Abstract: Examples of catheter devices, removable needle devices and kits are disclosed. Also methods for accessing a hollow organ are disclosed. The catheter devices include a body extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the body includes an elongated channel along a longitudinal length of the body extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the body, wherein the channel is configured to receive an elongated needle of a removable needle device, and the body includes one or more cutting edges extending in a proximal direction from the distal end of the body. The body of the catheter device includes one or more recesses adapted to mate with one or more catches of the removable needle device for coupling the needle device to the catheter devices. Also methods of using the catheters, removable needle devices and the kits are disclosed.

Abstract: Fired magnesium oxide stabilized zirconia ceramic body having a highly smooth, polished or otherwise equivalent surface has, on at least part of the surface, a metal/metal alloy coating. The fired ceramic body can be a magnesium oxide stabilized tetragonally toughened zirconia. The coating can be from a metal or metal alloy other than by tantalum vapor deposition, and can include a titanium metal or alloy. The coating can be a macro coating, up to less than about 0.015 of an inch in thickness. The coated magnesium oxide stabilized zirconia ceramic can be a tool or an orthopedic implant or component for an orthopedic implant, which can be a load bearing implant or component for a load bearing implant having an articular surface and a nonarticular surface where the metal or metal alloy coating is on at least part of the nonarticular surface. Plasma arc spraying under vacuum may be employed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a medical device comprising a compressed, cylindrical or oblong, thin-walled, expandable metal structure (a “blockstent”) and a flexible, elongated device (a “delivery catheter”) to position the compressed blockstent into the lumen of a blood vessel segment to be treated, and methods of use for occlusion of treated blood vessel segments. A blockstent can be made with ductile metals such as gold, platinum, or silver such that the blockstent will conform to the shape of the lumen of the treated blood vessel segment during expansion and allow for the shape of the blockstent to be permanently changed by the application of an external force. The surface of the blockstent can be configured to promote local thrombus on the external surface of the blockstent and to promote the growth of tissue into the wall of the blockstent in order to occlude the treated blood vessel and fix the blockstent in place.

Abstract: What is disclosed are medical devices comprising a rounded, thin-walled, expandable metal structure (“ballstent”) and a flexible, elongated delivery device (“delivery catheter”) and systems and methods of use for treating saccular vascular aneurysms with the medical devices. Ballstents comprised of gold, platinum, or silver that can be compressed, positioned in the lumen of an aneurysm, and expanded to conform to the shape of the aneurysm are disclosed. The external surface of ballstents can be configured to promote local thrombosis and to promote the growth of tissue into and around the wall of the ballstent in order to seal the aneurysm and fix the ballstent in place in the aneurysm. The wall of the ballstent can also be configured to release drugs or pharmacologically active molecules, such as those that promote thrombosis, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition, and tissue growth.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a rotating tool having an excellent wear resistance. The rotating tool includes: a base member including a cutting edge portion and a flute portion; and a coating film that coats a surface of the base member, a ratio B/A of a film thickness B of the coating film coating a surface of the flute portion to a film thickness A of the coating film coating a surface of the cutting edge portion being not less than 0.8.

Abstract: A process for producing a tool having a main body which extends in a longitudinal direction and at least one blade for machining a workpiece includes providing a base coating on the tool; grinding the at least one blade in a manner that removes the base coating in the region of the at least one blade; and providing a second, fine coating, to the at least one ground blade.

Abstract: A method for shaping a coating on a razor blade, and a razor blade produced using the aforesaid method, are provided. The method includes the steps of a) providing a razor blade having a tip end defined by at least one tip surface and a cutting edge; b) applying a surface coating having a first thickness on at least one tip surface; and c) shaping the surface coating on the at least one tip surface to have a second thickness using a fluid stream, which second thickness is less than the first thickness.

