Abstract: A surgical clip (5) is provided for clipping a tubular structure (9) in vivo to ligate the tubular structure. The clip comprises first and second clip portions (6, 7). A hinge portion (8) is provided connecting the clip portions together and to enable the clip portions to be hinged together from an open clip condition to a closed clip condition thereby to ligate a tubular structure placed between the clip portions. A lock is provided for locking the clip portions together in the closed clip condition. In the closed clip condition the clip has a substantially smooth external profile, for example including blunt ends (21), so as to reduce the possibility of the clip (in use) eroding surrounding tissue structures.

Abstract: An applicator assembly for use in applying a sheet of surgical material through an opening to bridge the remote internal termination of the opening has a deployment sleeve (1), a plunger (2) for location within the sleeve (1) and a sheet of surgical material (3) which can be folded or collapsed to a conical form as shown for location at and within the distal end of the deployment sleeve. An actuating means (4) comprising a suture is provided operative to unfold or erect the sheet (3) following expulsion from the distal end of the deployment sleeve (1) through longitudinal movement of the plunger (2). The sheet (3) includes radial ribs (5) connected along their length to the sheet except at an inner region (5a) defined by a hinge (5b) where the ribs are free and joined at the ends to a collar (5c) through a further hinge connection.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis intended, primarily for the repair of muscle wall defects such as occur in inguinal hernias is fabricated from a surgically compatible mesh material having a prismatic external mesh wall (1). The prismatic shape includes three lobes (2), providing a generally triangular cross-sectional shape. The shape is maintained by internal reinforcing ribs (3), which here extend the length of the prism. The ribs are formed through the connection of three individual mesh strips (4), with each rib comprising two strip parts forming a lamination extending the length of the prism. With this construction closure of elongate legions is readily achieved and a wide range of elongate shapes and dimensions of hernias can be treated.

Abstract: A device which comprises an enclosure of a plastics material, having an opening at an end thereof with fastening means to enable the opening to be closed around a limb or stump with an affected part contained within the enclosure, and including a fluid-absorbent material within the enclosure. The device is particularly suitable for use in the treatment of leg ulcers.

Abstract: A system which performs a plurality of independent analysis procedures simultaneously, possibly involving differing types of tissues and differing process steps, comprising a robotic arm, which may move the different tissue samples among the plurality of processing stations, and a processor, which may select the order, timing and location of the tissue sample. The robotic device may comprise a bench robot with rectilinear motion or a rotatable tower. The processing stations may be disposed in a set of grid locations, which comprise workstations for performing individual steps of the procedures. In response to timing information about the procedures, the processor may select the sample to be moved.

Abstract: A system which performs a plurality of independent analysis procedures simultaneously, possibly involving differing types of tissues and differing process steps, comprising a robotic arm, which moves the different tissue samples among a plurality of processing stations, and a processor, which selects the next tissue sample to move, when to move it, and where to move it to. The processor directs the robotic arm to interleave the differing process steps. The processing stations comprise workstations for performing individual steps of the tissue assay procedures, such as solution trays. The processor selects a tissue sample to be moved in response to timing information about the procedures. While the processor is directing the robotic arm to move, the processor monitors progress information and can alter the sequence of process steps in response to the progress information and information from an operator.

Abstract: A system which performs a plurality of independent analysis procedures simultaneously, possibly involving differing types of tissues and differing process steps, comprising a robotic arm, which may move the different tissue samples among the plurality of processing stations, and a processor, which may select the order, timing and location of the tissue sample. The robotic device may comprise a bench robot with rectilinear motion or a rotatable tower. The processing stations may be disposed in a set of grid locations, which comprise workstations for performing individual steps of the procedures. In response to timing information about the procedures, the processor may select the sample to be moved.

Abstract: A system for performing a plurality of independent analysis procedures simultaneously, each procedure having a sample and at least one process step for operating on that sample the system having a robotic device for moving a sample among a plurality of processing stations where the robotic device comprises substrate to which are coupled a plurality of tiles each one of the tiles disposed at a selected location on the substrate; a plurality of reagent trays coupled to the tiles, each one of the reagent trays having substantially identical shape and size; a robotic arm disposed for reaching substantially all the tiles; and capable of coupling and decoupling from a sample holder, the sample holder capable of holding at least one sample in a selected position, whereby the robotic arm is capable of moving the sample from a first one of the reagent trays to a second one of the reagent trays; and a processor for selecting, at a plurality of times a sample to be moved, and for directing the robotic arm to move the sa

Abstract: A system for performing a plurality of independent analysis procedures simultaneously, each the procedure having a sample and at least one process step for operating on that sample the system having a robotic device for moving sample among a plurality of processing stations where the robotic device comprises substrate to which are coupled a plurality of tiles each one of the tiles disposed art a selected location on the substrate; a plurality of reagent trays coupled to the tiles each one of the reagent trays having substantially identical shape and size; a robotic arm disposed for reaching substantially all the tiles; and comprising means for coupling and decoupling from a sample holder, the sample holder having a means for holding at least one sample in a selected position, whereby the robotic arm is capable of moving the sample from a first one of the reagent trays to a second one of the reagent trays; and a processor for selecting, at a plurality of times a sample to be moved, and for directing the roboti