Abstract: A mold apparatus for use in manufacturing bespoke complementarily contoured cushion members such, for example, as cushion insole members for footware for subjects with foot deformities employs a large multiplicity of rods 15 supported at their ends by first and second flexible membranes 17, 19 formed from a medium viscosity silicone rubber. Under finger pressure applied at a surface say 19a of the membrane 19, the membrane 19 is locally deformed, the rods 15 sliding with respect to one another so as to produce complementary deformation at surface 17a of the other membrane 17. Clamp means 18 is operable by increasing friction between the rods 15 to prevent the rods from subsequent relative sliding movement.Using the apparatus a bespoke cushioned insole for footwear may be produced to complementarily conform with the contoured surface 19a created by pressing the latter surface into intimate contact with a subject foot whilst the foot is in contact with the surface 17a.

Abstract: A method of contouring bone plates or other bone fixation element is set forth comprising the steps of making a molded impression of the surface of the area to which the bone plate is to be fixed, appropriately positioning the bone plate to be contoured relative to the molded impression of the molding material to contour the bone plate to the molded impression when sufficient compressive force is applied to the bone plate, and applying sufficient compressive force to the bone plate to contour the bone plate to the shape of the molded impression, thereby contouring the bone plate to the surface of the fixation area. An apparatus for contouring bone plates with substantial accuracy is also set forth comprising a means for forming a molded impression of the surface of the area to which the bone plate is to be fixed, a compression member, and a means for applying sufficient compressive force to the compression member to contour the bone plate to the molded impression of the mold forming means.

Abstract: The body part mold system includes a method of making accurate replicas of body parts, with the steps of the method comprising using an elongate prefabricated hollow transparent support form having an opening at one end and a slit on one side, inserting the body part through the opening into the form, sealing the slit so as to be leak-proof, pouring into the support form a liquid molding material containing alginate that rapidly sets to form a gelatinous matrix containing a negative impression of the body part, releasing the body part from the mold to leave a negative impression of the body part, casting a replica of the body part in the mold, and removing the replica from the mold. The method yields accurate replicas of body parts for medical, artistic, and other uses. The support forms may be either rigid or somewhat flexible, and are reusable. The transparency of the support forms permit precise positioning of the model or patient and monitoring of the filling of the form with molding material.

Abstract: An insert forming apparatus is provided for making an insert to conformingly fit a shoe and a person's foot within the shoe. The apparatus includes an upper and lower shell half which, when fastened together, form a foot receiving cavity that conformingly fits the individual contours of the last from which the person's shoes are made. The apparatus also includes an injection tube for injecting insert forming material into the foot receiving cavity under and about the person's foot.

Abstract: A method of forming a bodyweight supporting, pressure-equalized impression of the foot, generated by an apparatus that creates a dynamic state to the foot, simulating the gait cycle of human ambulation. The foot and impressionable material are placed on granular particles within a container. The container is mounted to a base with a turntable between them. A planar, elongate insert is partially inserted within the granular particles. The base has a guide pin that fits through an opening in the container into a track in the insert. The insert is removable by pulling and when the insert is removed the granular particles and accompanying foot shift to fill the volume previously occupied by the insert. The shifting movement begins at the heel of the foot and continues progressively past the toes. Also, as the insert is removed the container pivots on the turntable in adduction. The inserts track slides along the guide pin controlling the amount and timing of the twist.

Abstract: A molding mechanism including one pair of molding devices oppositely disposed in a body and each having a casing, and a number of pin elements arranged in matrix form in the casing, a board engaged in one side of the casing, and a bolt threaded through the casing for forcing the board toward the pin elements in order to fix the pin elements in place, whereby, a mold cavity is formed among the pin elements when the molding devices are moved toward an object disposed between the molding devices.

Abstract: An insert forming apparatus and method is provided for making an insert to conformingly fit a shoe and a person's foot within the shoe. The method for practicing the invention includes using standard molding techniques to form a mold of the bottom of the last and using the mold to vacuum form a lower shell half that conforms to the bottom of the last. With the lower shell half covering the mold and having vacuum communicating holes drilled therein, the last is placed in the lower shell half and the upper shell half is drawn down over the last and lower shell half by vacuum forming. When the upper and lower shell halves have been formed, a hole is drilled in the lower shell half for injecting curable material. A sheet of fabric or leather is placed over the lover shell half, a person's foot is placed on the fabric or leather in the lower shell half, and the upper shell half is placed over the person's foot and fastened to the lower shell half.

