Abstract: A fibre-reinforced polymer composite comprising fibres bound within a solid polymer matrix, wherein at least some of the fibres are in contact with graphene, and wherein the composite changes electrical resistance when deformed.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring and managing muscle activity and soft tissue loading. The method includes providing to a subject a plurality of sensors for measuring muscle activity and soft tissue loading levels; directing the subject to undertake a program of exercise; measuring muscle activity and soft tissue loading during the program of exercise; comparing the measured muscle activity and soft tissue loading levels against calibrated muscle activity and soft tissue loading levels for the subject; and alerting the subject if the comparison of measured muscle activity and soft tissue loading levels against calibrated muscle activity and soft tissue loading levels indicates that a desirable level of muscle activity and/or soft tissue loading is being exceeded.

Abstract: A system is provided for assessing heard injury criterion (HIC) by analyzing signals received from sensors of a sensor array to calculate an impact force on an impact area, determine the linear acceleration based on the impact force and mass of the wearer's head. HIC values are calculated within a variable duration sliding window across a time period within which an impact occurs based on the integral of linear acceleration for the time period of the window, to determine a maximal HIC which is converted to a biofeedback signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring and managing muscle activity and soft tissue loading. The method includes providing to a subject a plurality of sensors for measuring muscle activity and soft tissue loading levels; directing the subject to undertake a program of exercise; measuring muscle activity and soft tissue loading during the program of exercise; comparing the measured muscle activity and soft tissue loading levels against calibrated muscle activity and soft tissue loading levels for the subject; and alerting the subject if the comparison of measured muscle activity and soft tissue loading levels against calibrated muscle activity and soft tissue loading levels indicates that a desirable level of muscle activity and/or soft tissue loading is being exceeded.

Abstract: A sensor grid is provided which is able to provide signals of the magnitude and location on the grid of applied pressure. In the prime application of gait analysis, the sensor in the sole of a shoe provides over time a signal indicative of the magnitude and movement of the centre of pressure. This may be presented as a visual signal showing the location of the centre of pressure on the outline of the sole with pressure values coded in colour. Alternatively the location may be represented as pitch of an audio signal and the magnitude by sound volume. Such a signal can be used to provide feedback to a patient to correct their gait by modifying their gait to produce a desirable signal. The analysis software uses an algorithm to identify the location, speed and distribution of the centre of pressure (COP) and additionally to assess the fractal dimension of the COP. Other attributes such as location of hotspots and pressure impulses can be used to augment the biofeedback signals.

Abstract: A mine avoidance and protection device has a frame adapted to be secured to a source of a load, such as the foot of a person. Attached to the frame are at least three support legs each extending from the frame. Each leg has a releasable joint between the leg and the frame. At least one detector is operable to provide a detection capability for each support leg, operable to detect a characteristic of a mine when at least a portion of the support leg is located proximate to the mine. An actuator operable to provide an actuation capability at the joint of each leg, to: constrain the joint to allow a load to be transmitted from the frame, through the joint and the support to the terrain. The actuator can also release the joint such that a load can not be transmitted from the frame through the joint. The joint between the plate and each leg may be a one degree-of-freedom prismatic joint or revolute joint.

Abstract: In an intervertebral implant having an upper and a lower supporting surface for abutment with adjacent vertebral bodies, having a concave dorsal longitudinal side, a ventral longitudinal side lying opposite the latter, having a rounded contour at the two end faces connecting the longitudinal sides and having at least one hole extending through the implant from the upper to the lower supporting surface, in order to facilitate the introduction of bone material after insertion of the intervertebral implant into an intervertebral space it is proposed that in the region of the middle portion of the ventral longitudinal side at least one introduction channel for bone material, which extends through the implant, exits from the implant.

Abstract: In order, in the case of a surgical instrument for introducing intervertebral implants into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies, to facilitate the introduction of the intervertebral implant even when access is difficult, it is proposed that the surgical instrument comprises two mutually opposing guide bodies, which each have a guide directed towards the other guide body and together form between them a guideway, along which an intervertebral implant is insertable laterally into the intervertebral space.

Abstract: An implant for insertion between vertebrae of the verterbral column having a substantially rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section and covering faces adapted to face the adjacent vertebrae which are porous and/or designed with a profile. The implant has such a width that it substantially covers at the maximum the rear half of the vertebrae facing the spinous process, preferably at the maximum the rear third of the vertebrae facing the spinous process, and such a length that it substantially covers the rear region of the vertebrae. The limiting surface of the implant facing the inside of the vertebrae and extending in the direction of the adjacent vertebrae is convex. This enables an adequate and reliable supporting function to be achieved with only one implant and can easily be inserted sideways from behind.

Abstract: In order, in the case of a surgical instrument for introducing intervertebral implants into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies, to facilitate the introduction of the intervertebral implant even when access is difficult, it is proposed that the surgical instrument comprises two mutually opposing guide bodies, which each have a guide directed towards the other guide body and together form between them a guideway, along which an intervertebral implant is insertable laterally into the intervertebral space.

Abstract: In an intervertebral implant having an upper and a lower supporting surface for abutment with adjacent vertebral bodies, having a concave dorsal longitudinal side, a ventral longitudinal side lying opposite the latter, having a rounded contour at the two end faces connecting the longitudinal sides and having at least one hole extending through the implant from the upper to the lower supporting surface, in order to facilitate the introduction of bone material after insertion of the intervertebral implant into an intervertebral space it is proposed that in the region of the middle portion of the ventral longitudinal side at least one introduction channel for bone material, which extends through the implant, exits from the implant.