Kromek Limited

Xiros Limited

Martin Russell Senior

Ian Radley

David Edward Joyce

Gary Gibson

The invention relates to an elongate guide element () for guiding an implant () along a tunnel () in a bone () and for securing the implant within the tunnel. One exemplary guide element comprises: first end and second ends (); a pair of support apertures () for receiving a support element () for the implant, the support apertures being spaced apart in a direction along a main longitudinal axis (); a saddle () extending transverse to the longitudinal axis, one of the pair of support apertures being disposed between the saddle and the first end and the other between the saddle and the second end. The support element extends through one of the pair of support apertures, at least partly around the saddle and then through the other aperture. The guide element has a generally planar bone facing surface () and a second opposite surface (). The guide element has a height, measured in a direction from the planar surface towards the second surface, the height increasing in a direction from the first and second ends towards an intermediate section of maximum height (H). At least part of the saddle is disposed within the intermediate section and defines a space () between the second surface and a maximum height extent of the saddle, for receiving part of the support element.

Elongate guide element for an implant

Elongate guide element

Method for the identification of a homogeneous material (e.g. a liquid) in a container (e.g. a bottle) by measuring its X-ray or gamma spectrum and deriving its specific attenuation function. The method comprises building a database of the attenuation functions of empty containers, of containers filled with various fluid materials and of the contained fluid materials itself (by subtracting or devoluting the empty-container-attenuation-function from the filled-container-attenuation-function), recording the spectrum of an unknown material in a container and comparing this spectrum to the spectra in the database.

Method for the identification of materials in a container

A two step method of scanning objects to gain information about material content comprises the steps of providing a radiation source and a radiation detector system spaced therefrom to define a scanning zone therebetween. In a first scanning step, an object is moved relative to the source and detector system, intensity information about radiation incident at the detector system after interaction with the object as it passes through the scanning zone is collected, variation of intensity as the object moves through the scanning zone is used to identify anomalous structures and/or absence of homogeneity in the object. In a second, subsequent scanning step an object is located in fixed position in the scanning zone and collecting intensity information collected, analysed against a suitable functional relationship relating transmitted to incident intensity, and the results compared with a library of suitable data to provide an indication of material content.

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Wetherby, United Kingdom

Martin Russell Senior