Abstract: A lead connector assembly includes a lead receptacle, a sleeve, and a handle for coupling to a medical lead. The lead receptacle has an inner surface and an opening configured to receive the lead. The sleeve is deflectable by the inner surface of the lead receptacle. The sleeve has a distal end portion defining a first outer diameter to engage the lead in a locked position and a second outer diameter greater than the first diameter in an unlocked position. The handle is coupled to the lead receptacle and a proximal end portion of the sleeve to move the sleeve axially in both directions along the longitudinal axis relative to the lead receptacle. The lead connector assembly retains the lead in the locked position. The lead receptacle is couplable to a medical device housing.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold for use with an internal combustion engine having a first cylinder and a second cylinder. The exhaust manifold includes a first fluid path having a first inlet in fluid communication with the first cylinder of the internal combustion engine and a first outlet, a second fluid path having a second inlet in fluid communication with the second cylinder of the internal combustion engine and a second outlet, and a valve adjustable between a first configuration, in which the first fluid pathway is in fluid communication with the second fluid path, and a second configuration, in which the first fluid pathway is not in fluid communication with the second fluid pathway.

Abstract: An engine control device controls an engine. The control device includes a controller. The controller is configured to open the air bypass valve of the engine and close the waste gate valve of the engine when a first condition is satisfied, and thereafter determine that an execution condition of a boost pressure increase control is satisfied when a second condition is satisfied. The air-bypass valve disposed on an air-bypass passage that communicates between an upstream side and a downstream side of a compressor in an intake passage. The waste gate valve disposed on a waste gate passage that communicates between an upstream side and a downstream side of the turbine in an exhaust passage. The first condition represents a turbine pre-rotation start request, and the second condition represents a boost pressure increase request.

Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed comprising at least one cylinder arrangement, an exhaust conduit, and at least one turbine. The cylinder arrangement comprises an exhaust port arrangement configured to open and close an exhaust flow area, ACYL. The cylinder arrangement has a maximum volume, VMAX. The exhaust conduit extends between the exhaust flow area, ACYL, and a turbine wheel inlet area, ATIN, of the turbine and has an exhaust conduit volume, VEXH that is ?0.5 times the maximum volume, VMAX. The exhaust port arrangement is configured to expose the exhaust flow area, ACYL, at a size of at least 0.22 times the maximum volume, VMAX, when a piston of the cylinder arrangement is at the bottom dead centre, BDC.

Abstract: A method of anatomically positioning screw holes in an acetabular implant that can be used in surgery, such as a total hip arthroplasty. In some examples the method can be used to position holes in a shell of the implant. The method can include, for example, obtaining anatomic data including data defining an arch of bone behind an acetabulum of the living being, the arch of bone extending from a superior anterior portion to an inferior posterior portion of the acetabulum. The method can further include positioning a first series of holes along a first arched line within the acetabular shell, the first arched line determined based on the anatomic data for the arch of bone proximate the acetabulum of the living being.

Abstract: A stent is provided having a plurality of intersecting elongated members arranged to form a plurality of cells, the plurality of cells defining an elongated tube with a lumen running therethrough. The elongated tube has first, second, and third sections, the first section having a substantially first diameter and the third section having a substantially constant second diameter that is larger than the substantially constant first diameter of the first section, wherein the diameter of the second section transitions from the first diameter to the second diameter. Each of the plurality of cells within the first section have a pitch that is tighter than each of the plurality of cells within the second and third sections. In the second section, the plurality of intersecting elongated members includes a plurality of pairs of elongated members, wherein each pair of elongated members includes two adjacent elongated members twisted axially around each other.

Abstract: A stent is provided having a plurality of intersecting elongated members arranged to form a plurality of cells, which define an elongated tube with a lumen. The elongated tube has first and second sections, the first section having a substantially constant first diameter, the second section having a substantially constant second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The elongated tube also has a transition section between the first and second sections, the transition section having a concave curvature extending proximally from the first section and a convex curvature extending proximally from the concave curvature to the second portion. A proximal end of the second section has a plurality of rounded ends formed by the plurality of intersecting elongated members. Each of the plurality of cells within the first section have a pitch that is tighter than each of the plurality of cells within the second section.

Abstract: A joint assembly including a plurality of frames, each including contactors provided in opposite directions to each other and a middle portion configured to connect the contactors, and a connecting member configured to maintain a state in which contactors of two neighboring frames among the plurality of frames are in contact with each other is disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic hip system generally includes acetabular components, femoral components, and tooling for implanting the components. The acetabular components include an acetabular socket and a bushing received within the acetabular socket. The acetabular socket defines a reamer with cutters for preparing the acetabulum. The femoral components generally include a cutter cap, a head cover, and a screw. Tooling includes a cutting bit that is used to cut a flat on the femoral head. The cutter cap is advanced in a cutting action onto the femoral head to remove the sides of the head and the cutter cap is also implanted on the femoral head. The head cover is positioned on the cutter cap, and retained with a coupling screw. The acetabular socket and the head cover are assembled with a bushing therebetween. Methods of implantation are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an upper limb rehabilitation robot system comprising a computer (8) and a rehabilitation robot (7), wherein the computer (8) is used for performing information interaction (11) with the rehabilitation robot (7), recording training information, sending control command to the rehabilitation robot (7), showing the virtual training environment, providing rehabilitation training visual feedback (14), and showing the control interface and rehabilitation training information; wherein the rehabilitation robot (7), acting as a system actuator, is connected to the computer (8) for receiving the control command from the computer (8) to complete the motion control and terminal force output, and sending sensor data to the computer (8) at the same time.

