Abstract: There is disclosed a method of converting a bitmap to an object-based embroidery pattern by generating a skeleton from the bitmap and traversing paths and nodes identified in the skeleton, the embroidery pattern objects being generated during the traversal. The outline of the bitmap is used to define parts of the boundaries of the generated objects, which are laid down using a linear stitch type on the first traversal of a skeleton path and a fill stitch type on the second traversal of the skeleton path.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a drive mechanism for driving an embroidering frame B, means for holding the embroidering frame B and operatively connected to the drive mechanism to be driven thereby to move the embroidering frame B in X-Y direction relative to a vertically reciprocating needle on the surface of a machine bed, and means for normally pressing the embroidering frame B against the surface of the machine bed with an optimal force to absorb the vibrations of the embroidering frame B which may be caused during embroidery stitching operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically controlling the spreading of a textile sheet made up of a plurality of tows coming from a tow feed module and serving to feed a drive module, the apparatus comprises means for measuring the positions of the longitudinal edges of each tow, means for individually adjusting the width of each tow, means for individually adjusting the position of each tow in a direction perpendicular to a tow advance direction, and digital processor means responsive to said position measuring means to control the adjustment means in such a manner that the textile sheet presents determined width and position.

Abstract: A buttonhole sewing machine comprises work piece clamps with a pneumatically actuated displacement drive for displacement relative to each other of the work piece clamps from an initial position of spread by a length of spread into a final position of spread. Only the first work piece clamp is displaceable relative to the x-y table. The displacement of the first work piece clamp is defined between two stop positions. A control unit stores data for triggering an x drive for reversed displacement of the x-y table by half the given length of spread.

Abstract: A buttonhole sewing machine comprises a buttonhole cutting device which includes a knife and at least one cutting block that cooperates with the knife. Provision is made for a cutting drive for motion of the knife and the cutting block relative to each other by variable cutting force, the cutting drive comprising several linear drives which are connected in parallel and pneumatically actuated selectively.

Abstract: This method is applied in men stocking boarding units including an implement bearing several boarding shapes and suited to be led into a steam boarding chamber defined by two shells, movable with respect to each other into a mutual opening and closing position. The method provides for grasping the stocking inserted on a relevant boarding shape, in correspondence with the cuff of said stocking and on opposing sides of boarding shape itself, inside said boarding chamber, by means of opposing gripping means bound to shells of boarding chamber. Upon boarding unit shells closure, said gripping means are elastically deformed and stretch the stocking leg on the boarding shape to a preset length. The stocking leg is kept stretched during the boarding phase inside the boarding chamber.

Abstract: A sewing machine 100 comprises a nonvolatile memory 43, and it is possible to select two kinds of set modes including a normal mode and an initial set value changing mode when starting up the sewing machine 100. The initial set value changing mode is selected in regulation or maintenance after the assembly of the sewing machine 100. In the initial set value changing mode, a set value for a sewing work stored in a ROM 42 is exactly maintained or is properly changed, and is thus stored in the nonvolatile memory 43. Consequently, the set value for the sewing work is optimized depending on the sewing machine 100 which is mass-produced. The normal mode is selected in a normal sewing work. In the normal mode, the set value stored in the nonvolatile memory 43 is properly changed depending on each sewing work and is thus stored in a RAM 44.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a grasping device and system and the method of using the device and system for capturing a thromboembolism and other objects or masses within a patient's body lumen, particularly from within a patient's cerebral blood vessels. The grasping device has an elongated core member with a grasping assembly of arms on the distal end of the core member which have an expanded and a contracted configuration. The expanded configuration permits the arms to surround an object such as a thrombus or clot and a contracted configuration to grasp or capture the object. The distal ends of the arms are provided with object grasping members such as one or more teeth to facilitate the capture and removal of the object. A delivery catheter and a shorter guide catheter aid in delivering the grasping device to the desired intravascular location within the patient.

Abstract: A surgical stapler for securing a prosthetic heart valve within a patient is disclosed and generally includes a first cylindrical portion for carrying a staple assembly on a distal end thereof, a second cylindrical portion positioned concentrically about the first cylindrical portion and having a camming arm on a distal end thereof and a third cylindrical portion positioned concentrically about the second cylindrical portion and having an anvil flange on a distal end thereof, the camming arm configured to cam the staple assembly radially outward and drive the staple assembly distally such that a first leg of the staple assembly penetrates a cuff of the prosthetic heart valve and a second leg of the staple assembly pierces a portion of heart tissue surrounding the prosthetic heart valve to secure the valve. A method of installing a heart valve within a patient utilizing the surgical stapler is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sewing machine comprising one or more motion means to effect a sewing function, each motion means having a dedicated motion control processor responsive to sewing commands addressed to said motion control processor, for controlling said motion means to effect said sewing faction; and a high speed communications interface for exchanging information between each said motion control processor and an external computer, whereby said sewing commands are determined by the external computer.

