Abstract: A medical mattress and mattress cover are disclosed, the mattress cover comprising a vapor-permeable support portion and discharge portion. Preferably the permeability coefficient of the discharge portion is much greater than that of the support portion so that water vapor passing into the cover from a user is discharged, the user and mattress remaining substantially dry. Each vapor-permeable portion may comprise a vapor permeable film supported on a textile fabric. In a second embodiment the mattress is provided with bearers defining passageways and the cover has means for passing a flow of air through the cover. This embodiment is suitable for use on an impermeable mattress support.

Abstract: A passively extensible long bone component in an endoprosthetic bone joint device for a child includes two parts, of which one (10,20) has a bearing portion (22) to serve the articulatory function at one end of the bone, a seat portion (11) to engage the bone one end proximally of the growth plate therein and a stem (21) to pass longitudinally into the bone, and of which the other part (30) is a generally tubular socket adapted to receive the stem in sliding engagement and for securement with the bone distally of the growth plate. The bearing part can be cushioned against shock, at least partially separable, and extend as a further socket between the first socket and the stem. The component can allow rotation of the bearing and stem about the bone long axis or inhibit such rotation.

Abstract: Surgical implants, especially endoprosthetic orthopaedic implants and sutures, are rendered antimicrobial by the presence of a bioerodible metallic silver component, especially a surface coating, which provides in vivo a sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue. Latently bioerodible silver components of an implant can be activated by, for example, abrasion, heating to above about 180.degree. C. or, especially, contact with hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: In order to provide for lengthening of a long bone, such as in place of natural growth, an endoprosthetic device (10, 20) is provided in a two-part telescopic form defining a longitudinal passageway (15) in which ball bearings (40) are progressively locatable to control adjustably the device length. At least one end (24) of the device will be adapted for securement in the bone, and the other end (11) can be similarly adapted or define an articulation surface for a joint. The telescoped parts are preferably mutually keyed (22, 23) against rotation, the passageway is preferably of like cross-sectional form as the ball bearings so that the latter form a singular sequence therein, and the ball bearings are suitably located by way of an acutely inclined branch passageway (17).

Abstract: A mattress for supporting the human body, which is especially useful in hospitals or for home nursing of sick persons, comprises a body of open-cell foamed synthetic plastics material, with air passages extending up through a central region of the body. These air passages are open through the base of the central region of the mattress. The body of the mattress may comprise a base layer of foamed synthetic plastics material extending from head to foot of the mattress, and supporting elements in head and foot regions of the mattress located on this base layer. Each of these supporting elements may comprise foamed synthetic plastics material which is denser and less readily compressed than foam material in a central region of the mattress.

Abstract: A resilient support for the human body, for example a mattress, comprises a resilient supporting block, for example of foamed polyurethane, and a fire resistant cover closely enclosing the block. At least part of the cover, which is use of the support, is intended to lie between the resilient block and a human body, is of stretch material and is able to conform to the adjacent surface of the resilient block when the support is subjected to deformation by a human body.

Abstract: Surgical implants, especially endoprosthetic orthopaedic implants and sutures, are rendered antimicrobial by the presence of a bioerodible metallic silver component, especially a surface coating, which provides in vivo a sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue. Latently bioerodible silver components of an implant can be activated by, for example, abrasion, heating to above about 180.degree. C. or, especially, contact with hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A syringe, primarily for use with rapid hard setting viscous flowable material, has one or more passages in the piston whereby gas but not the viscous flowable material can escape to the rear of the piston.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic knee joint device has femoral and tibial components respectively adapted for connection to the femur and tibia, and respective bearing surfaces for mutual articulatory engagement to simulate natural joint movements. It is now proposed that the femoral component has two transversely spaced sockets as bearing surfaces, and that the tibial component has two upstanding ball parts for respective articulation in the sockets. The ball parts can be separable, by the provision of stems engageable in apertures in the base part. Preferably, the sockets are enlarged relative to the balls to allow mutual rotation about the axis of the leg. Also, the sockets and balls can be of different material from their respective base parts, the latter suitably being of metal.

Abstract: A mattress of resilient foam has a separate cover formed from a chemically/physico-chemically porous material to transmit water/vapor on the outer side of the surface, due to differential water vapor pressure to within the mattress from which it can disperse.

Abstract: A bone joint endoprosthesis comprises a spherical body of the joint with hole in it for receiving a shaft spigot; a shaft is embedded in bone; the shaft has a spigot which is received in the hole; a spreader, comprised of a material that swells when it is wetted, is wrapped over the spigot in the hole or is inside the spigot and the spreader expands radially in the hole or inside the spigot to secure the joint; shaping and profiling of the spigot and the wall of the hole for effective retention of the spreader are disclosed.

Abstract: A mattress of resilient foam has a separate cover formed from a chemically/physico-chemically porous material to transmit water/vapor on the outer side of the surface, due to differential water vapor pressure to within the mattress from which it can disperse.