Abstract: A method for use in preparing a dental prosthesis comprises the step of receiving an electrical signal encoding geometric specifications of a substructure of the prosthesis, the specifications including dimensions and shape of a tooth preparation at a dental site at which the prosthesis is to be affixed and the configuration of the substructure. In a subsequent step performed in response to the electrical signal, a computer is operated to automatically select a first mold component having a surface corresponding in dimensions to the tooth preparation and to automatically select a second mold component to produce, in cooperation with the first mold component, a mold cavity having dimensions and configuration corresponding to dimensions and configuration of the substructure. The first mold component and the second mold component are placed in predetermined relative positions to form the mold cavity and the mold cavity is filled with a quantity of a fluidic solidifiable dental material, i.e.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition and a method for studying skin surface areas with simplified magnifying devices by making a replication of the skin surface area while minimizing irritation to the subject's skin, cracking of the replicas, surface artifacts, and air bubbles in the replicas. The method entails preparing a negative skin surface replica composition by mixing a silicone polysiloxane base and a biocompatible surface tension modifying agent. The mixture is placed in a vacuum desiccator to remove air bubbles and thereafter a curing agent is added to the mixture. An adhesive collar is placed on the subject's skin, which collar surrounds the surface area to be replicated, and thereafter the composition is applied to the skin surface area and the adhesive collar and allowed to dry. The negative skin surface casting is removed from the skin area and is then placed skin side up in a mold cup.

Abstract: A mould for an injection moulding apparatus, the moulding including at least two mould parts which mate to form the mould cavity and which separate to permit removal of the moulded article, each mould part including a relatively rigid body having an abutment face which abuts with an abutment face of the other mould part when said parts mate, the body of at least one mould part including a recess in its abutment face which is filled with a resilient material defining a portion of said mould cavity.

Abstract: A method of producing a prosthetic implant for a predetermined organ site. Three-dimensional data including surface contour information of the organ site is obtained and a physical life size model of at least a part of the surface contour of the organ site is produced based on the three-dimensional data. Thereafter, an implant model is formed onto the surface of the physical organ model, and a prosthetic implant is produced from the implant model using a casting process.

Abstract: A sterilization apparatus comprises a housing provided with an opening through which an object may be inserted, and an ultraviolet radiation generator at least partially inside the housing for irradiating with bacteriocidal radiation an object inserted into the housing through the opening. A liquid spraying mechanism or gas injection mechanism is disposed at least partially inside the housing for applying to the inserted object a sterilizing agent. A coating or cover forming mechanism is also provided at least partially inside the housing for forming on the inserted object a protective covering. A control unit controls the activation of the radiation generator, the sterilizing mechanism and the coating mechanism.

Abstract: A custom-fitted insole assembly for use in a shoe directly under a wearer's foot includes a heel-cupping and arch-supporting base component custom contoured to fit the heel and arch of the wearer's foot, a heel stabilizing component attached to an underside heel region of the base component, and a shock absorbing top sheet component sized to underlie the bottom of the wearer's foot and at its rear half to overlie and conform to the contour of the base component.

Abstract: An acoustically sealed earmold for a hearing aid insertable into the ear of individuals with impaired hearing can be prepared in situ employing the hydrophilic composite polymer materials described herein. Such composite materials include at least one hydrophilic polymer in a powder form and one or more liquid components of which at least one is hydrophilic and which can be polymerized with said hydrophilic polymer. The resulting earmold has a shape-retaining, non-tacky flexible consistency which allows it to be shaped further and also to be modified to accommodate a receiver adapter or external receiver. The earmold can then be cured by any of the conventional curing methods to retain its shape permanently. This method enables an audiologist to fit the earmold and evaluate the hearing aid in a single office visit.

