Abstract: A hoisting crane includes a slew bearing. The slew bearing includes a top bearing ring, a bottom bearing ring, a first row of axial load rollers and a second row of axial load rollers, which rows of axial load rollers are provided between a corresponding top roller raceway and bottom roller raceway. The top bearing ring has a top wall which extends above the first row of axial load rollers and in which at least one top entry port is provided. Furthermore, the top roller raceway of the first row of axial load rollers includes a removable raceway segment releasable attached in the top entry port. The removable raceway segment can be removed to enable access via the top entry port to the first row of axial load rollers to remove axial load rollers in a substantially vertical direction.

Abstract: A hoisting crane includes a slew bearing. The slew bearing includes a top bearing ring, a bottom bearing ring, a first row of axial load rollers and a second row of axial load rollers, which rows of axial load rollers are provided between a corresponding top roller raceway and bottom roller raceway. The top bearing ring has a top wall which extends above the first row of axial load rollers and in which at least one top entry port is provided. Furthermore, the top roller raceway of the first row of axial load rollers includes a removable raceway segment releasable attached in the top entry port. The removable raceway segment can be removed to enable access via the top entry port to the first row of axial load rollers to remove axial load rollers in a substantially vertical direction.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a biocompatible composition, suitable for use in soft or hard tissue augmentation, wherein the composition is an aqueous suspension containing a carrier fraction of ceramic particles of less than 15 ?m and an augmentation fraction of ceramic particles of at least 20 ?m. The ceramics typically comprise calcium phosphate. The composition is a may be used in soft tissue repair as well as hard bone replacement. It advantageously avoids the need for foreign body materials which are conventionally applied to stabilize augmentation suspensions.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a biocompatible composition, suitable for use in soft or hard tissue augmentation, wherein the composition is an aqueous suspension containing a carrier fraction of ceramic particles of less than 15 ?m and an augmentation fraction of ceramic particles of at least 20 ?m. The ceramics typically include calcium phosphate. The composition is a may be used in soft tissue repair as well as hard bone replacement. It advantageously avoids the need for foreign body materials which are conventionally applied to stabilize augmentation suspensions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of improving the osteoinductivity of calcium phosphate materials, to calcium phosphate materials having improved osteoinductivity as well as bone (re)generation scaffolds produced therefrom and to the use of such materials and scaffolds in methods of treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a marine pipeline installation system for laying an offshore pipeline and/or installing a subsea riser, said system being adapted to carry out the reel lay method and the J-lay method. The system comprises a vessel with a moonpool, a pipeline launch tower arranged on the vessel, a pipeline guide at an elevated position on said tower for guiding said pipeline to a pipeline launch trajectory along said tower, and one or more tensioners. The support assembly of at least one tensioner frame is adapted to allow for displacement of the tensioner frame between an active position, wherein the pipeline launch trajectory extends through the tensioner frame between the tracks, so that the tracks can engage on a pipeline, and a retracted and non-operable position. The system further comprises a J-Lay installation.

Abstract: A vessel (2) for handling subsea equipment comprising a subsea equipment hoist system including a winch and a hoist cable (3) for lowering and retrieving subsea equipment (5) in a hoist area of the vessel, a subsea equipment motion restraining and guidance system for restraining subsea equipment motion relative to the vessel in the hoist area. The subsea equipment motion restraining and guidance system includes a main trolley (7), an auxiliary trolley (8) and a vertical trolley guide structure (9) mounted on the hull of the vessel that allows for vertical travel of the trolleys and further a top end engagement member (10), which is movably supported by said main trolley and which is adapted to engage on a top end of the subsea equipment, and one or more rail engaging members (3a) mounted on said auxiliary trolley, each adapted to engage on a vertical rail (11) mounted on said subsea equipment as said subsea equipment passes vertically by said auxiliary trolley.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a marine pipeline installation system for laying an offshore pipeline and/or installing a subsea riser, said system being adapted to carry out the reel lay method and the J-lay method. The system comprises a vessel with a moonpool, a pipeline launch tower arranged on the vessel, a pipeline guide at an elevated position on said tower for guiding said pipeline to a pipeline launch trajectory along said tower, and one or more tensioners. The support assembly of at least one tensioner frame is adapted to allow for displacement of the tensioner frame between an active position, wherein the pipeline launch trajectory extends through the tensioner frame between the tracks, so that the tracks can engage on a pipeline, and a retracted and non-operable position. The system further comprises a J-Lay installation.

Abstract: Marine pipelaying method and system for installing an offshore pipeline (1) that includes one or more accessories (10). The method includes the steps of providing a vessel (2), launching the pipeline (1) in a firing line from the vessel (2) in the direction of the seabed, engaging the pipeline (1) with a clamping device (5b) that is connected to the vessel (2) and adapted to support the weight of the previously launched pipeline (1), and moving the accessory (10) into the firing line to a position above the clamping device (5b).

Abstract: A marine pipeline installation system for laying an offshore pipeline and/or installing a subsea riser, the system at least allowing to carry out the reel lay method, wherein the system comprises: one or more storage reels for storage of pipeline, a pipeline launch tower adapted for launching the pipeline in the direction of the sea, a pipeline guide at an elevated position for guiding said pipeline to a pipeline launch trajectory along said tower, one or more tensioners, each tensioner comprising a tensioner frame and multiple tracks supported by said tensioner frame, said tracks being adapted for engaging the pipeline and supporting at least part of the weight of the launched pipeline, the tensioner frame being supported by said tower via an associated support assembly.

