Abstract: A mortar applicator includes: a duct; a piston movably mounted within the duct, dividing the duct into first and second variable volume chambers; a pump fluidly connected to the first variable volume chamber; a nozzle operatively connected to a first end of the duct to discharge mortar contained in the first variable volume chamber; and a motor operatively connected to the piston. A rack and pinion assembly operatively connects the motor to the piston and includes a rack configured to drive the piston and a pinion connected to the motor. In a discharge mode, the motor drives the rack and pinion assembly, moving the piston to force mortar through the nozzle opening to discharge mortar from the mortar applicator. In a refill mode, the pump fills the first variable volume chamber with mortar, forcing the piston to retract. The rack moves with the piston in the discharge and refill modes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy-optimized backfeeding installation (30), comprising: at least one compressor (21) between a gas network (15) at a first pressure and a gas network (10) at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, said compressor being driven by an electric motor, an automaton (25) for controlling the operation of each compressor, at least one sensor (19) for quality compliance of the gas circulating in the compressor, at least one meter (20) for metering a flow rate of gas circulating in the compressor, at least one filter (22) for filtering the gas circulating in the compressor, a gas expander for expanding gas initially at the second pressure in order to supply the gas network at the first pressure, and a generator driven by the gas expander.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backfeeding installation (30) which comprises: at least one compressor (21) for compressing gas from a network (15), an automaton (25) for controlling the operation of at least one compressor, a remote communication means (9) for receiving at least one instantaneous pressure value captured remotely on the network upstream of the backfeeding installation, a means (8) for predicting the evolution of the pressure in the network upstream of the backfeeding installation, depending, at least, on the pressure values received, a means (7) for determining a pressure threshold value for stopping or starting at least one compressor according to the prediction of the evolution of pressure, the automaton controlling the stopping or the operation of at least one compressor when the pressure at the inlet of each compressor is lower, or higher, respectively, than the pressure threshold value that was determined.

Abstract: A variety of configurations of implant management devices are provided. The configurations provide different combinations of features for maintaining a location of an implant with respect to the device and managing filaments of the implant. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes a generally rectangular-shaped body having an implantable body retainer, an opening disposed a distance apart from the retainer and configured to receive a ligament graft therein, and a fold extending across the body and intersecting the opening. Folding one end of the body towards a bottom surface of the body along the fold can form a filament loop engaging region to hold in tension a filament loop extending from the implant. Additional filament(s) associated with the implant can be managed by various filament retention features. Methods for preparing a ligament graft for implantation by relying upon indicia formed on a surface of the device body are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backfeeding installation (30) which comprises: modules (31 to 35 and 37) comprising the following functions: at least one compressor for compressing gas, an automaton for controlling the operation of at least one compressor, at least one sensor for checking the quality compliance of the gas circulating in the compressor, at least one meter for metering a flow rate of gas circulating in the compressor, and at least one filter for filtering the gas circulating in the compressor; and an interconnection module (36A, 36B) for interconnection between the other modules and with a gas network (15) at a first pressure and a gas network (10) at a second pressure higher than the first pressure. At least one of these modules is mobile and configured to be transported, in its entirety and operational by means of a removable connection to the interconnection module and to a power source, on a single vehicle.

Abstract: A mortar applicator includes: a duct; a piston movably mounted within the duct, dividing the duct into first and second variable volume chambers; a pump fluidly connected to the first variable volume chamber; a nozzle operatively connected to a first end of the duct to discharge mortar contained in the first variable volume chamber; and a motor operatively connected to the piston. A rack and pinion assembly operatively connects the motor to the piston and includes a rack configured to drive the piston and a pinion connected to the motor. In a discharge mode, the motor drives the rack and pinion assembly, moving the piston to force mortar through the nozzle opening to discharge mortar from the mortar applicator. In a refill mode, the pump fills the first variable volume chamber with mortar, forcing the piston to retract. The rack moves with the piston in the discharge and refill modes.

