199results about How to "Control deflection" patented technology

Systems for optimizing anchoring force are described herein. In securing tissue folds, over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable arms configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. Various devices, e.g., stops, spring members, fuses, strain gauges, etc., can be used to indicate when the anchor has been deflected to a predetermined level within the optimal range. Moreover, other factors to affect the anchor characteristics include, e.g., varying the number of arms or struts of the anchor, positioning of the arms, configuration of the arms, the length of the collars, etc.

Apparatus & methods for optimizing anchoring force are described herein. In securing tissue folds, over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable arms configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. Various devices, e.g., stops, spring members, fuses, strain gauges, etc., can be used to indicate when the anchor has been deflected to a predetermined level within the optimal range. Moreover, other factors to affect the anchor characteristics include, e.g., varying the number of arms or struts of the anchor, positioning of the arms, configuration of the arms, the length of the collars, etc.

A toothbrush that utilizes a replaceable brush head having rubber gum guard on its top surface and a triangular shaped rubber pad on its bottom surface. The rubber gum guard is shorter than the height of the bristles and is positioned on the peripheral edge of a brush head for functioning as a sensor for providing feedback to prevent brushing at excessive pressures and improper angles as well as for massaging the gumlines without the risk of gum damages. The triangular shaped rubber pad is for conforming to and massaging gumlines at the back of teeth. The replaceable brush head having the rubber gum guard and massaging pad features is economically used in conjunction with a permanent handle that dispenses dentifrice material to the top of bristles. The handle has a resilient contractible connector for secure mounting of the replaceable brush head.

This invention relates to a toothbrush that utilizes a replaceable brush head having rubber gum guard on its top surface and a triangular shaped rubber pad on its bottom surface. The rubber gum guard is shorter than the height of the bristles and is positioned on the peripheral edge of a brush head for functioning as a sensor for providing feedback to prevent brushing at excessive pressures and improper angles as well as for massaging the gumlines without the risk of gum damages. The triangular shaped rubber pad is for conforming to and massaging gumlines at the back of teeth. The replaceable brush head having the rubber gum guard and massaging pad features is economically used in conjunction with a permanent handle that dispenses dentifrice material to the top of bristles. The handle has a resilient contractible connector for secure mounting of the replaceable brush head.

Apparatus & methods for optimizing anchoring force are described herein. In securing tissue folds, over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable arms configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. Various devices, e.g., stops, spring members, fuses, strain gauges, etc., can be used to indicate when the anchor has been deflected to a predetermined level within the optimal range. Moreover, other factors to affect the anchor characteristics include, e.g., varying the number of arms or struts of the anchor, positioning of the arms, configuration of the arms, the length of the collars, etc.

Apparatus & methods for optimizing anchoring force are described herein. In securing tissue folds, over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable arms configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. Various devices, e.g., stops, spring members, fuses, strain gauges, etc., can be used to indicate when the anchor has been deflected to a predetermined level within the optimal range. Moreover, other factors to affect the anchor characteristics include, e.g., varying the number of arms or struts of the anchor, positioning of the arms, configuration of the arms, the length of the collars, etc.

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.

An orthopedic fixator for positioning a first element relative to a second element with precision and with controlled compliance which can be adjusted during the healing process. One embodiment comprises a first frame for attachment to the first element, a second frame attached to the first frame through a plurality of adjustable effective length struts, and a third frame for attachment to the second element, wherein the third frame is compliantly attached to the second frame. A preferred embodiment comprises adjustable length preload elements to apply unidirectional forces between the first and second frames so as preload the adjustable effective length struts and substantially reduce the positional tolerance. An alternative embodiment comprises adjustable spring elements allowing the compliance of the attachment of the third frame to the second frame to be adjusted at various points in the healing process.

Electrical connection terminal (1) for the clamping connection of at least one electrical conductor (5), having a contact frame (4) which is accommodated in an insulating material housing (2) and is stamped out from a flat metal material and is shaped in the form of a channel with at least two side walls and a contact base (11), with the contact frame (4), for the purpose of forming a conductor clamping connection, having on each side wall in each case a leaf spring (9) in the form of a tongue which is stamped out from the flat metal part and which is bent out of the plane of the flat metal part in such a way that the free end of the leaf spring (9) forms a clamping edge (10) which is directed toward the electrical conductor (5), and having a conductor insertion region (30) which is in the form of a funnel at least in sections and tapers in the direction of a clamping point which is formed by the clamping edge (10), with the conductor insertion region (30) adjoining a conductor insertion opening (3) in the insulating material housing (2) in the conductor insertion direction. The conductor insertion region (30) which is in the form of a funnel at least in sections is at least virtually closed over the circumference, and is formed jointly from the contact frame (4) and at least in regions by the insulating material housing (2).

