Abstract: An ankle-foot orthosis that comprises: an elastic structure (50) formed of contiguous first (52) and second (54) tubular members, the second tubular member being set at an angle to the first tubular member to define, at least in use, a generally L-shaped cavity (56) configured to accept and fit closely about the foot and ankle of a patient; and a rib (58) which is permanently bonded or otherwise permanently affixed to a region of the structure which overlies the dorsum of the patient's foot in use, said the rib being formed of a flexible material that has a resilience appropriate for resisting the particular degree of plantarflexion experienced by the patient.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an ankle-foot orthosis (32) for resisting plantarflexion of a patient's foot, the orthosis (32) comprising: a resiliently flexible sock-like structure (34) enveloping, in use, at least a portion of a patient's lower leg in the vicinity of the ankle and at least a portion of the plantar (46) and dorsal (48) aspects of the patient's foot. Another embodiment provides an ankle-foot orthosis (1) for resisting plantarflexion of a patient's foot, the orthosis (1) comprising: a resilient rib (3) locatable, in use, along and in abutment with at least a portion of the dorsal aspect of the patient's foot and at least a portion of the patient's lower leg, the orthosis (1) comprising means (7) for securing the rib (3) to the patient's foot and lower leg.

Abstract: A technique for mining data to generate clusters of records that are related from data sets which may have an organization different from the relationships sought to be explored. The records are then clustered into sets which show they are connected by one or more common ideas.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an ankle-foot orthosis (32) for resisting plantarflexion of a patient's foot, the orthosis (32) comprising: a resiliently flexible sock-like structure (34) enveloping, in use, at least a portion of a patient's lower leg in the vicinity of the ankle and at least a portion of the plantar (46) and dorsal (48) aspects of the patient's foot. Another embodiment provides an ankle-foot orthosis (1) for resisting plantarflexion of a patient's foot, the orthosis (1) comprising: a resilient rib (3) locatable, in use, along and in abutment with at least a portion of the dorsal aspect of the patient's foot and at least a portion of the patient's lower leg, the orthosis (1) comprising means (7) for securing the rib (3) to the patient's foot and lower leg.

Abstract: A gear evaluation system which includes means for measuring gear rotational speed and gear case vibrational displacement associated with gear mesh action. A signal is displacement associated with gear mesh action. A signal is developed that represents the time series average signal synchronized to the relevant gear shaft speed. This signal is passed through a bandpass filter set to pass a signal at the gear mesh frequency (for the particular gear under evaluation). After rectification the output signal provides information relating to average vibrational levels associated with gear mesh action and deviations from the average levels.

Abstract: An articulated structure for defining, when rendered rigid, a desired multi-curved surface, the structure being adjustable to permit the shape of the curved surface defined thereby to be varied at will. Such structures are particularly useful in the field of medical and other kinds of specialized seating, medical braces, and children's constructional toys.The structure comprises an array of inter-connected, cooperating rings or links (12,28) and spiders (10). The radiating limbs of the spiders (10) have at or near their respective free ends jaw or other clamping means (22,24) in which cooperating parts (26) of the rings (12) are clamped by screw or other clamping means (18). The shape of the array is adjustable by relaxing the clamping means (18) of selected spiders (10) and then retightening them after the desired shape has been achieved by displacing the relevant members (10,12) of the array.