Abstract: A two-thread lock-stitch sewing machine with a thread cutter comprises a shaft which is parallel to the vertical axis of a shuttle and has a lever arm with a thread pulling knife disposed on it. The bobbin case in the shuttle has a holding finger which is directed toward a stitch hole and is held between two cams that are arranged on a rib. Formed between the cams and the workpiece bearing plate is an interspace which the lever arm passes through, together with the thread pulling knife projecting into a space between the motion travel of the sewing needle and the cams so that a thread cutting operation is enabled to be performed with very short thread tail pieces remaining on the lower side of the workpiece. The thread cutting operation excels by simple design and reliable operation.

Abstract: A method for linking plain knitted fabrics includes the steps of fixing a first plain knitted fabric in a stretched state, obtaining an image including an image of a darning stitch, calculating a location of the darning stitch, repeating the above steps with a second plain knitted fabric, calculating a location of the darning stitch of the second plain knitted fabric from the obtained image, moving the first plain knitted fabric and the second plain knitted fabric relative to each other to align the darning stitches of the first and second plain knitted fabrics, moving a sewing machine needle of a sewing machine to the location of the darning stitch of the first plain knitted fabric, and linking together the darning stitches.

Abstract: Goggles include a goggle frame and a goggle lens to be detachably fitted in a groove formed on the inner peripheral portion of the goggle frame. The front and rear walls constituting the groove have ventilating openings opposing each other. Either a goggle lens which covers the opening of the rear wall or a goggle lens which allows the openings of the front and rear wall to communicate with each other can be fitted in the groove.

Abstract: A linking method including the steps of opposing knitted fabrics to be linked to each other, stretching the opposed knitted fabrics in a course direction, stretching the opposed knitted fabrics in a wale direction, picking up an image of linking loops of each of the stretched knitted fabrics, detecting the positions of the linking loops based on a multiple gray-scale image, inserting a point needle through each of the linking loops, sewing a linking loop in the vicinity of an edge of each of the knitted fabrics, and linking together the linking loops other than the sewn linking loop by using the point needle; and an apparatus for linking knitted fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated system, method and article of manufacture for determining the most appropriate fit and size of a garment, based on either or both customer preference or/and set objective criteria, for a particular garment dimension or a plurality of garment dimensions as they relate to a consumer body dimension or dimensions and the ideal body dimension or dimensions for that garment or for a range of garments.

Abstract: An apparatus for embroidering surface-shaped sewing material includes an embroidery device which is connected, via an intermediate insertion of a distance adapter, to the column or free arm of a sewing machine. By inserting the distance adapter between the embroidery device and the sewing machine the distance between the embroidery device and the free arm or the column of the sewing machine is increased, which makes it possible to use an embroidery frame having a cross-sectional surface which is significantly greater than an embroidery frame which is able to be used if there was simply a direct connection between the embroidery device and the free arm or column of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A yarn feed roller assembly for a tufting machine for producing multiple pile heights. The assembly comprises at least two rollers 5,6 driven at different speeds and a plurality of actuators 9, 14, 15 each arranged to bring an end of yarn selectively into driving engagement with either drive roller. The actuator may be switched between the drive rollers at a point during the needle stroke thereby varying the proportion of the stroke spent in contact with one or other drive roller, and hence varying the pile height.

Abstract: A microprocessor-assisted sewing machine control equipment is flexibly applicable for controlling the sewing machine driving motor and further electric motors which are controlled independently of or in dependence on the rotary position. To this end, a control system is allocated to each electric motor, comprising an open-loop control unit for rotary-position-independent controlling, a closed-loop control unit for controlling the electric motor in dependence on the rotary position, and a selection unit. The selection unit couples for control either the closed-loop control unit or the open-loop control unit with the electric motor, depending on whether the electric motor is controlled by closed-loop control in dependence on the rotary position or by open-loop control independently of the rotary position.

Abstract: A buttonhole sewing machine comprises work piece clamps with displacement drives for displacement from an initial position of spread by a length of spread into a final position of spread. The work piece clamp comprises a supporting plate for accommodation of a work piece and a clamping plate mounted on the supporting plate. A clamping drive for actuation of the clamping plate supports itself on the supporting plate.

Abstract: An end-side anastomosis system including a fitting comprising: a base for attachment to a graft, said base be configured to form a seal with an opening in a host vessel wall; a leading petal having a cross-section with a radius of curvature approximating a radius of curvature of the host vessel, said leading petal being configured to dilate the host vessel wall opening while advancing said fitting through the opening; and a rear petal, said rear petal being deflectable to be advanced through the host vessel opening.