Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device comprises an endplate, a core component and at least one ratchet. Each of the endplate and the core component has a leading end and a trailing end and is configured to be received in an intervertebral space defined between first and second vertebrae. The ratchet comprises a pawl and a linear rack defining plural recesses. The pawl is comprised in the core component or the endplate and the linear rack is comprised in the other of the core component and the endplate. The core component and the endplate are configured to engage with each other by disposing the leading end of the core component adjacent the trailing end of the endplate and then moving the core component relative to the endplate in a direction of insertion such that the leading end of the core component moves towards the leading end of the endplate and extent of overlap of the core component and the endplate increases.

Abstract: A kit of parts from which selection is made to form an intervertebral fusion device. The kit of parts comprises a plurality of different endplates and a core component. Each of the plurality of different endplates is configured to be received in an intervertebral space defined between first and second vertebrae. The core component is configured to engage with each of the plurality of endplates and a selected one of the plurality of endplates when the selected endplate and the core component are received in the intervertebral space. Each of the plurality of endplates defines a bone graft aperture which is open at top and bottom surfaces of the endplate and extends between the top and bottom surfaces, the thus defined bone graft apertures being of substantially the same dimensions as one another when the plurality of endplates are in plan view.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device 10 comprising a superior component 12, an inferior component 14 and a core component 16. The superior component 12 and the inferior component 14 are receivable in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae with the core component 16 insertable between the superior and inferior components to determine a separation between the superior and inferior components. A bone graft conveying aperture is defined in at least one of a superior component top surface 18 of the superior component and an inferior component bottom surface 20 of the inferior component. The core component defines a bone graft material holding space which is enclosed except at at least one of a core component top surface and core component bottom surface of the core component and a bone graft material delivery opening. The bone graft material delivery opening extends from outside the core component side to the bone graft material holding space.

Abstract: A pipe coating material removal apparatus, comprising a support frame, a subframe, and one or more coating material removal members. The subframe is supported by the support frame and is configured to rotate relative to the support frame at least partially around a subframe rotation axis. The subframe rotation axis is configured to be substantially coaxial with a longitudinal axis of a pipe to which the apparatus may be applied in use. The, or each, coating material removal member is rotatably mounted to the subframe to remove part of an exterior coating of a pipe. The apparatus is configured such that the one or more coating material removal members enable the removal of pipe coating material at orientations substantially parallel to, and inclined with respect to, the longitudinal axis of the pipe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device (10) comprising a superior component (20), an inferior component (40) receivable in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae, with the core component (80) insertable between the superior and inferior components to determine a separation between the superior and inferior components. The superior, inferior components and core components comprise respective formations and profiles. The formations (54, 68) present a barrier to separation of the core from one of the inferior and superior components during insertion of the core component. The profiles guide the core component during insertion of the core component while presenting no barrier to separation from each other during its insertion. The components comprise further formations (39, 76) which present a barrier to separation of the components from each other once the core has been fully inserted between the inferior and superior components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device (10) comprising a superior component (12), an inferior component (14) and a core component (16). The superior component (12) and the inferior component (14) are receivable in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae with the core component (16) insertable between the superior and inferior components to determine a separation between the superior and inferior components. A bone graft conveying aperture is defined in at least one of a superior component top surface (18) of the superior component and an inferior component bottom surface (20) of the inferior component. The core component defines a bone graft material holding space which is enclosed except at at least one of a core component top surface and core component bottom surface of the core component and a bone graft material delivery opening. The bone graft material delivery opening extends from outside the core component side to the bone graft material holding space.