Abstract: A process for making a model skin surface for testing adhesion of medical adhesive as a screening test and/or as an alternative to costly and highly variable human skin substrates including casting silicone rubber on human skin to produce a mold having human skin topography and pouring a water-swellable, water-soluble proteinaceous material along with a crosslinking agent and fatty acid constituent into the mold. The proteinaceous material crosslinks while in the mold and the water content of the material is adjustable to simulate varying moisture contents in human skin.

Abstract: A mould for an injection moulding apparatus, the mould including at least two mould parts which mate to form the mould cavity and which separate to permit removal of the moulded article, each mould part including a relatively rigid body having an abutment face which abuts with an abutment face of the other mould part when said parts mate, the body of at least one mould part including a recess in its abutment face which is filled with a resilient material defining a portion of said mould cavity.

Abstract: A method for forming a part inserted in the auditory canal of a hearing impaired person, said part being either an otoplastic or a carrier part of the hearing aid insertable into the auditory canal or an ear adaptor member for a hearing aid to be worn behind-the-ear, characterized by providing an expandable elastic member, coating said elastic member with a hardenable material, inserting the coated member into an ear of the person who is hearing impaired, allowing the hardenable material to harden to retain the outside contour of the part. The elastic expandable member may be either a porous member which is partially saturated on the outer surfaces or may be a smooth member which is coated with the hardenable material. If desired, a physiologically compatible coating may be applied onto the hardened surface layer subsequent to the hardening process.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an otoplastic. An otoplastic is manufactured directly in the ear of a hearing-impaired person in that a deformable envelope is pulled over a die or over a shell or over an overlayed over-shell. This apparatus is then supplied with flowing otoplastic material between the die and the envelope, being supplied therewith in the ear. The envelope expands and assumes the shape of the auditory canal. After hardening or curing of the otoplastic material in the ear of the hearing-impaired person, the envelope and the die are removed and a module of either an in-the-ear or of a behind-the-ear hearing aid is integrated therewith.

Abstract: A custom insole is made up of a plurality of layers of a thermoformable material united together at their interfaces to conform in size and contour to the bottom surface of a foot, the layers comprising at least one strength layer and at least one filler layer united to the strength layer and contoured to conform to the bottom surface of the foot; and an arch flange curves upwardly for a distance to laterally support the bone structure in the arch area of the foot. In the method of making the insole, an unformed blank of thermoformable material is placed on a resilient support portion with the ball portion on a firm surface and, by placing the foot on top of the layers and applying downward pressure, it will cause the heel of the foot to form a depression in the heel portion and the ball portion of the foot to flatten out the layers resting on the firm surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a foot-shaped layer, such as an insole member of a shoe. The apparatus includes a top plate having an opening of a predetermined area and mutually adjacent bar-like measuring elements supported in an individually vertically movable manner under frictional resistance within the opening. A heating chamber is provided adjacent to the top plate for heating a sheet of thermoplastic therein to a plasticized state. In accordance with the method, a plasticized sheet of the film is placed on the opening so as to cover the upper end surfaces of the measuring elements so that upon stepping on the sheet with a foot, the film is molded to the shape of the foot. The molded film is then cooled and cut along the outline of the foot to obtain a layer which may be used to define the shape of an insole member.

Abstract: A method of custom manufacturing of shoes at a specified heel height is disclosed and includes forming a positive impression mold of the foot from a negative impression mold made with the foot oriented at the specified heel height. A sold impression form is provided having an upper surface shaped to correspond to the lower surface of the sole of a shoe with the specified heel height. The positive impression mold is located with its lower surface separated from the upper surface of the sole impression form by a distance approximating the desired sole thickness, after which a settable material adapted to harden to form a suitable sole is introduced into the space between the positive impression mold and the sole impression form. The sole impression form is then removed from the sole and the desired upper materials are attached to the sole to generally conform to the shape of the positive impression mold.

