958 results about "Inflatable" patented technology

A method of making a composite material part, in particular a wind turbine blade of great length, consists in placing a thickness of a cloth made up of threads comprising a mixture of polypropylene threads or fibers and of glass fibers or threads in two mold portions having the shape of the part that is to be made, placing an inflatable envelope on the cloth inside one of the mold portions, in closing the mold, in placing it in an enclosure fed with hot gas under pressure to melt the polypropylene of the cloth, thereby embedding the glass fibers or threads, then in allowing it to cool, and in unmolding.

A sphincter treatment apparatus includes an elongated member having at least one lumen including an inflation lumen and a basket assembly with first and second arms. The basket assembly is coupled to the elongated member and has deployed and non-deployed configurations. An inflatable member is coupled to the elongated member and positioned in an interior of the basket assembly. The inflatable member has deployed and non-deployed states and is coupled to the inflation lumen. In the deployed state, the inflatable member expands the basket assembly to its deployed configuration. A first energy delivery device is positionable in the first arm and advanceable from the first arm to a selected treatment site. A second energy delivery device is positionable in the second arm and advanceable from the second arm to a selected treatment site.

The present invention concerns a double-skinned inflatable bottle blank and its method of manufacturing which comprises: (i) stacking two sheets of liquid impermeable, flexible foil material, preferably in coplanar arrangement; (ii) blanking the sheets to create respective, preferably shape-congruent blanks having each a contoured perimeter edge; (iii) bonding the two blanks along joining seams that follow the contoured perimeter edges, but for at one or more inflation locations, thereby to define a double skinned blank into which an inflating fluid can be introduced through the inflation location; (iv) additionally bonding the two blanks at a plurality of discrete stiffening seams which are arranged in a predetermined grid or pattern thereby defining a grid-work of intersecting, inflatable stiffener structures in at least such part of the double skinned blank which will provide an upstanding peripheral wall of the bottle when erected through inflation; (v) folding the double skinned blank; and (vi) selectively bonding together portions of the joined perimeter edge of the double skinned blank, but for at a predetermined filling / dispensing location, to define a double-skinned, inflatable bottle blank with an internal cavity surrounded by a bottom wall for standing the bottle upright, said peripheral wall and a top wall, the filling / dispensing location located preferentially in the top wall such as to define a dispensing orifice for filling and dispensing liquid into and from the internal cavity, the inflatable stiffener structures providing an exoskeleton about the internal cavity when inflated.

A medical device for insertion and expansion in a body passageway. The medical device includes an inflatable device such as a balloon that is designed to be inflated and deflated while positioned in the body passageway. The inflatable device is inflatable by inserting a fluid in an internal cavity of the inflatable device. The inflatable device includes an outer surface that has a surface structure or micro-surface structure which is designed to at least partially penetrate into an inner wall of the body passageway when the inflatable device is inflated.

A double-skinned inflatable bottle blank is manufactured by: (i) stacking two sheets of liquid impermeable, flexible foil material; (ii) blanking the sheets; (iii) bonding the two blanks along joining seams that follow contoured perimeter edges to define a double skinned blank which can be inflated through an inflation location; (iv) additionally bonding the two blanks at in a predetermined grid of seams to provide an upstanding peripheral wall with intersecting, inflatable stiffener structures; (v) folding the double skinned blank; and (vi) selectively bonding together portions of the joined perimeter edge of the double skinned blank to define a double-skinned, inflatable bottle blank with an internal cavity surrounded by a bottom wall, peripheral wall and top wall with a dispensing orifice, the inflatable stiffener structures between the seams providing an exoskeleton about the internal cavity when inflated.

A garment that includes at least one inflatable chamber for applying compression to a limb for assisting venous return, and an elevation member to elevate the limb. The elevation member may comprise an inflatable chamber, and the garment may be configured for compressive therapy of the leg while elevating the heel, eliminating or otherwise reducing or mitigating pressure on an individual's heel while the leg is in an extended position and undergoing compressive therapy.

A cap unit (10) for a container (38) has a cap (20) and an annular skirt (12). The skirt (12) is mounted in the container (38) defining an aperture, the cap (20) being movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the cap (20) covers the aperture and seals it, and in the second position the cap uncovers the aperture, the cap (20) being journalled pivotably around an axis (26) perpendicular to the plan defined by the aperture and placed outside the aperture so that the cap may swing between the first position and the second position. Furthermore, the cap (20) and the skirt (12) have respective claw-formed catching means (14, 16, 18) which are adapted to fix the cap (20) in relation to the skirt (12) and allow the cap (20) to swing from a first to a second position. The cap unit (10) has driving means (34) for production of swinging of the cap (20) and the cap unit (10) has an inflatable sealing ring (22) mounted in the cap (20) for sealing against the upper surface of the skirt (12) when the cap (20) is in its first position, or alternatively mounted in the skirt (12) for sealing against the opposite surface of the cap (20).

