Abstract: A parallelogram wire gripping apparatus (150, 250) is disclosed. There is a pair of distal arms (151, 152, 251, 252) and a pair of proximal arms (153, 154, 253, 254). The distal ends of the distal arms are pivoted to each other and are shaped to form a wire clamp (165). Each proximal end of the distal arms is pivoted to a corresponding distal end of the proximal arms. Each proximal arm is pivoted together at a midpoint thereof. A spring (130, 230) urges the wire clamp closed. A wire gripping jaws arrangement (165) incorporating fasteners (171, 172, 173) is also disclosed. A wire strainer incorporating two grippers (141, 142), a chain (144) and a winch (143) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing the surgical device for removing a foreign object from a body and a retrieval basket of the device are described. The retrieval basket is adapted for entrapping and retaining the object located in the body. The basket comprises a structure having a proximal end and a distal end. The structure is formed by a plurality of filaments fabricated from a single or several wires. The filaments extend from the proximal end towards the distal end, and are bound together to define a plurality of strands. The strands ramify at corresponding branching points into loops having various shapes and sizes. At least a part of the loops are overlapped and/or interlaced so as to define a net, and thereby impart structural rigidity and dilatation ability to the basket when opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for the production of a continuous strip of wire mesh (100) using a single flexible metal wire (20) which is fed to the machine continuously. According to the invention, the mesh (100) is formed by repeating the same pattern with the metal wire in one plane, each pattern being stacked on the preceding pattern with a constant pitch offset in the axial direction of production. The inventive machine comprises: a metal wire storage stage; a stage for continuously supplying metal wire to the machine; a forming stage for shaping the wire into a succession of identical patterns; a transfer stage for successively moving said metal wire patterns to the mesh-forming plane; a stage for maintaining each pattern in one plane and for offsetting same by a constant pitch with the arrival of the following pattern; and a stage for fixing the patterns to one another. The invention also relates to the strip of mesh (100) thus formed and to the production method thereof.

Abstract: An improved wire cloth material and process to enhance wire cloth dimensional stability, reduce and slow abrasive, deterioration, decrease brittleness and reduce residual stress attendant to the manufacturing and weaving process. In a preferred embodiment, the wire cloth is subjected to a liquid cryogenic material for a determinable period of time which is sufficient to increase molecular bonding energy and achieve a structural balance by effecting the transformation of austenite to denser more refined martensite. The wire cloth is then withdrawn from the cryogenic material and allowed to warm gradually at a rate of controlled temperature change. To reduce brittleness of the martensitic structure following the warming phase, the wire cloth may be optionally introduced to a subsequent heat application phase in two or more passes and allowed to again gradually return to ambient atmospheric temperature.

Abstract: A machine for stacking mesh reinforcement grids alternatingly in initial and reversed orientations includes a frame on which the grids to be reoriented are held during the reversing operation. The frame is mounted on swivelling arms for swivelling therewith and for turning relative thereto between two positions, and the frame is turned through 180.degree. relative to the arms during their swivelling to one of such positions and held stationary relative thereto during the swivelling toward the other position. Guide rails are retractably positioned along the feed path of the grids to support those grids which are not to be reoriented, prior to the retraction of such rails which takes place before the release of the reoriented grid from the frame.