Abstract: The marine pipelaying system for vertical or near vertical laying of an offshore pipeline (20) includes a main supporting structure (5); a pipe connecting station (30), wherein a pipe section (21) is connected to an uppermost end (20a) of a previously launched pipeline; a static clamp (35) adapted for releasably securing the uppermost end of the previously launched pipeline, wherein the static clamp is adapted to support the weight of the<->previously launched pipeline; a mobile clamp (40) adapted for releasably securing the previously launched pipeline at a position below the static clamp, wherein the mobile clamp is adapted to support the weight of the offshore pipeline as the offshore pipeline is released from the static clamp; and a mobile clamp hoist (10) connected to the mobile clamp.

Abstract: A marine pipeline installation system for laying an offshore pipeline and/or installing a subsea riser, the system at least allowing to carry out the reel lay method, wherein the system comprises: one or more storage reels for storage of pipeline, a pipeline launch tower adapted for launching the pipeline in the direction of the sea, a pipeline guide at an elevated position for guiding said pipeline to a pipeline launch trajectory along said tower, one or more tensioners, each tensioner comprising a tensioner frame and multiple tracks supported by said tensioner frame, said tracks being adapted for engaging the pipeline and supporting at least part of the weight of the launched pipeline, the tensioner frame being supported by said tower via an associated support assembly.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a biocompatible composition, suitable for use in soft or hard tissue augmentation, wherein the composition is an aqueous suspension containing a carrier fraction of ceramic particles of less than 15 &mgr;m and an augmentation fraction of ceramic particles of at least 20 &mgr;m. The ceramics typically comprise calcium phosphate. The composition is a may be used in soft tissue repair as well as hard bone replacement. It advantageously avoids the need for foreign body materials which are conventionally applied to stabilize augmentation suspensions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of improving the osteoinductivity of calcium phosphate materials, to calcium phosphate materials having improved osteoinductivity as well as bone (re)generation scaffolds produced therefrom and to the use of such materials and scaffolds in methods of treatment.

Abstract: A vessel (2) for handling subsea equipment comprising a subsea equipment hoist system including a winch and a hoist cable (3) for lowering and retrieving subsea equipment (5) in a hoist area of the vessel, a subsea equipment motion restraining and guidance system for restraining subsea equipment motion relative to the vessel in the hoist area. The subsea equipment motion restraining and guidance system includes a main trolley (7), an auxiliary trolley (8) and a vertical trolley guide structure (9) mounted on the hull of the vessel that allows for vertical travel of the trolleys and further a top end engagement member (10), which is movably supported by said main trolley and which is adapted to engage on a top end of the subsea equipment, and one or more rail engaging members (3a) mounted on said auxiliary trolley, each adapted to engage on a vertical rail (11) mounted on said subsea equipment as said subsea equipment passes vertically by said auxiliary trolley.

Abstract: Marine pipelaying method and system for installing an offshore pipeline (1) that includes one or more accessories (10). The method includes the steps of providing a vessel (2), launching the pipeline (1) in a firing line from the vessel (2) in the direction of the seabed, engaging the pipeline (1) with a clamping device (5b) that is connected to the vessel (2) and adapted to support the weight of the previously launched pipeline (1), and moving the accessory (10) into the firing line to a position above the clamping device (5b).

Abstract: The marine pipelaying system for vertical or near vertical laying of an offshore pipeline (20) includes a main supporting structure (5); a pipe connecting station (30), wherein a pipe section (21) is connected to an uppermost end (20a) of a previously launched pipeline; a static clamp (35) adapted for releasably securing the uppermost end of the previously launched pipeline, wherein the static clamp is adapted to support the weight of the<->previously launched pipeline; a mobile clamp (40) adapted for releasably securing the previously launched pipeline at a position below the static clamp, wherein the mobile clamp is adapted to support the weight of the offshore pipeline as the offshore pipeline is released from the static clamp; and a mobile clamp hoist (10) connected to the mobile clamp.

Abstract: The marine pipelaying system for vertical or near vertical laying of an offshore pipeline includes a main supporting structure; a pipe connecting station, wherein a pipe section is connected to an uppermost end of a previously launched pipeline; a static clamp adapted for releasably securing the uppermost end of the previously launched pipeline, wherein the static clamp is adapted to support the weight of the previously launched pipeline; a mobile clamp adapted for releasably securing the previously launched pipeline at a position below the static clamp, wherein the mobile clamp is adapted to support the weight of the offshore pipeline as the offshore pipeline is released from the static clamp; and a mobile clamp hoist connected to the mobile clamp.

Abstract: The invention is vessel with a tower adapted to be inclined for handling of tubulars mad of a vessel, a tower with a mast that can be inclined, a pipe reel for storing passing tubulars, a strut with a sleeve for engaging and enabling tower inclination, and a tensioner mounted moveably on the mast for receiving the tubular wherein the tensioner is made of two connectors connected to the mast, a frame that engages the connectors, two track bodies that engage the tensioner frame and the tubular, and an adjustable vertical support adapted to modify the relationship between the force transmitted by the adjustable vertical support onto the tensioner and the motion of the tensioner relative to the mast.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of medical devices. More in particular, the invention relates to a method for coating by depositing inorganic ions and a bioactive agent to provide sterile medical devices, wherein said coating improves the biocompatibility and/or bioactivity of a medical device, such as an orthopedic or dental prosthesis. Furthermore, the invention relates to a medical device coated with a method according to the invention and to a reactor for use in a method according to the invention.