Abstract: At least one example embodiment relates to a composite material. In at least one example embodiment, the composite material includes an elastic layer and a support layer. The support layer is adhered to at least a portion of the elastic layer. The support layer extends across at least apportion of a surface of the elastic layer.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame that is radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. The frame has a plurality of circumferentially extending rows of angled struts, each row of angled struts comprising angled struts arranged in a zig-zag pattern. The prosthetic heart valve further includes a leaflet structure positioned within the frame and secured thereto, and an outer sealing member mounted outside of the frame. The sealing member has an undulating outflow edge portion forming a plurality of triangular projections that are connected to and shaped to correspond to the zig-zag pattern of one of the rows of angled struts. The outer sealing member is sized to fit snugly against the outer surface of the frame when the frame is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.

Abstract: A device to emit ultrasounds to wireless recharge an electronic device, wherein the emitting device includes at least one ultrasonic transducer and an electronic circuit to control the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the control electronic circuit is configured to: apply to the transducer an excitation electric signal in order to induce the emission of an ultrasonic wave towards the electronic device; and read a feedback electric signal generated by the transducer under the action of a part of the ultrasonic wave reflected by the electronic device, wherein the control electronic circuit comprises a feedback loop configured to adjust the frequency of said ultrasonic wave, so that the energy of said reflected part of the ultrasonic wave tends to a minimum value.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a first substrate based on a biocompatible material, wherein the first substrate constitutes a part of a housing of the device and has an external side configured to be put in contact with the biological tissues of a user, wherein the device comprises at least one ultrasonic transducer within a cavity created on an internal side of the first substrate, wherein the transducer is configured so that no layer of air, of gas or of void separates the transducer from the first substrate.

Abstract: An elongated actuator including: an elongated inner tube for carrying a pressurized actuation fluid; a helical coil wrapped around the elongated inner tube; wherein the actuator undergoes actuation by means of pressure fluctuations in the elongated inner tube.

Abstract: A haptic device comprising: an array of soft hydraulic skin stretch devices, and soft microtubule muscles configured to control the skin stretch devices.

Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.

Abstract: An energy harvesting module includes a pendular unit with piezoelectric transducer elastically deformable in bending between a clamped end and a free end coupled to an inertial mass. The piezoelectric transducer includes two coplanar piezoelectric beams arranged side-by-side on either side of a central axis of the transducer, each of the piezoelectric beams including adjacent external and internal arms, arranged side-by-side and formed single-piece. The external arm of each beam has a clamped proximal end and a free distal end, and the internal arm of each beam has a free proximal end supporting the inertial mass, and a free distal end connected to the distal end of the adjacent external arm by a common junction.

Abstract: A module includes a pendular unit with piezoelectric transducer elastically deformable in bending with a clamped end and a free end coupled to an inertial mass. The piezoelectric transducer includes at least one piezoelectric beam configured into two adjacent arms formed single-piece, with an external arm and an internal arm arranged side-by-side. The external arm has a clamped proximal end and a free distal end, and the internal arm has a free proximal end supporting the inertial mass, and a free distal end connected to the distal end of the adjacent external arm. An annular mount surrounds the beam at its proximal end and includes the clamp to which is fastened the proximal end of the external arm. The mount includes, in a central region in the vicinity of the clamp, a cavity inside which the inertial mass carried by the free proximal end of the internal arm can oscillate.

Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.

Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for forming a stream of individual packets, comprising a folder arranged to form a tubular web structure, a feeder arranged to feed the formed tubular web structure to a nip; a first rotor comprising a first sealing jaw and a knife, a second rotor comprising a second sealing jaw and an anvil, the sealing jaws, the knife and anvil rotating into opposing relation at the nip so as to form a severed, completed packet beyond the nip. The apparatus includes an open ended packet catcher adjacent the first and second rotors, which is arranged to catch the severed, completed packets beyond the nip whereby a stream of packets is established.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment relates to a composite material. In at least one example embodiment, the composite material includes an elastic layer and a support layer. The support layer is adhered to at least a portion of the elastic layer. The support layer extends across at least apportion of a surface of the elastic layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for forming a stream of individual packets, comprising a folder arranged to form a tubular web structure, a feeder arranged to feed the formed tubular web structure to a nip; a first rotor comprising a first sealing jaw and a knife, a second rotor comprising a second sealing jaw and an anvil, the sealing jaws, the knife and anvil rotating into opposing relation at the nip so as to form a severed, completed packet beyond the nip. The apparatus includes an open ended packet catcher adjacent the first and second rotors, which is arranged to catch the severed, completed packets beyond the nip whereby a stream of packets is established.