Abstract: The invention relates to a medical implant (10) comprising an implant body (12) comprising a polymer material. The implant body has a bone-facing interface (14) and an articulating interface (16). A stiffening layer (18) is provided over at least a portion of the bone-facing interface. The stiffening layer is porous and is formed of a material having a higher stiffness than the polymer material of the underlying bone-facing interface.

Abstract: A bone cement plug for fitting into the intramedullary canal within a bone to restrict flow of bone cement during surgery comprises a sleeve (2) whose wall is circumferentially continuous and has an outer surface (10) for contacting the wall (32) of the canal. The sleeve (2) is formed from a deformable material so that it can be expanded transversely to contact the surface (32) of the canal. The plug includes an expander which can be drawn through the cavity (12) in a direction generally along the axis of the sleeve (2), to cause the sleeve (2) to expand transversely to contact the surface (32) of the canal. The inner surfaces of the wall converge towards the end (16) of the sleeve (2) towards which the expander is drawn to cause the sleeve (2) to expand to contact the surface (32) of the canal.

Abstract: A bone cement plug for fitting into the intramedullary canal within a bone to restrict flow of bone cement during surgery comprises a sleeve (2) whose wall is circumferentially continuous and has an outer surface (10) for contacting the wall (32) of the canal. The sleeve (2) is formed from a deformable material so that it can be expanded transversely to contact the surface (32) of the canal. The plug includes an expander which can be drawn through the cavity (12) in a direction generally along the axis of the sleeve (2), to cause the sleeve (2) to expand transversely to contact the surface (32) of the canal. The inner surfaces of the wall converge towards the end (16) of the sleeve (2) towards which the expander is drawn to cause the sleeve (2) to expand to contact the surface (32) of the canal.

Abstract: An instrument (1) for deploying a bone cement material in a bone cavity, the material being formed from two reactive components which, when mixed, react to form a useable cement comprises a chamber (2) in which the components of the material can be mixed, and a mixing tool which extends into the chamber (2), and which can be manipulated from outside the chamber (2), to cause the components of the material to mix. Material can be discharged from the chamber (2) after it has mixed through an outlet (3). A piston (8), which can be moved through the chamber (2) to apply positive pressure to mixed material within the chamber (2), can displace the mixed material from the chamber (2) through the outlet (3) into the bone cavity (32, 54).

Abstract: An instrument for preparing bone tissue on the head of a bone which provides the ball component of a ball and socket joint, to receive a re-surfacing prosthesis, comprises a hollow shell which can be fitted around the head to define a space around the head, and a flexible seal component which can form a seal between the shell and the neck of the bone below the head. When bone cement within the shell that is subjected to pressure, leakage of the cement from within the shell is minimised by virtue of the seal between the shell and the neck of the bone provided by the flexible seal component. The instrument can be used in a method which involves the application of positive pressure to the cement in the space around the head of the bone, to force it into pores in the bone.

Abstract: This invention relates to preferred bone cement formulations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mixing and delivery device suitable for delivering injectable biomaterials, and to preferred bone cement formulations.

Abstract: A metal roofing clip member having a base portion, which is rigidly attachable to a roof purlin, an separate upper clip portion attached to the upper part of the base portion, the upper clip portion including means for allowing rotational and articulating movement of the upper clip portion relative to the stationary base member; a third lower portion, secured against the clip member, the lower portion including a first outwardly extending flange, and a pair of inward extending flange members, the pair of flange members defining a single plain wherein the upper level of the roofing seam rests thereupon, the lower member also providing means while being secured to the base member and the upper clip member allows rotational and transactional movement of the member both relative to the movable clip member and the stationary base member.

Abstract: A metal roofing clip member having a base portion, which is rigidly attachable to a roof purlin, a separate upper clip portion attached to the upper part of the base portion, the upper clip portion including means for allowing rotational and articulating movement of the upper clip portion relative to the stationary base member; a third lower portion, secured against the clip member, the lower portion including a first outwardly extending flange, and a pair of inward extending flange members, the pair of flange members defining a single plain wherein the upper level of the roofing seam rests thereupon, the lower member while being secured to the base member and the upper clip member allows rotational and translational movement of the member both relative to the movable clip member and the stationary base member.

Abstract: A metal roof panel seaming apparatus which includes a main body portion that can be rolled along an unformed or partially formed seam, the body portion including a plurality of adjacent pairs of rollers, positioned along the underside of the body portion, one set of the rollers independent movable from a first position cammed away from the partially or unformed seam, to a second position cammed into the seam, for undertaking the seaming process. The second roll of rollers are stationary in position, and serve as drive rollers along the opposite side of the unformed or partially formed seam as the seam is crimped between the various pairs of rollers during the seaming process. There is further included, that the plurality of the two rolls of rollers provide a means for allowing the apparatus to move bi-directional and the ability to undertake the seaming process in either direction.

Abstract: Entire or partial end wall or side wall sections of a corrugated metal building can be constructed economically with an integrated solar heating panel which can supply forty to sixty percent of winter heating during daylight hours. The solar heating panel or wall section matches and supplements the appearance of adjacent standard wall surfaces and a virtually unnoticeable transition from standard to solar heating wall surfaces is achieved. Heated air can flow by natural convection or with blower assistance through a plenum in the solar heating wall panel to and from connected ducting. A uniquely formed clip provides the proper stand-off spacing between superposed sheets which make up the solar heating panel and the clips also serve to securely join the several corrugated sheets in proper interfitting relationship with the use of strategically placed self-tapping screws and intervening closure strips which maintain solar plenum integrity.