A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable web comprising a series of pre-formed flexible containers, each of the pre-formed containers being capable of holding therein a quantity of gas and having an opening for receiving such gas.

An internal air pump for charging inflatables with air and method therefore is disclosed which is directed to an air pump mounted internal to an inflatable device for injecting air therein. The inventive air pump is a thin-walled, lightweight, highly elastic, flexible plastic construction which is easily packaged within the inflatable device and can be used to inflate the device to a desired air pressure. In its most fundamental embodiment, the internal air pump comprises a construction including an outer shell layer having a continuous sidewall, a roof layer and a floor layer for defining an enclosed inner pump chamber. An inner sandwich layer is positioned adjacent to the outer shell layer and includes a resilient component. At least one air intake valve is mounted within the roof layer for admitting air into the inner pump chamber. One or more exhaust ducts are mounted in the outer shell layer for discharging air from the inner pump chamber to an inflatable device. An external force applied to the air pump forces air from the inner pump chamber to the exhaust ducts. The resilient component enables the air pump to self-adjust after the external force is removed.

A chair having a backrest and seat with a seat cushion including a base with an inflatable air cell pad positioned securely within the base so as to be positioned under the areas of high-pressure areas on the buttocks of a normally positioned user. The inflatable air cell pad is operatively connected to a pump device having an external control on the chair for access by a seated user of the chair. The user can sit on the chair seat and inflate or deflate the air cell pad for optimal support and comfort. In one aspect of the chair the pump is an electric pump. In one aspect of the chair, the backrest also comprises a base with an inflatable air cell pad.

An impact protection apparatus is provided, comprising a gas container configured to hold a compressed gas and an inflatable member configured to be inflated by the gas and function as an airbag of a movable object, such as an aerial vehicle. A valve controls flow of gas from the container to the inflatable member in response to a signal from a valve controller. The valve and valve controller are powered by an independent power source than one or more other systems of the movable object. A safety mechanism may also be provided that, unless deactivated, prevents inflation of the inflatable member.

A method and apparatus for pressure infusion and temperature control of infused liquids includes a receptacle for receiving a liquid-filled bag containing intravenous solution or other liquid and an inflatable pressure device. The inflatable pressure device is disposed within a pressure device bag and is positioned proximate the liquid-filled bag in the receptacle. The inflatable pressure device expands within the pressure device bag upon inflation and exerts pressure on the liquid-filled bag. A heating element may be disposed on the inflatable pressure device bag to heat the liquid-filled bag to a desired temperature. The liquid may alternatively be maintained at a desired temperature, while flowing to a patient via a heating assembly disposed along a tube. The heating assembly includes a sleeve having a slot for receiving the tube and a plurality of individually controlled heaters. An infrared sensing device is mounted proximate a drip chamber to ascertain a drip count, while a temperature sensor is disposed within a holder that is positioned toward the entry site on a patient. A heat controller controls the heaters based on a drip count, while a safety controller disables heater operation in response to liquid temperature exceeding the desired temperature. Thus, the safety controller and heat controller, in combination, control the heating assembly heaters based on liquid temperature and flow rate, respectively. Alternatively, the liquid-filled bag may be heated to a desired temperature whereby the heating assembly includes a single heater controlled by a controller to maintain the liquid at the desired temperature during infusion of the liquid into a patient.

An inflatable cushion for use in a system and method in supporting the knees and legs of a person during surgery included an inflatable bladder that can move from a collapsed state to an expanded state. A bladder port communicates with a source of inflating gas. The system includes the source of pressurized gas and a valve assembly to switchably control the inflation and deflation of the bladder. The bladder may have a removable cover extending around the bladder, and the bladder may have side pleats to assist in expanding with the cover having corresponding accordion folds. The method involves placing a patient on a surgical table, decompressing the patient's spine to a flat back / drop knee position, interposing the bladder between the table and the patient's knees and advancing the knees to a full prone position by inflating the bladder.