Abstract: A method to obtain corrected impressions of the foot so as to produce corrective soles including two or three superimposed rigid frames connected to a supporting structure secured by arms of different length joined to the supporting structure. Each frame is equipped with two flexible walls which, along with the frame, delimit a sealed enclosure filled with a granular material, the enclosure communicating with a suction device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an otoplastic. An otoplastic is manufactured directly in the ear of a hearing-impaired person in that a deformable envelope is pulled over a die or over a shell or over an overlayed over-shell. This apparatus is then supplied with flowing otoplastic material between the die and the envelope, being supplied therewith in the ear. The envelope expands and assumes the shape of the auditory canal. After hardening or curing of the otoplastic material in the ear of the hearing-impaired person, the envelope and the die are removed and a module of either an in-the-ear or of a behind-the-ear hearing aid is integrated therewith.

Abstract: A method of fabricating "adjustment-free" artificial dentures and a jig therefor. A precise jaw model is formed by pouring soft plaster into the concave surface of a precise provisional denture formed by any conventional dental procedure. A plaster block is formed having a recess conforming to the actual shape of the provisional denture. The recess is filled with a synthetic resin compound and then the precise jaw model is moved into the recess to form a plenum defined by the concave surface in the recess and the convex surface of the precise jaw model. During polymerization, any excess synthetic resin compound spilling over from the plenum can escape into a relatively wide clearance between the precise jaw model and the plaster block thus enabling the plenum to retain its original shape.

Abstract: A kit and a process for making a representative reproduction of a portion of the body of a person in a selected orientation wherein the kit includes a supply of impression material, a mold-defining cavity member, which may be in two parts, and a supply of plaster so that, the impression material, when combined with water, may be first positioned in the cavity of the mold, an impression made, after the selected body portion has been removed from the cavity, a mix of the plaster and water may be placed in the impression made in the material in the cavity allowed to set and then removed as a product representative of the body portion being reproduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a reproduction of an object and an apparatus for carrying out said method. A particular object of the invention is the reproduction of the remaining stump of an amputated leg (18) for producing an improved prosthetic socket. When carrying out the method, the object (18) is positioned in a predetermined position in relation to a rotatable framework (8) on which a laser apparatus (12) and a video camera (13) are mounted in such positions that they can illuminate, and pick up, respectively, the image of a contour line (17) of the object via a pair of mirrors (15, 16; 20, 21) each during the rotation of the framework (8) through substantially a complete revolution. The image thus obtained of the contour line (17) is converted through a video/AD-converter (26) into numerical information identifying coordinates of points on the line.

Abstract: A process for making a moldable article for individualizing the operative surfaces of implements such as the hand grip of tennis racquets or hand tools. The moldable article is a sheet of polymeric material, including a polyurethane or thermoplastic-rubber copolymer component blended with volatile solvents and fillers to form a moldable mass that after receiving an individual's hand impression, for example, cures by solvent evaporation at ambient temperatures to a solid non-tacky hand grip. The moldable article is made by mixing the components together and forming a sheet which is sandwiched between semipermeable films that permit partial evaporation of the solvents. The sheet is then packaged between non-permeable films which prevent further evaporation until impressed by the consumer and exposed to air drying.

Abstract: A mold and molding method for forming a taxidermy animal head mannikin with artificial eyepieces molded therein in proper position includes a pair of mold cavity half parts each of the half parts having a cavity surface contoured for correct anatomical formation of the features of half of the mannikin, an eye socket recess in the cavity surface shaped for snugly receiving the front portion of the artificial eyepiece and leaving the rear portion projecting into the mold cavity, and a small keyway selectively located in the eye socket recess to receive a matcing key which is affixed to the front portion of the artificial eyepiece and is positioned thereon so that placement of the key in the keyway locates the eyepiece in proper anatomical position prior to the introduction on liquid foamable hardening material into the cavity between the mold half parts.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a corrected mold for a foot having a rear portion and a forefoot portion, includes a resilient cushion which relatively immobilizes the forefoot portion with respect to the rear portion thereof when the foot is supporting its respective portion of full body weight, the resilient cushion having a rear section with a first thickness and a front section with a second, smaller thickness for supporting the foot, wherein the position of the rear portion of the foot on the resilient cushion is adjusted so that the resilient cushion adopts a corrected contour of the foot; knee alignment cups for positioning a knee corresponding to the foot such that the foot is in a substantially neutral position when the foot is positioned on the resilient cushion and the knee is positioned in accurate alignment with the foot; and a molding material positioned between the foot and the resilient cushion for producing the corrected mold once the foot and the knee have been so adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a pressure tight seal around the ostium of a blood vessel branch by clamping to the parent blood vessel or duct wall without deforming the branch. The apparatus may then be used for the injection of a hardenable material such as a polymerizable liquid plastic or a hardenable radiopaque liquid. When the blood vessel or duct is completely filled and the injected material has hardened, the original blood vessel or duct tissue can be removed by corrosion. An accurate replica of the blood vessel or duct is then obtained. The replica may be studied as part of a postmortem examination or used for instruction. If the radiopaque liquid has been used, the replica may be studied by the use of x-rays.