Abstract: An example mold assembly system includes a mold assembly including a mold forming a bottom of the mold assembly, a funnel operatively coupled to the mold, and an infiltration chamber defined at least partially by the mold and the funnel, the infiltration chamber being used for forming an infiltrated downhole tool. A mold assembly cap is positionable on the mold assembly and including a sidewall extendable about an outer periphery of the mold assembly at least partially along a height of the mold assembly. The sidewall exhibits a horizontal cross-sectional shape that accommodates a shape of the mold assembly and the sidewall is made of a thermal material that promotes directional solidification of the infiltrated downhole tool during fabrication.

Abstract: Razors are described herein. In some instances the razors include a safety razor blade unit that includes a guard, a cap, and at least two blades with parallel sharpened edges located between the guard and cap. A first blade defines a blade edge nearer the guard and a second blade defines a blade edge nearer the cap. The first blade has a cutter force greater than the cutter force of the second blade. In some instances the razors provide a comfortable shave having improved closeness.

Abstract: A cutting unit for a hair cutting device, comprising a stationary cutting member, wherein the stationary cutting member comprises a plurality of stationary blade pieces, and a moving cutting member (10), wherein multiple cutting elements (11) are extending along a middle axis (A) from a base sheet (12) of the moving cutting member (10), wherein each cutting element (11) of the moving cutting member (10) comprises a proximal end (14) with a first width (W1) connected to the base sheet (12) and a distal end (16) with a second width (W2) facing away from the base sheet (12), a first flank (18) and a second flank (20) each extending from the proximal end (14) to the distal end (16), wherein the first flank (18) and/or the second flank (20) each comprising a blade edge (22) extending at least partially along the first flank (18) and/or the second flank (20), wherein the second width (W2) of the distal end (16) is larger than the first width (W1) of the proximal end (14).

Abstract: A nipper includes two crossing levers movably connected at a joint, each lever has a finished distal portion with a blade, an unfinished proximal portion, and a coil-spring connector at a junction of the distal and proximal portions. A hollow coil spring has ends each connected to a respective connector and visually covering the proximal portion thereof. A method for manufacturing the nipper includes providing the levers with a nipper blade at the finished distal portion, the unfinished proximal portion at a proximal end of the distal portion, and the coil-spring connector at a junction of the distal and proximal portions. The two levers are movably connected at the joint to form a nipper with the blades. The proximal portion of each lever is visually covered by sliding each end of the coil spring over the respective proximal portion and securing each end thereof at the respective coil-spring connector.

Abstract: A cutting member for a shaving razor includes an elongated blade portion that tapers to a cutting edge, an elongated base portion that is integral with the blade portion, and a bent portion, intermediate the blade portion and the base portion. In some implementations, at least part of the cutting member has a thickness of at least about 0.005 inch (0.127 millimeter).

Abstract: A razor blade unit including a housing having a top surface, and a loop disposed on the top surface, the loop having two terminal ends and two exposed opposing edges between the two terminal ends. The loop intersects the top surface at the two terminal ends and the two terminal ends are spaced apart from each other on the top surface. At least a portion of at least one of the two exposed opposing edges has a cutting edge. The razor blade unit provides improved conformity to skin contours.

Abstract: A pencil-sharpener tool for carpenter pencils includes a housing, a pencil-tip-insertion hole, and a hex-bit-drive hole. The pencil-tip-insertion hole may configured in to receive a portion of a carpenter pencil. The hex-bit-drive hole may extend at least partially through the housing opposite the pencil-tip-insertion hole. The hex-bit-drive hole may also be in axial alignment with the pencil-tip-insertion hole and the central axis of the housing. The housing, the pencil-tip insertion hole, and the hex-bit-drive hole may be in fixed relation to each other, and may move in unison when the hex bit is inserted inside the hex-bit-drive hole and rotates clockwise or counterclockwise.

