Abstract: The present invention provides a valve (1) for obturating a pipe (2), having: a central axis X, a body (10) having an inlet (12) and an outlet (14), defining an aperture (18), a plurality of obturating portions (30) for obturating said aperture (18), a valve mechanism (70), the plurality of obturating portions (30), moveable from a first closed position (8) to a second open position (9), a valve seat (20), a plurality of first fixed pivot mounts (41) on the body (10) and wherein each obturating portion (30) is pivotally mounted within a first fixed pivot mount (41); a plurality of second non-fixed pivot mounts (42) connected to the valve mechanism (70) and wherein each obturating portion (30) is pivotally mounted within a second non-fixed pivot mount (42); and wherein the valve mechanism (70) and hence each second non-fixed pivot mount (42) is movable in three dimensions.

Abstract: This invention concerns a contractile device. The device includes a body, which has a wall including a tessellation of elements. The body is deformable through pressurisation of fluid within the body between a first, extended state and a second, contracted state in which the axial length of the body is reduced and the internal volume increased compared to the first, normal state. The tessellation of elements includes a series of protruding and intruding formations which are arranged such that the body remains substantially cylindrical through its deformation between its normal and deformed states. The protruding and intruding formations of the tessellation of elements may be in the form of protruding and intruding pyramids.