanded to its desired tubular or other shape. The heart valve may have substantially more structural elements adjacent one end, typically the inflow end, and the balloon is tapered so as to expand the inflow end before the outflow so that the valve ends up in a tubular shape. Alternatively, a stepped balloon with a larger diameter proximal section adjacent the inflow end of the valve may be used. A method includes applying a non-linear expansion forced to the interior of a plastically-expandable prosthetic heart valve to overcome areas of greater resistance to expansion and result in uniform expansion.

The present invention relates to a system for retrieving data from remote difficult to reach terrain, such as wilderness areas, etc. and in particular to a system comprised of one or more surface based data collectors in communication with one or more wireless transceivers adapted to transmit the collected data to an unmanned aerial vehicle adapted to fly within a predetermined distance from the data collector and receive data collected therefrom. The present invention further relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle adapted to fly a flight pattern relative to a moveable surface object or for controlling the position of a moveable surface object relative to the flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle. Finally, the present invention relates to an improved unmanned aerial vehicle having airframe structural elements with electrical circuits adhered to the surfaces of the structural elements.

Embodiments of the invention provide amperometric analyte sensors having multiple related structural elements (e.g. sensor arrays comprising a working, counter and reference electrode) and algorithms designed for use with such sensors. While embodiments of the innovation can be used in a variety of contexts, typical embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

The present invention relates to the design of trimeric polypeptides using polypeptide structural elements derived from the tetranectin protein family, and their use in rational de novo design and production of multi-functional molecules including the application of the multi-functional molecules in protein library technology, such as phage display technology, diagnostic and therapeutic systems, such as human gene therapy and imaging. The trimeric polypeptides being constructed as a monomer polypeptide construct comprising at least one tetranectin trimerising structural element (TTSE) which is covalently linked to at least one heterologous moiety, said TTSE being capable of forming a stable complex with two other TTSEs; or as an oligomer which is comprised of two monomer polypeptide constructs as mentioned above, and which comprises three TTSEs or a multiplum of three TTSEs, or which is comprised of three monomer polypeptide constructs.

A therapeutic device includes a supporting member that continuously and flexibly supports and bounds a plurality of small sized hard surfaced force members that support a user's foot during movement without clumping. The force members are slidable relative to each other and require no additional lubrication although dry or non-tacky liquid lubrication may be added. The support member is positioned on a support surface of a shoe sole and a shoe is constructed including the same. Alternative designs include structural members or positioning stitches relative to the supporting member minimizing undesirable movement of force members during use.

Advanced structural components comprising a foamed thermoplastic that can be used in virtually any application where wooden components have a use. Such structural components can comprise sized lumber, shaped trim, posts, beams or shaped structural members. An advanced profile composite structural component comprising an exterior capping layer with an interior comprising a foamed thermoplastic can be used in the assembly of fenestration units adapted to residential and commercial structures. Preferably the profile structural component can be used in a window or door assembly. The profile member is adapted for ease of construction of the fenestration units, can be easily installed in a rough opening to framing members, and can be trimmed and adjusted on site. The profile is structurally strong, thermally stable, shrink resistant and will accept and retain the insertion of fasteners such as staples, nails and screws permanently with substantial retention and little or no damage to the units. The profile structural components possess strength that permits the manufacture of a structurally sound fenestration unit from two or more foamed profile members or other conventional members.

A fiber optic force sensing assembly for detecting forces imparted at a distal end of a catheter assembly. The structural member may include segments adjacent each other in a serial arrangement, with gaps located between adjacent segments that are bridged by flexures. Fiber optics are coupled to the structural member. In one embodiment, each fiber optic has a distal end disposed adjacent one of the gaps and oriented for emission of light onto and for collection of light reflected from a segment adjacent the gap. The optical fibers cooperate with the deformable structure to provide a change in the intensity of the reflected light, or alternatively to provide a variable gap interferometer for sensing deformation of the structural member. In another embodiment, the gaps are bridged by fiber Bragg gratings that reflect light back through the fiber optic at central wavelengths that vary with the strain imposed on the grating.

An implant is disclosed for use in stabilization of one or more bones, for example, adjacent vertebrae. The implant includes two or more coupled structural elements. Each structural element includes a first end spaced apart by a side surface from a second end. The side surfaces of each structural element include at least one recess and the structural elements are coupled by matingly engaging one or more recesses.

The invention pertains to coated medical devices, such as stents and balloon catheters, for delivering a biologically active material to body tissue of a patient. The medical device has a coating layer comprising a biocompatible polymer, non-polymer material, or biologically active material disposed on its surface, and at least one structural element embedded within the coating layer. The structural elements reduce the compressibility of the coating layer. The structural element may be any shape or configuration. A biologically active material may be dispersed within the coating layer or structural elements. Methods for making such medical devices are also disclosed.

A micromechanical structural element, having a very stable diaphragm, implemented in a pure front process and in a layer construction on a substrate. The layer construction includes at least one sacrificial layer and one diaphragm layer above the sacrificial layer, which is structured for laying bare the diaphragm and generating stabilizing elements on the diaphragm, at least one recess being generated for a stabilizing element of the diaphragm. The structure generated in the sacrificial layer is then at least superficially closed with at least one material layer being deposited above the structured sacrificial layer, this material layer forming at least a part of the diaphragm layer and being structured to generate at least one etch hole for etching the sacrificial layer, which is removed from the region under the etch hole, the diaphragm and the at least one stabilizing element being laid bare, a cavity being created under the diaphragm.

