7628results about "Textile cables" patented technology

This invention relates to a orthopedic implant that comprises a shape memory polymeric material. The orthopedic implant can be fabricated or molded in a desired configuration selected to provide support or tension to bony structures. Examples of implantable devices include spinal rods, bone plates, and bone fixation cords. The orthopedic implant can be deformed to a second configuration different from the first configuration either prior to implantation or after implantation. When desired, the shape memory polymeric material can be induced to revert to it original molded configuration. This can compress the attached bony structure and/or promote arthrodesis.

A suture system for closing a wound defined by tissue portions includes an elongate suture having a pair of ends adapted for threading relative to the tissue portions leaving the suture ends free. A securing mechanism has a first position for capturing the suture ends and a second position for permanently holding the suture ends in a fixed relationship, with the suture tensioned to maintain the tissue portions in close proximity. In a third position, the securing mechanism frictionally engages the suture ends in a sliding relationship. In an associated method, continuous tension is placed on the suture ends during operation of the securing mechanism.

An improved method and apparatus is provided to secure a suture relative to body tissue. When a predetermined minimum force is being transmitted between a suture retainer and the body tissue, the suture is gripped with the suture retainer by plastically deforming material of the suture retainer. One or more bends may be formed in suture by the suture retainer to increase the holding action between the suture retainer and the suture. The bends in the suture may be formed by wrapping the suture around a portion of the suture retainer. During movement of the suture retainer toward the body tissue, the bends may be moved along the suture. One or more bends may be formed in the suture by bending a tubular member through which the suture extends. The tubular member may be maintained in a bent condition by a C-shaped holder member. Alternatively, the tubular member may be maintained in a bent condition by members which are latched together.

A lifting sling and a lifting grommet are disclosed which can be fabricated of a high tensile strength polymeric material, preferably a woven polymer such as liquid crystal polymer fibers, that are woven in a rope or cable configuration. The apparatus features an elongated woven material length of cable that is spliced. Plastic, preferably polyurethane spring cut tube sleeves are positioned as a grip on the splices to allow for handling in the field without concern for the splice becoming disassembled or undone. The sling and grommet of the present invention can each be provided with a clear cover spring cut tube that serves as a flexible protective cover for minimizing abrasion and maintaining the slings appearance.

An apparatus and method for tunneling a distal portion of a multilumen catheter tube in a patient is disclosed. The apparatus includes a connector having a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end includes a first coupling portion for selective connection to a distal end of the multilumen catheter tube, and the distal end of the connector includes a second coupling portion. A trocar is provided having a first end and a second end. The second end of the trocar is configured for selective connection to the coupling portion of the connector. The connector and the second end of trocar are configured such that they are substantially coaxially aligned with the multilumen catheter tube when the first coupling portion of the connector is selectively joined with the distal end of the multilumen catheter tube and the second end of the trocar is selectively engaged with the second coupling portion of the connector. A method of reverse tunneling a multilumen catheter tube using such an apparatus is also disclosed.

A fitting portion of a rotational member of a shoestring tying apparatus is fit to a rotational cap serving as an operating member of a fastening member for winding up and fastening a shoestring. The fitting portion serves as a connection between a driving mechanism and the rotational cap. When the user pulls an operating cord serving as a portion of a driving mechanism, a rotational member is rotated, and a spring included in the rotational member is wound. The rotational cap is rotated through the fitting portion due to rotation of the rotational member, thereby quickly rotating the fastening member. Thus, the fastening member can be rotated several dozen times by an operation in which the operating cord is alternately extracted and retracted several times. This provides a shoestring tying apparatus with excellent portability and appearance for easily and quickly fastening a shoestring in a sure manner.

An adjustable assembly for a bicycle includes a first support having an interior surface and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support. One of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion, and the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion. Further, the second support comprises an expansion portion configured to be moved between an expanded position and a retracted position. The expansion portion is configured to engage the interior surface of the first support when the expansion portion is in an expanded position. In addition, the first support is configured to be selectively moved relative to the second support when the expansion portion is permitted to assume a retracted position. In some embodiments, the first bicycle portion comprises a bicycle frame and the second bicycle portion comprises a bicycle saddle. In other arrangements, the first bicycle portion comprises a fork assembly and the second bicycle portion comprises a handlebar assembly.

According to an embodiment, a component for attachment to an article includes an upper component that is made of a thermoplastic material having a first melting temperature and a flange member that is molded onto the upper component and made of a thermoplastic elastomer material having a second melting temperature that is lower than the first melting temperature of the upper component. The flange member extends laterally from a bottom end of the upper component so that a bottom surface of the flange member is flush with or positioned axially below a bottom surface of the upper component. The melting temperature of the thermoplastic elastomer material enables the flange member to be directly coupled to the article via heat welding and the like without substantially affecting the upper component.

A colored suture includes an elongate woven braid of filaments including one or more ends made of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The suture also includes second and third ends which can be colorable or dyeable before or after incorporation into the elongate woven braid. This invention provides surgeons with improved recognition of suture ends in surgery by construction of a bi-colored co-braid with at least two ends of different color schemes or patterns braided into a UHMWPE construction. One of the colored ends runs continuously from one end of the suture to the other end. The other colored end can be colored only on one half of the end. This provides a suture with two distinguishable ends, while still maintaining a continuous line of color along the length of the suture.

An endoscope assembly consisting of an endoscope 622, a light source, 626 and a camera 552 with display 558. The endoscope contains a memory 670 with data that describes the endoscope and its operating characteristics. When the light source is connected to the endoscope with a fiber optic cable 628, the data in the memory are read into a control processor 538a internal to the light source. The control processor, based on the endoscope data configures the light source so that it emits an appropriate amount of light for that endoscope. The light source also sends a control unit 556 of the camera data indicating the type of endoscope to which the camera is attached. Based on this endoscope type data, the control unit processes the image signals generated by the camera head in an appropriate form for the attached endoscope so as to produce appropriate signals for presenting an image on the display.