CPC Class B33Y

It is a feature of a porous body comprising a three-dimensional network of node points joined to one another by struts, and a void volume present between the struts, that the struts have an average length of ≥200 μm to ≤50 mm, the struts have an average thickness of ≥100 μm to ≤5 mm, and that the porous body has a compression hardness (40% compression, DIN EN ISO 3386-1: 2010-09) in at least one spatial direction of ≥10 to ≤100 kPa. The porous body according to the invention combines the advantages of a conventional mattress or cushion with ventilatability which results from its porous structure and is not achievable in conventional foams. The invention further relates to a method of producing such a porous body and to an apparatus comprising said body for supporting and/or bearing a person.

Systems and methods are disclosed in which customized instruments, e.g., surgical instruments, can be manufactured to provide improved ergonomics, comfort, and accuracy. Instruments can be customized based on various parameters, including a quantitative assessment of the user, desired or intended use of the instrument, user preferences, and so forth. Exemplary instrument properties which can be customized include size, geometry, durometer, mechanical assist, texture, color, markings, modulus of elasticity, sensor inclusion, sensor type, sensor feedback type, balance, finish, and weight.

Embodiments of invention are directed to tissue approximation instruments that may be delivered to the body of a patient during minimally invasive or other surgical procedures. In one group of embodiments, the instrument has an elongated configuration with two sets of expandable wings that each have spreadable wings that can be made to expand when located on opposite sides of a distal tissue region and a proximal tissue region and can then be made to move toward one another to bring the two tissue regions into a more proximate position. The instrument is delivered through a needle or catheter and is controlled by relative movement of a push tube and control wire wherein the control wire can be released from the instrument via rotation in a first direction and can cause release of the approximation device from tissue that it is holding by rotation in the opposite direction.

A method of forming an implant having a porous tissue ingrowth structure and a bearing support structure. The method includes depositing a first layer of a metal powder onto a substrate, scanning a laser beam over the powder so as to sinter the metal powder at predetermined locations, depositing at least one layer of the metal powder onto the first layer and repeating the scanning of the laser beam.

A method of making a light weight component including the steps of: forming a metallic foam core into a desired configuration; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the metallic foam core after it has been formed into the desired configuration; forming an inlet opening and an outlet opening in the external metallic shell in order to provide a fluid path through the metallic foam core; and injecting a thermoplastic material into the metallic foam core via the inlet opening.

Production methods for producing a fiber-reinforced metal component having a metal matrix which is penetrated by a plurality of reinforcing fibers are provided. One method includes depositing in layers reinforcing fibers in fiber layers, depositing in layers and liquefying a metal modelling material in matrix material layers, and consolidating in layers the metal modelling material in adjacently deposited matrix material layers to form the metal matrix of the fiber-reinforced metal component. Here, the metal component is formed integrally from alternately deposited matrix material layers and fiber layers. An alternative method includes introducing an open three-dimensional fiberwoven fabric consisting of reinforcing fibers into a casting mold, pouring a liquid metal modelling material into the casting mold and consolidating the metal modelling material to form the metal matrix of the fiber-reinforced metal component. Here, the metal component is formed integrally from the consolidated metal modelling material and the reinforcing fibers.