Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, provides an electronic orientation monitor. The monitor includes an orientation sensing electronics configured for calibration when in a reference orientation and being responsive to manipulation of the monitor so as to calculate first, second and third angles which together represent a difference between a current orientation of the monitor and the reference orientation. The monitor further includes a display being responsive to the first and second angles so as to display a point positioned relative to first and second axes, the display being further responsive to the third angle so as to display a line having a direction relative to the first and second axes such that a combination of the position of the point and the direction of the line is indicative to a user of the difference between the current orientation of the monitor and the reference orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a referencing apparatus for application onto a patient at least partially covered by surgical drapes. The referencing apparatus includes a plurality of locking elements shaped for engagement with the surgical drapes. The surgical drapes are disposed intermediate the plurality of locking elements and a respective plurality of predefined anatomical sites on the patient. The engagement causes a docking system disposed on the referencing apparatus to assume a reference orientation relative to the plurality of predefined anatomical sites.

Abstract: The implant comprises a body having at least one end. The body is elongate as it is arranged to substantially mimic a portion of a skeletal bone. The embodiment of the implant is designed to be implanted in the leg of a patient, as a partial replacement for the femur bone of a patient. The at least one end which includes a stepped portion is arranged to, in use, prevent migration of the implant into the bone of a patient. At least part of the stepped portion is covered by a physiologically inert substance, such as niobium for example, to reduce the possibility of infection or an immune reaction at the site at which the implant contacts the flesh of the patient's leg.

Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, provides an electronic orientation monitor. The monitor includes an orientation sensing electronics configured for calibration when in a reference orientation and being responsive to manipulation of the monitor so as to calculate first, second and third angles which together represent a difference between a current orientation of the monitor and the reference orientation. The monitor further includes a display being responsive to the first and second angles so as to display a point positioned relative to first and second axes, the display being further responsive to the third angle so as to display a line having a direction relative to the first and second axes such that a combination of the position of the point and the direction of the line is indicative to a user of the difference between the current orientation of the monitor and the reference orientation.

Abstract: The implant comprises a body having at least one end. The body is elongate as it is arranged to substantially mimic a portion of a skeletal bone. The embodiment of the implant is designed to be implanted in the leg of a patient, as a partial replacement for the femur bone of a patient. The at least one end which includes a stepped portion is arranged to, in use, prevent migration of the implant into the bone of a patient. At least part of the stepped portion is covered by a physiologically inert substance, such as niobium for example, to reduce the possibility of infection or an immune reaction at the site at which the implant contacts the flesh of the patient's leg.

Abstract: The surgical orientation system is used to assist a surgeon to orient a prosthetic component relative to a patient's anatomy during surgery. An embodiment is particularly suited for assisting surgeons to locate an acetabular cup into a reamed acetabulum. The system includes: an implement (1) for releasable attachment of a prosthetic component; an electronic orientation monitor (2) attached to the implement (1); and a brace (3). The brace (3) is releasably attachable to the patient so as to define a reference point (4) relative to the patient's anatomy. This reference point (4) is external of the patient and includes at least one surface (5) defining a reference plane that is used to orient the monitor (2) into a reference orientation to calibrate the monitor (2).

Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, provides an electronic orientation monitor. The monitor includes an orientation sensing electronics configured for calibration when in a reference orientation and being responsive to manipulation of the monitor so as to calculate first, second and third angles which together represent a difference between a current orientation of the monitor and the reference orientation. The monitor further includes a display being responsive to the first and second angles so as to display a point positioned relative to first and second axes, the display being further responsive to the third angle so as to display a line having a direction relative to the first and second axes such that a combination of the position of the point and the direction of the line is indicative to a user of the difference between the current orientation of the monitor and the reference orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a referencing apparatus for application onto a patient at least partially covered by surgical drapes. The referencing apparatus includes a plurality of locking elements shaped for engagement with the surgical drapes. The surgical drapes are disposed intermediate the plurality of locking elements and a respective plurality of predefined anatomical sites on the patient. The engagement causes a docking system disposed on the referencing apparatus to assume a reference orientation relative to the plurality of predefined anatomical sites.

