Abstract: A method for manufacturing complex shape memory alloy materials is described. The method comprises generating a particulate form of a shape memory alloy, combining the particulate with a binder, molding, heating (which may include the steps of debinding and sintering), and thermo-mechanical processing. The method allows for the formation of complex shape memory alloy materials that exhibit the desirable properties of shape memory alloys, namely shape memory and superelasticity.

Abstract: A feedstock for creating cutting tools comprises a mixture of diamond particles, a binding material and a homogenizing agent that maintains the mixture of the diamond particles and binding material. In one present embodiment of the invention, the feedstock comprises diamond particles mixed with a binding agent of a brass powder and a wax or plastic homogenizing agent. The feedstock of the present invention is useful in making many types of abrasive cutting tools. One such cutting tool is an atherectomy burr for use in removing occlusions from a patient's blood vessel. A cutting tool made of the feedstock of the present invention has improved thermal conductivity compared with conventional atherectomy burrs.

Abstract: An expandable atherectomy burr has numerous cutting elements that expand radially outward as the burr is rotated. The cutting elements can include arms or flaps that have an abrasive surface thereon and expand as the burr is rotated. In an alternative embodiment, the burr includes a stack of cutting disks, each of which includes cutting elements that expand as the burr is rotated in order to create variably sized lumens in a vessel.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing complex shape memory alloy materials is described. The method comprises generating a particulate form of a shape memory alloy, combining the particulate with a binder, molding, heating (which may include the steps of debinding and sintering), and thermo-mechanical processing. The method allows for the formation of complex shape memory alloy materials that exhibit the desirable properties of shape memory alloys, namely shape memory and superelasticity.

Abstract: An expandable atherectomy burr has numerous cutting elements that expand radially outward as the burr is rotated. The cutting elements can include arms or flaps that have an abrasive surface thereon and expand as the burr is rotated. In an alternative embodiment, the burr includes a stack of cutting disks, each of which includes cutting elements that expand as the burr is rotated in order to create variably sized lumens in a vessel.

Abstract: A portable appliance (14) is worn by the user in various configurations, including as a splint to hold a body joint immovable, as a brace to permit the body joint to move through a controlled range of motion and as an exercise apparatus to impart resistance to the flexing and/or extension movement of the body joint. The apparatus (14) includes an articulating frame (16) composed of a first frame section (18) connectable to the first limb of a body joint and a second frame section (20) connectable to a second limb of a body joint. The two frame sections are interconnected together by pivot joint assemblies (22a) and (22b) to permit the frame (16) to articulate about a transverse axis (24) corresponding to the anatomical pivot axis of the body joint. A control plate (164) having adjustable stop pins (166) and (168) is mounted on the pivot joint assemblies to control the range of motion of the articulating frame (16).

Abstract: An operating unit (14) is detachably mounted on frame (12) in the form of a chair. The operating unit includes a lever arm assembly (16) mounted on a subframe (18) and rotatable by the leg of the user in opposition to a fluid resistance unit (20). A transducer (24) measures the angular rotation of the lever arm assembly which information is transmitted to an integrated circuit (30) disposed within a portable housing (32) removably mounted on the subframe. The integrated circuit stores the data received from the transducer and calculates various values related to the use of the present invention for presentation on display units (208) and (210). An interface (222) is provided to access the integrated circuit to transmit the stored data to a remotely located data processor (220) and for processing of the data or for long term storage of the data.

Abstract: A portable appliance (10) which is worn by the user to exercise a body joint includes an articulating frame (12) composed of a pair of laterally, spaced-apart pivot arms (14a, 14b) connectible to a first limb of the body joint and pinned to a second pair of spaced-apart pivot arms (16a, 16b) connectible to the second limb of the body joint. A rotatably actuated, fluid cylinder assembly (22) is mounted on the first pivot arms (14a, 14b) on the extendible side of the body joint. The cylinder assembly (22) includes a piston (24) threadably engaged within an elongated piston rod (26). A transmission system transmits the relative rotational movement between the frame arms (14a, 14b) and the frame arms (16a, 16b) to the piston rod (26) thereby to actuate the piston (24). Adjustable flow control devices control the flow of fluid within the cylinder assembly (22) to apply isotonic, isokinetic or dynamic resistance to the flexing or extending of the body joint being exercised.

Abstract: An exercise device having a pair of pivotally interconnected lever arms coupled to a braking mechanims by a planetary gear system to resist pivotal movement between the lever arms. A brace mounted on each of the lever arms secures the lever arms to respective limbs of an exerciser that are connected to each other through a joint such as the knee or elbow.