Abstract: A method includes inserting a distal end portion of a needle of a medical injector into a skin of a body. An energy source operatively coupled to the medical injector is actuated such that a dermal filler is conveyed from the medical injector into the skin through the distal end portion of the needle. The distal end portion of the needle is moved within the skin during the actuating.

Abstract: The faceplate of a golf club head includes bars can be individually deflected, without permanent damage, in a direction perpendicular to the impact face when the impact face strikes a golf ball. Each of the bars has a frontwall which extends across the faceplate. When the frontwalls provide the impact face, they can be composed of the same material. Adjacent bars can have sidewalls which are in contact with each other or which are spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: A striking face for golf clubs, such as a driver, iron or putter comprising a plurality of bars retained in the club head body and forming the striking surface. The bars which comprise the striking face according to the invention may be designed and arranged to provide enhanced performance of a golf club. The bars may also be machined economically before assembly of the golf club head to provide a precision grooved striking face at reduced cost.

Abstract: A striking face for golf clubs, such as a driver, iron or putter, includes zones of the same or different material arranged to create a desired “feel” to the golfer and/or produce a desired effect on the golf ball. For instance, the zones can be arranged to create a variation in mechanical properties across the striking face. The zones can be created by using “pixels” such as round or hexagonal rods arranged with their central axes perpendicular to the striking face. Pixels of a first material such as a shape memory alloy such as superelastic NiTi can be arranged in one or more concentric patterns and the remainder of the striking face can be made up of pixels of a second material such as beta-titanium, martensitic NiTi or stainless steel. The superelastic NiTi pixels can thus create a sweet spot on the striking face of the club.

Abstract: A striking face for golf clubs, such as a driver, iron or putter, includes zones of the same or different material arranged to create a desired “feel” to the golfer and/or produce a desired effect on the golf ball. For instance, the zones can be arranged to create a variation in mechanical properties across the striking face. The zones can be created by using “pixels” such as round or hexagonal rods arranged with their central axes perpendicular to the striking face. Pixels of a first material such as a shape memory alloy such as superelastic NiTi can be arranged in one or more concentric patterns and the remainder of the striing face can be made up of pixels of a second material such as beta-titanium, martensitic NiTi or stainless steel. The superelastic NiTi pixels can thus create a sweet spot on the striking face of the club.

Abstract: A urinary sphincter control device for application to a urethra to control flow of fluid through the urethra, comprises a cuff which can be fitted around the urethra. The cuff comprises a plurality of chambers which extend generally parallel to the axis of the cuff, and which can be inflated by supply of pressurised control fluid thereto. Inflation of the chambers causing the configuration of the cuff to change so as to alter the resistance that is provided by the cuff to flow of fluid along the urethra.

Abstract: A striking face for golf clubs, such as a driver, iron or putter, includes zones of the same or different material arranged to create a desired “feel” to the golfer and/or produce a desired effect on the golf ball. For instance, the zones can be arranged to create a variation in mechanical properties across the striking face. The zones can be created by using “pixels” such as round or hexagonal rods arranged with their central axes perpendicular to the striking face. Pixels of a first material such as a shape memory alloy such as superelastic NiTi can be arranged in one or more concentric patterns and the remainder of the striking face can be made up of pixels of a second material such as beta-titanium, martensitic NiTi or stainless steel. The superelastic NiTi pixels can thus create a sweet spot on the striking face of the club.

Abstract: A system for attaching optical frames and lenses is described which provides positive, reversible attachment without rims, cords, or screws. The mating is performed with a mechanical closure onto a receiving portion of the lens which has been formed as the mating piece for the closure device. Lenses may be changed and adjusted in a straightforward manner and the resulting device presents a clean, fashionable appearance without the need for structural rims, cords, or screws.

Abstract: A hinge connection for a temple piece of an eyeglass frame having a hinge pin extending from a portion thereof. The temple piece includes a resilient portion biased against the hinge pin so as to attach the temple piece to the eyeglass frame. The temple piece is rotatable about the hinge pin and the resilient portion provides a tight hinge connection with the hinge pin and compensates for wear between the hinge pin and temple piece over extended use of the eyeglass frame.

Abstract: A golf club head is provided with an impact surface formed of a shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy is selected to have a transformation temperature applicable for the range of normal golf playing temperatures, that is in the range between about 0 and 15 degrees C. This selection of the transformation temperature of the impact surface provides an effective variation of the stiffness of the golf club head that compensates for changes of the stiffness of a golf ball with changing temperatures.

