Abstract: A method for the production of a diagnostic device comprising the steps of: obtaining a blank from a plastic material sheet; the blank comprising one or more support bands provided with electrical tracks; providing one or more sensitive elements, in particular detection pads, for each band, being configured to generate signals, in particular pressure signals and being connected to the electrical tracks for the transmission of signals; applying a first electrically conductive coating on the blank in the area of the sensitive elements; creating a main structure from the blank, in particular by rolling the blank, keeping the first electrically conductive coating radially on the inside of the main structure; and creating an auxiliary matrix which wraps the main structure and fills the gaps between the support bands, so as to obtain a tubular body.

Abstract: A robotic catheter can include bi-stable concentric tubes and a torsional spring mechanism that can provide torque at the proximal extremity of one or more tubes. The robotic catheter can compensate for the energy that may be released by the tubes snapping from on stable-equilibrium position to another by using the energy stored in the torsional spring mechanism. The energy released by the tubes upon snapping from one stable-equilibrium position to the other can be compensated by the energy stored in the torsional spring at the base, thereby resulting in the first, energy-free, zero stiffness catheter system that (1) synchronizes with the motion of the heart and (2) naturally results in optimal, pseudo-constant contact force with the tissue.

Abstract: A system for machining a workpiece. The system includes a rotatable frame mounted to a base and arms which can translate relative to the rotatable frame. The arms are attached directly or indirectly to a machining tool which can be moved to various points around the workpiece and include tools for various machining operations.

Abstract: A robotic device is described. The robotic device includes segments and arms connected to a platform. A machining or another processing tool can be coupled to the platform. The segments can have one end attached to the platform and the other end attached to an attachment device. The attachment device can include an attachment surface/mechanism that can attach to a workpiece.

Abstract: A 3D microfluidic device for use as an in vitro lymph node is described. The microfluidic device has a body with a semi-circular inner wall and a first channel located adjacent along the semi-circular inner wall, the first channel corresponding to a subcapsular sinus region of a lymph node, a second channel located adjacent the first channel, the second channel corresponding to a reticular network, and a bottom cavity and top cavity, centrally located, corresponding to a paracortex and follicle of a lymph node, respectively. The various compartments of the device are separated by circumferentially and horizontally located rows of micro-pillars. A lab-on-a-chip device incorporating the microfluidic device is also described.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for systems and methods for item singulation in a conveyor belt system. The singulation system may include one or more conveyor belts, one or more piston arrays disposed below the one or more conveyor belts, one or more cameras for generating image data of the conveyor belt, and a computing device for processing the image data and controlling the piston array. The singulation system may selectively actuate pistons of the piston array to achieve singulation of the items (e.g., packages) on the conveyor belt to ensure such items are separated by a certain distance. Multiple conveyor belts in series and with increasing velocities may be employed to increase separation between items.

Abstract: A robotic surgical assembly includes a slave manipulator with an actuator, a pushing device connected to the actuator, a sensor detecting a contact force on the pushing device, a position sensing system, and a control unit. A surgical instrument is detachable to the slave manipulator and separated from the slave manipulator by a sterile barrier. The surgical instrument includes a frame; an articulated link; a tendon associated with the actuator, having proximal and distal portions secured to the link. A transmission device in contact with the tendon proximal portion exerts a traction action. The transmission device has one degree of freedom of motion relative to the frame. The pushing device releasably and selectively connects with the transmission device to transmit a pushing action to the transmission device through the sterile barrier. An elastic device biases the transmission device to exert a traction action on the tendon.

Abstract: A robotic surgical assembly includes a slave manipulator with an actuator, a pushing device connected to the actuator, a sensor detecting a contact force on the pushing device, a position sensing system, and a control unit. A surgical instrument is detachable to the slave manipulator and separated from the slave manipulator by a sterile barrier. The surgical instrument includes a frame; an articulated link; a tendon associated with the actuator, having proximal and distal portions secured to the link. A transmission device in contact with the tendon proximal portion exerts a traction action. The transmission device has one degree of freedom of motion relative to the frame. The pushing device releasably and selectively connects with the transmission device to transmit a pushing action to the transmission device through the sterile barrier. An elastic device biases the transmission device to exert a traction action on the tendon.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for luring and killing hematophagous arthropods in its inside, in an effective and selective way, without emitting to the outside harmful substances to human health and the environment, comprising multi-sensory lures for the aforesaid arthropods that guide them inside the device where 5 there is an eradication means for the target arthropod.

