Abstract: A system and method are provided for helping implant a hip prosthesis in an individual, which includes an acetabulum intended to be placed in the hip bone of the patient and a femoral part intended to be integrally connected to the femur of the individual. The method includes: obtaining, before the operation, images issued by a device that images a human body and locates a position of images in space. The images are taken in at least three reference positions: standing; recumbent; and sitting. Before the operation, the method determines a pelvis version of the individual in different positions by analyzing the images. During the operation, the method measures a position of the acetabulum with relation to the pelvis of the individual, and simultaneously restores information representative of prosthetic mobility of the hip with relation to each of the reference positions, for a current position of the acetabulum.

Abstract: A detection device having a body including an electric contact with at least two electric operating states, and a movable operating device having at least two operating positions. The movable operating device is connected to the body by a sliding connection permitting translational movement of the movable operating device, and a connection permitting the operating device, to swivel with respect to the body. A change of position of the movable operating device actuates the electric contact. The swivel connection is between the movable operating device and the body, and the movable operating device actuates the change of electric operating state of the electric contact by pressing directly on a contact surface of the electric contact.

Abstract: Method for radiographic imaging, in particular for measuring the bone mineral density of an osseous body, this method involving an operation which consists in determining the value of a composite index using, on the one hand, digitized radiological data, and, on the other hand, a three-dimensional generic model of said osseous body.

Abstract: A detection device comprises a body (1) comprising an electric contact (3) with at least two electric operating states and a movable operating device (2) having at least two operating positions. The movable operating device (2) is connected to the body (1) by a sliding connection allowing movement of the movable operating device (2) in translation and by at least one swivel connection enabling the operating device (2) to swivel with respect to the body (1) around a pressing point (P). A change of position of the movable operating device (2) is designed to actuate the electric contact device (3). The pressing point (P) is positioned between the movable operating device (2) and the body (1), and the movable operating device (2) is designed to actuate the change of electric operating state of the electric contact (3) by pressing directly on a contact surface (31) of said electric contact.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for helping implant a hip prosthesis in an individual, which includes an acetabulum intended to be placed in the hip bone of the patient and a femoral part intended to be integrally connected to the femur of the individual. The method includes: obtaining, before the operation, images issued by a device that images a human body and locates a position of images in space. The images are taken in at least three reference positions: standing; recumbent; and sitting. Before the operation, the method determines a pelvis version of the individual in different positions by analyzing the images. During the operation, the method measures a position of the acetabulum with relation to the pelvis of the individual, and simultaneously restores information representative of prosthetic mobility of the hip with relation to each of the reference positions, for a current position of the acetabulum.

Abstract: Method for radiographic imaging, in particular for measuring the bone mineral density of an osseous body, this method involving an operation which consists in determining the value of a composite index using, on the one hand, digitized radiological data, and, on the other hand, a three-dimensional generic model of said osseous body.

Abstract: An electrical miniswithch comprising a case including a case part forming a base having several electrical terminals extending therefrom, and a case part forming a cover, an instantaneous switching mechanism located in the case and comprising a flexible conducting blade subjected to a substantial pre-stress, and a push-button mounted sliding through the part of the case forming the cover to actuate the instantaneous mechanism. The miniswitch also comprises a compression spring opposing sliding of the push-button so that in the break position of the miniswitch the flexible conducting blade is biased by th push-button and the spring, retained by a stop on the push-button, and in the switched or make position of the miniswitch the conducting blade is not subjected to constraint from the push-button and the compression spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical miniswitch comprising a case including a case part forming a base wherefrom several electrical terminals are salient and a case part forming a cover, an instantaneous switching mechanism placed in the case and comprising a flexible conducting blade subjected to a substantially longitudinal pre-stress, and a push-button mounted sliding through the part of the case forming the cover so as to actuate the instantaneous mechanism. According to the invention the miniswitch also comprises a compression spring opposing sliding of the push-button so that in the break position of the miniswitch the flexible conducting blade is kept biased by the push-button and the spring, by means of a stop placed on the push-button, and that in the switched position of the miniswitch the conducting blade is not subjected to any constraint from the push-button and the compression spring.

Abstract: To improve the possibilities of using a fast-action switch with positive opening, of the end-of-travel type, the switch is equipped with a set of compression springs which cause its moving equipment to rock and with a set of compensating springs which allow its operating plunger to move through an additional travel after switching, without damaging interference with a positive opening paddle. The additional travel is increased by placing the compensating springs between a front conducting element and the moving equipment which rocks at the time of switching.

Abstract: A linear transformation of the image signal on a segment with an arbitrary geometrical shape includes the following steps: the sub-division of the segment into sub-segments of regular shapes (rectangular, square or linear shapes), the application of an orthogonal linear transformation to each sub-segment, the combining of the coefficients coming from the first transformation into classes of coefficients according to a predetermined criterion, and the iteration of the transformation on the classes of coefficients, and which can be applied to the processing of images for encoding.

Abstract: Two members, such as a spacecraft and an object to be ejected from said spacecraft, are normally maintained in contact by an unlockable connecting device. In order to bring about an optimum control of the attitude of the object during its ejection, the two members contact each other by at least two pairs of complementary cylindrical surfaces having generatrixes parallel to the ejection force and which simultaneously lost contact. The cylindrical surfaces can be formed on a mast connected to the spacecraft and in a bore connected to the object.

Abstract: An ambulatory aid for use by handicapped or disabled persons. The aid has a middle section (1) including an upper section-receiving and hand grip-supporting region (12). A hand grip (5) extends from the region, the hand grip (5) defining a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, the longitudinal axis and the region defining therebetween an angle less than 90.degree.. An upper section (2) is slidingly receivable within the upper section-receiving and hand grip-supporting region (12) of the middle section (1). A forearm-engaging ring member (4) is supported for rotation from the upper section (2). The ring member, the upper section (12), the handle (5), and the middle section (1) form a disengageable, multi-functional assembly which serves either as a crutch in its assembled form, or as a cane in its disassembled form.

Abstract: A device for the unlockable connection between two objects such as a satellite and a spacecraft incorporating a rotary key connection. The unlocking connection is made by the rotation of a ring carrying the key. This rotation is induced by the axial displacement of a rod carrying the ring and controlled by a spring. This spring is released by an initiating system, such as a pyrotechnic or similar system.

Abstract: A refining process for paper pulp in which colloidal silica sol is mixed with the paper pulp to be refined. The addition of the colloidal silica sol reduces the time necessary to refine the pulp to a predetermined freeness value compared to refining in the absence of the colloidal silica sol.

Abstract: In order to connect two adjacent elements (E1,E2) joined, for example, onto a satellite solar panel, an antifriction joint (10) is used. The deployment kinematics of the joint enable deployment to be done extremely accurately. The joint comprises two braces (12,14) suitable for rolling one onto the other by two cylindrical surfaces (12a,14a). Guiding of rolling is ensured by two flexible members, such as rolling plates (16,28) extremities are secured to the braces and which pass by crossing between the cylindrical surfaces (12a,14a). A traction prestressing stored in the plates avoids any stray movement between the braces, especially at the time of deployment. The drive torque ensuring the automatic deployment of the joint and its end-of-travel locking are ensured by elastic bands (36) connecting the two braces and each formed of two superimposed plates. Successive joints may be joined using a synchronization deployment mechanism.