Abstract: A hearing aid device for processing sound, which comprises a device for transducing sound to an electrical signal, a device for processing the electrical signal, a device for powering and regulating the processing device, and a device for transducing the processed electrical signal into sound, all these devices being enclosed in a case adapted for being inserted in an ear canal, an elastic layer defining a chamber on the outside of the case, the chamber containing a cold-curing composition consisting of at least two components, at least one partitioning wall within the chamber for separating the components from one another, the partitioning wall being adapted to be ruptured by being subjected to a pressure effect, the components being adapted, when being combined upon rupture of said wall, to provide a composition which expands during an initial curing period, and then sets rigidly with a substantial form stability.

Abstract: A print is made of the sole of a foot in a block (1) of modelling clay. If necessary the print is corrected for orthopedic reasons. A rigid shape (23) is cast in the print, and after unmolding, the contour (26) of a sole to be made is marked on the shape in relief. The shape is then used to mark said contour in hollow form in the footprint. The block is then cut through along said contour and the central portion of the block is removed. The rigid shape is reinserted in the remaining peripheral portion of the footprint, and a sole is cast inside the peripheral portion and on the rigid shape. A first sole may be made in a single session in the presence of the patient. Thereafter, the rigid shape may be conserved, and used to make any subsequent soles that may be necessary without requiring the patient to be present.

Abstract: A mold is provided for forming orthopedic soles and plantar moldings adapted to the feet of patients, characterized in that it is formed of a tray (1) with an essentially vertical wall (6), whose bottom (7) reproduces the shape and the instep of a shoe, means (2) for fixing relief correcting elements (4, 5) to this bottom for conferring thereon a surface adapted to the plantar arch of the patient, and a flexible and resilient cushion (3) extending over this bottom.This mold is used for forming orthopedic soles and plantar moldings by using a thermoformable sheet (9) placed in the tray and on which the foot of the patient bears.

Abstract: A multiply adjustable frame includes coupled seat and back pans each provided with a flexible, sealed, bead-filled bag connected to a respective vacuum pump. With a person positioned on the frame, the seat and back bags assume the contour of respective portions of that person's torso and are maintained in this configuration upon evacuation by a vacuum pump. Cushions individually contoured to the person thus fitted may then be formed either directly from the evactuated bag or from a negative plaster cast of the evacuated bag. The adjustable molding frame, the configuration of which may be varied over a wide range of angles and dimensions, is particularly adapted to provide a custom bucket seat including custom contoured seat and back cushions for the severely handicapped and deformed. Seat pan length, or depth, and seat-to-back angle may be continuously varied over a wide range of values.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a corrected mold for a foot having a rear portion and a forefoot portion, includes a resilient cushion which relatively immobilizes the forefoot portion with respect to the rear portion thereof when the foot is supporting its respective portion of full body weight, the resilient cushion having a rear section with a first thickness and a front section with a second, smaller thickness for supporting the foot, wherein the position of the rear portion of the foot on the resilient cushion is adjusted so that the resilient cushion adopts a corrected contour of the foot; a stabilizer which aligns and stabilizes the knee corresponding to the foot to a predetermined alignment with respect to the forefoot portion of the adjusted foot when the foot is positioned on the resilient cushion; and a molding material positioned between the foot and the resilient cushion for producing the corrected mold once the foot has been so adjusted and the knee has been so aligned.

