Abstract: A module for a vacuum pumping and/or abatement system includes a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, and two opposing lateral sides, which together define a space. The module comprises an apparatus located wholly within the space and one or more connection points coupled to the apparatus. Each of the connection points is for receiving an input for the apparatus or receiving an output from the apparatus. The one or more connection points are located at the top side. The module has a maximum size in a first system dimension that is equal to a first integer multiple of a fixed system value, the first system dimension being a dimension between the lateral sides. For each connection point, a distance between that connection point and each lateral side in the first system dimension is a respective second integer multiple of the fixed system value.

Abstract: A module for a vacuum pumping and/or abatement system. The module comprises a frame defining a space, a plurality of facilities inputs configured to receive facilities from a facilities supply, a plurality of facilities outputs configured to output the received facilities out of the module, and a plurality of facilities connection lines located at least partially within the space defined by the frame. The plurality of facilities connection lines connect the facilities inputs to the facilities outputs. The module further comprises a controller configured to control supply of facilities received at the facilities inputs out of the facilities outputs; and control operation of one or more vacuum pumping and/or abatement apparatuses remote from the module.

Abstract: A module for a vacuum pumping and/or abatement system includes a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, and two opposing lateral sides, which together define a space. The module comprises an apparatus located wholly within the space and one or more connection points coupled to the apparatus. Each of the connection points is for receiving an input for the apparatus or receiving an output from the apparatus. The one or more connection points are located at the top side. The module has a maximum size in a first system dimension that is equal to a first integer multiple of a fixed system value, the first system dimension being a dimension between the lateral sides. For each connection point, a distance between that connection point and each lateral side in the first system dimension is a respective second integer multiple of the fixed system value.

Abstract: A module for a vacuum pumping and/or abatement system. The module comprises a frame defining a space, a plurality of facilities inputs configured to receive facilities from a facilities supply, a plurality of facilities outputs configured to output the received facilities out of the module, and a plurality of facilities connection lines located at least partially within the space defined by the frame. The plurality of facilities connection lines connect the facilities inputs to the facilities outputs. The module further comprises a controller configured to control supply of facilities received at the facilities inputs out of the facilities outputs; and control operation of one or more vacuum pumping and/or abatement apparatuses remote from the module.

Abstract: An optical fibre (10) which has a first refractive index profile (61) that can be changed by heating to a second refractive index profile (62), at least one first dopant (7) for providing the first refractive index profile, at least one concealed dopant (8), and at least one mobile dopant (9), wherein the mobile dopant has a molar refractivity and is present in a concentration (19) such as to balance a change (146) in the first refractive index profile induced by the concealed dopant, and has a diffusion constant (16) greater than a diffusion constant (15) of the concealed dopant, so that heating of the optical fibre causes the mobile dopant to diffuse more quickly than the concealed dopant, thereby allowing the concealed dopant and the mobile dopant to change the first refractive index profile to the second refractive index profile.

Abstract: An optical fibre (10) which has a first refractive index profile (61) that can be changed by heating to a second refractive index profile (62), at least one first dopant (7) for providing the first refractive index profile, at least one concealed dopant (8), and at least one mobile dopant (9), wherein the mobile dopant has a molar refractivity and is present in a concentration (19) such as to balance a change (146) in the first refractive index profile induced by the concealed dopant, and has a diffusion constant (16) greater than a diffusion constant (15) of the concealed dopant, so that heating of the optical fibre causes the mobile dopant to diffuse more quickly than the concealed dopant, thereby allowing the concealed dopant and the mobile dopant to change the first refractive index profile to the second refractive index profile.

Abstract: Provided, in one embodiment, is a vacuum wound dressing for covering a wound bed comprising: a wound contact layer comprising a fibrous blend or fibrous material that forms a cohesive gel when wetted by wound exudate; a source of vacuum situated to be separated from the wound bed by the wound contact layer; and a vacuum sealing layer covering the wound contact layer and adapted to retain relative vacuum in the wound contact layer, wherein (i) the dressing is essentially missing a non-gelling, foam layer in which the source of vacuum is situated or (ii) the vacuum sealing layer comprises as an outer layer a foam layer.

Abstract: Provided, in one embodiment, is a vacuum wound dressing for covering a wound bed comprising: a wound contact layer comprising a fibrous blend or fibrous material that forms a cohesive gel when wetted by wound exudate; a source of vacuum situated to be separated from the wound bed by the wound contact layer; and a vacuum sealing layer covering the wound contact layer and adapted to retain relative vacuum in the wound contact layer, wherein (i) the dressing is essentially missing a non-gelling, foam layer in which the source of vacuum is situated or (ii) the vacuum sealing layer comprises as an outer layer a foam layer.

Abstract: Provided, in one embodiment, is a vacuum wound dressing for covering a wound bed comprising: a wound contact layer comprising a fibrous blend or fibrous material that forms a cohesive gel when wetted by wound exudate; a source of vacuum situated to be separated from the wound bed by the wound contact layer; and a vacuum sealing layer covering the wound contact layer and adapted to retain relative vacuum in the wound contact layer, wherein (i) the dressing is essentially missing a non-gelling, foam layer in which the source of vacuum is situated or (ii) the vacuum sealing layer comprises as an outer layer a foam layer.

Abstract: A wound dressing for post-operative sites comprising: a thin film layer covered on one side with an adhesive and an absorbent layer adhered to the adhesive side of the thin film layer, the absorbent layer being capable of absorbing exudate to allow the wound to be viewed through the dressing.

Abstract: A multi layered wound dressing for use on wounds producing high levels of exudate, the dressing comprising a transmission layer having a high MVTR; an absorbent core capable of absorbing and retaining exudates; and a wound contacting layer which transmits exudate to the absorbent core, the absorbent core and wound contacting layer limiting the lateral spread of exudate in the dressing to the region of the wound.

Abstract: Provided, in one embodiment, is a vacuum wound dressing for covering a wound bed comprising: a wound contact layer comprising a fibrous blend or fibrous material that forms a cohesive gel when wetted by wound exudate; a source of vacuum situated to be separated from the wound bed by the wound contact layer; and a vacuum sealing layer covering the wound contact layer and adapted to retain relative vacuum in the wound contact layer, wherein (i) the dressing is essentially missing a non-gelling, foam layer in which the source of vacuum is situated or (ii) the vacuum sealing layer comprises as an outer layer a foam layer.

Abstract: A multi layered wound dressing for use on wounds producing high levels of exudate, the dressing comprising a transmission layer having a high MVTR; an absorbent core capable of absorbing and retaining exudates; and a wound contacting layer which transmits exudate to the absorbent core, the absorbent core and wound contacting layer limiting the lateral spread of exudate in the dressing to the region of the wound.

Abstract: A wound dressing for post-operative sites comprising: