Abstract: A device (1) for controlling the rate of flow of a fluid such as fluid which is diverted from a part of a human or animal body. The device comprises: an inlet (2); an outlet (4); and a resistance member (6), operatively connected to the inlet (2) and the outlet (4), the resistance member (6) comprising: a first plate (8), a surface of which comprises a groove which defines a resistance flow channel, an entry of the flow channel being in fluid communication with the inlet (2) and an exit of the flow channel being in fluid communication with the outlet (4); and a second plate (12), the second plate being held in abutment with the grooved surface of the first plate (8) so as to define a resistance (tube 14).

Abstract: A device for diverting fluid from the ventricles of the brain to another area of the body includes an inlet, an outlet, and a resistance member operatively connected to the inlet and the outlet. The resistance member includes a first plate, a surface of which has a groove which defines a resistance flow channel, an entry of the flow channel being in fluid communication with the inlet and an exit of the flow channel being in fluid communication with the outlet; and a second plate, the second plate being held in abutment with the grooved surface of the first plate so as to define a resistance tube. The resistance tube includes a plurality of arcs arranged in flow series, each arc radially extending between the inner and outer diameters of the first and second plates. A selection mechanism operable to interconnect a selected number of the arcs to the inlet and outlet is provided.

Abstract: A valve assembly for adjusting the flow of bodily fluid from one part of a human body to another includes a body portion having a flow inlet and a flow outlet. A valve located in a flow path from the inlet to the outlet includes a valve seat and a closing element that is adapted to seal against the valve seat. A carrier element is mounted within the body portion and has a plurality of pockets. Each pocket houses a respective preload element, wherein each preload element is of a different weight from that of the other preload elements. The carrier element is moveable relative to the body portion so as to align a preload element of a desired weight with the closing element. The self weight of the chosen preload element applies a preload to the closing element dependent on the orientation of the valve assembly.

Abstract: A valve assembly for adjusting the flow of bodily fluid from one part of a human body to another includes a body portion having a flow inlet and a flow outlet. A valve located in a flow path from the inlet to the outlet includes a valve seat and a closing element that is adapted to seal against the valve seat. A carrier element is mounted within the body portion and has a plurality of pockets. Each pocket houses a respective preload element, wherein each preload element is of a different weight from that of the other preload elements. The carrier element is moveable relative to the body portion so as to align a preload element of a desired weight with the closing element. The self weight of the chosen preload element applies a preload to the closing element dependent on the orientation of the valve assembly.

Abstract: A device (1) for controlling the rate of flow of a fluid such as fluid which is diverted from a part of a human or animal body. The device comprises: an inlet (2); an outlet (4); and a resistance member (6), operatively connected to the inlet (2) and the outlet (4), the resistance member (6) comprising: a first plate (8), a surface of which comprises a groove which defines a resistance flow channel, an entry of the flow channel being in fluid communication with the inlet (2) and an exit of the flow channel being in fluid communication with the outlet (4); and a second plate (12), the second plate being held in abutment with the grooved surface of the first plate (8) so as to define a resistance (tube 14).

Abstract: A blade polishing machine using an abrasive belt and including an arrangement for compensating for wear on the belt. The machine employs a master cam and a cam follower to control the finished shape of the blade; after each blade has been polished, the cam follower is shifted slightly to bring the belt guiding pulley closer to the next blade, thus compensating for the reduced thickness of the belt. The mechanism for shifting the cam follower includes a wedge which moves stepwise under the control of an escapement; the wedge can be replaced by a wedge of different taper to suit the average amount of wear on the belt involved in the particular job in hand.