Abstract: An otologic prosthesis is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the device includes a set of crimping prongs comprising a lattice structure provided on a surface of each crimping prong in the set of crimping prongs to support and promote osseointegration. In accordance with some embodiments, the stem and the TM plate are separate pieces configured to be attached by a snap-fit mechanism. In accordance with some embodiments, the device is an adjustable length prosthesis with an internalized sizing mechanism. In accordance with some embodiments, the device is adjustable by a rotatable joint that facilitates rotation of a first stem section with respect to a second stem section for adjustment and readjustment on a patient-specific basis.

Abstract: Various joint replacements are disclosed herein, as are methods of use thereof. The joint replacements can have a flexible band or multiple flexible bands that can link together a first part of the joint replacement and a second part of the joint replacement. The flexible band or bands can be tensioned to establish proper tension in the patient's joint. In certain circumstances, the joint replacement can be a shoulder joint replacement.

Abstract: A time-dependent decay behavior is incorporated into one or more joint actuator control parameters during operation of a lower-extremity, prosthetic, orthotic or exoskeleton device. These parameters may include joint equilibrium joint impedance (e.g., stiffness, damping) and/or joint torque components (e.g., gain, exponent). The decay behavior may be exponential, linear, piecewise, or may conform to any other suitable function. Embodiments presented herein are used in a control system that emulates biological muscle-tendon reflex response providing for a natural walking experience. Further, joint impedance may depend on an angular rate of the joint. Such a relationship between angular rate and joint impedance may assist a wearer in carrying out certain activities, such as standing up and ascending a ladder.

Abstract: The embodied invention is a nipple implant made from silicon and designed to be well anchored in position by attaching it to the skin of the patient. The implant includes support arms suitable for attachment to the underside of the dermis skin layer using sutures. An outer ring provides stability to the attaching arms and adds additional surfaces that will be surrounded by scar tissue to provide additional location stability. The nipple implant includes a center receptacle that secures a skin elevating plug that provides a skin protrusion. The plug is replaceable with an additional surgery to provide a gradual increase in the skin protrusion over a period of months. The area around the implant is tattooed to provide visual coloring that matches the natural areola shape and color.

Abstract: An attachment system for use with a prosthetic device includes a first component including a first surface, and further including one of a channel and a projection disposed on an opposite side of the first component than the first surface. A second component including a second surface, and including the other of the channel and the projection disposed on an opposite side of the second component than the second surface, the other slidably engaging the channel or the projection to selectively couple the first component and the second component together. One of the first surface and the second surface is operable to be attached to the prosthetic device, and the other is operable to be attached to a sole structure having a ground-engaging surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a speaking valve for laryngectomized or tracheotomized persons, comprising a cover part, a housing part, and a filter arranged in the housing part. The cover part comprises a closure part which is arranged on an inner face of the cover part and which faces the filter. The cover part consists of an elastic material, and the closure part closes the speaking valve distally to the filter by deforming at least one region of the cover part. The closure part has a circular shape and has a central part surface which rises starting from a lower end surface of an outer edge to a centrally arranged securing region.

Abstract: A method of preventing paravalvular leakage includes concurrent delivery of a heart valve prosthesis and an annular sealing component. During delivery, the sealing component is moved from a first position to a second position of the heart valve prosthesis which is longitudinally spaced apart from the first position of the heart valve prosthesis. The sealing component is secured around the heart valve prosthesis at the second position by a contoured outer surface of the heart valve prosthesis. The sealing component may be a flexible ring or may be a cylindrical flexible sleeve having a plurality of ribs longitudinally extending over the cylindrical sleeve. The ribs operate to deploy the sealing component such that at least a portion of the cylindrical sleeve buckles outwardly away from the outer surface of the heart valve prosthesis.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more links. A Y-shaped member is comprised of a U-shaped member and a link having a curved portion and a straight portion to improve the flexibility and thereby improve the fatigue performance of the Y-link junction.

Abstract: Methods and devices for positioning and securing ligament grafts are provided. In general, the devices and methods utilize an implant having a particular outer surface profile and a bone tunnel having a complementary profile to provide a form fit between the implant and bone that utilizes friction to position and secure a ligament graft within the bone. Such an implant can be used in conjunction with a variety of ligament grafts, including hamstring ligament grafts. In addition, an “outside in” approach can be utilized with the implant to minimize the risk of damaging adjacent tissue during an operation and provide enhanced surgeon control. The devices and methods can be utilized in connection with repairing or replacing ligaments in a variety of joints, but can in some embodiments have particular utility in cruciate ligament reconstruction procedures.

Abstract: A method of operating a multi-functional limb movement auxiliary device comprising a plurality of actuators configured to move, upon activation, limb movement auxiliary device members in at least two independent degrees of freedom, a bio-signal sensing unit that is configured to acquire bio-signals indicative of motor activity, a control unit configured to receive and evaluate the acquired bio-signals, the method comprising steps of acquiring bio-signals from the user of the limb movement auxiliary device, applying a novelty detection method (ND) for comparing digitally converted, acquired bio-signals with calibration bio-signals, and, based on a result of the comparison, for assigning a similarity measure to the acquired, digitally converted bio-signals, applying at least one sequential estimator (SEQ-E) to the acquired, digitally converted bio-signals, if the assigned similarity measure is equal to or larger than a pre-determined threshold value, applying at least one simultaneous estimator (SIM-E) to th