Abstract: A neck mechanism for a mannequin comprises three or more joint units serially connected to provide joints for three or more rotational degrees of freedom (DOF). A rotational axis of a first DOF is configured to be aligned with a lateral axis of the mannequin. A rotational axis of a second DOF is configured to be aligned with an anterior-posterior axis of the mannequin. A rotational axis of a third DOF is configured to be aligned with a cranial-caudal axis of the mannequin. A bottom one of the joint units is adapted to be connected to a torso of the mannequin, and a top one of the at least three joint units is adapted to be connected to a skull. The mannequin may also have a skull connected to the top one of the joint units, and a trunk connected to the bottom one of the joint units. A system for simulating cervical spine motions is also provided.

Abstract: A tensioning set comprises an output member. A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is configured to receive a degree of actuation (DOA) and connected to the output member, the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus being actuatable to selectively transmit the received DOA through the output member by controlled slippage. A tensioning member is connected to the output member so as to be pulled by the output member upon actuation of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus, a free end of the tensioning member adapted to exert a pulling action transmitted to an output when being pulled by the output member. The tensioning set, or a comparable compressing set, may be used in systems and robotic arms. A method for controlling movements of an output driven by the tensioning set or compressing set is also provided.

Abstract: A reactor for steam-methane reforming is adapted to be received in a tube on a focal axis of a parabolic trough. The reactor may comprise an array of micro-reactors interconnected by a water manifold, a gas manifold, a syngas manifold, and at least one steam-methane reforming chamber configured for reforming steam and methane into syngases, the micro-reactors having a vaporization portion for producing steam. Radiation plates may extend on sides of the array of micro-reactors Glazing may face and be spaced apart from a portion of the array of micro-reactors including at least one steam-methane reforming chamber, the glazing being conductively connected to the radiation plates for heat transfer therebetween, the at least one glazing allowing light from the parabolic trough to pass therethrough to reach the array of micro-reactors.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus comprises an input rotor adapted to be coupled to a power input, the input rotor having a first set of at least one input shear surface, and a second set of at least one output shear surface. An output rotor is rotatably mounted about the input rotor for rotating about a common axis with the input rotor, the output rotor having a first set of at least one output shear surface, and a second set of at least one output shear surface, the first sets of the input rotor and the output rotor separated by at least a first annular space and forming a first transmission set, the second sets of the input rotor and the output rotor separated by at least a second annular space and forming a second transmission set. Magnetorheological fluid is in each of the annular spaces, the MR fluid configured to generate a variable amount of torque transmission between the sets of input rotor and output rotor when subjected to a magnetic field.

Abstract: A tensioning set comprises an output member. A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is configured to receive a degree of actuation (DOA) and connected to the output member, the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus being actuatable to selectively transmit the received DOA through the output member by controlled slippage. A tensioning member is connected to the output member so as to be pulled by the output member upon actuation of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus, a free end of the tensioning member adapted to exert a pulling action transmitted to an output when being pulled by the output member. The tensioning set, or a comparable compressing set, may be used in systems and robotic arms. A method for controlling movements of an output driven by the tensioning set or compressing set is also provided.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus comprises an input rotor adapted to be coupled to a power input, the input rotor having a first set of at least one input shear surface, and a second set of at least one output shear surface. An output rotor is rotatably mounted about the input rotor for rotating about a common axis with the input rotor, the output rotor having a first set of at least one output shear surface, and a second set of at least one output shear surface, the first sets of the input rotor and the output rotor separated by at least a first annular space and forming a first transmission set, the second sets of the input rotor and the output rotor separated by at least a second annular space and forming a second transmission set. Magnetorheological fluid is in each of the annular spaces, the MR fluid configured to generate a variable amount of torque transmission between the sets of input rotor and output rotor when subjected to a magnetic field.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a nucleic acid target-dependent adapter linked to a nucleic acid sequence. The adapter comprises linked together a biosensor having a specific sequence complementary to a target sequence of a substrate, the biosensor improving the specificity of the nucleic acid sequence for the substrate, and a blocker stem sequence complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid sequence. In absence of the target sequence of the substrate, the blocker stem sequence forms an intramolecular stem with the nucleic acid sequence linked thereto, preventing exposition of the sequence of the nucleic acid sequence, thus locking the nucleic acid sequence so linked to the adapter in an inactive conformation, and in presence of the target sequence, the blocker stem sequence dissociating from the nucleic acid sequence, thus exposing the nucleic acid sequence linked to the adapter in an active conformation.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting the presence of a predetermined substance, in which a quantum dot is produced on a substrate. The quantum dot emits a radiation at a predetermined wavelength, and is covered with a surface layer to which the predetermined substance attaches. A deviation of the value of a parameter related to the radiation is produced when the predetermined substance attaches to the surface layer. This deviation can be detected to thereby sense the presence of the predetermined substance.

Abstract: A bone cement delivery system for vertebroplasty with a cannula having a rigid metal tubular inner wall surrounding a central conduit with a distal outlet port, a rigid metal tubular outer wall extending around the inner wall to define a peripheral conduit with a distal inlet port in the form of fenestrations defined in the tubular outer wall, unobstructed and directly exposed to an environment of the delivery system, a proximal inlet port in communication with the central conduit and a proximal outlet port in communication with the peripheral conduit. A vacuum pump communicating with the proximal outlet port of the peripheral conduit applies a pressure in the range of 10 to 100 KPa to create a pressure gradient between the central conduit and the peripheral conduit to produce a difference in flow rate between the conduits guiding the displacement of bone fluid and the flow of cement.