Abstract: In a cutting edge of a razor blade, a non-nitrided layer containing Ti, Al, and Cr formed on opposite surfaces of a base plate as a portion of a coating layer. A remaining layer containing Ti, Al, Cr, and N formed on opposite surfaces of the non-nitrided layer as a portion of a nitrided layer of the coating layer. A surface layer containing Ti, Al, Cr, and N formed on opposite surfaces of the remaining layer as a portion of the nitrided layer of the coating layer. A fluororesin layer formed on opposite surfaces of the surface layer with a bonding layer containing Cr and Al in between. The coating layer further improves the cutting edge, enhances cutting performance of the cutting edge, and maintains the enhanced cutting performance to improve the durability of the cutting edge.

Abstract: A process for forming knife blades such as for kitchen or sport knife use comprises injecting a compound including a binder and a metallic powder into a mold having a shape of the knife blade, removing a green blank from the mold and sintering the green blank to produce a sintered blank. The sintered blank is then subjected to a hot-isostatic-pressure to produce a finished blank. An insert may be placed in the mold to impose a desired feature, such as a logo or legend, on the green blank during the molding process. The mold is so configured as to changeably receive the insert so that a first series of blanks can be made using the insert, then a new insert may be emplaced to impose a different feature on succeeding blanks formed in the mold. An edge component may be placed in the mold, around which the blank is injected, to form a compound blade.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to safety blades for use in utility knives, related assemblies and methods of manufacturing. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to safety blades for use in utility knives, related assemblies and methods of manufacture which limit user exposure to associated cutting edges.

Abstract: A cutting member for a shaving razor includes an elongated blade portion that tapers to a cutting edge, an elongated base portion that is integral with the blade portion, and a bent portion, intermediate the blade portion and the base portion. In some implementations, at least part of the cutting member has a thickness of at least about 0.005 inch (0.127 millimeter).

Abstract: A ceramic knife and a method for producing the ceramic knife are disclosed. The ceramic knife includes a base member and two layers on the base member. The base member includes zirconia as a main component. The base member further includes a cutting edge and a cutting edge portion that is adjacent area of the cutting edge. Two layers include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is located at least on the cutting edge portion of the base member, and includes nitride material such as zirconium nitride, silicon nitride and aluminum nitride. The second layer is located on the first layer, and includes diamond-like carbon or DLS.

Abstract: Provided is a movable blade including, at a part including a movable blade leading edge which engages with a stationary blade, a blade edge portion which is thinned toward the movable blade leading edge. The blade edge portion is formed by shaving.

Abstract: In a vacuum chamber, the edge of each blade group is subjected to an ion beam treatment under predetermined conditions using a plasma ion gun and argon as a medium, and is subjected to a plasma ion implantation of nitrogen plasma under predetermined conditions using a plasma ion implantation gun. As a result, it is possible to provide a blade member having an edge of a cutting quality enhanced by increasing the sharpness, a blade member having an edge of a rigidity enhanced by increasing the hardness, and a working apparatus capable of working those edges efficiently.

Abstract: A cutting tool comprises a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge movable into engagement with one another. The first cutting edge comprises an edge tip extending along at least a portion of the cutting edge. The edge tip has a geometry that lowers the cutting force required to cut hard articles and minimizes damage to the cutting edge. The edge tip has a flat end face defining a first edge and a second edge. A first side face extends from the first edge and a second side face extends from the second edge where the first side face and the second side face extend at an angle relative to one another such that the first side face and the second side face diverge as they extend away from the flat end face.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blade of a cutting tool, the method including depositing a mixture including a hard material onto an edge of a movable steel strip to form a hard material coated steel strip; grinding the edge of the hard material coated steel strip; and subsequently to grinding, forming individual blades from the hard material coated steel strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a knife (1) with a blade (2), a bolster (3) and a handle, in particular a tang (4), forged from a single piece of flat steel material (5), wherein, before forging, the flat material (5) is upset in the region between the blade (2) and the handle or tang (4) to form a bead (6), the longitudinal axis (LW) of which is arranged transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis (LM) of the knife, and is then formed by forging to form a bolster (3), which has at least one side edge (K2) positioned obliquely in relation to the longitudinal axis (LM) of the knife, wherein the longitudinal axis (LW) of the bead (6), which later forms the bolster, is oriented obliquely in relation to the longitudinal axis (LM) of the knife (1).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blade including heating and quenching a coil of strip steel material to harden the material, heating the strip steel material to temper the material, grinding a first angle along an edge of the material, and subsequent to the grinding, re-hardening, for example by induction heating, the edge of the material.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for making components includes: providing at least one of a prealloyed powder of a composition of Ni—Ti in the range of Ni-36Ti to Ni-45Ti or a mix of powders that forms a composition of Ni—Ti in the range of Ni-36Ti to Ni-45Ti; loading at least one of the prealloyed powder and the mix powders into a container; hot isostatically pressing (HIP) the container to full density to obtain a compact; rolling the compact in a mill with multiple passes to produce a sheet or other mill form material; and cutting blanks for the components from the sheet material to produce a component blank.