Abstract: A robotic surgical assembly includes a slave manipulator with an actuator, a pushing device connected to the actuator, a sensor detecting a contact force on the pushing device, a position sensing system, and a control unit. A surgical instrument is detachable to the slave manipulator and separated from the slave manipulator by a sterile barrier. The surgical instrument includes a frame; an articulated link; a tendon associated with the actuator, having proximal and distal portions secured to the link. A transmission device in contact with the tendon proximal portion exerts a traction action. The transmission device has one degree of freedom of motion relative to the frame. The pushing device releasably and selectively connects with the transmission device to transmit a pushing action to the transmission device through the sterile barrier. An elastic device biases the transmission device to exert a traction action on the tendon.

Abstract: A welding tool comprises a main body; a handle attached to the main body to be held by a welder; an electrode attached to the main body; an adjusting device for moving the consumable electrode forward/backward with respect to the main body; a control unit is connected to the adjusting device and is configured to act on the adjusting device for maintaining a substantially constant distance between the electrode and a weld area.

Abstract: A 3D microfluidic device for use as an in vitro lymph node is described. The microfluidic device has a body with a semi-circular inner wall and a first channel located adjacent along the semi-circular inner wall, the first channel corresponding to a subcapsular sinus region of a lymph node, a second channel located adjacent the first channel, the second channel corresponding to a reticular network, and a bottom cavity and top cavity, centrally located, corresponding to a paracortex and follicle of a lymph node, respectively. The various compartments of the device are separated by circumferentially and horizontally located rows of micro-pillars. A lab-on-a-chip device incorporating the microfluidic device is also described.

Abstract: A handling apparatus for performing a TIG weld comprises a main body for holding a filler rod; a feeding device attached to the main body and configured to advance the filler rod during welding; a control unit configured to act on the feeding device and to regulate the speed of the filler rod.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process, and to the related apparatus, for the in vitro preparation of a biomimetic tissue prostheses of the tympanic membrane from mesenchymal stem cells; such prostheses are used for repairing or reconstructing the injured tympanic membrane in patients needing it, for example as a consequence of various trauma or pathologies.

Abstract: A welding apparatus includes a multi-axis robotic arm having a first end; a welding tool attached to the first end; an image acquisition device attached to the first end and having a light filtering system; the image acquisition device is configured to monitor a welding target and to provide an image of the welding target to an operator; a control unit is configured to control the robotic arm and the welding tool; an input interface for a human operator is associated to the control unit and is configured to provide an input signal to the control unit and to control the robotic arm and welding tool substantially in real time.

Abstract: The shock-absorber comprises: a cylinder containing a hydraulic working fluid; a piston slidably arranged in the cylinder so as to split the cylinder into two variable-volume working chambers, namely a first working chamber, or extension chamber, and a second working chamber, or compression chamber; an auxiliary conduit in fluid communication on one side with the first working chamber and on the other with the second working chamber; a train of permanent magnets slidably arranged in the auxiliary conduit so as to reciprocally move along the auxiliary conduit, dragged by the working fluid flowing between the first and second working chambers through the auxiliary conduit as a result of the reciprocating motion of the piston in the cylinder; and electric energy generating device for generating electric energy by exploiting the movement of the train of permanent magnets along the auxiliary conduit.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the field of graphic apparatuses and in particular its object is an apparatus and a relative method for the so-called “weeding” of plastic or paper films having or more self-adhesive, double sided adhesive or electrostatic layers coupled with a support liner treated with a non-stick agent. The apparatus comprises analysis and cutting means adapted to map and execute weeding assisting cuts.

Abstract: The shock-absorber comprises: a cylinder containing a hydraulic working fluid; a piston slidably arranged in the cylinder so as to split the cylinder into two variable-volume working chambers, namely a first working chamber, or extension chamber, and a second working chamber, or compression chamber; an auxiliary conduit in fluid communication on one side with the first working chamber and on the other with the second working chamber; a train of permanent magnets slidably arranged in the auxiliary conduit so as to reciprocally move along the auxiliary conduit, dragged by the working fluid flowing between the first and second working chambers through the auxiliary conduit as a result of the reciprocating motion of the piston in the cylinder; and electric energy generating device for generating electric energy by exploiting the movement of the train of permanent magnets along the auxiliary conduit.

Abstract: A welding assistance device comprises a welding mask, a welding velocity sensor attached on the welding mask and configured to detect a welding velocity; a visualization device attached to the welding mask and arranged to show a representation of the welding velocity and of consequent heat input to a welder.

Abstract: A handling apparatus for performing a TIG weld comprises a main body for holding a filler rod; a feeding device attached to the main body and configured to advance the filler rod during welding; a control unit configured to act on the feeding device and to regulate the speed of the filler rod.