Abstract: An orthopedic device is arranged to apply a dynamic load on a leg of a user. The orthopedic device has a rigid or semi-rigid frame including lower and upper frames, and a hinge assembly connecting the lower and upper frames. A dynamic loading component is used to urge the load on the user's leg on the basis of flexion of the hinge assembly on the basis of tension in an elongate element connecting the dynamic loading component and at least one of the lower and upper frames. A peak load is generated at a flexion angle between extension and maximum flexion of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: Footwear including an integrated orthotics system provides support with progressive resistance in pronation and supenation motions of the foot during a gait cycle. The orthotics system includes an orthotic device between the mid-sole and the outsole and extend from the rear foot's calcaneus region to the forefoot region where the phalanges and metatarsal joints meets. The orthotic device includes contours mimicking a foot sole shape in an unloaded state. The orthotic system may also include a secondary external orthotic device embedded underneath the outsole to provide control in the mid foot region to achieve progressive compression resistance in the mid foot arch zones. The secondary device may be customizable to achieve a wide range of resistance level needed in mid foot compression by the wearer. The orthotics combined with the midsole and outsole provide progressive mid foot compression resistance and directional flex associated with pronatory motions of the foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper attached to the sole. The sole includes a hard sole base forming an outline of the footwear and a mid sole resting on the sole base, the mid sole made of a softer material than the sole base to provide comfort to a wearer. The upper has sock like construction using stretchable materials to conform to shapes of the foot. The upper is attached to the sole by straps passing through the upper allowing a degree of independent motion of the upper to conform to a foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper attached to the sole. The sole includes a hard sole base forming an outline of the footwear and a mid sole resting on the sole base, the mid sole made of a softer material than the sole base to provide comfort to a wearer. The upper has sock like construction using stretchable materials to conform to shapes of the foot. The upper is attached to the sole by straps passing through the upper allowing a degree of independent motion of the upper to conform to a foot.

Abstract: A fresh water generator utilizing air (100) comprises a main body bracket (114), a water making system, a water purifying system and a water distributing device (126). Both sides and the rear side of the main body bracket (114) are provided with panels, on which ventilating grilles (116, 132, 134) are provided for sucking and exhausting air. The water making system is arranged inside the main body bracket (114) and particularly comprises a condenser/evaporator unit (118), an exhaust fan (140) and a water collecting tank (120), wherein the water collecting tank (120) is arranged on the main body bracket (114) and positioned at the lower end of the condenser/evaporator unit (118), and the exhaust fan (140) is arranged between the condenser/evaporator unit (118) and the ventilating grates (116, 132, 134). The water purifying system is arranged inside the main body bracket (114) and particularly comprises a pump (122) and a filtration device (192).

Abstract: Footwear including an integrated orthotics system provides support with progressive resistance in pronation and supenation motions of the foot during a gait cycle. The orthotics system includes an orthotic device between the mid-sole and the outsole and extend from the rear foot's calcaneus region to the forefoot region where the phalanges and metatarsal joints meets. The orthotic device includes contours mimicking a foot sole shape in an unloaded state. The orthotic system may also include a secondary external orthotic device embedded underneath the outsole to provide control in the mid foot region to achieve progressive compression resistance in the mid foot arch zones. The secondary device may be customizable to achieve a wide range of resistance level needed in mid foot compression by the wearer. The orthotics combined with the midsole and outsole provide progressive mid foot compression resistance and directional flex associated with pronatory motions of the foot.

Abstract: Techniques for improving customer relationship management are disclosed. The techniques may be realized via a call processing system that may efficiently rout an incoming call to an agent of a call center. Also, the call processing system may provision a telephone number to a web-based help desk call center. Further, the call processing system may include a communication framework enabling a communication between a plurality of browser windows and a local storage medium.

Abstract: A rear view mirror protective cover includes a main body (11) made of an elastic material and a trimmed edge (12) arranged at one end of the main body that is folded towards the inside of said cover. Another end of the main body opposite to the trimmed edge is in the shape of a circular arc. The main body includes a mirror opening (13), also formed with a trimmed edge (14), that is arranged to accommodate a rear view mirror. Securing bands (15) are arranged on the trimmed edge (14). The elastic material is nylon, lycra or latex. The mirror opening (13) is square or elliptic in shape. The protective cover is suitable for various kinds of rear view mirror due to its use of elastic material. The trimmed edge (12) can effectively prevent the cover from sliding from the rear view mirror. The cover can effectively protect the rear view mirror from external scuffing and damage caused by collision.

