Abstract: In a method and device for processing a slaughtered animal or part thereof, which, in a conveyer, is passed along a slaughter line, the following steps are carried out: an identification is assigned to the slaughtered animal or part thereof; one or more observations are performed on the slaughtered animal or part thereof; a test result is determined for the slaughtered animal or part thereof, which test result comprises an approval or rejection, on the basis of the observation data; the test result is stored in conjunction with the corresponding identification. On the basis of the stored test result, the identified slaughtered animal or part thereof can be removed from the slaughter line by an automatic discharging device or a separating device, which each have a first and a second discharge for removing a slaughtered animal or part thereof which has been approved or rejected, respectively.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting poultry and transporting the poultry to a slaughterhouse, in which the birds are at least partially made unconscious prior to their arrival at the slaughterhouse. Prior to or during their collection, the birds can be conveyed through a tunnel containing a stunning gas. A goods vehicle for carrying crates or containers with poultry to a slaughterhouse can be provided with means for introducing a stunning gas into the crates or containers.

Abstract: An implantable body including an outer membrane forming an enclosure for receiving a filler material. The surface of the outer membrane is characterized by a random distribution of peaks separated by valleys. The peaks and valleys are separated by gradual contoured slopes with a smooth transition between the peaks and valleys which are substantially free from indentation. The enhanced surface provides improved anchoring of the implant, yet reduces host reaction. The enhanced surface is formed by depositing a distribution of cured polymeric particles on an uncured tacky surface. This intermediate surface is then cured, followed by application of a layer of uncured elastomeric material. The entire surface is then cured to form the enhanced surface.

Abstract: An improved mammary prosthesis for implantation in humans comprising: a soft, flexible outer membrane forming an enclosure for receiving a filler material; an enhanced, undulating, random sculptured, irregular, substantially smooth surface of peaks, valleys, slopes and terraces without interstices disposed over at least a portion of said outer membrane; an internal structure within said membrane for supporting said outer membrane and providing an enhanced, life-like look and feel to the prosthesis; and a soft, partially-deformable, elastic filler material received within said outer membrane and cooperating with said internal structure to support said outer membrane.

Abstract: A method and a device for boning a leg or a part thereof of a slaughtered animal. Prior to the removal of the meat from the leg or the part thereof, an incision is made through a tendon at the position of the condyle of the tibia in the ankle joint. During scraping of meat from the lower leg, the lower leg is retained by a lug which engages in the canalis tendineus. Prior to or during the boning operation, the kneecap of the leg is pressed through an opening of a stop element, following which the kneecap projecting from the opening is removed.

Abstract: A tissue-conformable electrode for monitoring tissue electrical activity of the type having a plurality of contacts embedded in a flexible matrix material and custom built to conform to the contours of a portion of the tissue to be monitored consists of a flexible matrix pre-shaped to conform to the contour of a portion of the tissue to be monitored; a plurality of contacts embedded in the matrix and protruding through the matrix to contact the tissue; and lead wires engaging the electrical contacts and exiting the electrode for making electrical connection with monitoring equipment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a laminated item such as a prosthesis or tissue expander having a flexible, expandable membrane surrounding an interior lumen to enhance the strength and performance of the membrane comprises the steps of applying a first layer of a fluid, resilient, stretchable material to a mandrel; allowing the fluid material to drain off the mandrel in a first flow direction; allowing the fluid material to harden to form a resilient, stretchable first layer on the mandrel; applying a second layer of the fluid material on the first layer; changing the orientation of the mandrel to allow the fluid material to drain off the mandrel in a second flow direction, the second flow direction being at an angle to the first flow direction; and allowing the fluid material to harden to form a resilient, stretchable second layer on the first layer.

Abstract: A bandage in the form of a reinforced silicone gel sheet for the treatment of scar tissue is disclosed. The bandage consists of a first layer of silicone adapted to adhere to the skin, a second layer of polyester mesh fabric with a plurality of holes therethrough, which contacts the first layer, and a third layer of silicone. The third layer acts as a sealant and an adhesive when applied to the mesh fabric by projecting through the holes in the mesh fabric to seal the second layer and to laminate the second layer between the first layer and the third layer. The sealant effect of the third layer provides a non-adherent surface which enables the bandage to be worn underneath clothing. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved tissue electrode for monitoring tissue electrical activity and for tissue electrical stimulation and adapted to conform closely to the tissue, thereby optimizing tissue electrical contact. The electrode consists of an elongated electrode body with a polygonal cross-section with a tissue-engaging surface having a pair of tissue-engaging members confronting each other at an obtuse angle and a non-tissue-engaging surface meeting each of the tissue-engaging members at an acute angle. In one embodiment, the non-tissue-engaging surface is substantially flat, and the electrode thus is a half-rhombus in cross-section. In a second embodiment, the non-tissue-engaging surface is also a half-rhombus, so that the electrode is a rhombus in cross-section. An improved electrical connector for connecting lead wires from the electrode to external monitoring equipment is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical tissue expansion device for use in the reconstruction or augmentation of a portion of an individual's body. The invention includes a pair of tissue expansion plates which may be substantially flat or which may include an arcuate curved shape. Each of the tissue expansion plates has a plurality of apertures therethrough in order to facilitate the ingrowth of natural tissue within an enlarged cavity. The tissue expansion plates are mechanically separated by a means for expansion which preferably includes a cylinder having three telescopically expanding rods engaged thereto. The means for expansion is incrementally regulated by an operating means. The operating means preferably includes tubing engaged to the cylinder and to a port having a silicone membrane, for receipt of incremental portions of saline solution or water for telescopic expansion of the rods from the cylinder.

