Abstract: A catheter that does not require a fixing tool for fixing an end of a reinforcing body to an inner layer and does not require a separate marker to allow a user of the catheter to visually recognize a position of the catheter during procedures. The catheter includes a catheter main body having an inner layer that is a hollow tubular body, a braid that covers an outer periphery of the inner layer from a proximal end of the inner layer to a distal end of the inner layer, and an outer layer that covers an outer periphery of the braid. At least one end portion of the braid is folded under itself to form a folded part, and an end of the braid is in contact with the inner layer and is arranged in a lowest layer of the folded part.

Abstract: A variety of steerable needles, lancets, trocars, stylets, cannulas and systems are provided for examining, diagnosing, treating, or removing tissue from a patient. The steerable needles, trocars, stylets, cannulas and systems also provide a platform for delivery of target materials, such as therapeutics, biologics, polymes, glues, etc., to a target site. An embodiment of the invention includes a steerable device for use in accessing target site in a patient comprising: a steerable member adapted to penetrate tissue; and a steering mechanism adapted to be operated by a user to apply a bending force to bend the steerable member to access the target site.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting a tensile force to deflect a distal portion of a catheter while maintaining its exterior dimensions may include a handle grip including a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and a longitudinal axis. A flexible elongate member may include proximal and distal end portions, with the proximal end portion being coupled to the handle grip. An adjustment knob may include a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and is rotatably coupled to the handle grip around the longitudinal axis. An elongate deflection member may be operably coupled to the adjustment knob and to the distal end portion of the elongate member. Rotation of the adjustment knob may impart a tensile force to the deflection member thereby causing the distal end portion of the elongate member to deflect from a prior configuration while maintaining the generally predetermined exterior dimensions of the handle grip and the adjustment knob.

Abstract: An introducer assembly that may be employed to implant a medical device includes an introducer shaft, and an anchor sleeve and a deployment tool mounted on the shaft. According to some methods, the sleeve is deployed onto an elongate body of the medical device, after the body has been advanced through a lumen of the introducer shaft and to an implant site within a body of a patient, by pulling the introducer shaft proximally, out from the body of the patient, while holding the deployment tool in place, relative to the advanced body of the device.

Abstract: A guide wire (400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1200, 1300) is adapted for use in magnetic resonance imaging systems. The guide wire has a shaft region (402) and a distal tip region (404). The shaft region comprises a composite shaft (406) comprising reinforcing fibers aligned with a length extension (403) of the shaft region. The fibers extend at least partially into the distal tip region. The fibers form a taper (410) within the distal tip region. The distal tip region comprises a sensor (504, 604, 702, 704, 804, 904, 1006, 1008). The shaft comprises a cable (502, 602, 702, 704, 802, 902, 1002, 1004). The cable is connected to the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual balloon catheter with controlled expansion and solution flow, a multi-port manifold and a dual syringe delivery device and method with intended use in sclerotherapy.

Abstract: An implant device is configured to be implanted in a fistula to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A surgical tool has an implant the implant device mounted on a carrier. Various methods involve a fistula between the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A kit includes an entry device for use to form a fistula and an implant tool for use to implant an implant device following formation of a fistula.

Abstract: A dilation device (206) for an intra-body lumen, for example, a urethra partially occluded by an enlarged prostate in the form of a resilient curved body configured to be implanted in a cut around the lumen, and a method for dilating such a lumen by implanting a dilation device in a cut around the outside of the lumen. Also, a deployment system (300) including a delivery device for the implant, and a device for dilating the lumen before and while the cut is being made, and a method of using the implant and the deployment system. The implant may be formed of a strip or a coiled wire. The cut may be performed in part by the implant. The cut may be performed by a sharp edge, and/or by application of electrical current to the area being cut, or by a piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are moved by a device (which may be a single pump or two pumps) for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound. The apparatus also comprises means to apply high frequency vibrational energy, e.g. ultrasound, to the wound bed. The former removes materials deleterious to wound healing, while distributing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing over the wound bed. The latter promotes healing. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a skin treatment assembly comprises a handpiece comprising a distal end, the handpiece comprising a recess or cavity configured to receive a cartridge or other fluid container, a tip configured to be positioned along the distal end of the handpiece, the tip being configured to contact a skin surface of a subject during use, and at least one rollerball configured to extend to or near the tip, wherein the rollerball is configured to be in fluid communication with an interior of a cartridge or other fluid container secured to the handpiece, wherein the at least one rollerball is configured to contact the skin surface of the subject during use and to facilitate the delivery of fluids to said skin surface as the rollerball is moved relative to said skin surface.