Abstract: The present invention relates in one embodiment to magnetorheological fluids utilized in prosthetic joints in general and, in particular, to magnetorheological fluids utilized in controllable braking systems for prosthetic knee joints. Preferred magnetorheological fluids of the present invention comprises polarizable iron particles, a carrier fluid, and optionally an additive. Preferred additives include, but are not limited to functionalized carrier fluids as well as derivatized fluoropolymers. Preferred carrier fluids include, but are not limited, to perfluorinated polyethers.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention can include an implant having a spacer with a thickness and a wing, wherein a first configuration of the wing has a first height substantially similar to the thickness and wherein the wing is adapted to be selectably arranged in a second configuration such that the wing has a second height greater than the first height. A periphery of the implant has a shape generally conformal with a shape of an inner surface of a cannula and a cross-sectional diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the cannula. The cannula is inserted such that a proximal end of the cannula is arranged between the adjacent spinous processes. The implant is then urged into position between the adjacent spinous processes by way of the cannula, and subsequently arranged in a second configuration to fix the implant in position.

Abstract: A hollow and tubular sport item includes a rectangular cross section which includes four corners and each corner includes a buffering structure. The buffering structure includes a recess which is enclosed by an inner wall and an outer wall of the corner. The recess can be empty or filled by Polyethylene (PE) or Polyurethane (PU).

Abstract: A hollow item made of composite material and includes a hollow interior. An method for making the hollow item includes a step of preparing prepreg sheets; a step of preparing a resilient mediate layer with pre-set shape and the resilient mediate layer mounted to the prepreg sheets; a step of preparing a bladder which is enclosed by the resilient mediate layer; a step of putting the assembly of the prepreg sheets, the resilient mediate layer and the bladder in the previous step into a concavity of a mold and heating the mold to solidify the prepreg sheets, and a step of removing the solidified prepreg sheets from the concavity of the mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates in one embodiment to magnetorheological fluids utilized in prosthetic joints in general and, in particular, to magnetorheological fluids utilized in controllable braking systems for prosthetic knee joints. Preferred magnetorheological fluids of the present invention comprises polarizable iron particles, a carrier fluid, and optionally an additive. Preferred additives include, but are not limited to functionalized carrier fluids as well as derivatized fluoropolymers. Preferred carrier fluids include, but are not limited, to perfluorinated polyethers.

Abstract: The present invention relates in one embodiment to magnetorheological fluids utilized in prosthetic joints in general and, in particular, to magnetorheological fluids utilized in controllable braking systems for prosthetic knee joints. Preferred magnetorheological fluids of the present invention comprises polarizable iron particles, a carrier fluid, and optionally an additive. Preferred additives include, but are not limited to functionalized carrier fluids as well as derivatized fluoropolymers. Preferred carrier fluids include, but are not limited, to perfluorinated polyethers.

Abstract: The present invention relates in one embodiment to magnetorheological fluids utilized in prosthetic joints in general and, in particular, to magnetorheological fluids utilized in controllable braking systems for prosthetic knee joints. Preferred magnetorheological fluids of the present invention comprises polarizable iron particles, a carrier fluid, and optionally an additive. Preferred additives include, but are not limited to functionalized carrier fluids as well as derivatized fluoropolymers. Preferred carrier fluids include, but are not limited, to perfluorinated polyethers.

Abstract: A racket includes a head and a shaft, a throat is connected between the head and the shaft. Shock absorbing members are installed to desired positions of the racket so as to reduce impact transferred to the player's hand. Two throat extensions extend from the head and two shaft extensions extend from an end of shaft. Each shaft extension has an insertion. The shock absorbing members are mounted onto the insertions and sandwiched between the throat extension and the insertions. A section of the shock absorbing members extends from an opening of the throat extensions and overlaps on an outer surface of the shaft extensions.

Abstract: The invention in some embodiments relates to a magnetorheologically actuated prosthetic knee. The knee in one embodiment comprises an extension assist to facilitate knee extension. The knee in another embodiment comprises a dual-stage bumper system that limits the maximum knee rotation. The knee in yet another embodiment comprises a cover that includes a flexible skin and an exoskeleton.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating a fibrotic disorder. The methods generally involve administering an effective amount of IFN-? and an effective amount of pirfenidone or a pirfenidone analog.

Abstract: The invention in some embodiments relates to systems and methods of controlling pressure within a prosthetic knee. The knee in one embodiment comprises a flexible diaphragm that substantially prevents or mitigates undesirable pressure build-up in a sealed chamber of the knee. The knee in another embodiment comprises a compressible gas in the chamber that substantially prevents or mitigates undesirable pressure build-up in the chamber.

Abstract: A racket includes a head and a shaft, a throat is connected between the head and the shaft. Shock absorbing members are installed to desired positions of the racket so as to reduce impact transferred to the player's hand. Two throat extensions extend from the head and two shaft extensions extend from an end of shaft. Each shaft extension has an insertion. The shock absorbing members are mounted onto the insertions and sandwiched between the throat extension and the insertions. A section of the shock absorbing members extends from an opening of the throat extensions and overlaps on an outer surface of the shaft extensions.