Abstract: An apparatus comprising an inner part including an external thread and a slot with a non-circular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the screw axis of the external thread. The slot is configured to locate an elongate member with a corresponding non-circular cross section, such that when located in the slot the elongate member is rotatably fixed relative to the slot. The apparatus further comprises an outer part including an internal surface that comprises a threaded portion, wherein the outer part is configured to threadably rotate around the inner part.

Abstract: Detecting of a disorder associated with impaired barrier function in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject is described, including through determining bioimpedance across a subject's gastrointestinal tract wall and detecting impaired barrier function based on bioimpedance. An electrical signal is measured between first and second electrodes, at least the first electrode being located in a gastrointestinal tract of the body and one or more characteristics are determined based on the measured electrical signal. The one or more characteristics can comprise hallmarks of impaired barrier function such as leakiness and/or permeability of the gastrointestinal tract and can provide an indication of inflammatory bowel disease and/or gut inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implant for managing a medical condition. In particular, it relates to medical treatments which employ smooth muscle implant and discloses a method of augmenting a smooth muscle implant for management of a human medical condition. Augmentation may be by a number of methods. It may be by utilising neurotrophic or trophic factors to assist growth of the smooth muscle tissue or nerve growth within the smooth muscle tissue, or revascularisation of the smooth muscle tissue. It may be by utilising tissue engineering to grow smooth muscle tissue. It may be by adding proliferative smooth muscle cells and/or smooth muscle stem cells for the smooth muscle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating fecal incontinence. A smooth muscle sphincter is implanted about the distal part of the large intestine in the region of internal anal sphincter or the anal canal, the rectum or the sigmoid colon. The smooth muscle sphincter is electrically stimulated by a stimulator device, in order to contract the smooth muscle sphincter and maintain continence. Stimulation is ceased or varied in order to allow the smooth muscle sphincter to relax and the patient to defecate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling urinary incontinence. An implantable stimulator is utilised to apply stimulation to a sphincter or neosphincter about the urethra, in order to maintain coaptation of the urethra and urinary continence. Feedback is utilised in order to vary the level of stimulation applied to the sphincter in order to enable control over the sphincter. Control may be implemented by a user setting levels, by biofeedback, by a clinician.

Abstract: An implantable electrode arrangement (1) for stimulating excitable tissue, in particular the neosphincter to control urinary incontinence. The electrode is in the form of a extending peg with a pair of electrode elements (2, 3) extending from a base (4). The elements are arranged to fit over the tissue to be stimulated and have electrodes (5, 6) on the inner surfaces of the peg portions. The tissue located between the peg portions receives stimulation. Also disclosed are methods of treating urinary incontinence by electrically stimulating a band of smooth muscle and electrode having an insulating member and electrodes on the inner surface such that an electric field applied to tissue is confined.

Abstract: An improved method, system and arrangement for treatment of urinary incontinence is disclosed, in which a portion of innervated smooth muscle (2) is transplanted and disposed around the urethra to provide a urethral sphincter (2). Electrical stimulation, by an implanted stimulator (1), maintains continuous tone in the sphincter. A remote controller (7) permits the sphincter (2) to be allowed to relax, and hence permit urine to flow out of the bladder.

Abstract: The valve includes a closure disc (34) sealable at its rim to a valve seat (18) so that in this position the seat (18) and rim define between them an annular space (54) which is connected to a port (60) by passages (54, 56, 58) extending through a mating face (e.g. carbon fibre gasket (22)) of the valve seat (18). As shown the space (54) is a recess in the disc rim defined between fibre seal rings (46, 48) but other arrangements are disclosed in which the seal rings and/or recess may be accommodated in the valve seat. The port (60) may be used for leakage detection, pressure monitoring of bleeding or fluid injection.

Abstract: A method suitable for removing settled sludge from the bottom of a storage tank uses a machine (1) including a central body (15) rotatable about which is a casing (2, 3) provided with two substantially diametric nozzles (4, 5) arranged so that liquid emerging therefrom sweeps substantially only in one plane, a turbine (12) rotating the casing about the central body (15) and half cylinder (18) ensuring that when the casing (2, 3) is continuously rotated, alternately one nozzle is closed for substantially 180.degree. rotation while the other nozzle is open. Such machines may be suspended above the floor of the tank adjacent to a wall thereof. Liquid is emitted from the nozzles in a sweep substantially parallel to the bottom plane of the storage tank, thereby resuspending the sludge which thereafter is withdrawn as a suspension.

Abstract: A machine (1) suitable for removing sludge from the bottom of a storage tank which comprises a central body (15) rotatable about which is a casing (2, 3) provided with two substantially diametric nozzles (4, 5) arranged so that liquid emerging therefrom sweeps substantially only in one plane, a turbine (12) rotating the casing about the central body (15) and means (18) ensuring that when the casing (2, 3) is continuously rotated, alternately one nozzle is closed for substantially 180.degree. rotation while the other nozzle is open. Such machines may be suspended above the floor of the tank adjacent to a wall thereof.