Abstract:
Surgical apparatus for separating the femur from the acetabulum, such as in total hip joint replacement by the Southern Approach, takes the form of an inverse pair of tongs which open when the handles are closed. More particularly, the free ends of the tongs respectively carry a pin and a hook which extend in a generally orthogonal direction relative to their respective tong arms and the plane of movement therebetween, while the bight of the hook extends away from its arm.
Abstract:
In testing a sample of an optically active substance, the sample is irradiated with polarized electromagnetic radiation and the intensity of radiation scattered from the sample in a given direction is detected. The state of polarization of the incident radiation from which the detected radiation is derived is modulated, preferably by alternating it between right and left circular polarization, to cause a periodic variation of the detected intensity, and a signal related to this variation is derived.
Abstract:
A prosthetic knee joint device comprises a femoral component in the form of a shell member having two condylar portions with major convex bearing surfaces areas, which portions are bridged at one end by a portion defining a trough between the convex areas. An associated tibial component has similar portions in a platform bearing member defining major concave bearing surface areas and a ridge therebetween. The convex bearing areas are longer than the concave bearing areas and generally U-shaped longitudinally to simulate the corresponding shaping in the natural joint from which the shell member can in fact be derived. The concave bearing areas however simulate the menisci of the natural joint different phases of rotation to provide an optimized congruity between the bearing surfaces during rotation of the predetermined geometry of the prosthesis as compared to the variable geometry in the natural joint.
Abstract:
A tool for separating detachable blades from surgical scalpels takes the form of a pair of pliers having a respective channel formation in each jaw, the side walls of which formations approach engagement in mutually facing and aligned disposition during closure of the tool to define a passageway therethrough. This passageway receives the stem portion of a holder on which a conventional detachable scalpel blade is clipped, and the side walls of one of the channel formations are relieved towards one end thereof, and the side walls of the other formation elevated towards the corresponding end thereof, so that closure of the tool jaws grips the blade while lifting one end of the blade from the holder. The blade can then be slid off the holder while still held by the tool.
Abstract:
A computing apparatus comprises a set of counters corresponding to different stages of a shift register having a serial input. A binary signal is applied to this input, and the inputs of the counters are gated so that each counts only when the state of the corresponding stage satisfies a particular condition, for example coincidence with the current state of another binary signal. Once the count for any counter has reached a given value a signal is generated indicating for which of the counters this has occurred. A principal use is for identifying the time delay between two related noise signals.
Abstract:
This invention concerns a meter for measuring polarisation induced in the earth and in particular for measuring transient voltages that follow the termination of direct current flow through the ground. In this device automatic normalisation of the data is achieved by correllating the voltage source producing the transient voltages with the potential measured across measurement electrodes in such a manner that the voltage source and measurement circuits are not otherwise electrically linked.
Abstract:
A digital rapid response lateral thrust unit in which the deliberately unstable nature of the design is overcome by bleeding off relatively large proportions of the incoming liquid flow for reintroduction as control jets. These jets are effective to divert the liquid flow to one or other of two tapering outlet ducts, the split flow zero thrust condition being achieved by cutting off the supply of control fluid and connecting together the discharge slots for the control jets. Use of the unit as a simple flow diverter in a liquid transfer assembly is also described.
Abstract:
A three-phase, alternating current, speed-changing electric motor, or generator, suitable for six-terminal, series/parallel switching and with pole-changing effected by pole-amplitide modulation, having a composite three-phase stator winding comprising two component windings with corresponding phasewinding parts connected in the same phase of the composite winding and spaced apart from each other around the winding periphery. Most commonly the spacing is uniform.
Abstract:
A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SILICON CARBIDE WHISKERS COMPRISING MAINTAINING A SILICON-CONTAINING VAPOUR AND A CARBON-CONTAINING VAPOUR AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 1,100*C. IN A REACTION ZONE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SUBSTRATE WHEREBY SILICON CARBIDE WHISKERS ARE DEPOSITED UPON THE SUBSTRATE, AND IS CHARACTERISED BY PROVIDING A SUPER-SATURATED CONCENTRATION OF AN IRON-CONTAINING VAPOUR IN THE REACTION ZONE SO THAT WHISKER GROWTH MAY CONTINUE EVEN WHEN THE SUBSTRATE IS SUBSTANTIALLY ENTIRELY COATED WITH WHISKERS GIVING CONSEQUENT INCREASE IN YIELD AND PROCESS EFFICIENCY.