Abstract: The apparatus has an elongate and vertically running carrier (90) for pressure sensors (50), which precedes a group of levers (71 ). The cross section of this carrier (90) is arcuate, so that it has two flanks (93, 94 ). During the testing of a leg garment (80), this carrier (90) simulates the region of the shin. The apparatus has, furthermore, moldings or stays (88) which are carried by the levers and which simulate the rear face of the calf or of the thigh of a leg. The width of these stays corresponds to the width of the calf or of the thigh of a leg. The apparatus also comprises two longitudinally running groups (50) of pressure sensors, one of which is in each case assigned to outside of one of the flanks (93, 94) of the carrier (90). The leg garment (80) to be tested, in order to test it, is slipped over this apparatus in such a way that it lies on the outer faces both of the carrier (90) and of the stays and exerts pressure on the pressure sensors (51).

Abstract: A flexible torque-transmitting coupling assembly and method is disclosed, as well as flexible surgical reamers having such assemblies. The reamers employ a fitting with radially flexible member, e.g., a split collet or a super-elastic collar that receives an elongated tubular shaft of super-elastic alloy. A compression sleeve is applied to the collet, in one embodiment, while the collar is located within a counter-bore of the fitting in another embodiment. Relative motion between the shaft, fitting and collet (or collar) induces a super-elastic activation in the shaft to form the desired coupling.

Abstract: An instrument holder (10) for surgical use has a remote locking mechanism (12) and is elongated having a proximal end (14) and a distal end (16). The holder (10) has an elongated shank (20), a ring (22), a locking component (28) and a spring (32). The elongated shank (20) is equipped, at the distal end (16), with a head (26) adapted to receive an instrument (24). The locking component (28) is substantially cylindrical, elongated and is biased in a first direction (30) toward the head (26) by a spring (32). The locking component (28) includes structures (34) capable of locking the instrument (24) onto the distal end (16). The ring (22) is biased by the spring (32) in a second direction (36) against the locking component (28) towards the proximal end (14) constrained to slide longitudinally on the shank (20), at the proximal end.

Abstract: A web snippets capture, storage, and retrieval system is comprised of a snippet capture and storage method operating on a computer. The system has snippet selection means which selects a snippet, snippet processing means which processes the snippet so selected, and snippet storage means which stores the processed snippet in memory in a format which can be displayed upon demand by a user. Preferably, snippet organization means saves the snippet in association with a category, further in association with a project or theme. A user prompting means prompts the user for a comment, which if provided by the user, the storage means stores in displayable form in association with the snippet. Identifying means store identifying characteristics of the snippet. Such identifying characteristics includes, for example, date and time of creation, size of snippet in relation to source document, source location of snippet, URL of the snippet and optionally the user who added the snippet.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and methods are provided for collecting information on the geographic positions of several moving or immobile objects simultaneously. A plurality of large scale printed circuits having charge transfer capacitance sensing properties are linked by a communication network in order to form a coherent sensing surface for the collection and reconnaissance of positioning and movement information. The positioning and movement information gathered can be used as input information by media control systems.

Abstract: A surgical instrument holder has a shank having a coupling end, a handle attached to an opposite end of the shank, a coupling device, and a locking mechanism. The coupling end has an interface thereon for receiving an instrument. The locking mechanism has an annular locking component, a spring, a ring which slides on the shank, and a locking device. The annular locking component is mounted so as to slide along the shank. The locking device cooperates with the locking component so as to lock the instrument onto the interface. The spring biases the locking component in a locking direction and bears on the ring. The ring is disengageably lockable to the shank via a connection device so as to enable quick disassembly for cleaning and component sterilization.

Abstract: A browsing method encoded on a computer-readable medium is provided. The method creates customized summaries of web pages and comprises multiple steps. In a first step, from a thematic or project-based listing of URL links, a selected URL link is activated. In a second step, a tour creation dialog is opened. In a third step, the user is presented with a menu option that enables the user to identify an existing tour or create a new tour. In a fourth step, if the user identifies an existing tour, the URL so selected is added into this existing tour. In a fifth step, if the user chooses to create a new tour, an input window is presented to the user that prompts the user to input a tour name. In a sixth step, once the user inputs the tour name, the new tour is saved.

Abstract: The inventive differential (57) Abstract: The inventive differential rotation speed transducer can be used for drives of general use machines and mechanisms. Said transducer relates to gears provided with intermediate members and comprises a wave generator and a transferring unit which is embodied in the form of coaxial cages (1, 3, 4, 5) mated to each other around a circle. Clutch surfaces are embodied in the form of periodical roller ways interacting with a chain of balls (2) on each clip along the trace of said circle. The cage (1) is linked to the generator and embodied in such a way that it affects rolling bodies in the direction selected from any directions on the plane of the axial section of the transducer. The unit comprising four cages is used for transferring increased power. Spaced in azimuth grooves are embodied on two cages which are oppositely disposed with respect to the chain of balls and mechanically connected to each other.