Abstract: A microneedle application device for moving a microneedle array toward a target skin location includes a feedback sensor. The feedback sensor is operably connected to the microneedle application device, and is capable of generating an output corresponding to forces between the target skin location and the microneedle application device.

Abstract: A method of treating pancreatic cancer includes: inserting a device into a stomach or a duodenum; securing at least a portion of the device in position relative to the stomach or the duodenum; and delivering ultrasonic energy from the device to treat a target site in a pancreas.

Abstract: A wearable device for monitoring the body parameters of an individual and for delivering a drug and/or therapeutic agent. The device comprises a processing unit and a drug delivery unit. The processing unit comprises a sensor to determine body parameters of a user; a reservoir to store the drug; a processor to receive signals indicative of the body parameters from the sensor and determine a quantity of the drug to be delivered from the reservoir based on the body parameters; and a signal generator to generate electrical signals based on control instructions received from the processor. The drug delivery unit comprises a chamber to receive the determined quantity of the drug from the reservoir and a transducer connected to the chamber, wherein the transducer transdermally delivers the drug from the chamber to skin based on an electrical signal received from the signal generator.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus and methods for securing a medical catheter. The apparatus includes a tube wall that defines a lumen extending longitudinally there through. The tube wall comprising: a plurality of flexible fingers extending along a portion of the tube wall, a longitudinal slot disposed between each pair of adjacent fingers, each of the fingers comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface. An outer protrusion extends outwardly from the exterior surface of each finger. An inner protrusion extends inwardly from the interior surface of each finger. The inner protrusions are configured to frictionally engage an outer surface of the medical catheter disposed within the lumen when the plurality of flexible fingers are moved inwardly in response to an external force applied to the outer protrusions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system including an electrode and a stylet configured to steer the electrode towards its intended position during implantation, and a method for such system's use. An electrode is provided having regions with varied flexibility. A stylet having bends that are indexed to specific regions of flexibility of the electrode may be inserted into the electrode, and upon minimal radial and/or longitudinal movement of the stylet within the electrode, will cause the magnitude of the angle to which the lead is bent to either increase or decrease so as to aid the operator in placement of the electrode.

Abstract: An implantable subcutaneous electrode system is disclosed. The implantable subcutaneous electrode system may include an electrode body with electrical contacts disposed thereon or integrally formed therein. The electrode body also may include an insulation region defined between the electrical contacts and an aperture defined in the electrode body for receiving an anchoring device. A minimally invasive delivery device and methods for delivery of an implantable electrode system is also provided. The methods may include steps of introducing a needle comprising a cannula and a stylet through a patient's skin, removing the stylet while leaving the cannula in place, introducing an electrode applicator through the cannula, the electrode applicator comprising a hollow driver which receives the electrode assembly, and anchoring the electrode assembly to a bone by driving the hollow driver such that a self-tapping screw within the electrode assembly screws into the bone.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead has a torsional stiffness and is rotationally coupled to a stylet. Applying rotation directly to the lead in turn causes rotation of the stylet. Where the stylet has a bent tip for purposes of steering the lead, the rotation applied to the lead rotates the bent tip so that the lead can be steered by rotating the lead rather than rotating a hub of the stylet. The rotational coupling may be achieved through one or more features provided for the lead and/or the stylet, such as a feature within a lumen of the lead that mates to a feature along the stylet or a feature of the stylet hub that engages the proximal end of the lead. The torsional stiffness of the lead may be provided by adding a feature within the lead body, such as a braided metal wire or an overlapping foil.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an architecture, system and methods for optimizing power utilization for transdermal iontophoretic drug delivery which maintain a iontophoretic driving voltage at a reduced or even minimum value to support an iontophoretic delivery current. The reduced voltage reduces the power requirements for a transdermal iontophoretic delivery system during a period of drug delivery. Embodiments of an architecture for implementing this approach can utilize a controller which compares the desired current to the actual current and adjusts the voltage to reduce the amount of power used for iontophoretic drug delivery. The controller can comprise a state machine or microprocessor. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for extending the battery life of transdermal iontophoretic drug delivery systems.

