Abstract: Described herein is a shock mitigation apparatus. The shock mitigation apparatus may be utilized in a marine environment, able to absorb shocks transmitted to a seat system from a structure to which the seat is affixed. The shock mitigation apparatus includes at least one leaf spring wherein the leaf spring is cantilevered at one end and pivoted at a distal end thereof, and wherein the pivoted end is free to articulate upon flexure of the leaf spring.

Abstract: Described herein is a shock mitigation apparatus. The shock mitigation apparatus may be utilised in a marine environment, able to absorb shocks transmitted to a seat system from a structure to which the seat is affixed. The shock mitigation apparatus includes at least one leaf spring wherein the leaf spring is cantilevered at one end and pivoted at a distal end thereof, and wherein the pivoted end is free to articulate upon flexure of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A waste disposal receptacle (1) including a body (20) and a lid (30). Whrein the body (20) is defined by a base (21), at least one side (22) and an open top (23); and the lid (30) is defined by at least one side (31), a top (32) and an open base and includes an aperture (35) in the at least one side (31) through which material can be deposited into the receptacle (1); Wherein the at least one side (31) of the lid (30) is adapted to be received within the body (20) and is reversibly movable between an open and closed position such that when the lid (30) is in the closed position, the aperture (35) is covered by the at least one side (22) of the body (20) and when the lid (30) is in the open position, the aperture (35) is exposed.

Abstract: A power system for wheelchairs is described, in particular for wheelchairs of the foldable type with quick-release wheel axles 1, the power system having two compact drive units, which are affixable and removable without the use of tools. The drive units connect vertically to complementary mounting brackets fixed to the wheelchair frame. The drive system also includes a control unit 51 for controlling power supply to each drive unit from batteries 41 held in underslung battery tray 42. The power system is retrofittable to existing wheelchairs, and is designed for easy removal.

Abstract: A humidifier of small gases passageway volume (of the order of 50 ml gases space) has a heater within a water containing envelope having a microporous wall common to the water space within the envelope and the gases space, the microporous wall being permeable to water vapour but not liquid water and the envelope being reinforced by a support which also directs the flow of gases over the surface of the envelope. The heater is wound as a flat spiral to avoid the effect of gases or water vapour bubbles on heater performance temperature.

Abstract: A humidifier has a supply of water suspended on a pole above a patient which supplies water through a removable drop counter of magnetically actuated ball valve to a microporous tube mounted in but mechanically separated from a ventilating line between a ventilator and the patient. The water is heated in the microporous tube to create a vapor pressure sufficient to cause water vapor but substantially no liquid water to pass through the tube into the ventilating line. Electrically energized controls are provided to obviate maloperation and to maintain safe operating conditions including maintaining safe temperature conditions, and prevention of excess water entering the ventilation line by counting the drops of water passing through the bold valve, and closing the ball valve if the count rate is outside desired count rates and power or the monitoring equipment fails.