Flexible Patents (Class 138/118)
  • Patent number: 11857003
    Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item that promotes thermo-regulation through the use of engineered openings, venting, and/or stand-off structures. In exemplary aspects, 20-45% of the apparel item may comprise the engineered openings. Vents may be positioned on the apparel item in areas that experience high amounts of air flow to help channel air into the apparel item. The stand-off structures may be positioned on an inner-facing surface of the apparel item where they help to create a space between the apparel item and the wearer's body surface in which air can flow and help cool the wearer by promoting evaporative cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Collin Bailey, Kim D. Baschak, Olivia A. Echols, Stacey L. Hansen, Lucas Hartman, Rebecca P. Hurd, Adam Parkinson, Shannon K. Redell, David Sagan, Susan L. Sokolowski, Stuart B. Brown, Matthew J. Hancock
  • Patent number: 11717147
    Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for an endoscopic system to access, visualize, and treat pathologies in various organs via natural orifices and lumens of various organs. In one aspect, the system includes an elongate shaft configured for insertion into a urinary tract of a patient. The elongate shaft can include a proximal section, a distal section, a tip portion, and a plurality of pull wires extending along the elongate shaft and terminating at the tip portion of the elongate shaft. The plurality of pull wires may include a first and second pull wire. The first pull wire may be configured to articulate each of the proximal section and the distal section in a first direction. The second pull wire may be configured to articulate the distal section in a second direction independently of the proximal section, the second direction being transverse to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason J. Hsu, Ka Chun Wong
  • Patent number: 11608915
    Abstract: A hose which automatically expands longitudinally and automatically expands laterally upon the application of a pressurized liquid is disclosed. The hose can automatically expand longitudinally up to six times its unexpanded or contracted length. Upon release of the pressurized liquid within the hose, the hose will automatically contract to a contracted condition. The hose includes an inner tube made from an elastic material and an outer tube made from a non-elastic material. The inner tube is positioned concentrically within the outer tube in both a contracted condition and an expanded condition. The outer tube is secured to the inner tube only at a first end of the inner and outer tubes and at a second end of the inner and outer tubes. The outer tube moves laterally and longitudinally with respect to the inner tube when the tubes are transitioning between a contracted condition and an expanded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Telebrands Corp.
    Inventor: Michael J. Berardi
  • Patent number: 11357966
    Abstract: An exemplary compounding system and method can include two pump heads for simultaneously drawing two different fluids from at least two separate input containers such that the at least two different fluids are mixed and distributed to an output container. The system can include a manifold that maintains separation of certain of the different fluids until after passing by a first pump and a second pump and/or additional pumps. A junction can be placed in the fluid line downstream of the first and second pumps and/or additional pumps such that all or some of the fluids are mixed prior to output to the output container. The method of using the system can include incorporating software that selects various fluids at certain times and sequences to ensure optimum efficiency and safety for the system, and can continue compounding actions even when an input supply container runs out or otherwise fails to supply a particular fluid/material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: B. Braun Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Lane, Mariano Mumpower, Jake A. Cowperthwaite, Jamie Kendall, Jeremy C. Savage, Chet B. Larrow, Alex K. Flamm, Dave E. Hershey, Aaron S. Pearl, Michael Y. Brown, Karl Konrad, Jr., Joel Bartholomew, Mike Janders, Edwin Burnard
  • Patent number: 11230463
    Abstract: A lift device includes a base assembly, a turntable assembly, and a controller. The base assembly includes multiple base assembly batteries. The turntable assembly is rotatably coupled with the base assembly through a slip ring transmission. The turntable assembly includes multiple turntable assembly batteries. The controller is configured to operate the base assembly batteries to discharge electrical energy to the turntable batteries through the slip ring transmission. The slip ring transmission is configured to both (1) drive the turntable assembly to rotate relative to the base assembly and (2) to electrically and communicably couple electrical components of the base assembly with electrical components of the turntable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: David Lombardo, Eko Prasetiawan, Ignacy Puskiewicz, Wenton S. Miller, Shane Mastronardi, Matthew Gilbride
  • Patent number: 11181212
    Abstract: An extensible hose includes a hose, a protective tube and a sheath. The hose is expansible in a radial manner and extensible in an axial manner. The protective tube is expansible in a radial manner and extensible in an axial manner, wherein the protective tube wraps the hose. The sheath wraps the protective tube. The sheath includes elastic warps and non-elastic weft. The elastic warps extend parallel to the protective tube. The non-elastic wefts sorted into a first group and a second group. The non-elastic wefts in the first group extend around the elastic warps in a right-hand helical manner and in an S-shaped manner. The non-elastic wefts in the second group extend around the elastic warps in a left-hand helical manner and in an S-shaped manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Yuan Pin Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11156150
    Abstract: An inlet duct includes a tubular main body formed by a compression-molded fibrous molded body. The main body includes an alternate layout region in which an air-impermeable high-compression portion and an air-permeable low-compression portion hat is compression-molded at a lower compressibility than a compressibility of the high-compression portion are alternately laid out in an axial direction of the main body. The alternate layout region is configured such that an arbitrary pair of points at an equal distance in the axial direction to a central position in an upstream region and a downstream region of the alternate layout region include only points that are both located in the low-compression portions and points one of which is located in the low-compression portion and the other one of which is located in the high-compression portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryusuke Kimura
  • Patent number: 11135398
    Abstract: A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube, a braid layer positioned over the elongate flexible tube, an outer layer over the flexible tube and the braid layer, and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The braid layer has a plurality of strands braided together at a braid angle of 5-40 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate flexible tube when the elongate flexible tube is straight. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet. The braid angle is configured to change as the rigidizing device bends when the rigidizing device is in the flexible configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Neptune Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Q. Tilson, Stephen J. Morris, Garrett J. Gomes, Adam S. Wigginton, Mark C. Scheeff, Charles S. Love
  • Patent number: 11072921
    Abstract: A modular deck drain system comprising a bottom channel and an upper cover. The bottom channel has a pair of opposed side walls and a bottom surface coupled to the side walls. The bottom channel also has a plurality of stabilizing members coupled to and extending from an external surface of the bottom channel, and at least one modular junction node. The upper cover is configured to couple to the bottom channel. The upper cover has two upper walls, each wall having a top end and a bottom end, and the top end of each wall is coupled to an upper lip. A narrow top opening is formed by the upper lips. The upper cover has at least one cutline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: AQUASTAR POOL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Olaf Mjelde
  • Patent number: 10948108
    Abstract: A duct for a turbine engine, such as a gas turbine engine, can be utilized to carry a fluid from one portion of the engine to another. The duct can include a metallic tubular element having one of a varying wall thickness, a varying cross section, or a tight bend. Such a duct can be formed utilizing additive manufacturing or metal deposition on an additively manufactured mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Unison Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Yanzhe Yang, Daniel Dyer, Armando Bringas, Jason Levi Burdette, Gordon Tajiri, Dattu GV Jonnalagadda, Michael Thomas Kenworthy
  • Patent number: 10890278
    Abstract: A hose which automatically expands longitudinally and automatically expands laterally upon the application of a pressurized liquid is disclosed. The hose can automatically expand longitudinally up to six times its unexpanded or contracted length. Upon release of the pressurized liquid within the hose, the hose will automatically contract to a contracted condition. The hose includes an inner tube made from an elastic material and an outer tube made from a non-elastic material. The inner tube is positioned concentrically within the outer tube in both a contracted condition and an expanded condition. The outer tube is secured to the inner tube only at a first end of the inner and outer tubes and at a second end of the inner and outer tubes. The outer tube moves laterally and longitudinally with respect to the inner tube when the tubes are transitioning between a contracted condition and an expanded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Telebrands Corp.
