75results about How to "Less flexibility" patented technology

An airway implant device for maintaining and / or creating an opening in air passageways is disclosed. Methods of using the device are also disclosed. The airway implant device includes a deformable element to control the opening of an air passageway and a tether. Preferably the deformable element is an electroactive polymer element. Energizing of the electroactive polymer element provides support for the walls of an air passageway, when the walls collapse, and thus, completely or partially opens the air passageway. Also disclosed is an implant for stabilizing the tongue, the implant having an anchoring portion for securing a first end of the implant with the mandibula; a control portion connected with the anchoring portion, configured for selectively activating the implant; a flexible portion connected at its proximal end with the control portion, where the flexible portion has three-dimensional flexibility in a first state and where the flexible portion has a lesser three-dimensional flexibility in a second state, and where the flexible portion is selectively switchable between the first and second state by the control portion; and an anchoring portion for connecting the implant with the base of the tongue connected with the distal end of the flexible portion. Methods of treating airway disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring with the airway implant device are disclosed herein.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and devices for conveying or containing fluids under pressure in which seals are provided with a defined path to vent fluid in the event of a seal failure.

A catheter with basket-shaped electrode assembly with spines configured for hyper-flexing in a predetermined, predictable manner when a compressive force acts on the assembly from either its distal end or its proximal end. At least one spine has at least one region of greater (or hyper) flexibility that allows the electrode assembly to deform, for example, compress, for absorbing and dampening excessive force that may otherwise cause damage or injury to tissue wall in contact with the assembly, without compromising the structure and stiffness of the remaining regions of the spine, including its distal and proximal regions. The one or more regions of greater flexibility in the spine allow the spine to flex into a generally V-shape configuration or a generally U-shape configuration.

The present invention relates to a syringe, particularly to a small volume syringe such as a syringe suitable for ophthalmic injections.

A fitness training aid including a flexible, impermeable membrane defining a chamber fillable at least in part with a first flowable material and at least in part with a second flowable material, at least closure coupled to the membrane, at least one gripping member coupled to the membrane, and at least one wall positioned within the chamber. The closure positionable between at least one open position enabling the first and / or second flowable materials to be introduced within the chamber, and a closed position that seals the first and / or second flowable materials within the chamber. The at least one wall and the membrane define at least first and second compartments within the membrane. The at least one wall enables fluid communication of the first and / or second flowable materials between the first and second compartments.

A stopper for wine, a method of preserving wine, and a method of serving wine from a bottle stored in a vacuum are disclosed. The stopper has a vacuum valve in a vacuum indicator in a removable cap. The vacuum valve has a self-closing passageway due to the passageway traversing an elastomeric material. The vacuum indicator moves in response to vacuum and reveals a marking on a valve opener when a desired vacuum is achieved. The stopper may have a filter, which also aerates. The method of preserving wine includes installing the stopper in the neck of the bottle and withdrawing air from the bottle through the stopper. The method of serving wine includes releasing vacuum from the bottle by unseating the removable cap, removing the cap and pouring wine through the stopper. Pumps for the stopper are also disclosed.

An endoscope shaft comprising a working conduit and a number of supply and / or functional conduits. The supply and / or functional conduits have an excessive length with respect to the endoscope shaft and are arranged in spirals, in serpentine and / or zigzag shape around or along the working conduit, whereby a flexibility and bendability of the endoscope shaft is achieved.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and devices for conveying or containing fluids under pressure in which seals are provided with a defined path to vent fluid in the event of a seal failure.