Light metal/CFRP-made structural members which are characterized in that they are structural materials in which a CFRP material is stuck to the surface of a light metal material via an adhesive agent layer of thickness at least 10 mum and up to 500 mum, and the volume resistivity of the adhesive agent layer between said metal material and said CFRP material is at least 1x1013 OMEGA.cm and, furthermore, the adhesive strength at room temperature is at least 15 MPa. In accordance with the present invention, since conventional light metal/CFRP structural materials can be made lighter and, furthermore, since the resistance to galvanic corrosion is outstanding and it is possible to markedly enhance the strength and the impact energy absorption performance, the development of applications and large-scale expansion into new fields becomes possible. Weight reduction and enhancing the durability and reliability of structures also makes a considerable contribution in terms of environmental protection.

An improved composite structural member comprising a complex profile structural member, made of a composite comprising a polypropylene polymer and a wood fiber. The material is useful in conventional construction applications. The complex profile, in the form of an extruded thermoplastic composite member can be used in residential and commercial structures as described. Preferably, the structural member is used in the manufacture of the fenestration components such as windows and doors. Such linear members are designed with specifically configured cross-sectional shapes to form structural elements in the fenestration units. Structural elements must possess sufficient strength, thermal stability and weatherability to permit the manufacture of a structurally sound window unit that can be easily installed into a rough opening but can maintain its attractive appearance and structural integrity over the life of the window unit often twenty years or more. The structural member comprises a hollow complex cross-section with at least one structural web or one fastener web formed within the component. The exterior of the extruded component has a visible capstock layer and is shaped and adapted for installation in rough openings. The exterior also contains shape and components capable of supporting the elements of the fenestration unit such as a window, sash or movable door unit. The improved polypropylene structural members have unique advantages and can be assembled in thermoplastic weld processes.

Embodiments of coatings for implantable medical devices, such as stents, are disclosed. The devices may include at least one structural element having an abluminal side, luminal side, and sidewalls between the abluminal and luminal sides. The coating may include at least two continuous coating layers. In some embodiments, the luminal side, and all or a majority of the sidewalls are free of at least two of the coating layers.

This invention relates generally to medical devices, such as stents, for delivering a biologically active material to a desired location within the body of a patient. In particular, the invention relates generally to a medical device for delivering a biologically active material to a surface of a body lumen. More particularly, the invention is directed to a medical device comprising two opposing end sections, each having a surface, and a middle portion. The middle portion comprises a plurality of struts and the two opposing end sections comprises non-structural elements. The end sections of the surface either (1) contain a greater amount of a biologically active material per unit length of the surface or (2) have a greater capacity per unit length to contain such material than the middle section of the surface by having a greater surface area per unit length of the surface than the middle section or having a greater affinity for the biologically active material per unit length of the surface than the middle section. The struts and the non-structural elements comprise biologically active materials. The invention is also directed to a method for delivering the biologically active material to the body tissue of a patient by inserting this medical device into the body of the patient. Still further, the invention is directed to a method of treating a body lumen surface by preventing or treating restenosis or hyperplasia, using the system of the invention. Still further, the invention is directed to a stent having a sidewall which comprises a middle section, a first end section and a second end section. The stent also comprises a band comprising a biologically active material. The band is connected to the first end section and/or second end section of the stent.

In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a filter having a first structural member extending along and clockwise about an axis, a second structural member extending along and counter clockwise about the axis and a material capture structure extending between the first and the second structural members and across the axis. In one aspect, the structural members may be joined to form two ends. In yet another aspect, there is provided a filter having a first spiral shaped support member having an end; a second support member positioned to cross the first spiral support member and form a loop between the end and the place where the second support member crosses the first spiral support member; and a material capture structure extending across and secured to the loop.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting flaws in electrically conductive materials by observing properties of the back-EMF of the eddy current field generated by driving magnetic flux through the object to be examined. The input signal may include sweeps at several frequencies, and may do so at one time under the principle of wave superposition. The sectorial observations of eddy currents summations may be compared to a known datum for a defect free material, the presence of anomalies in eddy field back EMF divergence tending to provide an indication of an irregularity in the underlying eddy field, and hence in the underlying material itself. The portable unit may have a number of different configurations depending on the nature of the object to be examined, be it a flat or large radius plate, a flange, a rail, or some other structural element.

An elongated member forming a spinal support rod is implantable adjacent the spine of a patient and includes an axial span or spans for spanning respective spinal levels to promote efficacious spinal support/stabilization. The axial span has an axially articulable geometry, and manifests an angulation mechanism along one or more transverse directions of at least seven degrees across a given spinal level. The angulation mechanism may be associated with joints between structural elements assembled in serial along the axial span, or via a common connection between such structural elements and a restraining element. Rotation between such structural elements can be global. The axial span may have a rod-like profile of a diameter similar to conventional spinal support rods used for lumbar spinal fusion, and provides for use across multiple spinal levels and with multiple adjustable attachment points for associated spine attachment devices to accommodate different patient anatomies.