    Inventor: Michael J. Berardi
  • Patent number: 10786937
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing technology for manufacturing seepage irrigation pipe with alternating effluent sections and non-effluent sections, and in particular, to the field of underground seepage irrigation in agriculture and forestry. The processing technology combines the production unit for water-effluent pipes with the production unit for non-effluent pipes, and produces the seepage irrigation pipeline by adjusting the raw material ratios, controlling the spindle speed, spindle acceleration time, and spindle deceleration time of the two pipeline production units, to generate a seepage irrigation pipe with alternating effluent sections and non-effluent sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ningxia University
    Inventors: Zhaojun Sun, Jun He, Lei Han, Zhen Wang, Dongdong Han, Qiushi Ren, Bingzhong Jiao, Yuanjiao Guo, Menggang Li, Xingqiang Li
  • Patent number: 10767792
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing flexible pipe includes a corrugated metal pipe and a buckle hose. The buckle hose is sleeved and connected with the corrugated metal pipe. An inner knitted hose is arranged between the buckle hose and the corrugated metal pipe. The inner knitted hose at least partially has a double-layer or multi-layer knitted mesh structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Kinrom Industries
    Inventor: Jingrong Dong
  • Patent number: 10688267
    Abstract: A fluid tube is disclosed herein. The breathing circuit tube has a wall which comprises a hollow geometry. The wall defines a passageway with a central longitudinal axis therethrough. The wall is expandable and contractible to adjust a diameter and a length of the passageway. The wall includes a partition and one or more corrugations that expand and contract to adjust the diameter and length of the passageway. The corrugations extend between terminal end portions of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Vyaire Medical Consumables LLC
    Inventor: Garrett Austin Sheffer
  • Patent number: 10661054
    Abstract: A Coude catheter insures proper drainage and reduces tissue damage by using an alignment indication section having an open passageway positioned on a proximal end of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Son
  • Patent number: 10661622
    Abstract: A storage arrangement for at least one line from a tractor truck to a trailer including at least one of an electrical line, a first pneumatic line and a second pneumatic line includes a housing member configured to be secured to the truck external to a cab of the truck, a first receiver connected to the housing and configured to couple to a select one of the electrical line, the first pneumatic line and the second pneumatic line, and an air pump positioned within the housing and pneumatically coupled to a pneumatically-driven assembly of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin D. Keatley, Randy L. Schutt, Andrew Wallner
  • Patent number: 10604878
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a cabinet with a panel. An auxiliary spray assembly includes a spray body. A hose is coupled to the spray body. A docking station is mounted to the panel of the cabinet at a hole of the panel. The docking station is rotatable relative to the panel within the hole of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander B. Leibman, Lucius Levon Cole
  • Patent number: 10605299
    Abstract: A bicycle control cable is provided with a central wire and at least one resin string. The at least one string made of resin is spirally wound onto the radially outermost surface in a direction intersecting with a center longitudinal axis of the central wire with a pitch less than or equal to 1 millimeter. The at least one resin string defines a spiral gap between adjacent windings of the at least one resin string. The at least one resin string defines an outer sliding surface for reducing a sliding resistance of the central wire. The central wire and the at least one resin string define an inner wire configured to slidably move in an axial direction with respect to the center longitudinal axis of the central wire within an outer case to operate a bicycle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Nishimura, Kenji Ose, Takamoto Asakawa
  • Patent number: 10495240
    Abstract: A wear-resistant multi-layer retractable water pipe, comprising a retractable inner pipe; a one- or multi-layer retractable fabric sleeve; and a retractable wear-resistant protective layer, wherein the retractable inner pipe is nested in the fabric sleeve, and the fabric sleeve is nested in the retractable wear-resistant protective layer. The present disclosure has the following advantages: the pressure bearing capacity of the water pipe is improved; second, the fabric sleeve is not easily worn and scratched, and the service life of the water pipe is prolonged; even if the inner pipe is broken, the outermost wear-resistant protective layer has a certain pressure resistance, ensuring that the water pipe can continue to be used, the service life of the water pipe is prolonged; and, the outermost wear-resistant protective layer has a smooth surface and therefore is easy to clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Zhejiang Helen Plastic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Songlin Dai
  • Patent number: 10487924
    Abstract: A steering mechanism may comprise an actuation system for one-fingered operation by a user, the system configured to move at least a distal portion of the medical device such that 360 degree articulation is achievable, and a housing coupled to the system, the housing having proximal and distal ends. The system may comprise a first lever rotatable about a first axis, the first lever coupled to a first cam and configured to move the first cam from a first position to a second position when rotated about the first axis to deflect the distal portion; and a second lever rotatable about a second axis, the second lever coupled to a second cam and configured to move the second cam from a first position to a second position when rotated about the second axis to deflect the distal portion, wherein the first lever is coupled to the second lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: William Asselin, Michael Barenboym
