Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter for obtaining a sample of mucosal lining fluid from a precise airway or gastrointestinal location in a patient. The catheter comprises a sampling tube and a sampling head, which is in fluid connection with the sampling tube and which has a permeable material in an interior cavity. The sampling head is closed by an exterior wall in which there are a plurality of small apertures such that fluid enters the catheter when the interior pressure is reduced. The catheter can deploy directly through the mouth or nose or via an instrument such as an endoscope, laryngoscope or tracheal tube.

Abstract: The present application discloses a variety of airway sampling devices and associated methods. According to an embodiment, an airway sampling device for taking a sample from a subject's airway is provided with a handle to be gripped by a user when taking the sample and a sampling head carried by the handle, the sampling head comprising a cavity with an opening for entry by the sample and a sample collection membrane located within the cavity for receiving the sample.

Abstract: An assembly of a cup prosthesis (10) and instrument head is described. A cup prosthesis has a circumference and a central axis which defines axial and radial directions. An attachment member (8) is applied around the circumference of the cup. The attachment member comprises: a circumferential band (46); and at least two tabs (50) extending in an axial direction from the circumferential band and having a circumferential region of weakness (60). A surgical instrument head is attached to the attachment member and engaged with the cup prosthesis, and has a radial retaining element (38) which engages an outer radial face of the at least two tabs.

Abstract: A surgical instrument head for use with a cup prosthesis (10) is described. The cup prosthesis has an attachment member (8) applied around the circumference of the cup. The surgical instrument head is configured to engage the cup prosthesis and attach to the attachment member. The surgical instrument head includes a tab separation member (6) rotatable about a central axis of the instrument head relative to the instrument head and having a formation for engaging a rotation instrument (310). The tab separation member defines at least one radial cam surface (40) for engaging at least part of the attachment member in use. An assembly of the surgical instrument head and cup prosthesis and a tool (300) for operating the assembly are also described.

Abstract: An impactor (100) for transferring an impaction force to a prosthesis (4) coupled to a prepared distal end of a bone (6). The impactor (100) comprises a connector (154) arranged to couple to a prosthesis (4) and an impactor handle (134). The impactor handle (134) defines an impaction axis (110) extending into the prosthesis (4) such that an impaction force applied to the impactor handle (134) is transferred to the prosthesis (4) along the impaction axis (110). When the connector (154) is coupled to a prosthesis (4) the point at which the impaction axis (110) extends into the prosthesis (4) is spaced apart from the coupling between the connector (154) and the prosthesis (4).