Abstract: A mortar applicator includes: a duct having a first end and a second end; a piston movably mounted within the duct, the piston dividing the duct into first and second variable volume chambers on opposite sides of the piston; a piston actuator operatively connected to the piston, the piston actuator being operable to move the piston within the duct; a nozzle assembly located at the first end of the duct, the nozzle assembly having a tip defining a nozzle opening in fluid communication with the first variable volume chamber to discharge mortar contained therein; and a cover member selectively movable between an open position and a closed position to respectively allow and prevent mortar to be discharged through the nozzle opening; a cover member actuator operatively connected to the cover member, the cover member actuator being operable to move the cover member between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A variety of configurations of implant management devices are provided. The configurations provide different combinations of features for maintaining a location of an implant with respect to the device and managing filaments of the implant. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes a generally rectangular-shaped body having an implantable body retainer, an opening disposed a distance apart from the retainer and configured to receive a ligament graft therein, and a fold extending across the body and intersecting the opening. Folding one end of the body towards a bottom surface of the body along the fold can form a filament loop engaging region to hold in tension a filament loop extending from the implant. Additional filament(s) associated with the implant can be managed by various filament retention features. Methods for preparing a ligament graft for implantation by relying upon indicia formed on a surface of the device body are also provided.

Abstract: A variety of configurations of implant management devices are provided. The configurations provide different combinations of features for maintaining a location of an implant with respect to the device and managing filaments of the implant. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes a generally rectangular-shaped body having an implantable body retainer, an opening disposed a distance apart from the retainer and configured to receive a ligament graft therein, and a fold extending across the body and intersecting the opening. Folding one end of the body towards a bottom surface of the body along the fold can form a filament loop engaging region to hold in tension a filament loop extending from the implant. Additional filament(s) associated with the implant can be managed by various filament retention features. Methods for preparing a ligament graft for implantation by relying upon indicia formed on a surface of the device body are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backfeeding installation (30) which comprises: at least one stationary compressor (21) between a gas network (15) at a first pressure and a gas network (10) at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, and an automaton (33) for controlling the operation of each stationary compressor. The backfeeding installation also comprises: a distribution unit (31) for distributing gas from the gas network at the first pressure to each stationary compressor and to the gas inlet connector at the first pressure for at least one additional compressor (29, 45, 46); and a collection unit (32) for collecting gas from each stationary compressor and the gas outlet connector at the second pressure for each additional compressor. The automaton is configured to control the operation of each stationary compressor and of each additional compressor as a function of the compression capacity of the operational stationary and additional compressors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backfeeding installation (30) which comprises: at least one compressor (21) for compressing gas from a network (15), an automaton (25) for controlling the operation of at least one compressor, a remote communication means (9) for receiving at least one instantaneous pressure value captured remotely on the network upstream of the backfeeding installation, a means (8) for predicting the evolution of the pressure in the network upstream of the backfeeding installation, depending, at least, on the pressure values received, a means (7) for determining a pressure threshold value for stopping or starting at least one compressor according to the prediction of the evolution of pressure, the automaton controlling the stopping or the operation of at least one compressor when the pressure at the inlet of each compressor is lower, or higher, respectively, than the pressure threshold value that was determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backfeeding installation (30) which comprises: modules (31 to 35 and 37) comprising the following functions: at least one compressor for compressing gas, an automaton for controlling the operation of at least one compressor, at least one sensor for checking the quality compliance of the gas circulating in the compressor, at least one meter for metering a flow rate of gas circulating in the compressor, and at least one filter for filtering the gas circulating in the compressor; and an interconnection module (36A, 36B) for interconnection between the other modules and with a gas network (15) at a first pressure and a gas network (10) at a second pressure higher than the first pressure. At least one of these modules is mobile and configured to be transported, in its entirety and operational by means of a removable connection to the interconnection module and to a power source, on a single vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backfeeding installation (30) which comprises: at least one stationary compressor (21) between a gas network (15) at a first pressure and a gas network (10) at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, and an automaton (33) for controlling the operation of each stationary compressor. The backfeeding installation also comprises: a distribution unit (31) for distributing gas from the gas network at the first pressure to each stationary compressor and to the gas inlet connector at the first pressure for at least one additional compressor (29, 45, 46); and a collection unit (32) for collecting gas from each station nary compressor and the gas outlet connector at the second pressure for each additional compressor. The automaton is configured to control the operation of each stationary compressor and of each additional compressor as a function of the compression capacity of the operational stationary and additional compressors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy-optimized backfeeding installation (30), comprising: at least one compressor (21) between a gas network (15) at a first pressure and a gas network (10) at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, said compressor being driven by an electric motor, an automaton (25) for controlling the operation of each compressor, at least one sensor (19) for quality compliance of the gas circulating in the compressor, at least one meter (20) for metering a flow rate of gas circulating in the compressor, at least one filter (22) for filtering the gas circulating in the compressor, a gas expander for expanding gas initially at the second pressure in order to supply the gas network at the first pressure, and a generator driven by the gas expander.

