Abstract: A surgical instrument (1) for knee balancing, comprising: a static tibial element (2) including a base and a tibial paddle (21); a femoral element (3) including a femoral paddle (31) and a femoral arm; a movable element (4) including a guide (40) movable in translation on the base according to a longitudinal axis (AL), wherein the femoral element is pivotally mounted on said movable element according to an anterior-posterior axis (AP), and a transverse arm; a system (5) for setting the mobility of said guide in order to provide a distraction function; a reversible blocking system coupled between the transverse arm and the femoral arm to pivotally immobilize the femoral element with respect to the movable element in a reversible manner in order to set the pivot angle of the femoral paddle with respect to the tibial paddle at different angle values.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (1) for knee balancing, comprising: a static tibial element (2) including a base and a tibial paddle (21); a femoral element (3) including a femoral paddle (31) and a femoral arm; a movable element (4) including a guide (40) movable in translation on the base according to a longitudinal axis (AL), wherein the femoral element is pivotally mounted on said movable element according to an anterior-posterior axis (AP), and a transverse arm; a system (5) for setting the mobility of said guide in order to provide a distraction function; a reversible blocking system coupled between the transverse arm and the femoral arm to pivotally immobilize the femoral element with respect to the movable element in a reversible manner in order to set the pivot angle of the femoral paddle with respect to the tibial paddle at different angle values.

Abstract: A transducer of bending and twisting moments exerted between two mechanical assemblies for the measuring of machining forces comprises two plates connected by a flexible beam. Devices for measuring the desired moments are connected to each of these plates, in such a way that their informations are unlinked. Advantageously, these devices can be prestressed in compression by means of stacks of cupped washers.

Abstract: A system for locating an object in latitude and longitude is disclosed. A rotating and oscillating mirror makes a laser beam deflect. A sensor fixed to the object indicates the locating instant. A screen that scatters and/or reflects towards a second sensor, on which are stretched reflecting and/or scattering cords, provides latitudinal and longitudinal position-identification of the deflection of the beam. The invention can be applied to robotics.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device for measuring the surface proximity and to its application in the plotting of a profile.The device comprises a radiation emitter forming a light spot on the surface and two detectors, which are sensitive to the light flux reflected by the surface. A pair of focusing elements having different focal lengths are associated with the detectors. The ratio between the signals supplied by the detectors is determined by a processing circuit. This ratio is used to calculate the distance independently of the angle of incidence of the incident beam and the reflection coefficient of the surface.

Abstract: A vehicle able to move between two walls and particularly in the space between two vessels of a fast neutron reactor, for inspection and testing; the vehicle having two wheels bearing on one of the two walls and connected to the vehicle body by two longitudinal arms and two wheels bearing on the other wall and arranged symmetrically with respect to the previously mentioned wheels and connected to the vehicle body by two transverse arms. The longitudinal and transverse arms may be folded back to permit the passage of the assembly through an opening.