Abstract: The disclosure relates to an airway maintenance device, such as an endotracheal tube, tracheostomy tube, or supraglottic airway device, and in particular to an airway maintenance device having a sensor for measuring capillary blood flow and/or pressure. The device includes an airway maintenance device with an airway lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal end portion incorporating an optical sensor configured to measure capillary blood flow in tissue surrounding the distal end when in position within a patient's airway. The optical sensor may include a portion of an optical fibre extending to the distal end portion along the lumen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the study of gastrointestinal transit in a human or animal subject. The method being for the study of a subject which has previously ingested a container containing first and second fluids that are detectable and distinguishable by MRI, which method comprises the steps of forming a first magnetic resonance image of at least a portion of the subject's GI tract in which the container is located, wherein the magnetizations of the first and second fluids are in-phase; forming a second magnetic resonance image, coincident with the first image, wherein the magnetizations of the first and second fluids are out-of-phase; and subtracting the second image from the first image, or vice versa, to form a composite image.

Abstract: There has been a recent shift in cancer therapy from one size fits all to a personalized and tailored treatment for individual patients to increase efficiency and avoid unnecessary toxicity. This invention relates to a method of determining the prognosis and suitable treatment of cancer in a subject by measuring the level of expression of SPAG5. In particular, it relates to a method where high expression of SPAG5 in tumour cells correlates with aggressive tumours.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing in a subject Acute Kidney Injury or a related or analogous disease state. The method comprises the steps of a) providing a sample taken from the subject: b) analysing the sample from the subject to determine the level of a biomarker selected from certain atomic species; and c) comparing the level of the biomarker in the sample to a reference level of the biomarker that is characteristic of a healthy subject, eg a subject having normal renal function. An elevated level of the biomarker in the sample relative to the reference level is indicative of Acute Kidney Injury or a related or analogous disease state. The invention also relates to the use of an atomic species selected from those in Table 1 as a biomarker for Acute Kidney Injury or a related or analogous disease state, and test kits comprising an analytical element sensitive to those biomarkers.

Abstract: Apparatus for the assessment of visual function and ocular motility and the treatment of disorders thereof, comprising ocular display apparatus which presents different, but visually related, images to each eye. The invention also relates to methods of assessment of ocular disorders and to their treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to actuators based on electroactive polymeric materials for use in pumping fluids or in other applications where a contractile actuation is required, in particular, although not necessarily exclusively, for use in vascular pulsation devices such as a variable aortic tension device. Embodiments disclosed include an actuator comprising: an inner tubular structure; an outer tubular structure surrounding the inner tubular structure and comprising a plurality of layers of a dielectric elastomeric material and a tubular elastic support structure, the elastic support structure configured to maintain a pre-stress in the layers of the dielectric elastomeric material, wherein the outer tubular structure is configured to contract in a radial direction around the inner tubular structure upon application of an actuation voltage signal across the dielectric elastomeric material layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to actuators based on electroactive polymeric materials for use in pumping fluids or in other applications where a contractile actuation is required, in particular although not necessarily exclusively for use in vascular pulsation devices such as a variable aortic tension device. Embodiments disclosed include an actuator (10) comprising: an inner tubular structure (15, 12); an outer tubular structure (13, 14) surrounding the inner tubular structure (15, 12) and comprising a plurality of layers of a dielectric elastomeric material (13) and a tubular elastic support structure (14), the elastic support structure (14) configured to maintain a pre-stress in the layers of the dielectric elastomeric material (13), wherein the outer tubular structure (13, 14) is configured to contract in a radial direction around the inner tubular structure (12, 15) upon application of an actuation voltage signal across the dielectric elastomeric material layers (13).

Abstract: There has been a recent shift in cancer therapy from one size fits all to a personalized and tailored treatment for individual patients to increase efficiency and avoid unnecessary toxicity. This invention relates to a method of determining the prognosis and suitable treatment of cancer in a subject by measuring the level of expression of SPAG5. In particular, it relates to a method where high expression of SPAG5 in tumour cells correlates with aggressive tumours.

Abstract: There is provided a pulsatile blood pump (10) for implantation into a patient. The pulsatile blood pump comprises a substantially tubular body (12) a flexible membrane (14) and a port (16). The substantially tubular body is for replacing a resected portion of a blood vessel of the patient. The substantially tubular body has first and second ends with a blood passageway extending therebetween for the passage of blood. The flexible membrane is attached to the tubular body so as to form a fluid chamber between the flexible membrane and an inner surface of the tubular body. The flexible membrane thereby separates the fluid chamber from the blood passageway. The tubular body comprises the port.

Abstract: A method is provided for the prevention of cancer metastasis in a patient comprising administering an adrenergic receptor antagonist to a patient in need thereof. The invention also includes an adrenergic receptor antagonist for use in the prevention of tumour recurrence in a patient. Also provided is a kit of parts for use in such methods comprising an adrenergic receptor antagonist, and an administration vehicle. A method is further included for identifying a patient at risk of developing cancer comprising the step of assaying for levels of expression of adrenergic receptor genes and proteins in said patient.