Abstract: A mattress (2) which in plan view comprises an inner portion (4) and an outer portion (6), the mattress (2) being such that the inner portion (4) is of a size for being slept on by at least one person, the outer portion (6) extends at least partially around the inner portion (4), and the inner portion (4) has a lower compression rate than the outer portion (6) whereby the weight of the person on the inner portion (4) is distributed over a greater area than would be the case if the inner portion (4) had the same compression rate as the outer portion (6), and whereby the outer portion (6) constrains the inner portion (4) and controls lateral deformation of the inner portion (4) caused by the weight of the person on the inner portion (4), and the mattress (2) being characterised in that: (i) the inner portion (4) is in a shape which has a first part (10) for receiving the head (12) of a sleeping person (8), a second part (14) for receiving the feet (16) of the sleeping person (8), and a third part (18) for recei

Abstract: A seat (2) for absorbing a force, which seat (2) comprises a seat pan (4) having a folded portion (6), the folded portion (6) being such that it unfolds consequent upon receiving the force and thereby absorbs at least a part of the force. The force may be a blast from a mine, or the force of an aeroplane or helicopter striking the ground.

Abstract: A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and a coolant delivery system. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery system is in communication with the coolant supply and is operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end.

Abstract: A seat (2) for absorbing a force, which seat (2) comprises a seat pan (4) having a folded portion (6), the folded portion (6) being such that it unfolds consequent upon receiving the force and thereby absorbs at least a part of the force. The force may be a blast from a mine, or the force of an aeroplane or helicopter striking the ground.

Abstract: A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and a coolant delivery system. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery system is in communication with the coolant supply and is operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end.

Abstract: A system for applying therapy to an eye includes an applicator having a conducting element configured to direct energy from an energy source to an application end of the conducting element, where the application end has at least one eye contact portion. A positioning system positions the at least one eye contact portion in stable engagement with the eye surface. The conducting element is disposed within a housing for the applicator and at least one adjustment system is employed to move the conducting element relative to the housing. The at least one adjustment system enables controlled movement of the conducting element and the at least one eye contact portion against the corneal surface. In particular embodiments, sufficient contact between the applicator and the cornea is determined by causing applanation of the cornea. In other embodiments, at least one measurement device is employed to determine when sufficient contact has been established.

Abstract: A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and a coolant delivery system. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery system is in communication with the coolant supply and is operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end.

Abstract: A locking device (2) for locking an object (4) on a support structure (6), which locking device (2) comprises a fork arrangement (8) for engaging the object (4), first locking means (10) for locking the fork arrangement (8) to the Object (4) in a horizontal plane, second locking means (12) for locking the fork arrangement (8) to the object (4) in a vertical plane, and movement-permitting means (14) which permits vertical movement in the locking device (2), the vertical movement being sufficient to allow the support structure (6) to flex so as to prevent the flexing of the support structure (6) acting through the locking device (2) and damaging the object (4), but with the vertical movement being insufficient adversely to affect secure locking of the object (4) on the support structure (6) by the locking device (2).

Abstract: Seating apparatus (2) for use on a vehicle (4) having a flat carrying area (6), which seating apparatus (2) comprises a frame giving roll over protection to a person (10) seated on the seating apparatus (2) in the event that the vehicle (4) should roll over onto its side, at least one side facing seat (12) which is mounted in the frame (8) and on which the person (10) sits, and securing means (14) for releasably securing the seating apparatus (2) on the flat carrying area (6) of the vehicle (4) whereby the seating apparatus (2) is able to be secured on the flat carrying area (6) and removed from the flat carrying area (6), characterised in that the frame (8) includes at least one protection bar (16) which extends longitudinally with respect to the vehicle (4), which is positioned at an angle with respect to a vertical plane (18) extending longitudinally through the frame (8), and which is positioned at an upper part (20) of the frame (8), whereby the protection bar (16) affords protection to the person (10) o

Abstract: A mattress (2) which in plan view comprises an inner portion (4) and an outer portion (6), and the mattress (2) being such that the inner portion (4) is of a size for being slept on by at least one person, the outer portion (6) extends at least partially around the inner portion (4), and the inner portion (4) has a lower compression rate than the outer portion (6) whereby the weight of the person on the inner portion (4) is distributed over a greater area than would be the case if the inner portion (4) had the same compression rate as the outer portion (6), and whereby the outer portion (6) constrains the inner portion (4) and controls lateral expansion of the inner portion caused by the weight of the person on the inner portion (4).

