Abstract: A releasable connection arrangement, suitable for releasably connecting two items, wherein a base portion includes a clamp stud and a head portion includes a stud catch mechanism, and wherein the clamp stud and stud catch mechanism are adapted to be connected to one another when the stud catch mechanism is in an engaged state and to be not connected to one another when the stud catch mechanism is in a disengaged state, the stud catch mechanism providing a substantially frictional connection between the stud catch mechanism and the stud catch when the stud catch mechanism is in the engaged state, the stud catch mechanism including a stud catch plate adapted to be moveable and a stud release lever adapted to move the stud catch plate axially towards and away from the clamp stud in use, so that the stud catch plate can engage and disengage the clamp stud in use.

Abstract: An adapter, for use with items such as cameras and camera accessories, the adapter having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion configured to receive and engage with a clamp stud of an item to be connected to the adapter, the upper portion including a platform assembly configured to attach to another item above the adapter, wherein the lower portion includes a stud catch mechanism, and wherein the stud catch mechanism is adapted to be connected to the clamp stud when the stud catch mechanism is in an engaged state and to be not connected to the clamp stud when the stud catch mechanism is in a disengaged state, the stud catch mechanism having one or more stud catch plates adapted to be moveable into and away from the recess of the clamp stud in use.

Abstract: An adapter, for use with items such as cameras and camera accessories, the adapter having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion comprising means adapted to receive and engage with a clamp stud of an item to be connected to the adapter, the upper portion comprising a platform assembly comprising means adapted to attach to another item above the adapter, wherein the lower portion comprises a stud catch mechanism, and wherein the stud catch mechanism is adapted to be connected to the said clamp stud when the stud catch mechanism is in an engaged state and to be not connected to the said clamp stud when the stud catch mechanism is in a disengaged state, the stud catch mechanism having one or more stud catch plates adapted to be moveable into and away from the recess of the clamp stud in use.

Abstract: A releasable connection arrangement, suitable for releasably connecting two items, wherein a base portion comprises a clamp stud and a head portion comprises a stud catch mechanism, and wherein the clamp stud and stud catch mechanism are adapted to be connected to one another when the stud catch mechanism is in an engaged state and to be not connected to one another when the stud catch mechanism is in a disengaged state, the stud catch mechanism providing a substantially frictional connection between the stud catch mechanism and the stud catch when the stud catch mechanism is in the engaged state, the stud catch mechanism comprising a stud catch plate adapted to be moveable and a stud release lever adapted to move the stud catch plate axially towards and away from the clamp stud in use, so that the stud catch plate can engage and disengage the clamp stud in use.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a population of human Schwann cells. The method comprises (a) incubating human fascicles with one or more mitogens for a priming period of three to fourteen days to produce primed fascicles, (b) incubating the primed fascicles with one or more tissue dissociation enzymes to produce primed Schwann cells, (c) culturing the primed Schwann cells at an initial Po density for a period of time to achieve no greater than 90% confluence, (d) expanding the population of Schwann cells by culturing the Schwann cells at an initial passage density for a period of time to achieve no greater than 90% confluence for at least two passages, and harvesting the population of human Schwann cells. The invention further provides an isolated population of Schwann cells obtained by the method described herein. In various aspects of the invention, the isolated population is provided in a composition.

Abstract: A head assembly for a tripod comprising a head portion and a bowl portion releasably connectable to one another, the bowl portion having a clamp stud and the head portion having a stud catch mechanism, wherein the stud catch mechanism is adapted to be releasably connectable to the clamp stud, and wherein the head assembly further comprises an adjustment mechanism adapted to adjust the connection between the head portion and the bowl portion when the head portion and bowl portion are connected to one another.

Abstract: A head assembly for a tripod comprising a head portion and a bowl portion releasably connectable to one another, the bowl portion having a clamp stud and the head portion having a stud catch mechanism, wherein the stud catch mechanism is adapted to be releasably connectable to the clamp stud, and wherein the head assembly further comprises an adjustment mechanism adapted to adjust the connection between the head portion and the bowl portion when the head portion and bowl portion are connected to one another.

Abstract: A leg spreader (10) for a tripod comprising at least two portions (12, 14) selectably moveable with respect to one another along an axis; a first portion comprising a latch (16) and a second portion comprising an engagement region (18); the latch being releasably engageable with the engagement region, the latch being moveable by an actuator (20) between an engaged position in which the portions are substantially non-moveable with respect of one another and a disengaged position in which the portions are moveable with respect to one another; wherein the latch is biased towards the engaged position.

Abstract: A leg spreader (10) for a tripod comprising at least two portions (12, 14) selectably moveable with respect to one another along an axis; a first portion comprising a latch (16) and a second portion comprising an engagement region (18); the latch being releasably engageable with the engagement region, the latch being moveable by an actuator (20) between an engaged position in which the portions are substantially non-moveable with respect of one another and a disengaged position in which the portions are moveable with respect to one another; wherein the latch is biased towards the engaged position.

Abstract: An extendable leg 10 for a tripod, the leg 10 comprises two or more leg-stages 11b, 11c, each leg-stage 11b, 11c moveable axially relative to one or more of the or each other leg-stages to lengthen or shorten the leg. The leg 10 includes a clamp assembly to releasably prevent the relative movement when the leg is at the desired length. The clamp assembly includes a leg brake 22a moveable between a first leg-stage locking position and a second leg-stage release position. In order to control movement of the leg brake 22a between the first and second positions, an actuation means 16 is provided. A cable 17 is operably connected at a first end to the actuation means 16 and at a second end to the leg brake 22a, such that operation of the actuation means 16 causes the cable 17 to move the leg brake 22a.

Abstract: A tripod leg (3) comprises a lever wherein said lever (13) is arranged on a portion of said leg (3), which in use, does not move in relation to an attached tripod head element (2); characterized in that said lever (13) further comprises an aperture (15) which is sized to cooperate with one or more digits of a user's hand.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a population of human Schwann cells. The method comprises (a) incubating human fascicles with one or more mitogens for a priming period of three to fourteen days to produce primed fascicles, (b) incubating the primed fascicles with one or more tissue dissociation enzymes to produce primed Schwann cells, (c) culturing the primed Schwann cells at an initial Po density for a period of time to achieve no greater than 90% confluence, (d) expanding the population of Schwann cells by culturing the Schwann cells at an initial passage density for a period of time to achieve no greater than 90% confluence for at least two passages, and harvesting the population of human Schwann cells. The invention further provides an isolated population of Schwann cells obtained by the method described herein. In various aspects of the invention, the isolated population is provided in a composition.

Abstract: A tripod leg (3) comprises a lever wherein said lever (13) is arranged on a portion of said leg (3), which in use, does not move in relation to an attached tripod head element (2); characterised in that said lever (13) further comprises an aperture (15) which is sized to cooperate with one or more digits of a user's hand.

Abstract: An extendable leg 10 for a tripod, the leg 10 comprises two or more leg-stages 11b, 11c, each leg-stage 11b, 11c moveable axially relative to one or more of the or each other leg-stages to lengthen or shorten the leg. The leg 10 includes a clamp assembly to releasably prevent the relative movement when the leg is at the desired length. The clamp assembly includes a leg brake 22a moveable between a first leg-stage locking position and a second leg-stage release position. In order to control movement of the leg brake 22a between the first and second positions, an actuation means 16 is provided. A cable 17 is operably connected at a first end to the actuation means 16 and at a second end to the leg brake 22a, such that operation of the actuation means 16 causes the cable 17 to move the leg brake 22a.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating an injury of a spinal cord of a patient The method includes implanting a therapeutic substance in the spinal cord under indirect visualization. The indirect visualization may be provided by an endoscope, and the therapeutic substance may include cells. The present invention also provides a device for treating an injury of the spinal cord. The device includes skin visualization means for visualizing the spinal cord through a skin puncture, and injection means for injecting a therapeutic substance into the spinal cord.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating an injury of a spinal cord of a patient. The method includes implanting a therapeutic substance in the spinal cord under indirect visualization. The indirect visualization may be provided by an endoscope, and the therapeutic substance may include cells. The present invention also provides a device for treating an injury of the spinal cord. The device includes skin visualization means for visualizing the spinal cord through a skin puncture, and injection means for injecting a therapeutic substance into the spinal cord.

Abstract: An improved valve plug actuator is provided which is substantially impervious to environmental contamination and which provides greater axial transfer of seating force to an associated valve plug. The actuator uses an indexing race formed in an indexing sleeve to support a thrust bearing on one side of an operating screw collar and an enhanced retaining ring to capture an opposing thrust bearing. Lubrication containment and environmental isolation of the interactive surfaces of the actuator is maintained by o-ring seals carried by the retaining ring and by a lowermost movable component of the actuator which also is rigidly affixed to the associated valve plug.