  • Patent number: 10470866
    Abstract: A urological repair device includes a stent having a diameter that fits within a portion of a urological structure. The stent also has a length to bridge a distance between a first end of the urological structure and a second end of the urological structure. The stent includes at least one tapered end. The tapered end enables placement of the stent within the urological structure. A method of repairing a urological structure includes placing a first end of a substantially tubular urological structure over a first end of a tubular stent, and placing a second end of a substantially tubular urological structure over a second end of a stent, and attaching the first end of the substantially tubular urological structure, the second end of a substantially tubular urological structure, and the tubular stent to form a fluid passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Greg Harold Albers
  • Patent number: 10473238
    Abstract: Methods of laying subsea pipeline (1300) on a seafloor comprising: providing a pipe laying vessel (1100), placing a spooling structure assembly (1200) on the seafloor, and laying the subsea pipeline (1300) in a loop around the spooling structure assembly and associated systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Conrad Swanson, Bruce Davis Light, Ta-Ming Hsu
  • Patent number: 10415560
    Abstract: A dual-head, pulseless peristaltic-type pump comprises a pump housing, cover, two compressible tube chambers and two sets of rotatable occluding members. An off-center drive axis driven by motor or other rotational mechanism rotate inner large diameter disk. Balls or rollers between inner disk rotate in one direction from center drive axis where the outer ring is stationary and occludes the tube by linear motion without friction between tube and outer ring. The linear roller occluding motion transfers liquid or slurry from inlet to outlet of tube. In one embodiment, two separate sets of occluding members are installed 180 degree opposite to each other such that pulsations are compensated for and canceled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Nelson Naksun Choi
    Inventors: Nelson Naksun Choi, Steve Lim Choi
  • Patent number: 10369328
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter that has adjustable stiffness that enables a user to select the stiffness of at least one region of the catheter during insertion and navigation through a body lumen. A preferred embodiment of the invention works in combination with a guidewire to enable placement of the catheter at a position within the vascular system, for example, to enable treatment of a variety of medical conditions. The catheter can include segments that undergo relative movement in response to actuation by the user to adjust the flexibility of the at least one region, preferably located at or near the distal end of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Lee Tsai, Yuyin Chen, Vyas Ramanan
  • Patent number: 10357310
    Abstract: A medical probe includes a flexible insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity of a patient, and a distal tip, which is disposed at the distal end of the insertion tube and is configured to be brought into contact with tissue in the body cavity. A coupling member couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube and includes a tubular piece of an elastic material having a helical cut therethrough along a portion of a length of the piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Andres Claudio Altmann, Ariel Garcia
  • Patent number: 10358361
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system or method for the remediation of wastewater with a treatment media in tandem with an electrocoagulation system. The system and method also include cleaning elements for cleaning distribution lines within the system and for cleaning the electrocoagulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventors: Loren L. Losh, Scott W. Powell, Daryl W. Haerther
  • Patent number: 10307043
    Abstract: The endoscope herein described has a unique steering capability allowing the highly flexible distal end of the shaft of the device to be moved to a full range angular positions without rotating the device on its long axis, thus enabling the device to be steered within the cavity of interest. The relative lengths of the control cables used to move the distal end of the bendable shaft can be changed whenever the flexible or malleable shaft is to be re-shaped to a new configuration thus preventing the distal end or the steering mechanism from assuming an undesired angular position. When used as an endotracheal device, a novel tongue retractor is described which forms an internal conduit, allowing passage of the bendable shaft of the endotracheal intubation device and an endotracheal tube therethrough. Methods for performing a tracheal intubation and changing the relative lengths of the cables are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: Richard Rutgers
  • Patent number: 10309043
    Abstract: An installation for fabricating a fiber texture in the form of a strip presenting a profile that varies at least in cross-section includes a loom, one or more take-up rollers, and a storage mandrel, each take-up roller and the storage mandrel presenting a radius that varies across its axial width so as to define an outer surface having a profile in relief. One or more take-up rollers include a plurality of sectors releasably fastened on the outer surface of the take-up roller. Each sector extends over a fraction of the circumference of the take-up roller and over all or part of the axial width of the take-up roller. Each sector also presents at least one thickness that is determined in such a manner as to modify locally the thickness of the profile in relief of the outer surface of the take-up roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Jérémy Hellot, Hubert Jean Marie Fabre
  • Patent number: 10293137