Abstract: An electrical energy applicator directs electrical energy from the electrical energy source to a distal end, which positionable at a surface of an eye. The energy conducting applicator includes a first conductor and a second conductor separated by a gap. The first conductor has a first contact surface at the distal end, and the second conductor has a second contact surface at the distal end. The first conductor and/or the second conductor has a length that is adjustable by a biasing element. The first contact surface of the first conductor is movable relative to the second contact surface of the second conductor. The first contact surface and the second contact surface are adjustably positionable simultaneously against the surface of the eye to deliver energy to the eye according to a pattern defined by the first contact surface, the second contact surface, and the gap.

Abstract: A mattress (2) which in plan view comprises an inner portion (4) and an outer portion (6), and the mattress (2) being such that the inner portion (4) is of a size for being slept on by at least one person, the outer portion (6) extends at least partially around the inner portion (4), and the inner portion (4) has a lower compression rate than the outer portion (6) whereby the weight of the person on the inner portion (4) is distributed over a greater area than would be the case if the inner portion (4) had the same compression rate as the outer portion (6), and whereby the outer portion (6) constrains the inner portion (4) and controls lateral expansion of the inner portion caused by the weight of the person on the inner portion (4).

Abstract: A system for applying therapy to an eye includes an applicator having a conducting element configured to direct energy from an energy source to an application end of the conducting element, where the application end has at least one eye contact portion. A positioning system positions the at least one eye contact portion in stable engagement with the eye surface. The conducting element is disposed within a housing for the applicator and at least one adjustment system is employed to move the conducting element relative to the housing. The at least one adjustment system enables controlled movement of the conducting element and the at least one eye contact portion against the corneal surface. In particular embodiments, sufficient contact between the applicator and the cornea is determined by causing applanation of the cornea. In other embodiments, at least one measurement device is employed to determine when sufficient contact has been established.

Abstract: A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and a coolant delivery system. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery system is in communication with the coolant supply and is operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end.

Abstract: A seat portion (2) for a seat (4), which seat (4) is made of a single foam material having one or more apertures (6) defining a seating area (8), the seating area (8) being such that it comprises a first portion (10) for receiving a person's buttocks, a second portion (12) for receiving a rear thigh part of a first leg of the person, and a third portion (14) for receiving a rear thigh part of a second leg of the person, the third portion (14) being spaced apart from the second portion (12), and the seating area (8) being softer than the remainder of the seat (4) portion.

Abstract: A seat comprising a seat portion (2) and a backrest portion (32), the seat portion (2) comprising a seat main portion (4) and a seat insert portion (6), the seat insert portion (6) being such that it fits into a complementarily shaped recess (8) in the seat insert portion (6), the seat insert portion (6) comprising a pair of pads (10, 12) which are positioned so as to be underneath the cheeks of the posterior of a person sitting on the seat portion (2), the seat insert portion (6) comprising a pair of legs (14, 16) which are positioned so as to be underneath the thighs of the person sitting on the seat portion (2), and the seat insert portion (6) being such that it is an inflatable seat insert portion (6) which is able to be inflated and deflated by a user for maximum personal comfort of the user.

Abstract: A method includes advancing an apparatus having an elongated member transorally into the stomach. The apparatus includes a distal end effector having first and second members configured to engage tissue. The first and second members are movable relatively toward one another generally in a first plane. The method includes moving the distal end effector relative to the elongated member in the first plane such that the distal end effector is retroflexed out of alignment with the elongated member to position the first and second members for engagement with the tissue. At least one of the first and second members carries a fixation device for fixing engaged portions of tissue together.

Abstract: A keyboard for an electronic music instrument is made to have a "piano key feel" by bracketing an end of each key with the legs of a weighted A-shaped action arm which pivots about a single point and actuates a leaf spring switch.