Abstract: A cement delivery system for vertebroplasty including a rigid cannula having a tubular inner wall defining a central conduit to deliver bone cement and a tubular outer wall extending around the inner wall and spaced apart therefrom to define a peripheral conduit for aspirating bone fluids. Aspirating means communicate with a proximal outlet port of the peripheral conduit to create a pressure gradient between the central conduit and the peripheral conduit to provide a hydraulic force guiding the displacement of bone fluid and the flow of cement. Also, a bone cement delivery system including a rigid cannula having a tubular inner wall defining a central conduit, a tubular outer wall extending around the inner wall and spaced apart therefrom to define a peripheral conduit, and a tubular middle wall extending between the inner and peripheral walls and spaced apart therefrom to define a middle conduit around the central conduit.

Abstract: A spiking neural network has a layer of connected neurons exchanging signals. Each neuron is connected to at least one other neuron. A neuron is active if it spikes at least once during a time interval. Time-varying synaptic weights are computed between each neuron and at least one other neuron connected thereto. These weights are computed according to a number of active neurons that are connected to the neuron. The weights are also computed according to an activity of the spiking neural network during the time interval. Spiking of each neuron is synchronized according to a number of active neurons connected to the neuron and according to the weights. A pattern is submitted to the spiking neural network for generating sequences of spikes, which are modulated over time by the spiking synchronization. The pattern is characterized according to the sequences of spikes generated in the spiking neural network.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for injecting implant material into a bone, including an inner cannula defining a central conduit including a first proximal port in communication with the central conduit, an outer cannula surrounding the inner cannula to define a peripheral conduit, and a connector interconnecting the cannulas and detachable from at least one of the cannulas, and at least one of the connector, the first cannula and the second cannula including a second proximal port in communication with the peripheral conduit defined along a direction different than a longitudinal axis of the first and second cannulas.

Abstract: Described are a method and device for needleless injection of a liquid substance in the skin or other target tissue of a patient, in which droplets of the liquid substance are produced, and the droplets of liquid substance are directed toward the surface of the patient's skin or other target tissue at a velocity sufficiently high to inject the droplets of liquid substance in the patient's skin or other target tissue. The droplets of the liquid substance are accelerated toward the surface of the patient's skin or other target tissue in order to inject the accelerated droplets of liquid substance in the patient's skin or other target tissue.

Abstract: The solid oxide fuel cell can comprise: an electroconductive and porous reformer including a catalytically active material and shaped to constitute a solid slab having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of adjacent grooves along the first surface, and flat regions adjacent the plurality of grooves; an anode layer covering the plurality of grooves of the reformer slab and having a corresponding grooved shape; an electrolyte layer covering the anode layer over the plurality of grooves of the reformer slab and having a corresponding grooved shape, and extending over the flat regions; and a cathode layer covering the electrolyte layer over the grooves of the reformer slab and having a corresponding grooved shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stretcher having a brake mechanism that can be selectively activated to influence the movement of the stretcher supported by an inclined surface. The brake mechanism of the stretcher progressively increases the amount of friction between the stretcher and the surface of which the stretcher is supported to reduce or stop movements of the stretcher. The stretcher further includes a pulling member influencing the position or the activation of the brake mechanism on the stretcher and high friction means associated with the bottom side of the stretcher. The present invention also provides a size reduction mechanism requesting limited storage space for the stretcher when not in use and a foot restraint to secure the feet of the patient on the stretcher and offer additional volume to carry additional material with the patient. A method for braking a stretcher on an inclined plane is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cement delivery system for vertebroplasty including a rigid cannula having a tubular inner wall defining a central conduit to deliver bone cement and a tubular outer wall extending around the inner wall and spaced apart therefrom to define a peripheral conduit for aspirating bone fluids. Aspirating means communicate with a proximal outlet port of the peripheral conduit to create a pressure gradient between the central conduit and the peripheral conduit to provide a hydraulic force guiding the displacement of bone fluid and the flow of cement. Also, a bone cement delivery system including a rigid cannula having a tubular inner wall defining a central conduit, a tubular outer wall extending around the inner wall and spaced apart therefrom to define a peripheral conduit, and a tubular middle wall extending between the inner and peripheral walls and spaced apart therefrom to define a middle conduit around the central conduit.

Abstract: A method and an algorithm allowing the use of surface waves. In particular, the method uses separation of the modes and, by the dispersion curve of more than one mode in the inversion process, it allows a determination of a shear wave propagation velocity profile that, with the aid of the Poisson ratio, constitutes a unique solution and a complete characterization of a medium on the point of view of its elastic properties.

Abstract: A needleless syringe for subcutaneously delivering a therapeutic agent comprising a generally constant diameter elongate tubular nozzle and an inert gas reservoir thereto is described herein. The reservoir is advantageously mounted to the upstream end of the tubular nozzle through a contraction that is either gradual or sudden and wherein a membrane is positioned between the reservoir and the therapeutic agent.