Abstract: A tissue prosthesis insertion system (80) includes a first assembly (10) comprising a plurality of nested tubes (12), one of the tubes being a carrier tube (14) which, in use, receives a component (16) of a tissue prosthesis at a distal end of the carrier tube (14). A magnetic mount (44) is carried at a proximal end of the first assembly (10). A second assembly (82) is removably attachable to the first assembly (10). An attachment device (92) is carried at a distal end of the second assembly (92), the attachment device (92) being responsive to the magnetic mount (44) of the first assembly (10), the magnetic mount (44) and the attachment device (92) carrying complementary engaging formations to facilitate hermetic sealing between the magnetic mount (44) and the attachment device (92).

Abstract: A workstation architecture for one or more medical diagnostic instruments is provided using a modular approach. Elements common to operations for the instruments are grouped together as a set of service components that are made available to instrument specific software applications. Application developers can develop software specific to the instrument while accessing the common service components to speed software development. A user interface tool is provided to permit a customized user interface to be developed for the instrument, within a generally consistent interface environment. The resulting user interfaces have a consistent look and behavior among different instrument types to facilitate a simplified and familiar user experience. The common service components provide a broad variety of services that are useful to developers and are easily integrated with instrument specific software. Features such as language variability and secure access points are provided in a distributed environment.

Abstract: A parent and child window are arranged in a user interface to cause the child window to behave as a modal window with respect to the parent window, and to behave as a modeless window with respect to a remainder of the user interface. The user interface focus can be shifted without having to close the child window, as would ordinarily be the case with a modal window. Opening the child window from the parent window causes one or more event handlers to be installed in the parent window to prevent input events from being processed by the parent window. The event handler(s) is(are) deinstalled when the child window is closed. This arrangement permits the user interface to take advantage of the properties of modal windows, while providing flexibility for interacting with a remainder of the user interface.

Abstract: A nucleus pulposus replacement device comprises a body of an elastomeric material which is able to be introduced and positioned within an annulus of an intervertebral disc of a patient. The material is of a form which undergoes a change from a first state, in which the body of material is able to conform substantially to a shape of a nuclear cavity of the intervertebral disc, to a second state, in which the body of material mimics bio-mechanical properties of a natural, healthy nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc. The material is of a consistency which inhibits leakage from an annulus fibrosis of the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A tissue prosthesis insertion system includes a first assembly comprising a plurality of nested tubes, one of the tubes being a carrier tube which, in use, receives a component of a tissue prosthesis at a distal end of the carrier tube. A magnetic mount is carried at a proximal end of the first assembly. A second assembly is removably attachable to the first assembly. An attachment device is carried at a distal end of the second assembly, the attachment device being responsive to the magnetic mount of the first assembly, the magnetic mount and the attachment device carrying complementary engaging formations to facilitate hermetic sealing between the magnetic mount and the attachment device.