A sun shade pool typically used by small children in an above-the-ground environment for use in the out-of-doors and method therefore is disclosed which is directed to an inflatable pool and a removable sun shade canopy mounted upon the inflatable pool for blocking direct sun light. The inflatable pool can be multiple-tiered in height and include a bottom wall. The removable sun shade canopy is attachable to and detachable from a top surface of the inflatable pool by a plurality of hook and loop fasteners. The sun shade pool can be fashioned from polyvinylchloride sheeting, include a plurality of inflation air valves for inflating the pool and canopy, and a drain plug for rapidly draining water from the pool. In its most fundamental embodiment, the sun shade pool exhibits a construction including an inflatable pool having a sidewall sealed to a bottom wall for containing a fluid. A removable sun shade canopy for covering a top surface of the inflatable pool is also included. The canopy incorporates a pair of inflatable arched tubes attachably and detachably mounted to the top surface of the inflatable pool by a plurality of hook and loop fasteners. A sun blocking fabric is also suspended between the pair of inflatable arched tubes.

“A kit for inflating and repairing inflatable articles, in particular, tyres; the kit having a compressor assembly, a container of sealing liquid, and connecting means for connecting the container to the compressor assembly and to an inflatable article for repair or inflation; the compressor assembly being housed in an outer casing defining a seat for the container of sealing liquid; and the container being housed removably in the seat and functionally connected to the compressor assembly, so as to form a compact unit ready for use.”

An airbag for knee protection internally includes a first tether that connects a knee-side wall and a vehicle body side wall by a connecting distance of 50 to 90 mm and partitions the airbag into an upper inflatable chamber and a lower inflatable chamber. The mainstreams of inflation gas heading to the upper inflatable chamber from the lower are located proximate left and right ends of the airbag. The upper inflatable chamber has an outer diameter of 150 to 220 mm at full airbag inflation. The lower inflatable chamber includes on the vehicle body side wall a mounting portion by which the airbag is secured to the case and is designed such that a top of its rear face is dislocated forward relative to that of the upper inflatable chamber by 10 to 70 mm at full inflation of the airbag.

The present invention provides a high efficiency external counterpulsation apparatus having accurate and reliable timing of inflation and deflation and reduced temperature of the pressurized gas, such that the gas flow temperature of the inflatable devices is near to room temperature, as well as faster and more responsive inflation / deflation equipment. The external counterpulsation apparatus includes a plurality of inflatable devices received about the lower extremities of the patient, a source of compressed fluid in communication with said plurality of inflatable devices, and a fluid distribution assembly interconnecting said source of compressed fluid and said inflatable devices. The fluid distribution assembly includes a selectively operable inflation / deflation valve interconnected between each of said inflatable devices and said source of compressed fluid. The fluid distribution assembly separately operates each inflation / deflation valve to sequentially inflate and deflate each inflatable devices.

Enhanced airbag modules and associated methods are provided. An airbag module according to the invention may have a cushion with an inflatable protection zone and a flexible venting tube coupled to the inflatable protection zone. A closure mechanism may be used to compress the flexible venting tube against an anchoring member, such as a housing of the airbag module or a vehicle feature, until venting through the flexible venting tube is needed. The closure mechanism may then be actuated, for example, by igniting a pyrotechnic within a specially designed bolt of the closure mechanism. The bolt may, for example, have a bore with a pyrotechnic initiator molded-in-place within the bore. The bolt may fracture to open the closure mechanism, thereby permitting inflation gas to flow out of the inflatable protection zone via the flexible venting tube.

A pressurized medical device comprising an inflatable element arranged to contact a part of a patient; a fluid connector attached to the element and arranged to deliver fluid to the element; a control system arranged to control flow of fluid in the device; a first element pressure sensor arranged to measure the pressure exerted by the element on the part of the patient; and detection means arranged to detect malfunctioning of the first element pressure sensor.

Methods and apparatus for providing rapid compression to at least one appendage positioned within an inflatable sleeve are disclosed. Rapid compression is provided by filling the inflatable sleeve containing the appendage with a gas. A portion of the gas is then repeatedly withdrawn and inserted back into the inflatable sleeve to apply a compression therapy to the at least one appendage.

Devices, apparatus and systems for raising and lowering watercraft such as personal watercraft, jet skis, inflatables from transoms on boats, from bulkheads and from docks, and for raising and lowering other types of vessels. A single actuator such as a fluid operated cylinder and single piston can raise and lower a cradle that supports the personal watercraft. An crank bracket can be fixably attached to a crank shaft, and an arm which supports the cradle can be fixably attached to the crank shaft. The arm can be extendable to different lengths. The cradle can include a self-leveling carriage that uses rollers to roll on a curved surface of the cradle allowing the supported watercraft to remain in a substantially level position thereon. An adjustable swivel mount can also be used to lock the cradle to the arm in a fixed orientation.