Abstract: A skin surface electrical stimulation device or electrode for use in the treatment of various conditions. The electrode has a plurality of conductive regions spaced from one another in predetermined positions around a non-conductive body that extends longitudinally from a head portion to a tail portion. At least two posterior conductors are positioned in the tail portion and spaced laterally from each other. One or more anterior conductors are positioned in the head portion and spaced longitudinally from the respective posterior conductors. An opening extends longitudinally rearwardly from an intermediate position in the body to split the tail portion into right and left portions. The electrode device is configured for placement proximate perineal area in an individual or animal for delivery of treatment via generating an electrical charge through respective conductors.

Abstract: A catheter may include electrodes for transvascular nerve stimulation. The electrodes may be positioned within lumens of the catheter and aligned with apertures in the outer wall of the catheter. The electrodes may produce focused electrical fields for stimulation of one or more nerves. In one embodiment, the catheter may include a set of proximal electrodes and a set of distal electrodes, and the proximal electrodes may stimulate a patient's left phrenic nerve and the distal electrodes may stimulate a patient's right phrenic nerve.

Abstract: A method of treating a movement disorder using deep brain stimulation, the method comprising the step of inserting a lead having at least one electrode into the brain of a subject, the lead being inserted along a trajectory from the occipito-temporal or occipito-parietal regions, passing laterally to the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle to contact the subthalamic nucleus, the zona incerta or the globus pallidus.

Abstract: A positionally sensitive spinal cord stimulation apparatus and method using near-infrared (NIR) reflectometry are provided for automatic adjustments of spinal cord stimulation. The system comprises an electrode assembly with an integrated optical fiber sensor for sensing spinal cord position. The integrated optical fiber sensor, comprising a pair of optical elements for emitting light from an IR emitter and for collecting reflected light into a photodetector, determines a set of measured photocurrents. As the spinal cord changes position, the angles of incidence for light from the IR emitter and the measured optical intensities change. Electrode pulse characteristics are adjusted in real time, based on the set of measured optical intensities, to minimize changes in stimulation perceived by the patient during motion. The system includes automatic calibration of the optical fiber sensor when the patient is at rest, and a patient orientation detection.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to methods, devices and systems for neurological regulation. The methods, devices and systems described herein are useful, for example, in the treatment of conditions of the bladder such as overactive bladder.

Abstract: The method and system described herein relate to stimulating nerve tissue using a pulse generator. A stimulus is created that comprises a signal that is produced from a frequency spectrum having a power spectral density per unit of bandwidth proportional to 1/f?, wherein ? is excludes 0. The stimulus is provided from the pulse generator to at least one stimulation lead; and applied to nerve tissue via one or several electrodes.

Abstract: Embodiments include a leadless implantable heart stimulator (that includes an acceleration sensor, wherein the acceleration sensor delivers an acceleration signal as an output signal. The acceleration sensor is connected to an activity determination unit. The activity determination unit generates an activity signal from the acceleration signal wherein the activity determination unit at least partially subtracts a component of the acceleration signal from the acceleration signal that represents an intrinsic heart movement.

Abstract: A method of utilizing automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) includes receiving a cardiac emergency alert including a position of the alert at an AED deployment coordinating system connected to an AED network. The deployment coordinating system communicates AED network interface devices and client devices via the AED network and identifies for deployment to the position of the cardiac emergency. The cardiac emergency alert is transmitted to the AED network interface devices associated with the identified AEDs. Information pertaining to the cardiac emergency alert is then displayed on a display of the AED network interface device including the position of the cardiac emergency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment apparatus using high frequency waves, and to a method for controlling same. The treatment apparatus using high frequency waves comprises: a high frequency wave generating unit; a plurality of needles for providing, into the skin of a user, high frequency energy transferred from the high frequency wave generating unit; and a driving unit for inserting the plurality of needles into the skin of the user, wherein the apparatus further comprises a control unit for controlling the driving unit such that the plurality of needles are inserted into a first target point within the skin and then move to a second target point.

