초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein the device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface. The first surface comprises an improved lubricious coating having a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrophobic top

The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein the device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface. The first surface comprises an improved lubricious coating having a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrophobic top coating which prevents the hydrogel coating from prematurely absorbing too much moisture. The hydrophobic top coating comprises at least one hydrophilic surfactant which acts as a carrier to facilitate removal of the hydrophobic top coating upon entry into an aqueous environment.

대표청구항 ▼

The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein the device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface. The first surface comprises an improved lubricious coating having a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrophobic top

The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein the device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface. The first surface comprises an improved lubricious coating having a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrophobic top coating which prevents the hydrogel coating from prematurely absorbing too much moisture. The hydrophobic top coating comprises at least one hydrophilic surfactant which acts as a carrier to facilitate removal of the hydrophobic top coating upon entry into an aqueous environment. are perpendicular to each other, resulting in a periodic path through three dimensions. 4. A method of exercising comprising: (a) providing an apparatus having an attachment that is moveable in an oscillatory motion, a rotatable flywheel rotatable relative to the attachment, a spring displaceable between compressed and expanded positions, the spring opposing the rotation of the flywheel wherein the oscillatory motion of the attachment corresponds with the rotation of the flywheel and with the displacement of the spring; (b) exerting a linear force on the attachment to move the attachment; and, (c) storing a portion of the force as energy. 5. The method of exercising according to claim 4 further comprising: (d) exerting forces on the attachment to move the attachment in phase with its oscillation, such that a distance traveled by the attachment becomes greater for each oscillation; (e) discontinuing the exertion of forces on the attachment thus allowing the distance traveled by the attachment to diminish as the stored energy is expended; and, (f) alternating between exerting force and discontinuing the exertion of force on the attachment. 6. A method of exercising comprising: (a) providing a first apparatus having a first attachment that is moveable in a back and forth oscillatory motion along a first path, a rotatable flywheel, a spring displaceable between compressed and expanded positions, the spring opposing a rotation of the flywheel wherein the back and forth oscillatory motion of the attachment corresponds with a rotation and a counter-rotation of the flywheel and with a displacement of the spring, (b) providing a second apparatus, attached to the first attachment, the second apparatus having a second attachment, wherein as the first attachment moves in an oscillation along the first path, the second attachment simultaneously moves in the oscillation along the first path and in an oscillation along a second, perpendicular, path; and, (c) moving the second attachment simultaneously along the lines of oscillatory motion of both the first attachment and the second attachment. 7. The method according to claim 6 further comprising: (d) providing an element connected to the second attachment; (e) wherein moving said second attachment is accomplished by moving the element; (f) exerting forces on the element in phase with an oscillatory movement of the element, (g) storing a portion of the forces as energy; (h) wherein a distance traversed by the element become gradually longer as more energy is stored; (i) discontinuing the exertion of forces on the element thus allowing the distance traveled by the element to diminish as the stored energy is expended; and, (j) alternating between exerting force and discontinuing the exertion of force on the element. 8. The method according to claim 7 further comprising; (k) exerting a smaller relative amount of force, in phase with the oscillations of the element along the first path than along the second path, wherein a combined path of oscillation of the element forms an ellipse whose long axis is in the direction of the second path and whose short axis is in the direction of the first path. 9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising: (l) altering the exertion of force to exert a smaller relative amount of force, in phase with the oscillations of the element along the second path than along the first path, wherein the path of oscillation of the pedal forms an ellipse whose long axis is in the direction of the first path and whose short axis is in the direction of the second path. 10. The method according to claim 8 further comprising: (l) altering the exertions of force to change the shape of the combined path of oscillation of the element. 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the shape of the combined path is altered to be a circle. 12. The method according to claim 10 wherein the shape of the combined path is altered to be