    Abstract: An introducer (10) with a steerable distal tip section (17) is disclosed. The steerable distal tip section may comprise an articulation support member comprising a laser-cut pattern of symmetrical elongated apertures in which the shape of each aperture is defined by at least three radii, a central radii being the largest and two end radii being smaller. This pattern of apertures can minimize ovaling of the cross-sectional shape of introducer shaft over the length of the deflectable section. The introducer can articulate in multiple planes. A tension pull wire can allow the introducer to resist directional bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore P. Dale, Benjamin E. Morris, Gregory R. Furnish, Asela Indaka D. Gunasekara
  • Patent number: 10271681
    Abstract: A beverage making appliance includes at least one tube in the beverage making appliance for transporting a liquid from the beverage making appliance, where the at least one tube is provided with a slit extending along a length of the at least one tube between one end of the at least one tube and another end of the at least one tube. At the slit, the at least one tube is openable. Further, the at least one tube on each side of the slit provides a bias to each side of the slit to make contact along the slit to close the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Rodin Enne Bruinsma, Fransiscus Hermannus Feijen
  • Patent number: 10266292
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reinforcing structures with composite reinforcement systems are disclosed herein. According to aspects of the present disclosure, a carrier of a composite reinforcement system for repairing and/or reinforcing a physical structure is disclosed. The carrier includes a plurality of carbon fibers. Each carbon fiber has a longitudinal axis and a length extending in a generally 0 degree direction. The carrier further includes at least one fiberglass fiber having a longitudinal axis and a length extending in a generally 90 degree direction across the plurality of carbon fibers. The plurality of carbon fibers constitute at least about 70 wt % of the carrier and the at least one fiberglass fiber constitutes at most about 30 wt % of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Neptune Research, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lazzara, Richard J. Lazzara, Venkatachala S. Minnikanti, Davie Peguero, Tony Anderson, Armand Herold
  • Patent number: 10260661
    Abstract: The invention relates to line elements (600) consisting of a multi-layer inner element (IE) and an outer element (AE), wherein the inner element (IE) and the outer element (AE) are in contact with each other at points, at lines, over part of the surfaces thereof, or over the full surfaces thereof. Furthermore, a frictional contact protection means extending over the component length is provided, or a frictional layer (121) is provided in the contact region of the inner element (IE) and the outer element (AE). The wear of the outer element (AE) caused by friction can thereby be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: WESTFALIA METALLSCHLAUCHTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Karsten Schenk, Oliver Selter, Matthias Weiss, Stefan Hauk, Dietmar Baumhoff, Karl-Heinz Münker, Michael Henkelmann, Andreas Gerhard
  • Patent number: 10183150
    Abstract: A deflectable device, such as a catheter, is provided that includes a hinge that enhances the ability of the device to deflect or bend within a predetermined plane. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A distal segment is provided distal to the distal end of the catheter body. A tubular hinge is provided between the distal end of the catheter body and the proximal end of the distal segment. The hinge has an axis and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The tube includes at least one slot, and preferably a plurality of slots, extending part of the way through the hinge generally transverse to the axis of the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. McDaniel, Martin F. O'Sullivan, James K. Lee
  • Patent number: 10172537
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rod-shaped body comprised of one or more filaments and of a non-ferromagnetic matrix material. The matrix material surrounds the filament(s) and/or adheres them to one another. The rod-shaped body is also comprised of a dopant consisting of particles that generate magnetic resonance tomographic artifacts that is introduced into the matrix material. Rod-shaped bodies of this type can be used to construct guide wires, catheters and other instruments to be used in minimally invasive surgical interventions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: MARVIS INTERVENTIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim-Georg Pfeffer, Rolf W. Günther, Thomas Schmitz Rode
  • Patent number: 10144805
    Abstract: The invention relates to copolyamides which are formed from a diamine component, a dicarboxylic acid component and possibly a lactam- and/or ?-amino acid component. Furthermore, the invention relates to a polyamide moulding compound which comprises at least one of these copolyamides. Moulded articles produced from these moulding compounds are used in the automobile field, in the domestic field, in measuring-, regulating- and control technology or in mechanical engineering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: EMS-PATENT AG
    Inventors: Andreas Bayer, Manfred Hewel
  • Patent number: 10117499
    Abstract: An automatically filling fogless shower mirror includes a mirror assembly having a mirror which thermally conductively contacts a water reservoir within the mirror assembly that communicates at the upper end thereof with a water-fill aperture. A tubular automatic water-filling adapter installable between a water supply pipe and a shower head has protruding from the adapter a flexible water supply tube which diverts a small portion of water flowing through the adapter into an inlet opening of the tube, which is discharged from an outlet opening in a distal end of the tube which is removably inserted into the water-fill aperture. Heating of the mirror by warm water in the reservoir prevents fogging caused by condensation of water vapor. Water cooled by warming the mirror trickles from a small drain hole in the reservoir and is continuously replenished by warm water supplied by the automatic water-filling adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: ZADRO INC.
    Inventor: Zlatko Zadro
  • Patent number: 9964239
    Abstract: A pneumatic air hose is formed from an inner elastic tubular member surrounded by an outer inelastic tubular member. In use, one end of the air hose is connected to an air compressor and the end to a pneumatic tool. When engaged, the pneumatic air hose and inner elastic tubular member expand to an extended state while the outer tubular sleeve is extended along with the inner tubular member to a length greater than the original non-extended state. Upon disengagement of the air compressor, the expandable hose resumes its original non-extended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Don Disbrow
  • Patent number: 9919494
    Abstract: A metallic pipe for contact with a hydrolyzing medium provides longer operating times and improved high temperature resistance. The pipe contains a layer of a polyamide moulding composition containing at least 50% by weight of polyamide content containing: I) 60 to 98 parts by weight of a polyamide which contains 10 to 70 meq/kg of a terminal carboxy group and has a relative solution viscosity ?rel of at least 1.90, and II) 2 to 40 parts by weight of a polyamine-polyamide graft copolymer produced from: a) 0.5 to 25% by weight, based on the entire monomer mixture, of a polyamine having at least 4 nitrogen atoms, and b) 75 to 99.5% by weight, based on the entire monomer mixture, of polyamide-forming monomers selected from lactams, ?-aminocarboxylic acids and/or equimolar combinations of diamine and dicarboxylic acid, with the proviso that the amino group concentration of the graft copolymer is in the range from 100 to 2500 meq/kg, wherein the sum of the parts by weight of I) and II) is 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Franosch, Franz-Erich Baumann, Horst Beyer, Andreas Dowe, Andreas Pawlik
  • Patent number: 9901707
    Abstract: A catheter curvature brace, catheter assembly and method for managing fluid in a patient, the brace being attachable to a distal portion of a shaft of a catheter and having an elongated frame with a distal end and a proximal end. The frame is formed with at least one curve in a relaxed curved configuration. At least two coupling elements are connected to the frame, each coupling element configured to engage an outer surface of the catheter. At least the frame is formed of an elastic, biocompatible material capable of being straightened by a force and then returning to the relaxed curved configuration after the force is removed, thereby bending the catheter to substantially conform to the relaxed curved configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: INTEGRA LIFESCIENCES SWITZERLAND SÀRL
    Inventor: Alan Dextradeur
  • Patent number: 9863558
    Abstract: A composite hose assembly including a fluoropolymer inner tube and a jacket circumferentially surrounding the fluropolymer tube. The jacket is formed from a plurality of plaits of fiberglass lace or other material. The jacket is then coated or infused with different resins along an axial length of the tube to impart varying degrees of flexibility along its length. A method of making the composite hose assembly includes: providing a fluropolymer inner tube, forming a jacket by circumferentially wrapping a plurality of plaits of fiberglass lace or other material around the fluropolymer tube, and infusing the plaits with different resins along its length to vary the flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Titeflex Commercial Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Rooke, Michael C. Clemente
  • Patent number: 9820635
    Abstract: In a bending tube for endoscope on which torsion preventing tab mechanisms are provided on the respective middle parts of first and second slots for bending located in an area from the proximal end of a bending tube body to a predetermined position on the distal end side (the torsion suppressing area), and the bending tube body being permitted to bend by the first and second slots for bending, the torsion preventing tab mechanism of at least any one of the first and second slots for bending arranged on the proximal end side of each of arrays (first and second arrays), other than the first and second slots for bending located at the most proximal end, among the first and second slots for bending arrayed in a same line, respectively, along a longitudinal direction of the bending tube body, is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Seto, Eijiro Sato, Takeru Kondo, Takashi Nara
  • Patent number: 9789640
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the pelletization of plastics and/or polymers, in which a melt coming from a melt generator is supplied via a diverter valve having different operating positions to a plurality of pelletizing heads through which the melt is pelletized. The plurality of pelletizing heads have different throughput capacities and are used sequentially for the start-up of the pelletizing process, with the melt first being supplied to a first pelletizing head having a smaller throughput capacity and then the melt volume flow being increased and the diverter valve being switched over such that the melt is diverted by the diverter valve to a second pelletizing head having a larger throughput capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: GALA INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Eloo, Juergen Heinz Veltel
  • Patent number: 9744722
    Abstract: A consumable material for use in an additive manufacturing system, the consumable filament comprising a polyamide blend of at least one semi-crystalline polyamide, and at least one amorphous polyamide that is substantially miscible with the at least one semi-crystalline polyamide, and a physical geometry configured to be received by the additive manufacturing system for printing a three-dimensional part from the consumable material in a layer-by-layer manner using an additive manufacturing technique. The consumable material is preferably capable of printing three-dimensional parts having good part strengths and ductilities, and low curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventor: Luke M. B. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 9675984