Abstract: In a method and device for separating at least one piece of visceral tissue from at least one organ connected thereto, in which the at least one piece of visceral tissue to be separated is smaller than said at least one organ, the cluster of visceral tissue and organ or organs is moved relative to and over a surface provided with holes. The holes are effectively at least as large as the smallest cross-section of the at least one piece of visceral tissue to be separated. A piece of visceral tissue to be separated which passes into a hole is retained in the hole.

Abstract: Method and device for stunning poultry (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d), which poultry are taken into a first chamber (23) by means of a conveyer (2, 6), which chamber contains a first straining gas or gas mixture which is mixed with oxygen, and are subsequently taken into a a second chamber (33) which is essentially separated from the first chamber as regards gas and which contains a second stunning gas or gas mixture for increasing the stunning achieved in the first chamber.

Abstract: Method and device for preserving the meat of a slaughtered bird or a part thereof, in which the bird or the part thereof is firstly cooled in a short time until the core temperature of the meat is lower than the temperature at which heat-shortening occurs at the prevailing acidity; and next the bird or the part thereof is cooled further, in the course of which the core temperature of the heat remains higher than the temperature at which cold-shortening occurs at the prevailing acidity. During the cooling steps the surface is cooled to such a temperature that the germ counts or decay-causing and pathogenic micro-organisms remain below a predetermined value.

Abstract: Method and device for separating one or more organs or a part thereof from a cluster of interconnected internal organs from a slaughtered animal, making use of a fixing device which is moved through an evisceration opening into the body of the slaughtered animal, in which method a part of the cluster is fixed with the aid of and relative to the fixing device, the connection between the organs and the body is broken, and the organs are taken out of the body. The fixing is maintained after the organs have been taken out of the body and until a separating operation has been carried out on one or more organs or a part thereof in a spatial orientation determined by the fixing. The fixing is achieved by clamping a part of the cluster. During the fixing, organs can be separated from the cluster of organs with the aid of guide elements, stripping elements, separating rollers, and cutting elements.

Abstract: An implantable body including an outer membrane forming an enclosure for receiving a filler material. The surface of the outer membrane is characterized by a random distribution of peaks separated by valleys. The peaks and valleys are separated by gradual contoured slopes with a smooth transition between the peaks and valleys which are substantially free from indentation. The enhanced surface provides improved anchoring of the implant, yet reduces host reaction. The enhanced surface is formed by depositing a distribution of cured polymeric particles on an uncured tacky surface. This intermediate surface is then cured, followed by application of a layer of uncured elastomeric material. The entire surface is then cured to form the enhanced surface.

Abstract: Device for conveying slaughtered animals or a part thereof, having a number of leg carriers, each of which is connected by way of a rotatable connecting element to a trolley of a conveyor, and runs through a track past at least one processing station. Each leg carrier is disposed eccentrically relative to the vertical axis of rotation of the corresponding connecting element.

Abstract: An elastomeric valve assembly designed for use in an inflatable surgical implant to provide a self sealing means for filling the implant. The valve assembly incorporates vulcanized elastomeric strips molded between two larger silicone sheets, wherein the strips form a collapsible self-sealing channel through which a fill needle may be inserted through slits in the strips and sheets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a torque limiting device for use in the affixation of a halo-type traction tool to the skull of a person. The torque limiting device has a shaft or shank embedded in a handle member which rotatably engages a skull pin during the fixation of a halo-type traction device to an individual. The torque limiting device has a first shear point at a reduced shank intermediate portion which prevents rotational torque forces in excess of a predetermined level from being applied to a skull pin during the attachment procedure of a medical cervical traction brace or tool. The present invention also includes a second shear point at the shank-handle interface which acts as a second safety mechanism to ensure that excessive pressure is not applied, and undesirable skull penetration does not occur, during the attachment procedure of a skull pin and halo to an individual's skull. The torque limiting device further includes a skull pin engaging end.

Abstract: Method and device for mechanical removal of the viscera package from the belly cavity of slaughtered poultry hanging by the legs from hooks which are moved in a conveyor along a drawing device. For removal of the viscera package, the body of the poultry is tilted from the hanging, vertical position through a predetermined angle about an axis parallel to a line through the hip joints to a second position, in which the shoulder joints are situated at essentially the same height as or higher up than the hip joints. The latter body position thereafter remains retained during the veterinary inspection of the poultry or the carrying out of further operations on the viscera package and/or the carcass.

Abstract: A method for controlling the processing of poultry in different production lines operating in parallel, wherein the control of the processing of a specific bird or a part thereof takes place on the basis of data derived from one or more observed contours of the bird or a part thereof. For purposes of the control the data may be supplemented by the weight of the bird or part thereof. In a device for carrying out the method the observation takes place with the aid of one or more radiation sources which transmit radiation rays to one or more radiation detectors, which radiation rays can be interrupted or weakened by the birds or parts thereof passing therethrough.