Abstract: A striking face for golf clubs, such as a driver, iron or putter, includes zones of the same or different material arranged to create a desired "feel" to the golfer and/or produce a desired effect on the golf ball. For instance, the zones can be arranged to create a variation in mechanical properties across the striking face. The zones can be created by using "pixels" such as round or hexagonal rods arranged with their central axes perpendicular to the striking face. Pixels of a first material such as a shape memory alloy such as superelastic NiTi can be arranged in one or more concentric patterns and the remainder of the striking face can be made up of pixels of a second material such as beta-titanium, martensitic NiTi or stainless steel. The superelastic NiTi pixels can thus create a sweet spot on the striking face of the club.

Abstract: A fastener useful for attaching components of an eyeglass frame together. The fastener includes a pin having a smooth or fluted shank and a retainer having a hole for receiving the shank, the hole being sized to provide an interference fit with the shank. The retainer is made from a titanium nickel shape memory alloy in an optimized elastic condition. The optimized elastic condition is provided by work hardening a tube or wire of Ni--Ti and cutting the retainer out of the tube/wire. The retainer accommodates wear in moving parts held together by the retainer and pin assembly.

Abstract: An over-current/over-temperature protection device (1) which includes first and second electrical contacts (2,3), a separable resistance electrical current path (4) extending between the contacts, a breaker (6) and a heater. The heater comprises the separable path (4). The breaker breaks an electrical connection between at least one of the contacts and the separable path when current above a threshold value passes through the separable path and/or the over-current/over-temperature protection device reaches a threshold temperature. The breaker (6) includes a member of a shape memory alloy which changes shape from a first configuration to a second configuration when the member is heated from a first temperature T.sub.1 to a second temperature T.sub.2. The heater heats the member from the first temperature T.sub.1 to the second temperature T.sub.2 so that the member changes from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: An intra-luminal expander assembly for use with a catheter comprises an expandable tubular expander element having openings, for example slots, formed in it, and first and second fixation portions located at or towards its ends. The expander element is disposed around a core element which comprises a shape memory alloy which has been treated so that, when the temperature of the alloy is increased above its A.sub.s temperature, it displays a shape memory effect and the length of the core element decreases. The expander element is attached to the core element through the first fixation portion and oriented so that, as the length of the core element decreases when its temperature increases, the first fixation portion is caused to move relative to the second fixation portion in a direction towards the second fixation portion, and the second fixation portion being restrained against movement with the first fixation portion so that the length of the expander element decreases and its transverse dimension increases.

Abstract: A fastener useful for attaching components of an eyeglass frame together. The fastener includes a pin having a smooth or fluted shank and a belleville washer having a hole for receiving the shank, the hole being sized to provide an interference fit with the washer. The washer is made from a titanium nickel shape memory alloy in an optimized elastic condition. The optimized elastic condition is provided by work hardening a sheet of Ni-Ti and cutting or stamping the washer out of the sheet. The washer is also plastically deformed into a conical shape.

Abstract: An over-current/over-temperature protection device which includes first and second electrical contacts, a separable resistance electrical separable path extending between the contacts, a breaker means and a heater. The heater comprises the separable path. The breaker breaks an electrical connection between at least one of the contacts and the separable path when current above a threshold value passes through the separable path and/or the over-current/over-temperature protection device reaches a threshold temperature. The breaker includes a member of a shape memory alloy which changes shape from a first configuration to a second configuration when the member is heated from a first temperature T.sub.1 to a second temperature T.sub.2. The heater heats the member from the first temperature T.sub.1 to the second temperature T.sub.2 so that the member changes from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: A high density and multiple insertion connector that minimizes the amount of friction created by coupling and uncoupling of the connector wherein a generally hourglass-shaped insertion member isolates sliding contact between the components to surfaces of low frictional resistance material during the majority of the insertion and removal movements while providing wiping and high contact forces between electrical contacts.

Abstract: A high-performance, multi-row contact matrix electrical connector having a spring element in the form of an elongated hollow split tube with a mechanical actuator operatively connected to the tube and including first and second sets of parallel spaced conductors terminating at least at one end thereof in a first and second matrix of contact pads, the matrices and the pads being positioned within the split, movement of the mechanical actuator overcoming the spring element to open and close the connector.

Abstract: A rotation lock and wipe connector having a biasing member which is generally C-shaped and flexible circuitry containing a plurality of electrical contacts mounted about the biasing member, insertion and rotation of a circuit board within the biasing member mechanically and electrically interconnecting the circuit board with the electrical contacts of the flexible circuitry and simultaneously generating a wiping action between the contacts and the circuit board inserted therein is disclosed.

Abstract: Eyeglass frames fabricated from shape-memory alloys which have optimized elasticity properties which exhibit a combination of shape-memory and elastic properties, which utilize the shape-memory property of these alloys in fastening elements, or which utilize the flexibility and fatigue resistance of the martensite state of the alloys as a hinge element are disclosed.