An orthopedic fixator for positioning a first element relative to a second element with precision and with controlled compliance which can be adjusted during the healing process. One embodiment comprises a first frame for attachment to the first element, a second frame attached to the first frame through a plurality of adjustable effective length struts, and a third frame for attachment to the second element, wherein the third frame is compliantly attached to the second frame. A preferred embodiment comprises adjustable length preload elements to apply unidirectional forces between the first and second frames so as preload the adjustable effective length struts and substantially reduce the positional tolerance. An alternative embodiment comprises adjustable spring elements allowing the compliance of the attachment of the third frame to the second frame to be adjusted at various points in the healing process.

Three-dimensional unitized thermoplastic foam structures are made by thermoplastic welding of different foam components. The unitized foam structures may include a planar base to which other foam components are welded to project from the base and provide a flexible three-dimensional structure. The thermal bonding or welding of the thermoplastic foam components creates a unitized structure which is both flexible and load bearing. For mattress and seating applications, the welded foam structures may be combined with an innerspring, and certain of the foam components of the structure may mechanically engage parts of the innerspring. The preferred foam deck has first and second panels interconnected by one or more webs. One or more foam decks may be employed. Other foam components may be attached to the foam decks or other components. The utilized foam structures can be employed as single or double-sided mattresses, seating structures or other flexible support structures.

A deck assembly uses plurality of joists preferably formed from metal located side by side and each having a web portion and a deck portion integrally formed with the web portion. The deck portion extends laterally from the web portion and the joists are spaced from one another such that the deck portions from a continuous deck surface with the joists being connected to one another.

A system for preventing damage caused by the application of excessive force to a force-based input device having an input panel supported by a plurality of deflecting beam segments, in which the excessive force could cause permanent plastic deformation in the beam segments. The system includes a stress-limiting device operable about the deflecting beam segments to control the motion of the beam segments to within a pre-determined range.

A pressure sensor assembly comprised of a single and dual layer diaphragm with integrated force sensing flexure, such as a cantilever beam. Strain gages are positioned on the force sensing beam. The pressure forces the diaphragm to deflect. The deflection is constrained by the beam, which is compelled to bend. The bending induces strains in strain gages located on the beam. The strain gages are connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. When a voltage is applied to the bridge, the strain gages provide an electrical output signal proportional to the pressure. Composite diaphragm—beam pressure sensors convert pressure more efficiently and improve sensor performance.

An electrical connection terminal provides secure clamping of an electrical conductor and at the same time has a simple structure. Simple and effective conductor guidance is achieved on account of a funnel-like conductor insertion region being composed of an insulating material housing and a contact frame. The contact frame can be of very simple, compact and material-saving design.

The present invention relates to provisional prosthetic components for a medical device and the surgical methods for utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the provisional prosthetic component includes a first portion and a core. The first portion is capable of mating with another prosthetic component. The first portion of the provisional prosthetic component may have a scratch hardness which is less than the scratch hardness of the prosthetic component. This allows for the first portion to be placed in mating engagement with the prosthetic component without scratching or damaging the junction of the prosthetic component. Additionally, the core of the provisional prosthetic component may have a scratch hardness greater than the scratch hardness of the first portion of the provisional prosthetic component and / or a stiffness sufficient to minimize deflection of the provisional prosthetic component during trial reduction and range of motion testing.

A vehicle seat includes a head restraint which limits the magnitude of neck deflection of a vehicle occupant during a rear impact collision. The head restraint includes a support member attached to the top of a head restraint post. The support member includes a convex surface shaped to substantially conform to the profile of an occupant's head and neck. The support member is covered by a resilient material such as foam. The foam thickness is reduced due to the presence of the support member. Reduced foam thickness in addition to the shape of the support member provides for reduced occupant neck deflection during a rear impact collision.

A connection arrangement includes a first connector (12) with an opening leading to first and second contacts (14, 16), where the first contact includes a beam (40) that is biased upwardly against the second contact but which can be depressed out of engagement with the second contact. The beam is depressed by a plug inner contact (32) of a mating second connector (30) that passes into the opening and depresses the beam, in an arrangement that assures firm engagement of the plug inner contact with the beam despite small beam movement. A stop (70) lying under the beam, limits its downward movement by the plug inner contact. The plug inner contact is spring biased downwardly with respect to the second connector frame (36) but can move up, so the second connector can continue to move down a short distance after the plug inner contact has pushed the beam against the stop, to enable-full engagement of largely coaxial outer contacts (26, 34) of the first and second connectors. The arrangement enables reduced downward movement of the beam while assuring considerable pressure contact between the plug inner contact and beam.