Abstract: In an alignment guide for use in femoral head surgery, a cannulated rod is supported by, and is adjustable with respect to, a support member of the alignment guide. The guide also includes two jaws, an anterior jaw and a posterior jaw, with each jaw having a proximal end connected to the support arm, and a distal end for clamping, in use, to the neck of the femur. At least one of the jaws is movable from a first open position to a second clamping position.

Abstract: An acetabular cup prosthesis comprising an acetabular cup having a rim and comprising a metal band applied around the outer circumference of the acetabular cup prosthesis and adjacent to said rim.

Abstract: In a saw for the removal of a prosthesis which is integrated with a bone, a blade is connected to a handle wherein the distal end of the blade includes a shaped nib. The shaped nib has teeth, with at least some of the teeth being angled to cut as the saw is moved in a backward direction. The nib additionally includes means for allowing the nib to be reversibly deformed such that in use its maximum width can be temporarily reduced.

Abstract: An acetabular cup prosthesis having a shell component, a liner component located within the shell component and a filling means located in a space between the shell component and the liner component.

Abstract: In a prosthesis and method for manufacturing the same, the prosthesis has an outer articulating surface and an inner bone-contacting surface. The inner surface of the prosthesis has at least one osteo-integration zone with one or more surface formations integrally cast with the wall of the prosthesis. In some instances the prosthesis may be a femoral head prosthesis. To manufacture the prosthesis, a mold is prepared and the prosthesis is cast to include the surface formations.

Abstract: A trial acetabular cup having a signal generating device located thereon.

Abstract: A preassembled acetabular cup prosthesis comprising an outer shell and a ceramic liner located within the shell, said preassembled unit having been assembled ex-vivo under a controlled force selected to optimise the pre-stressing of the components of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A preassembled acetabular cup prosthesis comprising an outer shell and a liner located within the shell.

Abstract: A preassembled unit comprising an acetabular cup prosthesis and a cap covering the cup prosthesis, the cup comprising and outer shell and a liner located within the shell.

Abstract: An auto-extensible device has an electrorestrictive device. Upon applying a voltage to the electrorestrictive device, a linear bearing guide together with a second body member is caused to move distally with respect to a first body member. This movement produces a first gap between the second body member and the first body member as well as a second gap. A first motor drives a first spur gear until it abuts the first body member and thereby closes the second gap. The voltage is allowed to drop to zero causing the electrorestrictive device to contract again, thereby causing the first gap to close and a third gap to open up between a second gear ring and a distal surface of the second body member. A second motor moves the second gear ring proximally of an elongate tubular member and to cause it to close the third gap.

Abstract: Methods for identifying Quantifiable Internal Reference Standards (QIRS) for immunohistochemistry (IHC). Also disclosed are methods for using QIRS to quantify test antigens in IHC.

Abstract: The development of a high-throughput multi-antigen microfluidic fluorescence immunoassay system is illustrated in a 100-chamber PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) chip which performs up to 5 tests for each of 10 samples. Specificity of detection is demonstrated and calibration curves produced for C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), ferritin, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). The measurements show sensitivity at and below levels that are significant in current clinical laboratory practice (with SIN>8 at as low as 10 pM antigen concentration). The chip uses 100 nL per sample for all four tests and provides an improved instrument for use in scientific research and “point-of-care” testing in medicine.

Abstract: The invention provides an acetabular prosthesis comprising an outer portion having a substantally concave inner surface and a substantially convex outer surface. An inner portion within and spaced from the outer portion and having a substantially concave inner surface defining a cavity and a substantially convex outer surface. Flexible connecting means, such as vanes, connect the outer convex surface of the inner portion to the concave inner surface of the outer portion. Such an acetabular prosthesis can exhibit matched compliance between the outer portion and the patient's pelvis while the inner portion accommodates idealised rigidity for artificial articulation components.

Abstract: A tibial prosthesis has a metal tray component (1) comprising a transverse member (3) with a peripheral upstanding rim (6) and a projecting stem (4). The upstanding rim (6) includes a posterior rim portion with an undercut lip forming a pair of recesses (7, 8) and an anterior rim portion with an open angled posterior surface portion (9) and a posteriorly projecting barbed portion (10). The prosthesis also includes a tibia insert (2) made of a plastics material which fits on the tibial implant (1) within the upstanding rim (6) and has on a posterior portion thereof a shaped contour (14, 15) adapted in use to fit snugly under the undercut lip and on an anterior portion thereof an anterior surface (13) having a taper angle substantially corresponding to the angle of the open angled posterior surface portion.

Abstract: A mechanism for powering an auto-extensible tissue distractor, e.g. a bone fixator, is described in which a movable device is caused to move in small incremental steps of a few &mgr;m each along an elongate member towards its distal end under the influence of one or more piezoelectric actuators.

Abstract: A tibial prosthesis is described comprising a metal tray component (1) comprising a transverse member (3) having an upper side with a peripheral upstanding rim (6) and a lower side provided with a projecting stem (4) for insertion in a surgically prepared cavity in a tibia of a patient. The upstanding rim (6) includes a posterior rim portion and an anterior rim portion. The posterior rim portion is provided with an undercut lip forming a pair of recesses (7, 8) and the anterior rim portion has an open angled posterior surface portion (9) and a posteriorly projecting barbed portion (10). The prosthesis also includes a tibia insert (2) made of a plastics material shaped to fit on the upper side of the tibial implant (1) within the upstanding rim (6) and having an upper bearing surface (11, 12) adapted to cooperate with at least one condyle of a femur or of a femoral implant and a lower surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an acetabular prosthesis (1) comprising:

Abstract: A mechanism for powering an auto-extensible tissue distractor, e.g. a bone fixator, is described in which a movable device is caused to move in small incremental steps of a few &mgr;m each along an elongate member towards its distal end under the influence of one or more piezoelectric actuators.

Abstract: A hammer for driving a pile into the ground has a cylindrical barrel and an anvil sealed to an end of the barrel, a hammer piston mounted for reciprocation within the barrel towards and away from the anvil, hydraulic cylinders to lift the hammer piston away from the anvil, and a switch, responsive to an increase in fluid pressure in the space between the hammer piston and the anvil, to activate the lift means. The invention includes a method of driving a pile into the ground, in which the pile-driving impact is transmitted to the pile via a confined quantity of hydraulic fluid and the weight by which the impact is applied is lifted, to a position from which to apply a further impact, in response to an increase in pressure in the hydraulic fluid.