Abstract: A range shifting device configured to be placed close to a portion of a body of a patient during radiation beam treatment. The radiation beam treatment can include stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The range shifting device can be incorporated into an existing SRS localization system during SRS treatment. The range shifting device is configured to be placed close to the head of a patient during SRS treatment. The range shifting device is comprised of range shifting material. The range shifting device can be a range shifting helmet. The range shifting helmet can include a hollow frame including a plurality of apertures in which inserts made of range shifting material can be inserted.

Abstract: A system and method for radiotherapeutic treatment of a patient (20) are provided. The system comprises a patient carrier (11) for receiving the patient (20), means for monitoring (12) positions of at least two different body parts of the patient (20), a processor (14) and feedback means (13). The processor (14) is coupled to the means for monitoring (12) positions and is operative to analyze the monitored positions to determine, for each body part of the at least two body parts, a displacement of the respective body part with respect to a particular desired position. The feedback means (13) are coupled to the processor (14) for interacting with the patient (20) and to provide feedback concerning the displacement of the respective body part.

Abstract: One embodiment involves modifying neural transmission patterns between neural structures and/or neural regions in a noninvasive manner. In a related exemplary method, sound waves are directed toward a first targeted neural structure and characteristics of the sound waves are controlled at the first target neural structure with respect to characteristics of sound waves at the second target neural structure. In response, neural transmission patterns modified to produce the intended effect (e.g., long-term potentiation and long-term depression of the neural transmission patterns). In a related embodiment, a transducer produces the sound for stimulating the first neural structure and the second neural structure, and an electronically-based control circuit is used to control characteristics of the sound waves as described above to modify the neural transmission patterns between the first and second neural structures.

Abstract: An emergency descender device preferably includes a base plate, a cover plate, a feed handle, a lock lever, a rope pulley, a release link and at least one spacer. The rope pulley is pivotally retained between the cover and base plates. The feed handle is preferably pivotally retained on the base plate. The lock lever pivots relative to the feed handle. A lock pin is pressed into the lock lever. A portion of the lock pin engages a perimeter of the cover plate to place the emergency descender device in either a lock position or a release position. The rope pulley grips an anchor rope against the at least one spacer in a locked position. One end of the release link is pivotally engaged with the rope pulley and an opposing end of the release link is pivotally engaged with the feed handle.

Abstract: A fall arrest harness comprises a pair of shoulder straps, a pair of leg straps and a rear section extending therebetween, a lanyard connection member being connected to a sternal or chest region of the shoulder straps, the rear section defining a seat portion, adapted to lie across the sub-pelvic region or seat of the wearer, and a back portion, adapted to overlie at least a portion of the back of the wearer, the shoulder straps extending between side regions of the seat portion, preferably adjacent a lower edge thereof, and an upper region of the back portion, whereby the wearer, when suspended in the harness by the lanyard connection member, lies in a supine position with the weight of the wearer supported by the seat portion and back portion of the rear section and the shoulder straps with no load being borne by the leg straps.

Abstract: An open framework warehouse storage rack system for supporting articles on multi-tiered shelves within the wetting zone of an overhead fire sprinkler system. The storage rack system comprises one or more a longitudinally extending rack arrays. A falling water collection system is combined with some or all of the rack arrays. The falling water collection system includes any one of several water handling features that enhance the wetting of storage articles during a fire. One such feature is a scoop-like longitudinal water catcher that protrudes outwardly beyond the front and/or rear faces of the rack array. Another is a transverse intra-stanchion water diverter. Another is a transverse mid-span water diverter. Another is a gutter formed integrally in an uppermost beam. And another is a vertical flue catcher. The falling water collection system maximizes the amount of water that is applied directly to a fire inside the rack array.

