78results about How to "Flexible limit" patented technology

An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic and non-lordotic designs are disclosed, as well as lordotic and non-lordotic expandable cages for both PLIF (posterior lumber interbody fusion) and TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) procedures. The expandable implants may have various shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, banana-shaped, kidney-shaped, or other similar shapes. By virtue of their posteriorly implanted approach, the disclosed artificial FSU's allow for posterior decompression of the neural elements, reconstruction of all or part of the natural functional spinal unit, restoration and maintenance of lordosis, maintenance of motion, and restoration and maintenance of disc space height.

An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic and non-lordotic designs are disclosed, as well as lordotic and non-lordotic expandable cages for both PLIF (posterior lumber interbody fusion) and TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) procedures. The expandable implants may have various shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, banana-shaped, kidney-shaped, or other similar shapes. By virtue of their posteriorly implanted approach, the disclosed artificial FSU's allow for posterior decompression of the neural elements, reconstruction of all or part of the natural functional spinal unit, restoration and maintenance of lordosis, maintenance of motion, and restoration and maintenance of disc space height.

A man-machine! interface is disclosed which provides force, texture, pressure and temperature information to sensing body parts. The interface is comprised of a force-generating device (900) that produces a force which is transmitted to a force-applying device (902) via force-transmitting means (908). The force-applying device applies the generated force to a sensing body part A force sensor (909) associated with the force-applying device measures the actual force applied to the sensing body part, while angle sensors (9171 measure the angles of relevant joint body parts. A computing device (911) uses the joint body part position information to determine a desired force value to be applied to the sensing body part. The computing device combines the joint body part position information with the force sensor information to calculate the force command which is sent to the force-generating device. In this manner, the computing device may control the actual force applied to a sewing body part to a desired force which depends upon the positions of related body parts. In addition, the interface is comprised of a displacement-generating device (901) which produces a displacement which is transmitted to a displacement-applying device (902) (e.g., a texture simulator) via displacement-generating means (920). The displacement-applying device applies the generated displacement to a sensing body part. The force-applying device and displacement-applying device may be combined to simultaneously provide force and displacement information to a sensing body part. Furthermore, pressure and temperature-applying devices may be combined to also provide pressure and temperature sensations to a sensing body part. In addition, a force-applying device may be attached to a sensing body part and apply force to the sensing body part, where the force is applied relative to a reference location not rigidly affixed to the living body.

An orthopedic device is described for stabilizing the spinal column between first and second vertebral bodies. The device has first and second screws adapted for fixation to the first and second vertebral bodies, respectively. The device further includes an elongated ligament with a first end connected to the first screw and the second end operatively connected with the second screw. The ligament is made preferably of a nickel titanium alloy selected to have ductile inelastic properties at body temperature and is capable of plastic deformation to allow relative constrained motion between the vertebral bodies. The preferred nickel titanium has a martensite / austenite transition temperature above body temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the second pedicle screw includes a bearing for receiving the ligament in a slidably engageable relationship. The device further includes optional first and second dampening members surrounding the ligament for restraining the spinal column during flexion and extension.

Methods for stabilizing upper and lower spinal vertebrae having a disc situated between the upper and lower vertebrae are described. First and second fasteners are inserted into the upper vertebra. Third and fourth fasteners are inserted into the lower vertebra. At least two of the first, second, third, and fourth fasteners are connected with an elongate element. In an alternative embodiment, at least three of the first, second, third, and fourth fasteners are connected with the elongate element. The elongate element may be an elastic connector or a cable. The elongate element may also have first and second ends that are connected by a crimp.

The device is a thin, self-adhesive non-stretch splint, having the capability to flex. This device is intended for the treatment of repetitive stress injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with elements that provide user adjustable limitation of movement within acceptable medical parameters. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms include pain and numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, that are aggravated by compression of the median nerve. This device limits flexion, extension, ulnar and radial deviation movements of the wrist without compressing the median nerve The device limits movement by reducing skin elasticity on the surface skin above or below the wrist and up the forearm. The application provides biomechanical feedback to the wearer in the form of the tugging sensation on the skin around the perimeter of the device assisting the user in maintaining a more neutral wrist position without imposing wrist immobilization. The design elements allow the use of the device in such a manner that produces no additional pressure to the median nerve while in use. Furthermore the method of application provides a means for the user to regulate the amount of wrist movement to provide a greater comfort level while still limiting movement within medically proven parameters. The adhesive nature of the device eliminates the need for external straps that normally wrap completely around the forearm and hand to hold a splint in place. The application of the device limits movement by greatly reducing the ability of the skin to stretch by placing a self-adhesive non-stretch splint directly on the skin. The device, and how it is placed utilizes the wearers skin elasticity to provide biomechanical feedback to the user to promote better wrist posture.

A surgical fastening mechanism for releasably locking an implantable tether includes a housing having a central channel. The housing has an entry aperture, an exit aperture and a side channel extending therebetween. A roller element has a sidewall with an aperture therethrough and the roller is slidably disposed at least partially in the central channel such that the entry and exit apertures are at least partially aligned with the roller aperture. This permits passage of the tether therethrough. Rotation of the roller element in a first direction winds the tether around the roller thereby creating a friction interface between the roller element, the housing and the tether. A locking mechanism is operably connected with either the housing or the roller element and is adapted to prevent rotation of the roller in the central channel and also adapted to prevent release of the tether from the roller.

An insulator for a wheel suspension system of a vehicle is formed of an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material defines a channel that provides increased flexibility to the insulator and defines an increased density about the channel that increases the durability of the insulator. The suspension system includes a support structure adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, a piston rod disposed within the aperture and displaceable relative to the support structure along a line of travel, and a plate mounted to the piston rod. The insulator is compressibly disposed between the support structure and the plate. The exterior channel increases the flexibility of the insulator to distribute localized stress on the insulator by the support structure and the plate. The increased density about the channel increases the durability of the insulator about the channel when the support structure and the plate exert a compressive force on the insulator.