Abstract: The invention relates to an impregnated yarn, a ribbed thin-walled composite product comprising such an impregnated yarn, and a method of making them. Such an impregnated yarn (10d; 10e) comprises at least two continuous strands (10a; 10b) comprising plant fibers (11), said strands (10a; 10b) being impregnated with thermoplastic material (12a) in at least 60% of their volume, each of said strands (10a; 10b) being individually twisted and all of said strands (10a; 10b) also being twisted in a configuration (10d) held by the thermoplastic material (12a).

Abstract: A thin-walled organic-matrix composite product reinforced by yarns, the yarns compromising hybrid yarns, the hybrid yarns having a core made of a first material having a density less than 1500 kg/m3 and a cover covering the core, the cover being produced from a second material, the second material being different from the first material and having a longitudinal Young's modulus greater than 25 GPa, and the composite product having at least one ribbed face, the ribs being created at least partially by the hybrid yarns.

Abstract: Stiffened thin-walled natural fiber composite product having first fiber yarns (A), each first fiber having a first thickness, and second fiber yarns (B) having a second thickness larger than the first thickness. At least one side of said product is even. Applications for a seat post; a bicycle saddle; a bicycle frame; a bicycle handle bar; a baseball bat; a piece of furniture; a paddle; or a sheet for automotive applications.

Abstract: Gastric banding devices, and drive systems designed to operate gastric banding devices, are disclosed. The gastric banding devices and drive systems intend to increase performance, durability, and simplicity over known gastric banding systems. Embodiments include transmission systems configured to output a variable force. Embodiments also include banding structures biased to apply a constrictive force to a patient's stomach. Supporting, or skeletal, structures are also disclosed. Various drive systems designed to improve power efficiency are also disclosed.

Abstract: Stiffened thin-walled natural fibre composite product having first fibre yarns (A), each first fibre having a first thickness, and second fibre yarns (B) having a second thickness larger than the first thickness. At least one side of said product is even. Applications for a seat post; a bicycle saddle; a bicycle frame; a bicycle handle bar; a baseball bat; a piece of furniture; a paddle; or a sheet for automotive applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a laparoscopic device insertion cannula (“LDIC”). The LDIC can be configured to store a surgical implant and can be formed from a hollow cylindrically shaped tube including a tapered closed tip at a distal end and a cap at a proximal end. The hollow tube can also include an opening adjacent the distal end. The opening can be covered, for example, by a flexible window. The flexible window can include a slit from which the surgical implant can be extracted from the LDIC. The surgical implant can be, for example, a gastric band.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a gastric banding system including an adjustment system that automatically increases the size of a constricted portion of a gastric lumen in response to an obstruction passing through the gastric lumen. The size of the constricted portion of the gastric lumen increases rapidly when the obstruction approaches a gastric band constricting the lumen. The adjustment system is also configured to slowly return the constricted gastric lumen to an equilibrium size the lumen had prior to the obstruction passing through the lumen. Various embodiments of gastric banding systems and adjustment systems are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a gastric banding system including an adjustment system that automatically increases the size of a constricted portion of a gastric lumen in response to an obstruction passing through the gastric lumen. The size of the constricted portion of the gastric lumen increases rapidly when the obstruction approaches a gastric band constricting the lumen. The adjustment system is also configured to slowly return the constricted gastric lumen to an equilibrium size the lumen had prior to the obstruction passing through the lumen. Various embodiments of gastric banding systems and adjustment systems are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a laparoscopic device insertion cannula (“LDIC”). The LDIC can be configured to store a surgical implant and can be formed from a hollow cylindrically shaped tube including a tapered closed tip at a distal end and a cap at a proximal end. The hollow tube can also include an opening adjacent the distal end. The opening can be covered, for example, by a flexible window. The flexible window can include a slit from which the surgical implant can be extracted from the LDIC. The surgical implant can be, for example, a gastric band.

Abstract: Gastric banding devices, and drive systems designed to operate gastric banding devices, are disclosed. The gastric banding devices and drive systems intend to increase performance, durability, and simplicity over known gastric banding systems. Embodiments include transmission systems configured to output a variable force. Embodiments also include banding structures biased to apply a constrictive force to a patient's stomach. Supporting, or skeletal, structures are also disclosed. Various drive systems designed to improve power efficiency are also disclosed.