A pneumatic system consists of an inflatable / deflatable article, for example, a compression garment connected to a pump by connectors, respectively. The connector attached to the garment carries an RFID transponder and a corresponding radio circuit is located within the pump. In use, the transponder transmits and receives information to and from the pump radio circuit. The information exchanged is used by the pump control system to activate the pump and to operate the pump to provide the particular operating parameters for that garment, for example, pressure, inflation / deflation cycle duration of treatment, etc. The pneumatic system may include communication means for the pump, such as a radio circuit, that is located remote from the pump. Also, the pneumatic system may include a support mechanism that functions both as a handle and a hook.

A stand-up paddle board and nosecap are disclosed. The stand-up paddle board is made using drop-stitching and in inflatable. The nosecap is made using injection molding techniques and is relatively rigid. The nosecap is attached to the stand-up paddle board and provides the board with a displacement hull to more easily move through the water.

A system for adjustably positioning at least two body zones of a person relative to a base surface on which the person is resting, the system comprising at least two adjustable sections, each adjustable section having a non-remote, individually adjustable mechanism for adjusting the elevation of the section. In one embodiment, each of the at least two adjustable sections comprises an inflatable / deflatable bladder positioned between an upper non-adjustable cushioned element and a lower non-adjustable cushioned element, wherein the non-remote, individually adjustable mechanism comprises a valve mounted on an outer surface of the inflatable / deflatable bladder.

An incontinence bed pad comprised of one or more inflatable pads and one or more absorbent pads for use under a patient on a bed. The inflatable incontinence bed pad serves to spread pressure over an increased area for the patient to prevent or treat bed wounds. The inflatable pad may channel or drain fluids such as urine into the absorbent pad below, keeping the surface and patient dry. Alternately, the absorbent pad may be placed above the inflatable pad to reduce cleaning work. The one or more air bladders are inflatable through one or more ports. The ports pass air from one or more manual or powered air pumps to the one or more air bladders. Making an incontinence pad of an inflatable nature offers advantages not available in the prior art. The inflation and deflation of distinct sealed chambers or zones within the inflatable pad may tilt a patient's hips to the right and to the left periodically. The pad may inflate in a static position. The pad may inflate and deflate zoned areas to alternate pressure areas of the patient. Inflating and deflating areas of the pad may push waste away from the person. The inflated pad may leak air to wick moisture and heat from a patient. Handles may be integrated to the inflatable incontinence bed pad for transferring the patient on and off the bed and to other places. Straps compatible with a patient lift system may be integrated. This could reduce work and injury to care providers, as well as reducing disruption to the patient. Side rails may be integrated for safety.

A controller for a gradient sequential compression system is provided for inflating a plurality of inflatable chambers of one or more compression sleeves according to several different modes of operation. A mode of operation may define the number and selection of chambers to be inflated, the pressurization levels, the pressurization time, or the sequence of chamber inflation. To enable the controller to automatically perform a designated mode of operation based on the type of compression sleeve connected, a new and improved connecting device is provided. An indicator on an interface connector associates a predetermined mode of operation with the interface connector. A sensor associated with a complementary connector identifies the mode of operation associated with the interface connector. It is contemplated that the universal connecting device can be used for any type of system, not just controllers for a gradient sequential compression system.

An external suspension system for supporting an inflatable air duct includes a series of external hangers that help hold the duct open while the duct is deflated. In some embodiments, the suspension system supports the duct at a series of points that are broadly distributed in a staggered pattern across the duct, yet the entire duct can be suspended from a single overhead cable, even if the duct is a stepped tube with multiple diameters. The system includes novel ways of locking the hangers to the duct and to the overhead cable.

The Automatic Patient Turner is the ultimate in pressure sore prevention by automatically, periodically, and alternately tilting, and then laterally turning an immobile patient from one complete side to the other in a manner similar to, yet gentler and less intrusive than, manual turning. This is accomplished by the patterned, sequential inflation and deflation of six strategically-placed inflatables. When the bent knees (1) are perpendicular and sandwiched between a pair of inflated knee inflatables (6 and 7), they can serve as a lever arm in the turning process. When pressure is exerted against the bent knees (1), it causes them to move well beyond their perpendicular position. They then descend in the direction of the turn as the knee inflatables (6 and 7) deflate. The descending knees laterally pull the entire body of the patient completely to the side of the turn as a back-support pillow (8 or 9) inflates.

An inflatable web, and method and apparatus for inflating the web, which generally includes two sheets having inner surfaces sealed to each other in a pattern defining a series of inflatable chambers of predetermined length, each of the chambers having at least one change in width over their length; an inflation port located at a proximal end of each chamber, the inflation ports being formed by intermittent seals between the sheets; and longitudinal flanges formed by a portion of each of the sheets that extend beyond the inflation ports and intermittent seals.