Abstract: A pipe coating material removal apparatus, comprising a support frame, a subframe, and one or more coating material removal members. The subframe is supported by the support frame and is configured to rotate relative to the support frame at least partially around a subframe rotation axis. The subframe rotation axis is configured to be substantially coaxial with a longitudinal axis of a pipe to which the apparatus may be applied in use. The, or each, coating material removal member is rotatably mounted to the subframe to remove part of an exterior coating of a pipe. The apparatus is configured such that the one or more coating material removal members enable the removal of pipe coating material at orientations substantially parallel to, and inclined with respect to, the longitudinal axis of the pipe.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device comprises a superior component, an inferior component, and a core component. The superior and inferior components are received between first and second vertebrae whereby a superior component top side of the superior component abuts against the first vertebra, and an inferior component bottom side of the inferior component abuts against the second vertebra. The core component is inserted between the superior and inferior components to determine a height of the intervertebral fusion device. First and second core profiles of the core component cooperate respectively with a first component profile of the superior component and a second component profile of the inferior component during insertion of the core component to guide the core component relative to the superior and inferior components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device (10) comprising a superior component (20), an inferior component (40) receivable in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae, with the core component (80) insertable between the superior and inferior components to determine a separation between the superior and inferior components. The superior, inferior components and core components comprise respective formations and profiles. The formations (54, 68) present a barrier to separation of the core from one of the inferior and superior components during insertion of the core component. The profiles guide the core component during insertion of the core component while presenting no barrier to separation from each other during its insertion. The components comprise further formations (39, 76) which present a barrier to separation of the components from each other once the core has been fully inserted between the inferior and superior components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device (10) comprising a superior component (12), an inferior component (14) and a core component (16). The superior component (12) and the inferior component (14) are receivable in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae with the core component (16) insertable between the superior and inferior components to determine a separation between the superior and inferior components. A bone graft conveying aperture is defined in at least one of a superior component top surface (18) of the superior component and an inferior component bottom surface (20) of the inferior component. The core component defines a bone graft material holding space which is enclosed except at at least one of a core component top surface and core component bottom surface of the core component and a bone graft material delivery opening. The bone graft material delivery opening extends from outside the core component side to the bone graft material holding space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recruiting, communicating with, and paying participants of interactive advertising are described. The present invention is a system through which advertisers car recruit, communicate with, and pay their potential customers for their time. The system achieves these functions without the advertiser or the customer having to be in the same location—all logistics are handled through the system's web site, database, and communications interfaces. The system enables advertisers to promote interactive seminars in which they try to sell products to potential customers. Most importantly, the advertisers are able to offer their potential customers financial rewards for their time, such as 25 cents per minute to reward a customer for listening to a sales pitch. The system then provides a real-time communications link between the advertiser and customer. The system automatically bills the advertiser and rewards the customer for the time that they interact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recruiting, communicating with, and paying participants of interactive advertising are described. The present invention is a system through which advertisers car recruit, communicate with, and pay their potential customers for their time. The system achieves these functions without the advertiser or the customer having to be in the same location—all logistics are handled through the system's web site, database, and communications interfaces. The system enables advertisers to promote interactive seminars in which they try to sell products to potential customers. Most importantly, the advertisers are able to offer their potential customers financial rewards for their time, such as 25 cents per minute to reward a customer for listening to a sales pitch. The system then provides a real-time communications link between the advertiser and customer. The system automatically bills the advertiser and rewards the customer for the time that they interact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recruiting, communicating with, and paying participants of interactive advertising are described. The present invention is a system through which advertisers can recruit, communicate with, and pay their potential customers for their time. The system achieves these functions without the advertiser or the customer having to be in the same location—all logistics are handled through the system's web site, database, and communications interfaces. The system enables advertisers to promote interactive seminars in which they try to sell products to potential customers. Most importantly, the advertisers are able to offer their potential customers financial rewards for their time, such as 25 cents per minute to reward a customer for listening to a sales pitch. The system then provides a real-time communications link between the advertiser and customer. The system automatically bills the advertiser and rewards the customer for the time that they interact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recruiting, communicating with, and paying participants of interactive advertising are described. The present invention is a system through which advertisers can recruit, communicate with, and pay their potential customers for their time. The system achieves these functions without the advertiser or the customer having to be in the same location—all logistics are handled through the system's web site, database, and communications interfaces. The system enables advertisers to promote interactive seminars in which they try to sell products to potential customers. Most importantly, the advertisers are able to offer their potential customers financial rewards for their time, such as 25 cents per minute to reward a customer for listening to a sales pitch. The system then provides a real-time communications link between the advertiser and customer. The system automatically bills the advertiser and rewards the customer for the time that they interact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recruiting, communicating with, and paying participants of interactive advertising are described. The present invention is a system through which advertisers car recruit, communicate with, and pay their potential customers for their time. The system achieves these functions without the advertiser or the customer having to be in the same location—all logistics are handled through the system's web site, database, and communications interfaces. The system enables advertisers to promote interactive seminars in which they try to sell products to potential customers. Most importantly, the advertisers are able to offer their potential customers financial rewards for their time, such as 25 cents per minute to reward a customer for listening to a sales pitch. The system then provides a real-time communications link between the advertiser and customer. The system automatically bills the advertiser and rewards the customer for the time that they interact.