Abstract: A device, and a method of making the device, having a blank having a rigid handle at a proximal end and a flexible operative end at a distal end are described. The rigid handle and the flexible operative end are joined to each other such that the flexible operative end is configured to be in an arced position when at rest and unopposed, and to resiliently flex to a substantially straight position when opposed. The rigid handle and the flexible operative end may be joined to each other between a pivot point and a proximal end of the device. The device may form hybrid scissors or hybrid forceps.

Abstract: A composite knife blade includes a cutting-edge piece of a first alloy, a back piece of a second alloy different from the first alloy, the cutting-edge piece and the back piece are brazed together at a serpentine joint. The cutting-edge piece has a high Rockwell hardness value, as compared to a hardness of the back piece. A method of manufacture of the knife blade includes fine blanking the back piece of from a sheet of the second alloy, laser cutting the cutting-edge piece from a sheet of the first alloy, and brazing the first piece to the second piece to form a composite blade. The composite blade is then cooled from the brazing temperature to an austenizing temperature of the cutting-edge piece, and quenched, to harden the cutting-edge piece.

Abstract: A shaving/cutting device with directly deposited (formed) razor structures without the use of intermediate adhesives. The device is in the form of a substantially flat substrate with miniature razors that have been directly deposited and formed onto the surface of the substrate. The substrate is of a rigid or flexible nature. The substrate is substantially thin and is therefore flexible and its shape is rectangular, circular or oval in nature. The razors are substantially deposited in plurality as an array formation onto the surface of the substrate. In most cases the razor array formation is in the form of parallel, curved and concentric nature. Flat mesa structures that are substantially the same height as the razor structures are incorporated in the razor array formations. The methods of manufacturing one or more directly deposited razor structures and mesa structures is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cutting member (6) of a shaver (1) includes the steps of providing a plate-shaped carrier (10), cutting at least one cutting element (9a, 9b) free from the carrier except for a residual connection between a base (15, 23) of the cutting element and the carrier, and bending the cutting element relative to the carrier. The steps of cutting free and bending are performed simultaneously using a tool (11) having a combined punching and bending effect. By using such a tool, the action of cutting free is obtained by a tearing process which does not lead to a free space and a loss of material between the cutting element (9a, 9b) and the carrier (10). As a result, the strength of the carrier is not reduced by such a free space or loss of material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blade including heating and quenching a coil of strip steel material to harden the material, heating the strip steel material to temper the material, grinding a first angle along an edge of the material, and subsequent to the grinding, re-hardening, for example by induction heating, the edge of the material.

Abstract: A multi-edge chisel which can be operated in a hands-free manner is made from a unitary main body with at least one opening. The main body has a flat profile, with a blade on one end, and at least one striking plate on the opposite end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing reversible knives (W) with profiled cross section, in particular for a use in chopping machines for wood chipping, composed in cross section of a proximal support part (2) with at least one fitting means (21, 22) for fastening the knife (W) in a detachable and displacement-proof manner and on both sides on the support part (2) a distal chipping region (5) containing the cutting edges (52) , wherein a preliminary material (1) with large longitudinal extension is subjected to a surface processing (11) and a support profile (2) is formed therefrom by rolling.