Abstract: A water station consisting of a large water tank or bag with a plurality of dangling appendages for lowering toward the ground. These appendages include heat sensors and sprayers, and one or more may be capable of connecting to a fire fighting truck, water tank, fire hydrants, or other pieces of equipment. One or more appendages may also include a bag containing fire-fighting safety gear or ground-based hoses for fighting fires. Cameras and other sensors provide constant feedback to the pilot of the aircraft, such as a helicopter, deploying the water station.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal management and automatic fire-extinguishing system of a vehicle battery, used for managing the vehicle battery in a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, including: fire-extinguishing packages which are adjacent to or in contact with the vehicle battery, wherein the fire-extinguishing package is filled with a fire-extinguishing agent; and the fire-extinguishing package is configured to be opened when the temperature of the vehicle battery is higher than a preset temperature, so that the fire-extinguishing agent can be released and then filled into a space where the vehicle battery is located, thereby achieving the effects of automatic combustion prevention and fire extinguishing of the vehicle battery, effectively protecting the vehicle battery and the whole vehicle, reserving more escape time for passengers and improving the safety of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fire-extinguishing composition containing an alcohol/phenol compound and its derivative. The fire-extinguishing composition releases a great quantity of active fire-extinguishing particles by making use of the heat generated from combustion of a pyrotechnic agent. The fire-extinguishing composition containing an alcohol/phenol compound and its derivative in the present invention reacts at a high temperature to generate a great quantity of nanoscale active fire-extinguishing particles, takes reaction with one or more of O-, OH-, H-free radicals necessary for a chain combustion reaction, so as to cut off the chain combustion reaction and take physical and chemical inhibiting effects to jointly achieve a fire extinguishing effect at the same time. Meanwhile, it takes a synergistic interaction effect with pyrotechnic agent to further raise the fire extinguishing efficiency of the fire extinguishing agent and greatly shorten the effective fire extinguishing time.

Abstract: A starting block lock having a clamp, top and bottom locking wedges, and a rod is provided. The clamp includes top and bottom portions each having an inside surface and a body between the top and bottom portions. The body includes a cylindrical bore extending on a longitudinal axis between the top and bottom portions. The top and bottom locking wedges each include an outer surface, an inner surface, a side surface, and an aperture extending between and through the outer and inner surfaces. At least a portion of each of the side surfaces slidably contact the inside surface of the clamp. The rod extends through the apertures and the cylindrical bore and is configured rotate in a first direction to linearly displace the top and bottom locking wedges toward each other thereby providing an outward force against the inside surfaces of the clamp to expand the clamp.

Abstract: A muscular training apparatus to present muscular training accessories. The muscular training apparatus has a bottom part including a central panel and two lateral panels on each side of the central panel. The two lateral panels are installed free to pivot about the central panel. The apparatus can be converted between at least one working position and one storage position. In a working position, the lateral panels are unfolded at the sides of the central panel to form a self-supporting structure. In the storage position, the lateral panels are folded adjacent to the central panel. The bottom part further includes a locking element to secure the self-supporting structure in the working position of the apparatus.

Abstract: A wall-mounted exercise apparatus that includes a plurality of elongate anchor members fixed to a first wall and a second wall, and includes a plurality of hooks fixed to each elongate anchor member. A first strap is configured to be attached to a first hook of the plurality of hooks, and the first hook is located on a first elongate anchor member fixed to the first wall. A second strap is configured to be attached to a second hook of the plurality of hooks, and the second hook is located on a second elongate anchor member fixed to the second wall, wherein the first and second hooks are selected based on a desired difficulty of a selected exercise to be performed.

Abstract: A selectorized dumbbell incorporates a handle assembly that includes a generally triangularly shaped handle housing having an upwardly extending loop style handle in the manner of a kettlebell handle. The handle housing has angled side walls that provide surfaces on which the user's forearm can rest when doing certain exercises. The handle housing is hollow inside. Various add-on weights are vertically stacked on top of another inside the handle housing. The weights are nested together to prevent sliding relative to one another by tongue and groove and pin and hole interconnections. A repositionable connecting pin can be placed into different positions on the handle housing to selectively couple a desired number of the add-on weights to the handle housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable rehabilitative training device comprising a board that has a greater length than its width with alternating parallel rungs and grooves formed in the board that run up and down the boards length is its front surface for use with a person's hands and fingers. The rungs have a flat surface on their top edge and a beveled surface on their bottom edge. The board also has at least one slot formed through the board with such slot being formed in the uppermost groove and also formed in various other groups for purpose of height installation. The slots are used in conjunction with a support strap having a permanent stop formed on one end and the other end has a loop end such that a removable stop can be inserted into the strap loop end once it has been inserted through the back of the slot on the finger board such that it advances through the front of the finger board.

