Abstract: There is described a method and a system for generating a non-imaged plane view of an anatomical part for assisting a surgery. A model of the anatomical part is provided, comprising features and dimension parameters. A first plane view of the anatomical part is obtained. Features are identified in the first plane view. The dimension parameters are measured from the features identified. The model is displayed in the non-imaged plane view such that the model is dimensioned with the measured dimension parameters. A position and orientation of a surgical object is then tracked relative to the anatomical part while a user navigates the surgical object in space and a representation of the surgical object to be overlaid in register on at least one the first plane view and/or the non-imaged view is generated.

Abstract: There is described a method and a system for generating a non-imaged plane view of an anatomical part for assisting a surgery. A model of the anatomical part is provided, comprising features and dimension parameters. A first plane view of the anatomical part is obtained. Features are identified in the first plane view. The dimension parameters are measured from the features identified. The model is displayed in the non-imaged plane view such that the model is dimensioned with the measured dimension parameters. A position and orientation of a surgical object is then tracked relative to the anatomical part while a user navigates said surgical object in space and a representation of the surgical object to be overlaid in register on at least one the first plane view and/or the non-imaged view is generated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and system for separating neutral and charged organic compounds from a solution or composition using anionic and cationic membranes in combination with at least one filtration membrane stacked in an electrodialysis cell. The process is preferably a batch recirculation process. The process and system allow to separate acid, neutral and basic compounds according to their charge and molecular weight through the electrolysis cell. In addition, the present invention allows a simultaneous separation of neutral and charged organic compounds.

Abstract: A surgical device adapted for use with an image guided surgical system to facilitate monitoring inter-dependently mobile bone elements. A rigidly connected multiple-point anchor assembly is releasably engageable to at least two inter-dependently mobile bone elements and immobilizes the bone elements such that no relative movement therebetween is possible, and a complex rigid body comprising the immobilized bone elements and the multiple-point anchor assembly is formed. A trackable member is fastened to the multiple-point anchor assembly and comprises a detectable element adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space by the image guided surgical system, thereby defining position and movement of the complex rigid body.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for placing multiple implants during a surgery, the apparatus comprising: a display for an image representing a patient's anatomy; a database of virtual implants from which a user selects; a tool for the user to manipulate in order to select the virtual implants from the database and place the virtual implants in the image at desired locations; and a positioning module for calculating a position of a first of the virtual implants with respect to a second of the virtual implants and allow the user to align the first and second virtual implants with respect to each other, for generating relative position data as a function of the calculated position, and for sending the relative position data to the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA construct for in vivo expression in an excision DNA circle created by DNA recombination machinery in T cells from a non-human mammal which comprises two recombination signal sequences (RSS) consensus sequences flanking a promoter, an enhancer and a reporter gene, wherein the excision DNA circle is diluted out after cellular division and the excision DNA circle is detected by expression of the reporter gene and the detection is indicative of thymic function activity of the mammal. The present invention also relates to a T cell transiently transfected with the DNA construct of the present invention, the cell expressing quantifiable levels of reporter gene for green fluorescent protein (GFP) for determining enhancing/decreasing thymic exportation, a mammal comprising the DNA construct of the present invention and methods thereof.

Abstract: A system and a method for performing a computer assisted surgery (CAS) uses an expert system driven graphical user interface (GUI) that displays a series of display pages that provide information related to respective steps required to perform the surgery. The system displays virtual images of surgical instruments used during the surgery, overlaid on fluoroscopic images of the implant site to assist the surgical team during instrument calibration, and implant preparation and installation. The GUI presents the surgical team with a succession of options that the surgical team responds to using affirmation and negation actions. These actions are associated with an icon presented in a same region of the display pages, and are annotated with text relevant to an immediately presented option, permitting a substantial portion of the CAS to be effected using a foot-operated input device.

Abstract: A computer system and a method for performing a computer assisted surgery uses an expert system driven graphical user interface (GUI) that displays a series of visual display screens that provide information related to respective steps required to perform the surgery. The system displays virtual images of surgical instruments used during the surgery, as well as computer enhanced images of the implant site to assist the surgical team during instrument calibration, implant site planning, implant site preparation, and implant installation.

Abstract: A surgical device adapted for use with an image guided surgical system to facilitate monitoring inter-dependently mobile bone elements. A rigidly connected multiple-point anchor assembly is releasably engageable to at least two inter-dependently mobile bone elements and immobilizes the bone elements such that no relative movement therebetween is possible, and a complex rigid body comprising the immobilized bone elements and the multiple-point anchor assembly is formed. A trackable member is fastened to the multiple-point anchor assembly and comprises a detectable element adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space by the image guided surgical system, thereby defining position and movement of the complex rigid body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring de novo T-cell production in humans, and more particularly to the assessement recent thymic emigrant (RTE) diversity in a T-cell sub-population of a patient by the detection of T-cell receptor &bgr; chain DNA deletion circles (TCR&bgr;DC) generated during TCR gene rearrangement of thymocytes in the thymus. The method comprises isolating a T-cell sub-population from a patient, extracting genomic DNA from the T-cell sub-population, amplifying the genomic DNA with a primer specific for a T-cell receptor &bgr; chain DNA rearrangement deletion circle (TCR&bgr;DC) family and detecting the TCR&bgr;DC, the TRC&bgr;DC being indicative of the presence of a RTE. The method assesses the quantitative and qualitative (diversity) intrathymic T-cell production by quantitating the relative frequency and diversity of RTEs within various sub-populations of circulating human T-cells.