Abstract: A system and method for friction stir processing of a hand-held cutting edge, wherein friction stir processing techniques are used to modify the properties of the hand-held cutting edge to obtain superior edge retention and superior resistance to chipping of the hand-held cutting edge.

Abstract: Imbedded carrier blades for cleaving optical fibers and related cleavers and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the blade includes a carrier body that defines a blade edge. At least one cleaving material is imbedded into at least a portion of the carrier body. The at least one cleaving material is additionally exposed on at least a portion of the blade edge to induce a flaw in a portion of an optical fiber contacted by the blade edge. The portion of the optical fiber can be broken about the induced flaw to create an end face for fiber optic termination preparations. Cleaving the optical fiber prepares an end face on the optical fiber to prepare fiber optic terminations, including in the field. The imbedded carrier blade can be disposed in a cleaver to cleave an optical fiber. Methods of cleaving an optical fiber using an imbedded carrier blade are also provided.

Abstract: As provided in the present invention, a shaving aid element includes a novel shaving aid holder having one or more “undercut elements” incorporated on its upper surface. These undercut elements provide an interlocking mechanism to retain a shaving aid portion to the shaving aid holder. The interlocking mechanism of the undercut element comprises an interlock area of the shaving aid portion and an interlock area of the shaving aid holder. The undercut elements include one or more protrusions or cavities, in the upper surface of the shaving aid holder, and may be curved hook-like structures or mushroom shaped structures, straight-line structures, or angled structures, in any combination. The shaving aid portion, as not being disposed on a lower surface of the shaving aid holder, provides utility for disposing at least one aesthetic element (e.g., indicia), at least one functional element (e.g., exfoliation) or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A utility blade for use with conventional retractable and fixed blade utility knives comprising a blade body having a generally trapezoidal configuration defined by a cutting edge, an opposite back edge, a pair of opposing side edges and a pair of cutting points defined by the points of intersection between the side edges and the cutting edge. The blade further defines a pair of score lines, each proximate to one of the side edges. The score lines enable the user to remove a dulled or damaged cutting point, which in turn provides the user with two additional cutting points defined by the points of intersection between the score lines and the cutting edge. Further, the blade is configured with one or more notches strategically located on the back edge of the blade, such that each cutting point can extend from the utility knife at approximately the same distance.

Abstract: A cutting tool comprises a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge movable into engagement with one another. The first cutting edge comprises an edge tip extending along at least a portion of the cutting edge. The edge tip has a geometry that lowers the cutting force required to cut hard articles and minimizes damage to the cutting edge. The edge tip has a flat end face defining a first edge and a second edge. A first side face extends from the first edge and a second side face extends from the second edge where the first side face and the second side face extend at an angle relative to one another such that the first side face and the second side face diverge as they extend away from the flat end face.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a razor head component that includes the steps of providing a strip of material elongated along a first direction (X), the strip having first and second rounded extremities parallel with the first direction (X). The strip includes a first portion having a first extremity, a second portion having a second extremity, and an intermediate portion intermediate the first and second portions, bending the intermediate portion of at least a part of the strip about a bending axis, and fixing a razor blade onto the second portion of the part.

Abstract: A method for refining the texture of a ferrous material. The method includes a first step and a second step. The first step includes a step of making carbide particles in a portion of a base material smaller. The second step includes a step of nitriding at least a part of said portion.

Abstract: A cutting system with enhanced wear resistance comprises a first cutting element having a first surface and a second surface, and a first cutting edge formed at an intersection of the first surface and the second surface. The first cutting element comprises a body with a first base surface and a second base surface intersecting the first base surface. The first base surface has an undulating contour character along the intersection of the first base surface and the second base surface. A layer of wear resistant material is applied to the first base surface of the body adjacent to the first cutting edge. The layer of wear resistant material has a substantially uniform thickness along the first cutting edge to transfer the undulating contour character of the first base surface to the first surface of the first cutting element to give the first cutting edge a serrated character.

