Abstract: A thermal bend actuator includes: a thermoelastic beam for connection to drive circuitry; and a passive beam mechanically cooperating with the thermoelastic beam, such that when a current is passed through the thermoelastic beam, the thermoelastic beam expands relative to the passive beam resulting in bending of the actuator. The thermoelastic beam wherein the thermoelastic beam is comprised of an aluminium alloy. The aluminium alloy comprises a first metal which is aluminium, a second metal, and at least 0.1 at. % of a third metal selected from the group consisting of: copper, scandium, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, titanium, silicon and magnesium.

Abstract: A thermal bend actuator includes: a thermoelastic beam for connection to drive circuitry; and a passive beam mechanically cooperating with the thermoelastic beam, such that when a current is passed through the thermoelastic beam, the thermoelastic beam expands relative to the passive beam resulting in bending of the actuator. The thermoelastic beam wherein the thermoelastic beam is comprised of an aluminium alloy. The aluminium alloy comprises a first metal which is aluminium, a second metal, and at least 0.1 at. % of a third metal selected from the group consisting of: copper, scandium, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, titanium, silicon and magnesium.

Abstract: There is provided a coordinated view-display device, a system for creating a three-dimensional display, and a process of creating a three-dimensional display. The display device includes a rotatable portion and a plurality of light-emitting elements connected to the rotatable portion. Rotation of the rotatable portion rotates the light-emitting elements and displays a sequence of images corresponding with segmented image data as an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image. The system includes an array arranged and disposed to gather segmented image data and a display arranged and disposed to display a sequence of images corresponding with the segmented image data. The displaying forms an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image. The process includes gathering segmented image data and displaying a sequence of images corresponding with the segmented image data. The displaying forms may provide an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for positioning audience members at locations for viewing an event occurring at an event portion at which a live actor makes a presentation and/or a display is shown. Additionally, the present invention relates to an arrangement having a first venue tray, the first venue tray having a close range event portion at which a live actor can make a presentation and/or a display can be shown and a home row seating section, a second venue tray, the second venue tray having a downrange seating section, a first periphery event portion at which a live actor can make a presentation and/or a display can be shown, and a second periphery event portion.

Abstract: There is provided a coordinated view-display device, a system for creating a three-dimensional display, and a process of creating a three-dimensional display. The display device includes a rotatable portion and a plurality of light-emitting elements connected to the rotatable portion. Rotation of the rotatable portion rotates the light-emitting elements and displays a sequence of images corresponding with segmented image data as an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image. The system includes an array arranged and disposed to gather segmented image data and a display arranged and disposed to display a sequence of images corresponding with the segmented image data. The displaying forms an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image. The process includes gathering segmented image data and displaying a sequence of images corresponding with the segmented image data. The displaying forms may provide an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for positioning audience members at locations for viewing an event occurring at an event portion at which a live actor makes a presentation and/or a display is shown. Additionally, the present invention relates to an arrangement having a first venue tray, the first venue tray having a close range event portion at which a live actor can make a presentation and/or a display can be shown and a home row seating section, a second venue tray, the second venue tray having a downrange seating section, a first periphery event portion at which a live actor can make a presentation and/or a display can be shown, and a second periphery event portion.

Abstract: There is provided a coordinated view-display device, a system for creating a three-dimensional display, and a process of creating a three-dimensional display. The display device includes a rotatable portion and a plurality of light-emitting elements connected to the rotatable portion. Rotation of the rotatable portion rotates the light-emitting elements and displays a sequence of images corresponding with segmented image data as an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image. The system includes an array arranged and disposed to gather segmented image data and a display arranged and disposed to display a sequence of images corresponding with the segmented image data. The displaying forms an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image. The process includes gathering segmented image data and displaying a sequence of images corresponding with the segmented image data. The displaying forms may provide an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image.

Abstract: Syringe having a plunger, a barrel and a restrictor mechanism between the shaft of the plunger and the barrel and including a first part engaged with the barrel for limiting movement of the first part with respect to the barrel in a first direction, and a second part. The restrictor mechanism and/or plunger shaft carries a formation for limiting movement of the restrictor mechanism with respect to the plunger in the first direction. The restrictor mechanism as a further member which restricts movement of the restrictor mechanism with respect to the barrel or plunger shaft in a second direction. A latch member prevents he further member from restricting movement of the restrictor mechanism with respect to the barrel or plunger shaft in the second direction until a predetermined point in an operation cycle of the syringe.

Abstract: A disposable syringe (2) is disclosed. Withdrawal of a plunger handle (18) in the direction of arrow B to fill the syringe causes a moveable safety bobbin (20) to lock, and shaft (16) slides in the direction of arrow B relative to safety bobbin (20) and washer (22). Subsequent depression of plunger handle (18) in the direction of arrow A causes safety bobbin (20) to move along barrel (4), from which position it can not be withdrawn. This therefore prevents subsequent withdrawal of piston (14) and therefore prevents re-use of the syringe.

Abstract: A catheter or similar device, particularly a female transient urinary catheter (1), comprises a rigid polypropylene tube having a saw tooth formation (4) providing a flexible region which separates a handle portion (2) from an insertion portion (3). In the insertion portion are formed apertures (6, 9) in the distal tip of the catheter and in the side of the catheter (1) towards the distal end. The tip aperture (6) has a rolled over edge (7) and the side apertures (9) are formed in recesses (8) in the external profile of the catheter. A scaling portion (10) comprises a sinusoidal undulation in the catheter wall which effects an improved seal between the catheter and the wall of the urethra.

Abstract: A catheter or similar device, particularly a female transient urinary catheter (1), comprises a rigid polypropylene tube having a saw tooth formation (4) providing a flexible region which separates a handle portion (2) from an insertion portion (3). In the insertion portion are formed apertures (6, 9) in the distal tip of the catheter and in the side of the catheter (1) towards the distal end. The tip aperture (6) has a rolled over edge (7) and the side apertures (9) are formed in recesses (8) in the external profile of the catheter. A scaling portion (10) comprises a sinusoidal undulation in the catheter wall which effects an improved seal between the catheter and the wall of the urethra.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and method for use in transcutaneous surgical procedures, such as transcutaneous catheterization and surgical biopsy.To provide that the operative parts of instrumentation to be introduced into the patient's body are shielded from contact with the patient's skin, and thereby to inhibit transfer of micro-organisms from the skin into the body, there is provided a transcutaneous indwelling shield device for insertion into a skin aperture, comprising a transcutaneous distal portion providing an instrument access port, connecting to a proximal portion of shallow dished form of substantially greater dimension than said access port, the proximal portion tapering inwardly to said distal portion to readily guide the distal tip of the instrument to said access port.

Abstract: A device to facilitate self-catheterisation in women suffering from deviation from normal bladder function is provided. The device includes a handle designed for manipulation by a patient and a catheter co-operable with the handle such that the catheter can be inserted into the patient's urethra by manipulation of the handle. The device has a flexion portion to allow the catheter to be positioned in a desired orientation relative to the handle for ease of insertion. The handle and catheter may be designed as a one-piece disposable construction or may be separate elements, the handle being useable with disposable catheters. The flexion portion may be an articulation structure, such as a ball-and-socket joint. Catheterisation is further facilitated by the provision of a mirror and/or light source on or associated with the handle.