Abstract: A surgical tool holder comprises a shank having first driveable end and second coupling end, the second end comprising a coupling device having interfaces for mating with corresponding structures on the inside of a hollow surgical tool, a first interface mating with a centering structure near a base end of the tool and a second interface mating with a second structure adjacent to a forward end of the tool, the tool being held in functional assembly to the shank by a releasable locking mechanism comprised of a locking sleeve slideably disposed about the shank, a spring biased against the coupling device by the locking sleeve, and a connection device retaining the locking sleeve in a fixed position during use, whereupon release of the connection device enables quick disassembly of the locking sleeve, spring and coupling device for cleaning and component sterilization.

Abstract: A modular tool connection assembly includes a housing which defines the main axis of assembly with a linear bore for containing the components of the assembly. The housing contains a connector component presenting a first taper portion. The connector is retained in the linear bore of the housing with a spring interposed between the connector and the housing. A tool containing a second taper portion is placed in axial engagement with the first taper causing the components to be securely connected. The spring limits the force applied between the taper portions allowing them to be disconnected easily.

Abstract: Disclosed is a torque-transmitting coupling assembly and method, as well as flexible surgical reamers having such assemblies. The reamers employ a fitting with radially flexible member, e.g., a split collet or a super-elastic collar that receives an elongated tubular shaft of super-elastic alloy. A compression sleeve is applied to the collet, in one embodiment, while the collar is located within a counter-bore of the fitting in another embodiment. Relative motion between the shaft, fitting and collet (or collar) induces a super-elastic activation in the shaft to form the desired coupling.

Abstract: Method for making a semiconductor structures comprising the steps:—forming a virtual substrate on a silicon substrate with a graded Si1-xGex layer and a non-graded Si1-xGex layer, using a high-density, low-energy plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (LEPECVD) process with a growth rate above 2 nm/s, a substrate temperature between 400° and 850° C., and a total reactive gas flow at the gas inlet between 5 sccm and 200 sccm;—forming an active region on the virtual substrate that comprises a Ge-channel and at least one modulation-doped layer using a low-density, low-energy plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (LEPECVD) process by introducing hydrogen (H2) into the growth chamber, maintaining a substrate temperature between 400° and 500° C., and by introducing a dopant gas in a pulsed manner into the growth chamber to provide for the modulation-doped layer.

Abstract: A surgical tool holder has a shank having a central axis, a first driveable end and second coupling end. The second end has a coupling device having interfaces each for mating with corresponding structures on the inside of a hollow reamer. The interfaces mate with centering structures at or near a base end of each tool, the tool being held in functional assembly to the shank by a releasable locking mechanism.

Abstract: Method for making a semiconductor structure is proposed. It comprises the steps: —providing a base layer (10) having a first lattice constant, —forming buried islands on the base layer (10) having a second lattice constant that is smaller or larger than the first lattice constant, —at least partially covering the base layer (10) and the buried islands with a cover layer (14), whereby the cover layer (14) has a locally increased or reduced lattice constant in areas above the buried islands, —growing small islands (15) on the areas of the cover layer (14) with locally increased or reduced lattice constant, —depositing a thin layer (16) at least partially covering the cover layer (14) and the small islands (15), —at least partially removing the small islands (15) to provide for an opening (17) being positioned exactly above the buried islands.

Abstract: Instrument holder comprising a shank (1) equipped with a head (2) designed to receive an instrument and a locking component (4) pushed against the head by a spring (9) bearing on a ring (11) sliding on the shank, and having means of connection (8, 12) on the shank which is engaged by rotation of the ring, in such a way that the release of the ring allows the locking component, the spring and the ring to slide freely in order to permit cleaning of the instrument holder.

Abstract: The surgical reamer has a hollow dome with apertures spaced apart arranged in arcs extending from an apex of the dome to the base portion of the dome, and removable teeth positioned in the apertures. Each cutting tooth has a flange that is aligned flush with the external surface of the dome, and a raised cutting edge extending above the flange and the external surface of the dome, and an interior passageway communicating between the outside and inside of the dome. In one embodiment, a base plate is removably secured on the base portion of the dome to provide closure of the central cavity of the dome.

Abstract: A low insertion profile surgical reamer for cutting a bone socket comprises a cutting structure. The cutting structure is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The structure has a static profile area upon insertion of the reamer into the bone socket and a dynamic profile area generated upon rotation, both profile areas lying transverse to the axis. The static profile area is substantially smaller than the dynamic profile area. The reamer includes centrally located holes, allowing it to be fixed to a tool holder.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed having a male portion with a tapered hexagonal tip for engaging a socket head screw. A shaft operatively carries the male portion, for transmitting torque to the tip as it is matingly engaged with the screw. A metallic ring, mounted on the male portion, removably retains the tip matingly engaged within the socket head. The ring is formed with an oblique slit and is radially compressible, the ring presenting a substantially continuous circumferential surface that is in interference fit within the socket.