    Abstract: The rapid cleaner and disinfecting system is a wheeled cart that houses two containers having a first and a second cleaning fluid that can be sprayed through one of multiple self-coiling hoses with cleaning wands attached to each hose. The distal ends of the cleaning wands are coupleable to one cleaning tool of a set of cleaning tools that are usable with one of the cleaning fluids at a time pressure sprayed through the cleaning tools. The user grips the pistol grip handle of one of the cleaning wands having a cleaning tool attached and scoures the appurtenance with the tool while being assisted with the pressure spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Jose Sotelo
  • Patent number: 9643483
    Abstract: An air duct for a vehicle is provided. The air duct includes a first duct component that is formed from a rigid material through which air external air is introduced. A second duct component is formed from a pliable material through which introduced air is discharged towards an air filter. The second duct component is formed integrally with the first duct component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yoon Geun Cho
  • Patent number: 9636482
    Abstract: A deflectable device, such as a catheter, is provided that includes a hinge that enhances the ability of the device to deflect or bend within a predetermined plane. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A distal segment is provided distal to the distal end of the catheter body. A tubular hinge is provided between the distal end of the catheter body and the proximal end of the distal segment. The hinge has an axis and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The tube includes at least one slot, and preferably a plurality of slots, extending part of the way through the hinge generally transverse to the axis of the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. McDaniel, Martin F. O'Sullivan, James K. Lee
  • Patent number: 9579955
    Abstract: A rear slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a frame portion having an upper rail and a lower rail, a fixed window panel that is fixed relative to the frame portion, and a movable window panel that is movable along the upper and lower rails. The movable window panel has a first electrical element established at a surface thereof. The first electrical element is in electrical connection with a vehicle power source via a flexible cable having one end electrically connected to the first electrical element at the movable window panel and another end electrically connected to a second electrical connector at the fixed window panel. The flexible cable flexes in response to movement of the movable window panel relative to the fixed window panel. A wire guide is disposed at the fixed window panel and the flexible cable is routed along the wire guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRROS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Darin J. Snider
  • Patent number: 9527719
    Abstract: A tapping fitting, particularly a flap or ball cock, with a fitting housing made from plastic for connection to a drain spigot of a plastic container for liquids, particularly an interior container of a transport and storage container. The fitting housing is provided with a conductive device at least part of which is made from electrically conductive plastic for dissipating an electrostatic charge. The conductive device is the conductive device has an integrally conformed earthing conductor for the electrically conductive connection of the conductive device to a ground potential and is also connected integrally with the fitting housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: PROTECHNA S.A.
    Inventor: Udo Schütz
  • Patent number: 9515466
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a cable assembly holding apparatus realized to hold a cable assembly between an upper level of an offshore facility and a lower level, comprising a set of open tubes, wherein an open tube comprises a longitudinal slit along its length, through which the cable assembly is introduced into the open tube. The invention further concerns an offshore facility comprising the cable assembly holding apparatus and a method of suspending the cable assembly from an upper level of an offshore facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Niels Joergen Borch-Jensen, Johnny Soerensen
  • Patent number: 9506403
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener for securing two pipe adapters within a casing such as a gas turbine casing. The fastener comprises a fastener body having a central bore for receiving the pipe adapters and having a first engagement portion, e.g. a radial projection extending into said central bore, for engagement with a first pipe adapter. The central bore has a second engagement portion, e.g. a threaded portion, for engagement with a second pipe adapter. The fastener further comprises an outer wall at least partly surrounding and spaced from the fastener body in a concentric arrangement. The outer wall comprises a fastener flange extending radially in a direction away from the fastener body for overlaying the casing. At least a portion of the outer wall is deformable (e.g. formed as bellows) so that, in use, axial and/or radial movement of the pipe adapters is dampened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCS plc
    Inventor: Samuel John MacLaren Clarke