Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for simulating neurosurgical and orthopaedic spinal colunm and cerebral surgery, provided in which method are model structures which form anatomical structures and which are optically, haptically and functionally modelled on organs or organ parts to be surgically treated, by means of which model structures simulated surgical operations are carried out. The problem addressed by the invention is that of making surgery safer by further improving training, and therefore increasing patient safety. This is solved by the sensing of a parameter of the operation simulation, such as pressure, accuracy, tension, position and/or force, by a sensor and the parameter is assigned to and stored with the simulation event, which is outputted in a processed form on request.

Abstract: A modular surgical training system for training surgical interventions, includes a training module and a base module. The training module reproduces or has anatomical structures and is capable of holding at least one consumable medium. The base module supplies energy to the training module. The training module and the base module are connected to one another via a combination interface. The base module and the training module include conveying means connected via the combination interface. At least one consumable medium can be conveyed into the anatomical structures by the conveying means. The base module includes a sensor module that measures at least one physical variable. The sensor module and the training module include measurement means connected via the combination interface. The measurement means in the training module includes at least one air-filled connection means.

Abstract: A modular surgical training system for training surgical interventions, includes a training module and a base module. The training module reproduces or has anatomical structures and is capable of holding at least one consumable medium. The base module supplies energy to the training module. The training module and the base module are connected to one another via a combination interface. The base module and the training module include conveying means connected via the combination interface. At least one consumable medium can be conveyed into the anatomical structures by the conveying means. The base module includes a sensor module that measures at least one physical variable. The sensor module and the training module include measurement means connected via the combination interface. The measurement means in the training module includes at least one air-filled connection means.

Abstract: A modular surgical training system for training in surgical interventions with real surgical instruments includes a reusable, energy supplying base module, and a regenerable training module which reproduces or has anatomical structures and can hold at least one consumable medium (for example, bodily fluids). The training module and the base module are detachably connected to one another via a combination interface, and pneumatic and/or mechanical and/or electric energy can be transmitted from the base module to the training module and/or electric signals can be transmitted between base module and training module via the combination interface. The base module and training module include conveying elements detachably connected via the combination interface, and at least one consumable medium can be conveyed into the anatomical structures by the conveying elements.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a desired beverage, the system comprising: a housing; a dispensing unit disposed in the housing for dispensing the selected beverage; a first user interface for sighted users, the first user interface being secured to the housing and comprising a screen; a second user interface for visually impaired users, the second user interface being secured to the housing and comprising a plurality of buttons each associated with a respective command; and a control unit disposed within the housing and operatively connected to the dispensing unit and the first and second user interfaces, the control unit for operating the system in a first mode of operation in which commands are to be inputted via the first user interface and a second mode of operation in which the command are to be inputted via the second user interface.

Abstract: A modular surgical training system for training in surgical interventions with real surgical instruments includes a reusable, energy supplying base module, and a regenerable training module which reproduces or has anatomical structures and can hold at least one consumable medium (for example, bodily fluids). The training module and the base module are detachably connected to one another via a combination interface, and pneumatic and/or mechanical and/or electric energy can be transmitted from the base module to the training module and/or electric signals can be transmitted between base module and training module via the combination interface. The base module and training module include conveying elements detachably connected via the combination interface, and at least one consumable medium can be conveyed into the anatomical structures by the conveying elements.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for dissolution testing. The system includes multiple dissolution vessels and a dose carrier positioned above the dissolution vessels. The dose carrier holds multiple removable carousels that receive individual doses for dissolution tested. Carousels that receive tablets or sinkers typically have a first configuration, while carousels that receive baskets typically have a second configuration. The two different configurations of carousels are interchangeable on the same dose ring. The system further includes a drive head positioned above the dose carrier, the drive head having a basket arbor and a mixing paddle removably and interchangeably attached. A pipettor integral with the system transfers sample aliquots having volumes in the range of 50 ?l to 1 ml from the dissolution vessels to wells of an external receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid handling system capable of automated dispensing and reformatting operations by virtue of a quick-release cannula array mounting system that permits cannula arrays to be changed automatically by the system or manually by a user. Automated changing of the cannula array is carried out by relative movement of the dispensing head and the sample support surface to deliver the attached cannula array to a storage location, releasing the array from the dispensing head, and attaching a new cannula array. Relative movement between the dispensing head and sample support surface in at least two dimensions increases flexibility of the system and makes self-loading of the cannula array practical. The system provides advantages in time and accuracy of cannula array changeover procedures. The automated cannula array changeover capability permits automated wellplate reformatting procedures, which can be performed quickly and accurately.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid handling system capable of automated dispensing and reformatting operations by virtue of a quick-release cannula array mounting system that permits cannula arrays to be changed automatically by the system or manually by a user. Automated changing of the cannula array is carried out by relative movement of the dispensing head and the sample support surface to deliver the attached cannula array to a storage location, releasing the array from the dispensing head, and attaching a new cannula array. Relative movement between the dispensing head and sample support surface in at least two dimensions increases flexibility of the system and makes self-loading of the cannula array practical. The system provides advantages in time and accuracy of cannula array changeover procedures. The automated cannula array changeover capability permits automated wellplate reformatting procedures, which can be performed quickly and accurately.

Abstract: A method of hot rolling or extrusion of a textured-surface sheet can be used to produce a large one dimensional array of fibers; these arrays can be stacked to form the two dimensional matrix required for image transfer. Alternatively, a flat ribbon can be rolled or extruded and the fiber array formed from it by altering the refractive index of alternate strips using diffusion ion exchange or implantation methods.

Abstract: A nondestructive dynamic controller for thermoplastic development is disclosed. The dynamic controller monitors the development of a hologram, without altering the charge pattern on the recording medium that is required for the development. The dynamic controller determines when optimum deformation has occurred in the developing recording medium and provides a signal which is used to shut off the thermal input used in the development.

Abstract: Optical waveguides are fabricated by heating a region of a body of optical material with an energy beam. The region is locally heated to a temperature at which plastic deformation occurs as a result of the constraints placed by the unheated adjacent material. The plastic strain produced at high temperature translates into a residual stress as the material cools which results in a greater index of refraction within the region than in surrounding regions.

Abstract: Optical waveguides are fabricated by heating a region of a body of flat filter glass with an energy beam such as a scanning focused laser beam. The region is locally heated to a temperature at which softening occurs. Upon cooling two differing effects occur, the two effects causing a "W" shaped index of refraction profile. The first effect is the photoelastic effect due to the residual stress introduced as the heated material cools and contracts. The residual tensile stress is constant in the softened region, but decreases as the distance from the center of the heating increases. Since the density and therefore the refractive index of this region is inversely proportional to the residual stress, this effect resulted in a local refractive index minimum. The other effect is the material density change in the softened region. As the cooling rate is small in the center and large in the edge of this softened region, a density change occurs with the center attaining the highest value and decrease towards the edge.

Abstract: Fine-grained polygonized halide alloy bodies are formed having comparable optical properties to a single crystal halide body. Heat and force are applied to a single crystal halide to recrystallize or polygonize the halide. Room temperature grain growth observed in fine-grained pure halides is inhibited by alloying.