Abstract: Devices and methods for forming and securing tissue folds, elongated invaginations, and tissue appositions in stomach tissue are used as a treatment for obesity. In a first embodiment, a plurality of tissue folds is formed in the fundus region of the stomach. In a second embodiment, one or more elongated invaginations are formed in the body region and/or antrum of the stomach. In a third embodiment, a plurality of tissue folds is formed in the fundus region of the stomach and one or more elongated invaginations is formed in the body region and/or antrum of the stomach. In other embodiments, a plurality of tissue folds is formed in the fundus region of the stomach and one or more tissue appositions are formed in the body region and/or antrum of the stomach. Additional embodiments include various combinations of tissue folds, elongated invaginations, tissue appositions, and other reconfigurations of stomach tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for potting membranes. The apparatus may include a mould for receiving ends of the membranes, means for forming a first layer of a curable resin material around the ends in the mould, and means for applying a second layer of a flexible resin material to the first layer prior to full curing of the first layer. The flexible resin material may be chemically reactive with the curable resin material to form an adhesive bond therebetween. A potting sleeve may be positioned within the mould. A centrifuge may receive the curable resin and/or the flexible resin material upstream of the mould.

Abstract: A membrane module (3) comprising a plurality of porous hollow membranes (8). The membranes (8) extend between and are fixed at each end in a header (5, 6). One header (6) has one or more of openings (12) formed therein. The openings (12) are in fluid communication with a source of gas and/or liquid (13, 14, 15). The other of the headers (5) is sealingly connected to and in fluid communication with a head-piece (9). The head-piece (9) is adapted to couple to an associated head-piece of a further module to form a rack of modules (17). A potting head (6) for use in mounting porous hollow membranes (8) is also disclosed comprising a preformed potting element (29). The potting element (29) includes one or more cavities (30) for receiving curate potting material which, in use, supports said membranes (8).

Abstract: A substantially M-shaped rail clip is substantially flat when in its non-operative configuration, and, when the clip is in an operative configuration, the toe of the clip lies substantially in a second plane and the legs of the clip lie substantially in a third plane, the second and third planes being non-parallel to one another.

Abstract: A method of preparing anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin involves treating human plasma anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin under alkaline conditions, such as at pH 10.25 to 11.75 using diethylamine HCl, to dissociate b amyloid protein therefrom. Typically, the anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin is present in human immunoglobulin preparations obtained from plasma or serum. Anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin prepared by the method is substantially free of b amyloid protein and has therapeutic activity in compositions and/or methods for treating a disease or condition associated with b amyloid plaques, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: In a railway rail pad having a rail seat portion for receiving a foot of a railway rail, the rail seat portion is provided on at least one major face thereof with a plurality of protrusions which are unevenly distributed across the face of the rail seat portion such that the ratio of the area of the face occupied by the protrusions to the area of the face free of protrusions is greater in an edge region of the rail seat portion than in a central region of the rail seat portion, the edge region being adjacent to one edge of the pad and the central region being adjacent to the edge region. The studs are arranged in columns, each stud being of substantially the same size, and the number of studs in a column in the central region which is closest to said edge region being greater than in a column closer to the centre of the rail seat portion.

Abstract: A component for use in a rail fastening assembly, the assembly comprising a railway rail fastening clip having a first part for bearing on a railway rail and a railway rail clip anchoring device for retaining the railway rail clip, comprises a first portion adapted to receive a lateral load from the rail when located between a substantially upright face of the rail clip anchoring device and the side of the foot of an adjacent railway rail when the assembly is in use. The component further comprises a second portion for receiving a second bearing part of the railway rail clip. The first portion and the second portion of the component are spaced apart and interconnected by a connection portion.

Abstract: An aircraft air cushion landing system (2) includes a skirt (6) defining a plenum (22) on an underside of the aircraft, a plenum fan (26) arranged to induce an airflow into the plenum (22) and controller configured to control operation of the plenum fan (26). The controller includes a sensor (30) adapted to sense an imminent landing event and a fan control system (28) configured to automatically operate the plenum fan (26) to provide a first flow in a first direction out of the plenum (22) so that as the skirt (6) engages a landing surface air is being evacuated from the plenum (22). A method also operates such a system (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an immunogenic complex comprising a charged organic carrier and a charged antigen and, more particularly, a negatively charged organic carrier and a positively charged antigen, wherein the charged antigen is a polyprotein of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), particularly the core protein of HCV, or a fragment thereof, or a fusion protein comprising the polyprotein or a fragment thereof. The complexes of the present invention are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions as therapeutic and/or prophylactic agents for facilitating the induction of immune responses, and in particular a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response, in the treatment of a disease condition which results from an HCV infection.

Abstract: A rail pad is disclosed having two upstanding portions, integrally formed with the rail seat portion along opposite edges thereof, so as to extend along only a central part of the edge. Preferably, the upstanding portions are attached to the rail seat portion in such a manner as to be readily detachable therefrom.

