A textured workpiece includes a body having an outer surface with at least a first surface portion. At least one of the body and the first surface portion is non-planar. A first set of barbs extends from and is integral with the first surface portion. A first set of grooves is formed in the first surface portion. Each barb of the first set barbs is associated with a respective one of the grooves of the first set of grooves. The workpiece can be used as reinforcing bar (rebar).

The present invention relates to a self-expanding vascular implant for implanting into a blood vessel of a patient. The vascular implant has a main body and at least one side body, and has integrally formed, one-piece stent springs, which are successively arranged in the longitudinal axis of the main body, with each stent spring meandering perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and an implant material which is fixed to and connects the stent springs. The stent springs have pointed arches that alternately point toward the proximal end and the distal end of the main body and parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof. The at least one side body that branches off from the main body is, in the self-expanded state, set out at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body.

A mandrel for forming a stent with a tapered profile and one or more anti-migration features includes a first stent shaping segment having a first diameter, a second stent shaping segment having a second diameter less than the first diameter and a tapered segment disposed therebetween. A third stent shaping segment is releasably securable to the second stent shaping segment and has a third diameter greater than the second diameter. One or more movable pins are outwardly extendable from corresponding apertures formed within the tapered segment. An actuation element is engagable with the first stent shaping segment and includes a tapered surface configured to engage the one or more movable pins and support the one or more movable pins extended from the corresponding apertures.

An orthodontic wire bender robot to be used in the manufacture of orthodontic prostheses, having a cartesian type displacement frame that allows moving the bending head of the equipment along the X, Y and Z-axes, in order to enable the robot to execute bends by torque, performing horizontal, vertical and sagittal compensations so that the shaped orthodontic wire presents an incline on its faces at certain angle and segment in order to execute frontal rotation stresses.

A method of joining two metal components for forming medical devices. The method includes placing a first and second metal component into a sleeve, the first sleeve composed of a nickel titanium alloy and having niobium deposited thereon, and heating the first sleeve so the niobium melts and reacts to form a joint joining the first and second components. A medical device is also provided having a first region having a first property, a second region having a second property different than the first property and a joint formed by a niobium coated nickel titanium alloy sleeve melted onto a first section of the first region and a second section of the second region.

Endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25? C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. In another form, the endodontic instruments have an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank consists essentially of a titanium alloy selected from alpha-titanium alloys, beta-titanium alloys, and alpha-beta-titanium alloys. The instruments solve the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.

System and method for automatically bending a surgical rod are provided. The system includes a linear movement device configured to axially feed the surgical rod, a rotational movement device configured to rotate the surgical rod as it is axially fed, and a bending device including a roller to impose bending forces against the rod. The rod is free from contact with the bending device after it is axially fed past the roller.

The present application provides a machine and a method of introducing a camber into a length of wire being conveyed along a path through a machine. As part of introducing the camber, the wire is guided through the machine via at least a first set of rollers and a second set of rollers. The wire being conveyed along the path is diverted via an offset mechanism, which laterally deflects the wire being conveyed away from a straight line route formed between respective wire feed points associated with each of the first and second sets of rollers, wherein the offset mechanism is located between the first set of rollers and the second set of rollers. The diversion in the path of the wire via the offset mechanism introduces the camber having a direction into the wire.

A mandrel tool comprising a mandrel head having a body, said body including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and an exterior surface extending between the first and second ends; and a slit extending at least partially through the exterior surface of the body and having a width to accommodate a sharp edge of a cutting instrument. The slit serves as a guide for the cutting instrument, which cuts through wire wound around the mandrel to simultaneously create a plurality of uniform rings without having to labor further.

A mandrel tool comprising a mandrel head having a body, said body including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and an exterior surface extending between the first and second ends; and a slit extending at least partially through the exterior surface of the body and having a width to accommodate a sharp edge of a cutting instrument. The slit serves as a guide for the cutting instrument, which cuts through wire wound around the mandrel to simultaneously create a plurality of uniform rings without having to labor further.