1152 results about "Tension member" patented technology

Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.

Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.

Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.

An implant and method for the repair of a tendon or a ligament along at least one load direction. The implant includes at least one first anchor portion and at least one tension member oriented along a load direction. The first anchor portion preferably has a larger surface area of engagement with the tendon or ligament to spread loads across more tissue. The tension member is preferably secured to the first anchor portion with an overlapping attachment. Tension on the tension member is preferably adjustable by the surgeon.

A system (1) for altering the geometry of a heart (100), comprising an annuloplasty ring; a set of elongate annulus-papillary tension members (21, 22, 23, 24), each of which tension members are adapted for forming a link between said ring (10) and a papillary muscle, each of said tension members (21, 22, 23, 24) having a first end (21b, 22b, 23b, 24b) and a second end (21a, 22a, 23a, 24a); and a first set of papillary anchors (30) for connecting each of the first ends (21b, 22b, 23b, 24b) of said tension members (21, 22, 23, 24) to said muscle; and where said annuloplasty ring (10) has at least one aperture (12, 13); where each of said annulus-papillary tension members (21, 22, 23, 24) are extendable through said ring (10) through said apertures (11, 12, 13), and through an atrium to an exterior side of said atrium, such that the distance of each link between the annulus and the muscles is adjustable from a position exterior to the heart.

An optical fiber cable has an optical fiber core wire and a tension member. The tension member is formed of a glass fiber reinforced resin linear material with glass fibers and a matrix resin, and satisfies the following requirements: (1) (EfVf+EmVm)d2≧8.3 / n wherein Ef represents the modulus of elasticity of glass fibers, GPa; Vf represents the content of glass fibers, % / 100; Em represents the modulus of elasticity of matrix resin, GPa; Vm represents the content of matrix resin, % / 100; d represents the diameter of tension member, mm; and n represents the number of tension members used in optical fiber cable; (2) (Ef / Em)≧22; (3) Vf=0.6 to 0.88; and (4) an elongation at break of glass fibers of not less than 5% and an elongation at break of matrix resin of not less than 5%.

A device for heart valve repair including at least one tension member having a first end and second end. A basal anchor is disposed at the first end of the tension member and a secondary anchor at the second end. The method includes the steps of anchoring the basal anchor proximate a heart valve and anchoring the secondary anchor at a location spaced from the valve such that the chamber geometry is altered to reduce heart wall tension and / or stress on the valve leaflets.

A hemostatic clip assembly for mounting on a delivery device comprises a capsule and a clip slidably mounted within the capsule so that, when the clip is drawn proximally into the capsule, arms of the clip are drawn together to a closed position, an abutting surface of at least one of the arms contacting a corresponding surface of the capsule when the clip is drawn to a predetermined position within the capsule to provide a first user feedback indicating closure of the clip in combination with a tension member connected to the clip arms and biasing the clip arms toward an open, tissue receiving configuration and a yoke slidably received within the capsule and releasably coupled to the tension member, the yoke including a ball cavity for receiving a ball connector of a control element of the delivery device to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the delivery device, wherein the control element is frangible to detach the yoke from the delivery device and to provide a second user feedback and, wherein release of the yoke from the tension member provides a third user feedback.

A hemostatic clip assembly for mounting on a delivery device comprises a capsule and a clip slidably mounted within the capsule so that, when the clip is drawn proximally into the capsule, arms of the clip are drawn together to a closed position, an abutting surface of at least one of the arms contacting a corresponding surface of the capsule when the clip is drawn to a predetermined position within the capsule to provide a first user feedback indicating closure of the clip in combination with a tension member connected to the clip arms and biasing the clip arms toward an open, tissue receiving configuration and a yoke slidably received within the capsule and releasably coupled to the tension member, the yoke including a ball cavity for receiving a ball connector of a control element of the delivery device to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the delivery device, wherein the control element is frangible to detach the yoke from the delivery device and to provide a second user feedback and, wherein release of the yoke from the tension member provides a third user feedback.

A system for treating mitral valve regurgitation comprises tensioning device that can be deployed using a delivery catheter. The device includes tension member linking a proximal anchor and distal anchor. The device is constructed from a material having suitable elastic properties such that the device applies a constant tension force between the anchors, while stretching or flexing in response to a heartbeat when positioned across a chamber of a heart. The anchors may include a plurality of arms. In some embodiments, the arms may also flex in response to a heart beat. When positioned across the left ventricle of a heart, the device can reduce the lateral distance between the walls of the ventricle and thus allow better coaption of the mitral valve leaflets thereby reducing mitral regurgitation.