Abstract: Provided are an outer blade for a reciprocation-type electric shaver and a method of producing the outer blade, the outer blade being capable of suppressing a deformation such as wrinkles or an undulation, without adding a new component, to thereby keep a good appearance thereof. A sheet material for forming the outer blade is bent into a shape projecting upward when viewed in the lateral directions. The sheet material has hair introduction holes, the peripheral edge of each hair introduction hole forming a projection section projecting inward beyond the other portion of the sheet material, the end surfaces of a part of the projection sections make contact with a reciprocating inner blade. The sheet material is formed with a deformation suppression section in a specific region not including the projection sections which make contact with the inner blade but including the projection sections which make no contact with the inner blade.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a blade for a cutting tool, in particular for a knife, a pair of scissors, a saw, a household appliance, or indeed an industrial tool, the blade being made of steel or an alloy of stainless steel with a cutting edge extending over a portion of its periphery. The cutting tool fitted with a blade presents great resistance to wear of the cutting edge of the blade.

Abstract: A razor blade manufactured by the process of cutting a strip of blade steel into discrete blanks each having an elongated edge and an elongated support portion extending between a pair of lateral end faces generally transverse to the elongated edge. The elongated edges are sharpened to form a cutting edge. The discrete blanks are deformed to form a bent portion. The lateral end faces are treated to remove cracks prior to being deformed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing razor blades from a strip material includes reducing the thickness of a lengthwise-extending blade edge region of the strip material.

Abstract: Cutting members for razors are provided that have been subjected to a localized heat-treating process, e.g., application of laser energy. In some cases, the cutting members include a bent portion, and the localized heat-treating process is used to enhance ductility and thereby facilitate formation of the bent portion.

Abstract: A razor cartridge having blades and a cap structure in back of the blades where the cap structure extending across the length of the blades includes at least one skin engaging element and at least one shaving aid portion. The skin engaging element may comprise fin elements, elongated protrusions, bumps, nubs, or any combination thereof, and may be flexible to engage the user's skin in back of the blades for a comfortable shave. The shaving aid portion serves to deliver at least one shaving aid material (e.g., lubricant) to the skin. The shaving aid portion may be a lubricating strip, a soap/solid, a foam or sponge filled with shaving aid material or any combination thereof. The cap structure provides a synergy between the skin engaging element and the shaving aid portion. A percentage contact to a user's skin of the skin engaging element is from about 20% to about 90%.

Abstract: A cutting blade is disclosed fabricated of micromachined silicon. The cutting blade utilizes a monocrystalline silicon substrate having a {211} crystalline orientation to form one or more cutting edges that are defined by the intersection of {211} crystalline planes of silicon with {111} crystalline planes of silicon. This results in a cutting blade which has a shallow cutting-edge angle ? of 19.5°. The micromachined cutting blade can be formed using an anisotropic wet etching process which substantially terminates etching upon reaching the {111} crystalline planes of silicon. This allows multiple blades to be batch fabricated on a common substrate and separated for packaging and use. The micromachined cutting blade, which can be mounted to a handle in tension and optionally coated for increased wear resistance and biocompatibility, has multiple applications including eye surgery (LASIK procedure).

Abstract: A trimmer mechanism suitable for use in a hair trimmer and hair trimmer attachment is described. The trimmer mechanism allows for a linearly reciprocating motion to be used to obtain a close trim or shave. The trimmer mechanism includes two sets of blades that are moveable relative to each other to define a pair of cutting zones. One set of blades provides a coarse trim, while the following set of blades provides a finer trim. Also provides is a blade arrangement and a method of manufacture of a blade arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a razor blade. The process includes the steps of: a) providing a substrate, b) forming a wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate that has an included angle of less than thirty degrees and a tip radius of less than 1,000 angstroms, c) placing the substrate in a vacuum chamber, d) placing a first solid target in the vacuum chamber, e) providing a gas to be ionized in the vacuum chamber, and f) generating ions from the first solid target by applying a negative voltage to the first solid target in pulses, the ions forming a thin film coating on the wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate.