Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for implant distance measurement. Certain embodiments of a method provide determining a tool trajectory, comparing the trajectory to one or more measured distances stored in memory to identify a requested distance measurement, and indicating the requested distance measurement to a user based on a matched trajectory. Certain embodiments of a system provide a processor configured to determine a tool trajectory with respect to a region of interest. The processor compares the trajectory to one or more measured distances between implants stored in memory to identify a requested distance measurement. The system also includes a display configured to display an image including the implants and the requested distance measurement to a user.

Abstract: A system and method for an improved surgical workflow development includes creating and editing a modifiable module used to direct a medical procedure through a sequence of images and functions included in the module. A plurality of users may review and/or evaluate the module to determine what, if any, edits to the module are required. Evaluations of the module may include a research evaluation, a cadaver evaluation or a clinical evaluation. A scripting tool may be used to create or edit the module, where the scripting tool includes a computer programming software application. The module may be stored on a computer-readable memory accessible by a plurality of computers and/or display devices connected to a network. In this way, the system and method provide for rapid dynamic development of surgical workflows contained in modules.

Abstract: A work machine includes a bulkhead separating an operator cab from an engine compartment. An electronic module includes a cantilever arranged mounting flange mounted to the bulkhead. The electronic module includes a rigid and thermally conductive frame. An electronics board is mounted to one side of the frame, and a power board is mounted to an opposite side of the frame. The electronics board carries a plurality of electronic components, and the power board carries a plurality of replaceable power elements. Each power element is a fuse, relay and/or circuit breaker. A housing encloses the electronics board and the power board. The housing includes an access cover to the power board.

Abstract: An electrical assembly including a housing having an inner surface. At least one mounting feature protrudes from the inner surface. At least one heat sink is inserted onto the at least one mounting feature. At least one electrical component is in thermal contact with a portion of the at least one heat sink.

Abstract: A vehicle having a power and information system including a vehicle structural member, an insulated power conductor, a communication link and a modular distribution system. The modular distribution system is attached to the vehicle structural member. The modular distribution system is coupled with the power conductor and with the communication link. The modular distribution system includes a backbone module having an electrical power connection and at least one plug pack. Each plug pack includes a first connector, a second connector and a controller pack. The first connector is connectable to the backbone module. The second connector has a plurality of terminals. The controller pack selectively electrically connects at least one of the plurality of terminals to the electrical power connection dependent upon information received by way of the communication link.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for improved calibration of an image acquisition device. Certain embodiments of the system include an image acquisition device for obtaining at least one image of an object and a calibration fixture positioned in relation to the image acquisition device. The calibration fixture includes a radiotranslucent material providing low frequency content for characterizing the image acquisition device. In an embodiment, the calibration fixture includes a plurality of peaks and valleys to create a low frequency signal for characterizing the image acquisition device. The calibration fixture may be positioned between the image acquisition device and an energy source such that a distance between the image acquisition device and the calibration fixture is minimized. In certain embodiments, a grating or other calibration fixture may be used to generate a moiré pattern to calibrate the image acquisition device.

Abstract: A vehicle having a power and information system including a vehicle structural member, an insulated power conductor, a communication link and a modular distribution system. The modular distribution system is attached to the vehicle structural member. The modular distribution system is coupled with the power conductor and with the communication link. The modular distribution system includes a backbone module having an electrical power connection and at least one plug pack. Each plug pack includes a first connector, a second connector and a controller pack. The first connector is connectable to the backbone module. The second connector has a plurality of terminals. The controller pack selectively electrically connects at least one of the plurality of terminals to the electrical power connection dependent upon information received by way of the communication link.

Abstract: A work machine includes a bulkhead separating an operator cab from an engine compartment. An electronic module includes a cantilever arranged mounting flange mounted to the bulkhead. The electronic module includes a rigid and thermally conductive frame. An electronics board is mounted to one side of the frame, and a power board is mounted to an opposite side of the frame. The electronics board carries a plurality of electronic components, and the power board carries a plurality of replaceable power elements. Each power element is a fuse, relay and/or circuit breaker. A housing encloses the electronics board and the power board. The housing includes an access cover to the power board.

Abstract: Devices and methods of accurately determining optical wavelengths, such as the Bragg wavelengths of an FBG sensor array. Wavelength-swept light having a characteristic spectrum is swept over a bandwidth and is applied to an interference filter. The interference filter produces an optical spectrum having one or more reference peaks that are identifiable because of the characteristic spectrum. The optical spectrum is converted into electrical signals having at least one electrical signal that is identifiable because of the characteristic spectrum. The identifiable electrical signal is used by a signal processor as an absolute, high accuracy wavelength reference. Temperature compensation or temperature stabilization can compensate the characteristic wavelength. Fiber Bragg sensor systems can use the wavelength reference to determine the Bragg wavelength of FBG elements. The characteristic spectrum can be imparted by the light source or an optical element such as a transmission line filter.

Abstract: Methods for coating an optical fiber with optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with a hermetic coating, particularly a coating of carbon, are employed to avoid ingress of gases, vapors or fluids in the ambient environment. This ingress can be from water or hydrogen, which can diffuse in the fiber glass and cause deviation/drift in the measured Bragg measurements. Bragg gratings that maintain the grating strength at temperatures in excess of 1000° C. are used and can be formed by heating the fiber above 1000° C. in a chamber with a reactive gas that produces deposition of carbon.

Abstract: A system for the grinding of unencumbered and encumbered sections of rail includes a locomotive that pulls a first and a second grinding module. The first grinding module is movable between a first and a second position. In the first position, the first grinding module is presented at angle enabling grinding of unencumbered section of rail while in the second position, the first grinding module is presented at an able enabling grinding of the encumbered section of rail. The locomotive continues in non-stop forward motion while the first grinding module is moved back and forth between its first and second positions. The second grinding module is generally used only for grinding of encumbered rail sections and is used simultaneously with the first grinding module in its second position.

Abstract: An optical wavelength readout system for application in optical sensing systems is disclosed. The system includes a Master unit including a wavelength swept optical source for launching light into a string of optical sensors, and a detection and processing unit for detecting and processing the light emitted by the source. The system also includes a Slave unit including a light coupling device for coupling light from the light source into the string of sensors and for coupling light reflected from the string of sensors to a detection and processing unit arranged to detect and process the reflected light. The Master unit includes a wavelength reference unit adapted to make a reference signal available to other parts of the sensing system. The reference signal represents a generally exact relation between the wavelength of the light emitted from the source and time.

Abstract: Fiber optic particle detector for measurements in a fluid flow, comprising an optical fiber (2,3,12) being acoustically coupled to a mechanical element (11,13,14) adapted to be acoustically coupled to the flow, a fiber optic interferometer (54,56) and a light source (12,51,55) providing light in said optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical wavelength readout system for application in optical sensing systems is disclosed. The system includes a Master unit including a wavelength swept optical source for launching light into a string of optical sensors, and a detection and processing unit for detecting and processing the light emitted by the source. The system also includes a Slave unit including a light coupling device for coupling light from the light source into the string of sensors and for coupling light reflected from the string of sensors to a detection and processing unit arranged to detect and process the reflected light. The Master unit includes a wavelength reference unit adapted to make a reference signal available to other parts of the sensing system. The reference signal represents a generally exact relation between the wavelength of the light emitted from the source and time.

Abstract: A body compatible fiber optic sensor probe for invasive medical use is provided. The probe includes at least one sensing location at which the fiber is configured to provide at least one detectable changeable optical property responsive to strain within the fiber, and at least one sensing element which undergoes a volumetric change in response to an in body parameter to be sensed. The sensing element is coupled to the fiber in such a way that the volumetric change induces strain within the fiber so as to vary the detectable optical property or properties.

Abstract: A hair clipping device includes a housing, a bladeset engageable upon the housing and including at least one stationary blade and at least one moving blade configured for reciprocal movement relative to the at least one stationary blade. The stationary blade has a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge, the at least one moving blade including a first moving edge configured for reciprocal movement relative to the first cutting edge, and a second moving edge configured for reciprocal movement relative to the second cutting edge. The housing defines a cutting location for the blades and the bladeset is rotatably engageable on the housing between a first position in which the first edges are employed, and a second position in which the second edges are employed. The housing encloses an apparatus for creating a vacuum, and defines a vacuum intake.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor system comprises at least one measuring sensor 1 providing an optical output dependent upon one or more parameters to be measured, e.g. temperature, and at least one reference sensor 2 providing a reference output for comparison with the measuring sensor output. The reference sensor is provided in a birefringent fiber. The system includes a detecting means 13,14 whereby a reference beat signal f2 is derived by measuring the optical frequency splitting between frequency components in different polarization planes of the reference sensor output. A further beat signal f3 is generated between the measuring and reference sensor outputs, such beat signals being used to derive a measurement of one or more parameters.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has first and second connector units which are connectable with each other. One of the connectors has a shell which has a variable number of tabs projecting therefrom. The number and position of the tabs can be selected so that different connectors can be distinguished from each other. A set of switches are mounted on a base adjacent the other connector. The switches are engagable tabs so that the status of the switches represents the number and position of the tabs, thereby generating electrical signals uniquely identifying the connectors.

Abstract: Method for coating an optical fibre with optical fibre Bragg grating (FBG) with a hermetic coating, particularly a coating of carbon, to avoid ingress of gases, vapours or fluids in the ambient environment. This can be water or hydrogen, which can diffuse into the fibre glass and cause deviation/drift in the measured Bragg measurements. Bragg grating that maintain the grating strength at temperatures in excess of 1000° C. is used, which is heated to above 1000 ° C. in a chamber with a reactive gas that produces deposition of carbon.

Abstract: Optical device for distributed sensing of a measurand and/or changes thereof where the spectral transmission and reflection characteristics of the device depend upon the measurand. A passive sensing section have at least one Bragg grating sensing structure in a waveguide. The Bragg grating sensing structure comprises at least two superimposed or partly overlapping Bragg subgratings with at least two different Bragg wavelengths. At least two of the said Bragg subgratings comprise a phase-shift. The Bragg subgratings have their phase shifts spatially separated from each other along the waveguide sensing section. The sensing section can be made active by at least partly doping it with rare earth ions and forming a laser medium, or an active component. Examples of using the passive as well as the active sensing sections in optical distributed sensors are described.