A device is provided for the articulated connection of two bodies comprising a first body, a clamping member, at least one tension member, and a second body. The first body comprises a cavity extending coaxially along a central axis. The clamping included a longitudinal axis and a coaxial bore with at least one aperture, the clamping member being complementary to the cavity and resiliently deformable in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The at least one tension member is insertable coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis into the bore. An axial displacement of the at least one tension member within the corresponding aperture may cause the clamping member to be expanded to contact the cavity wall and be releasably locked within the cavity. The second body is releasably connectable to the first body by means of the at least one tension member and the clamping member. A driving member is provided for displacing the at least one tension member axially relative to the corresponding aperture, wherein the driving member is connected to both the clamping member and the at least one tension member in positive axial engagement while rotatable about the longitudinal axis.

Embodiments of the invention being disclosed are directed to a spine implant that allows for in situ adjustment or steering during implantation which allows for precise placement. The structure of the device is composed of a series of hinged link components connected by dowel or shear pins allowing for the links to rotate with respect to each other. The steering feature of the device is activated by a series of tension members connected or coupled to the links. As the tension members are placed in tension, typically by pulling the appropriate member, forces are placed on the individual links to actuate / rotate them in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. By controlling the rotation of the links, the device may be steered in the desired direction.

A method and implantation tools for placing a transventricular splint including a tension member. The method includes gaining access to the patient's hearts and identifying entry or exit points for the tension member, marking those locations and delivering the tension member. Anchors for the tension member are also delivered. The length of the tensions member is measured and the walls of the heart drawn together. The pads are secured to the tension member and the tension member is trimmed to length. The pads are secured to the heart surface.

A task chair, including a backrest assembly and a seat assembly pivotally coupled both to one another and to side portions of a fixed yoke member for synchronized movement, in which the seat of the seat assembly moves upwardly and forwardly concurrently with recline of the backrest of the backrest assembly. The chair further includes a tension assembly including an elongate tension member, such as a leaf spring, secured at one end thereof to the yoke member, and a contact member, such as a contact roller, adjustably mounted to the seat assembly. The contact member engages the tension member such that the tension member resists recline of the backrest assembly and concurrent movement of the seat assembly from their initial positions, and also provides a restoring force which tends to move the backrest to its initial upright position and the seat to its initial rearward and lowered position. The contact member is adjustable with respect to the tension member in order to vary the effective moment arm acting upon the tension member, thereby varying the pre-load of the tension member and the resistance provided by the tension member.

Embodments of the invention relate to a prosthetic, orthotic, or robotic foot having at least two joints. One joint is located in a position analogous to the human MTP joint, and the other is located in a position analogous to the human subtalar joint. Motions of these two joints are mechanically couples. Furthermore, these joints are created using “tensegrity” design principals, where connections between the compression members are made by a network of tension members. These tension members create axes of motion, and limitations on those axes of motion. Actuators or linear elastic “springs” are use to alter the torque / angular deflection response curve of these joints, so that the rollover profile of the human foot can be duplicated by this invention.

Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.

A splint assembly for placement transverse a heart chamber to reduce the heart chamber radius and improve cardiac function has a tension member formed of a braided cable with a covering. A fixed anchor assembly is attached to one end of the tension member and a leader for penetrating a heart wall and guiding the tension member through the heart is attached to the other end. An adjustable anchor assembly can be secured onto the tension member opposite to the side on which the fixed pad assembly is attached. The adjustable anchor assembly can be positioned along the tension member so as to adjust the length of the tension member extending between the fixed and adjustable anchor assemblies. The pad assemblies engage with the outside of the heart wall to hold the tension member in place transverse the heart chamber. A probe and marker delivery device is used to identify locations on the heart wall to place the splint assembly such that it will not interfere with internal heart structures. The device delivers a marker to these locations on the heart wall for both visual and tactile identification during implantation of the splint assembly in the heart.

The present invention provides a foot strap binding system for board sports such as water sports that allows the user to easily tension foot strap over the top of his or her foot. The foot strap adjustment device includes a strap hold-down member, a guided cable, and a reel to adjust the cable length. The hold-down member has a first side and a second side. The cable is secured to the first side and the second side of the hold-down member with guide members. The reel is secured to the tension member and to one of the sides of the hold-down member. Rotational movement of the reel selectively tightens or loosens the cable between the first and second sides of the hold-down member. Quick release of the tension on the cable is accomplished with a disengagement of the reel from a ratchet.

According to an embodiment, a lacing system for opening and closing an article includes a tensioning device having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, a first tension member that is coupled with the tensioning device and tensionable thereby, and a second tension member that is coupled with the tensioning device and tensionable thereby. The tensioning device is configured to: effect tensioning of the first tension member to close and tighten the article upon operation of the tensioning device in the first mode of operation and effect tensioning of the second tension member to loosen and open the article upon operation of the tensioning device in the second mode of operation.