Abstract: Devices and methods for forming and securing tissue folds and elongated invaginations in stomach tissue are used as a treatment for obesity. In a first embodiment, a plurality of tissue folds is formed in the fundus region of the stomach. In a second embodiment, one or more elongated invaginations is formed in the body region of the stomach. In a third embodiment, a plurality of tissue folds is formed in the fundus region of the stomach and one or more elongated invaginations is formed in the body region of the stomach. Additional embodiments include various combinations of tissue folds, elongated invaginations, and other reconfigurations of stomach tissue.

Abstract: Railway rail fastening apparatus, for suspending a railway rail at discrete locations along its length above a rail foundation, comprises two rail suspending assemblies located when in use one on each side of the rail. Each assembly comprises an elastic member for supporting the head of the rail on one side thereof and a bracket for applying a lateral clamping force to the elastic member. The rail suspending assembly on one side of the rail is located such that the centre line of the assembly is offset with respect to that of the rail suspending assembly on the other side of the rail by x mm along the longitudinal axis of the rail, where x is 50?x>0 mm.

Abstract: A shoulder for use in retaining a railway rail fastening clip, comprising two interconnected spaced-apart walls, between which a portion of the clip to be retained is held when the shoulder is in use, and clip-engaging means, supported by the walls, for engaging a portion of the clip to be retained, does not have any feature or surface which engages the surface of that clip portion which faces downwardly when the clip is in use. Alternatively, or in addition, none of the contact regions, at which the device engages the rail clip, can be seen when the anchoring device is viewed from above when in its operative orientation and all of the contact regions can be seen when the anchoring device is viewed from below when in the operative orientation. Alternatively, or in addition, all the contact regions lie substantially at the same horizontal distance from the edge of the rail foot when measured perpendicularly to the axis of the rail and in the plane of the rail foot.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a curved facet joint fixation assembly and an associated implantation tool and method. The curved facet joint fixation assembly includes an elongated curved shaft adapted to conform to various spinal morphologies. The implantation tool includes a bone fastening device with an angled lower end portion and a removable drive for cutting a hole and for driving the curved facet joint fixation assembly through the hole.

Abstract: A substantially M-shaped rail clip is disclosed in which the clip is substantially flat when in its non-operative configuration, and, when the clip is in an operative configuration, the toe of the clip lies substantially in a second plane and the legs of the clip lie substantially in a third plane, the second and third planes being non-parallel to one another.

Abstract: A sealing plate for use with a rail clip anchoring device having a head and a stem which extends from the head into a concrete sleeper when the anchoring device is in use, is adapted for extending over the underside of the head when the stem of the device is being set in a concrete sleeper, thereby to prevent ingress of concrete into the head of the device, and for being retained on the surface of the sleeper thereafter. A major face of the plate, which is uppermost when the sleeper is in use, is provided with at least one clip seat portion for receiving part of a rail clip.

Abstract: An endoscopic system includes a sheath having a flexible sheath body. A tip is attached to a distal end of the sheath body. A handle is attached to the proximal end of the sheath body. A steerable section may be provided in the sheath adjacent to the tip. Steering controls may then be provided on the handle for steering the steerable section. Lumens extend from the tip to the handle. The distal end of each lumen is sealed to the tip. Bodily fluids can only enter into the lumens and not other areas within the sheath. A shapelock assembly has an elongated hollow body positionable within the sheath body. The shapelock body may be switched between generally rigid and flexible conditions. The sheath provides a sterile barrier around the shapelock body. The shapelock assembly can be readily reused and the sheath may be disposable.

Abstract: An endoscopic system includes a sheath having a flexible sheath body. A tip is attached to a distal end of the sheath body. A handle is attached to the proximal end of the sheath body. A steerable section may be provided in the sheath adjacent to the tip. Steering controls may then be provided on the handle for steering the steerable section. Lumens extend from the tip to the handle. The distal end of each lumen is sealed to the tip. Bodily fluids can only enter into the lumens and not other areas within the sheath. A shapelock assembly has an elongated hollow body positionable within the sheath body. The shapelock body may be switched between generally rigid and flexible conditions. The sheath provides a sterile barrier around the shapelock body. The shapelock assembly can be readily reused and the sheath may be disposable.

Abstract: A membrane module (3) comprising a plurality of porous hollow membranes (8). The membranes (8) extend between and are fixed at each end in a header (5, 6). One header (6) has one or more of openings (12) formed therein. The openings (12) are in fluid communication with a source of gas and/or liquid (13, 14, 15). The other of the headers (5) is sealingly connected to and in fluid communication with a head-piece (9). The head-piece (9) is adapted to couple to an associated head-piece of a further module to form a rack of modules (17). A potting head (6) for use in mounting porous hollow membranes (8) is also disclosed comprising a preformed potting element (29). The potting element (29) includes one or more cavities (30) for receiving curate potting material which, in use, supports said membranes (8).

Abstract: A membrane filtration assembly (10) including a membrane module (5) having one or more permeable hollow membranes (6) supported therein by at least one header (7). A filtrate collection chamber (18) is associated with the header (7) and in fluid communication with lumens of the membranes (6) for collecting filtrate withdrawn through said membrane lumens. A filtration chamber (11) is provided for receiving feed liquid to be applied to the surface of membranes (6) within the module (5). The filtration chamber (11) encloses module (5) and extends beyond the height of the module (5).