Patent ID: 6237602
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An force generator, comprising:an elongate force generator body, the force generator body having a longitudinal dimension, the force generator body having a fluid chamber defined therein, the force generator body exhibiting a dimensional extension responsive to an increase in fluid pressure in the fluid chamber and a dimensional retraction responsive to a decrease in fluid pressure in the fluid chamber; anda restraint means, the restraint means channeling the dimensional extension/retraction of the elongate force generator body into the longitudinal dimension thereof and restraining dimensional extension of the elongate force generator body in a dimension transverse to the longitudinal dimension thereof, the restraint means having a bias, the bias inducing a curvature in the force generator body responsive to an increase in fluid pressure in the fluid chamber, the restraint means being formed of a bi-woven material.