Abstract: An anchorage for a tendon that includes a sleeve having a smooth tapered interior bore and a compressible wedge disposed in the sleeve. The compressible wedge has a smooth exterior tapered surface tapering from a wider end to a narrower end and one or more interior channels for receiving a tendon. The taper angle of the compressible wedge is greater than the taper angle of the bore. Thus, upon insertion of the compressible wedge into the sleeve, the wider end of the compressible wedge forms a wedge contact with the sleeve before the narrower end forms a wedge contact with the sleeve. Preferably, the bore and wedge are conical, and the wedge is formed of several symmetrical pie shaped resilient sections. Corners of the sections abutting at the interior channel are rounded. An inner sleeve is disposed in the interior channel, with the outer diameter of the inner sleeve matching the diameter of the interior channel. The tendon is held by the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A device and method for the measurement of stiffness of cartilage, specifically intended for arthroscopic use. An tissue softness probe is formed from a stiff shaft and flexible shaft, and strain gauges continuously measure the load in the stiff shaft and the deflection of the flexible shaft as they are displaced into cartilage. The stiff shaft and flexible shaft extend away from a probe body beside each other. The stiff shaft is semi-circular in section at one end with a flat side extending along the shaft at that end, and the flexible shaft is a flat shim that is attached to the flat side of the stiff shaft. Such a design advantageously allows the more or less parallel shafts to be inserted into a human body joint for displacement against cartilage, as for example during arthroscopic surgery. The stiff shaft terminates in a plunger extending at right angles to the stiff shaft, with the tip of the plunger lying, in the rest position, between a forked tip of the flexible shaft.

Abstract: An extensometer for measuring strain in a test specimen is disclosed. The extensometer includes a frame and a flexible support structure, preferably, a loop, mounted to the frame. A measuring device is mounted to the flexible support loop at a position spaced apart from the frame and engages a surface of the specimen with a selected amount of contact force. The measuring device provides an output signal proportional to the measured strain.

Abstract: Sulphur compositions, particularly sulphur concretes, mortars and coatings, comprising a sulphur component and a particulate mineral aggregate in which the aggregate is bonded together in a matrix of the sulphur component having a plurality of fine entrained cells, particularly substantially spherical gas cells, uniformly dispersed throughout the matrix, and displaying improved durability under cyclical freezing and thawing.

Abstract: Sulphur concretes and mortars are provided which display improved ductility and in which water-resistance is provided in otherwise water-disintegratable compositions due to the presence of swelling clay in the mineral aggregate. The improved properties are obtained by the use of petroleum additives such as crude oil and polyol additives such as glycerol.