Abstract: A convertible exercising inversion table having a main support frame with an inversion table pivotally mounted there between. Multiple exercise station receiving supports provided on the support frame and inversion table for sequential selective insertion of independent repositional user engagement gripping bars for different user exercises.

Abstract: An exercise machine may include a frame with set of foot pedals mounted thereon. A seat-receiving space is defined by the frame rearward of the set of pedals and a seat that is in the form of an inflatable bladder is received within the seat-receiving space. The inflatable bladder is retained within the frame in such a way that the bladder is able to move within the frame when the exercise machine is used. A seat back extends upwardly of and adjacent the inflatable seat and supports a user's back while the user is seated on the inflatable seat. Left and right arms are secured to the frame and extend respectively to the left and right of the inflatable seat. The user may undertake a cardiovascular workout and a core workout of abdominal and back muscles using the exercise machine.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method for evaluating exercise. The exercise evaluation system includes a program storage unit storing a plurality of recommendatory exercise programs, a measuring unit measuring exercise intensity of a user, an analyzing unit analyzing a degree of accomplishing the content of a recommendatory exercise program selected by the user from the recommendatory exercise programs by using the measured exercise intensity, and an output unit outputting a result of analysis of the analyzing unit to the user.

Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. In one example, an athletic monitoring device may include or be associated with multiple types of movement sensors and switch between the sensors or use both depending on various factors including type of workout. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment used and the like. In one or more examples, the parameters may be automatically determined based on location. User workouts and accomplishments may also be celebrated through messages from celebrities, family, friends and other users. In some cases, the messages may be triggered by various conditions. Coaching may also be provided to the user to help improve workouts and overall athletic performance. Running routes may also be automatically tracked, stored and shared.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising at least one layer consisting of a color-stable composition comprising a color concentrate composition comprising a carrier resin, at least one backer pigment and a plurality of highly crosslinked thermoset fluorescent microspheres having a hue that is substantially similar to a hue created by the at least one backer pigment. Each highly crosslinked thermoset fluorescent microsphere may be substantially spherical. Each highly crosslinked thermoset fluorescent microsphere may have a diameter of from about 0.5 micron to about 2.0 microns. The carrier resin may be an ionomer. The color-stable composition may comprise a mixture of the color concentrate composition and a polymer composition, wherein the polymer composition may be an ionomer composition.

Abstract: Golf balls having at least one layer comprising a polymer composition comprising a reaction mixture of a base polymer and at least one regenerating-type multi-functional antioxidant. A regenerating-type multi-functional antioxidant has at least two differing moieties selected for example from the group consisting of phenols, phosphites, amines or combinations thereof, and is macromolecular, having a molecular weight of at least 2,000 g/mol. and up to 2,000,000. The at least one layer may comprise at least one regenerating-type multi-functional antioxidant in an amount of from 0.10 to about 2.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the base polymer, or of less than 0.50 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the base polymer, or of less than 0.095 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the base polymer. The base polymer can comprise ionomer resin composition(s), polyurethane composition(s) and/or rubber composition(s).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a matrix formed from a thermosetting polymer composition and discrete particles of crosslinked rubber dispersed within the matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a three-layered core assembly are provided. Preferably, at least one of the core layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that comprises: a) thermoplastic non-acid polymer, and b) plasticizer. In one preferred embodiment, the inner core is made of a first thermoset composition, for example, polybutadiene rubber; and the intermediate core layer is made of a thermoplastic composition; and the outer core is made of a second thermoset composition. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. Suitable non-acid polymers include, for example, polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, and polyurethanes. The core assembly has a relatively high resiliency at given compressions.