Abstract: A method for micro-fabricating a device on a substrate (20), comprising the steps of providing a cavity (31) having a temporary aperture (35) communicating with the outside; providing a sealing structure (45) adjacent to a perimeter of the temporary aperture (35); applying heat to the sealing structure (45), whereby the sealing structure melts and seals the temporary aperture (35).

Abstract: A micromachined mechanism for a sensing tool includes a support, a probe pivotally mounted with respect to the support, and a beam connected to the support and the probe. The probe is configured to apply a load (Ftool) on a body and to be subjected to a counter-reaction contact force exerted by the body in reaction to the load. The beam is configured to shift from an undeformed position to a deformed position when the contact force of the body is greater than a predetermined threshold force (Fcrit) for which the beam buckles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.

Abstract: Device and method for measuring contact force exerted by an object on a probe comprising a lever and said probe for contacting the object is provided. The lever is pivotably coupled to a body by a coupling module. The device comprising a fixed frame coupled to the body. The body is designed to be moved with respect to the object to put the probe in contact with the object to create force pivoting said lever with respect to the body around a pivot axis. The device comprising a sensor for measuring displacement of the lever with respect to the body upon pivoting. The coupling module comprises control stiffness module, so that when the probe contacts the object, the displacement of the lever is proportional to the force exerted by the probe on the object. Such control stiffness module is tunable so that accuracy and sensitivity of measured force is controlled.

Abstract: A conduit guide for a concrete beam construction that enables an MEP line to pass through the concrete beam includes a body defining a through passage, a securement panel in the passage, and a pair of sealing flanges on open ends of the body. The securement panel enables securement and/or alignment of an MEP line extending through the passage.

Abstract: Sensor system comprising a frame supporting a force-sensing tip arranged to generate a signal based upon a force applied by said force-sensing tip to a material to be tested, the system further comprising: an input drum mounted in said frame such that it can rotate about an input axis of rotation; an output lever supported by said frame by means of an output revolute joint defining an output axis of rotation; wherein said force-sensing tip is mounted on said output lever such that said force-sensing tip is arranged to be brought into contact with a material to be tested; and wherein said sensor system comprises a mechanical transmission arranged to kinematically link said input drum to said output lever such that a rotation of said input drum about said input axis of rotation causes said output lever to pivot in an oscillatory manner about said output axis of rotation.

Abstract: Device and method for measuring contact force exerted by an object on a probe comprising a lever and said probe for contacting the object is provided. The lever is pivotably coupled to a body by a coupling module. The device comprising a fixed frame coupled to the body. The body is designed to be moved with respect to the object to put the probe in contact with the object to create force pivoting said lever with respect to the body around a pivot axis. The device comprising a sensor for measuring displacement of the lever with respect to the body upon pivoting. The coupling module comprises control stiffness module, so that when the probe contacts the object, the displacement of the lever is proportional to the force exerted by the probe on the object. Such control stiffness module is tunable so that accuracy and sensitivity of measured force is controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a A device for puncturing an object, in particular a bodily vein, comprising: a body defining an inner cavity with at least one opening and a perforating needle extending in the cavity and being movable in the cavity between a resting position and an active position where the needle extends at least partially through the opening outside the cavity, and actuating means arranged to move the needle between the resting and active positions. The actuating means comprises a tuneable multistable driving mechanism comprising at least a multistable element having a determined switching load, the multistable element being fixedly arranged between the needle and an inner wall of the cavity, and an actuator for transmitting energy to move the needle between the resting and active positions when the energy reaches the switching load.

Abstract: A method for micro-fabricating a device on a substrate (20), comprising the steps of providing a cavity (31) having a temporary aperture (35) communicating with the outside; providing a sealing structure (45) adjacent to a perimeter of the temporary aperture (35); applying heat to the sealing structure (45), whereby the sealing structure melts and seals the temporary aperture (35).

Abstract: Sensor system comprising a frame supporting a force-sensing tip arranged to generate a signal based upon a force applied by said force-sensing tip to a material to be tested, the system further comprising: an input drum mounted in said frame such that it can rotate about an input axis of rotation; an output lever supported by said frame by means of an output revolute joint defining an output axis of rotation; wherein said force-sensing tip is mounted on said output lever such that said force-sensing tip is arranged to be brought into contact with a material to be tested; and wherein said sensor system comprises a mechanical transmission arranged to kinematically link said input drum to said output lever such that a rotation of said input drum about said input axis of rotation causes said output lever to pivot in an oscillatory manner about said output axis of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a A device for puncturing an object, in particular a bodily vein, comprising: a body defining an inner cavity with at least one opening and a perforating needle extending in the cavity and being movable in the cavity between a resting position and an active position where the needle extends at least partially through the opening outside the cavity, and actuating means arranged to move the needle between the resting and active positions. The actuating means comprises a tuneable multistable driving mechanism comprising at least a multistable element having a determined switching load, the multistable element being fixedly arranged between the needle and an inner wall of the cavity, and an actuator for transmitting energy to move the needle between the resting and active positions when the energy reaches the switching load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.

Abstract: A needle for invasive medical use includes a long extended cylindrical needle shaft having an axis and an outer surface area, with a short shaft end at a first end of the shaft with a beveled tip with a pointed end, and a needle hub attached to a second end of the shaft including a device to indicate the location of the shaft end during use inside a body. The needle has a flexible joint with a notch within the shaft at the beginning of the shaft end. The device is a displacement sensor for detecting a displacement of the shaft end relative to the rest of the shaft resulted from a force applied to the shaft end when the needle hub is moved and a signal conductor to transmit the detected signals. The invention further describes a needle assembly comprising such a needle and a syringe attached to said needle hub, whereas an evaluation unit is connected to the signal conductor.

Abstract: A method for message communication to interactively determine parameters of an event, the method comprising the steps of displaying a first messaging user interface on a first terminal of an event initiator, composing a first message by the event initiator by inputting a content by an input device of the first terminal, the content of the first message related to the event, selecting a portion of the content to be designated an editable element of the first message, the selected portion of the content including a first parameter of the first message, sending the first message to a first receiver, displaying the first message at a second messaging user interface on a second terminal of the first receiver, the selected portion of the content being highlighted at the second messaging user interface, modifying the editable element of the first message by the first receiver to change the selected portion to a second parameter to create a second message, and sending the second message to the event initiator.

Abstract: A positioning system, in particular, six-dimensions positioning system of a shadow sensor with respect to a constellation of light sources is provided. The sensor can be a shadow sensor and has a mask and a 2D imager. By recording the shadow of the mask cast by each light source on the imager, and by properly multiplexing the light sources, the system can compute the 6D position of the shadow sensor with respect to the constellation of light sources. This computation is based, in part, on treating the shadow of the mask cast on the imager as the equivalent of the projection of light in a pinhole or projective camera. In one embodiment, the system is applied in a surgical domain. In another embodiment, the system is rapidly deployed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.