Abstract: A foot pattern device including: a cavity having a base and a wall portion; a foot form in the cavity on the base; a frame releasably securable to the base for gripping a deformable sheet between the lower edge of the frame and the upper part of the wall portion; means for heating the deformable sheet; and clamp means for holding the frame tightly to the wall portion with the deformable sheet between them as the foot is pressed on the warm deformable sheet into the foot form.

Abstract: An aid for molding a filling material used in the cranioplasty to fill in a defective part of the skull. The aid allows a quick, efficient molding. It includes a bar made of an elastic material and being of a substantially L-shape section and a core member embedded therein to maintain the aid in a desired position.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing custom orthotics includes a boundary wall encompassing a substrate pad and an overlying elastic skin to form an expandable interior chamber into which high density molding material is injected. A matrix of axially movable drive pins project through the pad and are urged upwardly into contact with the arch of the individual's foot to maintain the foot in properly aligned position during fabrication of the orthotic, the drive pins carrying a support bridge driven into conforming contact against the arch of the foot.

Abstract: A method of obtaining fixation of an animal aortic valve intended for implantation, including subjecting the aortic valve to a tanning fluid at a differential pressure across the valve leaflets in a direction to urge the valve leaflets closed and with the tanning fluid tending to distort the aortic valve. The differential pressure across the valve leaflets is greater than zero and less than about four mm Hg. An insert restrains the valve against substantial distortion during the time the valve is subjected to the tanning fluid.

Abstract: A uniform thin replica film of a specimen for electron microscopy having a high resolution power such as approximately 1 A is presented. This uniform thin replica film is directly prepared on the specimen by a plasma polymerization technique by depositing organic monomer vapors on a specimen placed on a negative electrode in a high vacuum atmosphere. The deposition is carried out by applying a discharge voltage of from 0.5 to 3 K.V.D.C. between a pair of positive and negative electrodes for 1 to 15 minutes to effect a glow discharge under the conditions of a current density of the glow discharge of from 0.1 and 2 mA/cm.sup.2 and a gas pressure of from 1 to 10.sup.-2 Torr in the system.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for obtaining precisely registered, articulated castings of upper and lower dental impressions. The dental impressions are obtained through use of a dental tray having a non-porous, bite-deformable central septum. The impression material for the upper dental impression is contained in the upper portion of the tray. The impression material for the lower dental impression is contained in the lower portion of the tray and is supported by a bottom cover which is removed subsequent to placement of the tray in the mouth. As the patient bites, the impression material in the upper and lower portions of the dental tray is molded to the contour of the teeth and gums in their proper relationship with the teeth closed. After the material has set, the tray containing registered upper and lower impressions is removed from the mouth and placed into a mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing molded insoles from thermoplastic material comprises a box-shaped housing enclosing heating means for heating an insole. The housing has a window on an upper surface in which three faces of a prismatic body can be selectively positioned. One face forms a podoscope, another a measuring surface and the third a molding surface. A post on the housing has arms to support the user and adjustable knee rests.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device which is utilized for forming the removable nosepiece by forming a molded impression of a portion of a person's nose with the impression being used to then form the nosepiece for the person's eyeglass frames. The molded impression device comprises generally a mold for retaining a predetermined quantity of a molding substance along with a frame for retaining the mold and means for removably attaching the mold to the frame. There is also disclosed the mold for using with the molding device as well as the method for forming a molded impression with a molding substance of a person's nose for use in forming the removable nosepiece of the subject invention.

Abstract: A substantially rigid dome-shaped shell encloses a deformable cap-like headpiece of uniform thickness. The headpiece conforms to the contour of the wearer's head and cooperates with the shell to define a dome-shaped cavity which is sealed around its bottom portion. The cavity is filled with an expandable plastics foam material which conforms to the contour of the headpiece. In one embodiment, spacer members are positioned within the cavity and extend from the headpiece to the shell for positioning the shell relative to the headpiece, and in another embodiment, the shell is spaced within a slightly larger outer shell by resilient energy-absorbing foam pads. In a further embodiment, the headpiece is formed by stretching a piece of leather with a device having a predetermined contour.