Abstract: A system (1) for the detection of defects in rails (12), the system comprising a source of ultrasonic waves for emitting ultrasonic waves onto a rail, a detector for detecting ultrasonic waves reflected or otherwise scattered by the rail or defects therein and a mist generator (3) arranged, in use, to expose one or both of the rail and source of ultrasonic wave to a mist of liquid, thus enabling the formation of an ultrasound-transmissive interface between the rail and the source of ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: The surgical orientation system is used to assist a surgeon to orient a prosthetic component relative to a patient's anatomy during surgery. An embodiment is particularly suited for assisting surgeons to locate an acetabular cup into a reamed acetabulum. The system includes: an implement (1) for releasable attachment of a prosthetic component; an electronic orientation monitor (2) attached to the implement (1); and a brace (3). The brace (3) is releasably attachable to the patient so as to define a reference point (4) relative to the patient's anatomy. This reference point (4) is external of the patient and includes at least on surface (5) defining a reference plane that is used to orient the monitor (2) into a reference orientation to calibrate the monitor (2).

Abstract: The invention relates a method for providing reconnection to a ferrule to a service line from within the bore of a lined host pipe adapted to carry a fluid, comprising lining the host pipe with a liner, locating the ferrule from within the lined host pipe, forming a passage for fluid through the liner to the ferrule, and forming a seal of the liner with the system whereby to obviate leakage of fluid between the liner and host pipe.

Abstract: A system (1) for the detection of defects in rails (12), the system comprising a source of ultrasonic waves for emitting ultrasonic waves onto a rail, a detector for detecting ultrasonic waves reflected or otherwise scattered by the rail or defects therein and a mist generator (3) arranged, in use, to expose one or both of the rail and source of ultrasonic wave to a mist of liquid thus enabling the formation of an ultrasound-transmissive interface between the rail and the source of ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: A positioning bracket for a surgical procedure to assist in determining the correct placement and/or alignment of a surgical device for a patient, said positioning bracket comprising a first arm (1) mounted on a support frame (6,7), a rear positioning pad (4) located on the first arm (1) adjacent an end of the first arm for placement on the patient, a front positioning pad (2) located on the first arm (1) adjacent the other end of the first arm for placement on the patient, and a second arm (8) mounted on the support frame (6,7), the second arm (8) comprising a connector (12) adjacent an end of the second arm (8) to receive a surgical device, wherein the support frame (6,7) permits the connector (12) to be positioned relative to the rear positioning pad (4) and front positioning pad (2).

Abstract: A surgical alignment guide for hip replacement or revision surgery includes a support (12) for a prosthetic acetabular cup, the support being connected to one end of a carrier shaft (10). The support (12) has a bore (14) angled relative to the shaft so that a prosthetic acetabular cup secured to the support (12) has the correct orientation. An arm (26) extends from the shaft (10) at a position spaced from the support (12), and an adjustment arrangement (17, 21) is associated with the shaft (10) to enable adjustment of the angular position of the bore (14) with respect to the arm (26). In one form, an outer end of the arm (26) is connected to a gauge (28) which provides an alignment orientation indication of the cup support (12) and a prosthetic acetabular cup attached thereto. The adjustment arrangement may have two radial fingers (17) extending from the shaft (10) and engagable with teeth (24) associated with the arm (26).

Abstract: The invention relates a method for providing reconnection to a ferrule to a service line from within the bore of a lined host pipe adapted to carry a fluid, comprising lining the host pipe with a liner, locating the ferrule from within the lined host pipe, forming a passage for fluid through the liner to the ferrule, and forming a seal of the liner with the system whereby to obviate leakage of fluid between the liner and host pipe.