Abstract: Machine readable instructions, a data processing apparatus and a method are provided to determine one or more properties of motor units of skeletal muscle by analyzing a time series of Magnetic Resonance, MR, images representing a slice of a body part to identify signal voids in one or more images of the series. A comparison of at least one characteristic of the identified signal voids in the images is performed with a control data set of MR images produced by applying a controlled stimulus to a motor nerve to establish inherent characteristics of signal voids corresponding to motor units of skeletal muscle. Properties of candidate motor units are analyzed to confirm or reject them as motor units and at least one of: a firing frequency of at least one of the confirmed motor units, a size of at least one of the confirmed motor units, a number of confirmed motor units in a given image area or a shape of at least one of the confirmed motor units is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for simultaneously providing a plurality of probe response signals indicative of electrical activity at a respective plurality of locations in a patient. The apparatus comprises a rigid needle shaft element comprising a piercing tip and a substrate supporting a plurality of electrode tracks, secured to the needle shaft element and extending along the shaft element away from the piercing tip. Each electrode track extends from a sensing end region arranged for providing a respective probe response signal responsive to localised electrical activity, along the region of the substrate, to a respective bond pad connection region. Recording surface regions of the plurality of electrode tracks are spaced apart in a plurality of substantially linear spaced apart configurations along the substrate.

Abstract: Machine readable instructions, a data processing apparatus and a method are provided to determine one or more properties of motor units of skeletal muscle by analyzing a time series of Magnetic Resonance, MR, images representing a slice of a body part to identify signal voids in one or more images of the series. A comparison of at least one characteristic of the identified signal voids in the images is performed with a control data set of MR images produced by applying a controlled stimulus to a motor nerve to establish inherent characteristics of signal voids corresponding to motor units of skeletal muscle. Properties of candidate motor units are analyzed to confirm or reject them as motor units and at least one of: a firing frequency of at least one of the confirmed motor units, a size of at least one of the confirmed motor units, a number of confirmed motor units in a given image area or a shape of at least one of the confirmed motor units is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for simultaneously providing a plurality of probe response signals indicative of electrical activity at a respective plurality of locations in a patient. The apparatus comprises a rigid needle shaft element comprising a piercing tip and a substrate supporting a plurality of electrode tracks, secured to the needle shaft element and extending along the shaft element away from the piercing tip. Each electrode track extends from a sensing end region arranged for providing a respective probe response signal responsive to localised electrical activity, along the region of the substrate, to a respective bond pad connection region. Recording surface regions of the plurality of electrode tracks are spaced apart in a plurality of substantially linear spaced apart configurations along the substrate.

Abstract: A binding mechanism for holding yarns of circular knitting machines during yarn changeover and when yarns are moved to inactive positions includes an elastomeric member having deformable when engaged with a flat surface and having pliable surfaces for simultaneously receiving and individually gripping multiple yarns, the member being of silicone rubber having a durometer hardness range of 45-70.