Abstract: A variety of configurations of implant management devices are provided. The configurations provide different combinations of features for maintaining a location of an implant with respect to the device and managing filaments of the implant. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes a generally rectangular-shaped body having an implantable body retainer, an opening disposed a distance apart from the retainer and configured to receive a ligament graft therein, and a fold extending across the body and intersecting the opening. Folding one end of the body towards a bottom surface of the body along the fold can form a filament loop engaging region to hold in tension a filament loop extending from the implant. Additional filament(s) associated with the implant can be managed by various filament retention features. Methods for preparing a ligament graft for implantation by relying upon indicia formed on a surface of the device body are also provided.

Abstract: A variety of configurations of implant management devices are provided. The configurations provide different combinations of features for maintaining a location of an implant with respect to the device and managing filaments of the implant. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes a generally rectangular-shaped body having an implantable body retainer, an opening disposed a distance apart from the retainer and configured to receive a ligament graft therein, and a fold extending across the body and intersecting the opening. Folding one end of the body towards a bottom surface of the body along the fold can form a filament loop engaging region to hold in tension a filament loop extending from the implant. Additional filament(s) associated with the implant can be managed by various filament retention features. Methods for preparing a ligament graft for implantation by relying upon indicia formed on a surface of the device body are also provided.

Abstract: A variety of configurations of implant management devices are provided. The configurations provide different combinations of features for maintaining a location of an implant with respect to the device and managing filaments of the implant. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes a generally rectangular-shaped body having an implantable body retainer, an opening disposed a distance apart from the retainer and configured to receive a ligament graft therein, and a fold extending across the body and intersecting the opening. Folding one end of the body towards a bottom surface of the body along the fold can form a filament loop engaging region to hold in tension a filament loop extending from the implant. Additional filament(s) associated with the implant can be managed by various filament retention features. Methods for preparing a ligament graft for implantation by relying upon indicia formed on a surface of the device body are also provided.

Abstract: A variety of configurations of implant management devices are provided. The configurations provide different combinations of features for maintaining a location of an implant with respect to the device and managing filaments of the implant. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes a generally rectangular-shaped body having an implantable body retainer, an opening disposed a distance apart from the retainer and configured to receive a ligament graft therein, and a fold extending across the body and intersecting the opening. Folding one end of the body towards a bottom surface of the body along the fold can form a filament loop engaging region to hold in tension a filament loop extending from the implant. Additional filament(s) associated with the implant can be managed by various filament retention features. Methods for preparing a ligament graft for implantation by relying upon indicia formed on a surface of the device body are also provided.

Abstract: A double-sided tangential cutting insert comprising a pair of cutting rake faces, a pair of major side surfaces and a pair of opposing minor side faces each having a twisted convex shape. Each of the cutting rake faces is defined between a pair of main cutting edges, a pair of full nose cutting edges, and a pair of opposing convex minor cutting edges. Each of the minor side faces is defined between one of the convex minor cutting edges at one of the rake faces and one of the convex minor cutting edges at the other one of the rake faces wherein, at each minor side face, a ridge line interconnects an apex of the convex minor edge at the one of the rake faces and an apex of the convex minor cutting edge at the other one of the rake faces. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein.

Abstract: A double-sided tangential cutting insert comprising a pair of cutting rake faces, a pair of major side surfaces and a pair of opposing minor side faces each having a twisted convex shape. Each of the cutting rake faces is defined between a pair of main cutting edges, a pair of full nose cutting edges, and a pair of opposing convex minor cutting edges. Each of the minor side faces is defined between one of the convex minor cutting edges at one of the rake faces and one of the convex minor cutting edges at the other one of the rake faces wherein, at each minor side face, a ridge line interconnects an apex of the convex minor edge at the one of the rake faces and an apex of the convex minor cutting edge at the other one of the rake faces. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein.