Abstract: A method of testing a weld joint includes: preparing a part that includes at least one weld joint which joins at least two metal components with one another; machining at least one hole in the at least one weld joint; inserting, into the at least one port hole, a probe that includes a mirror attached to a camera; and reflecting an image of the weld joint off of the minor and to the camera while the probe is inserted into the at least one port hole. A method of analyzing a weld joint includes: machining a port hole in the weld joint; etching the weld joint; inserting a probe into the port hole, the probe including a minor; reflecting an image of the weld joint off of the mirror towards a camera; capturing the image with the camera; and analyzing the weld joint using the image captured by the camera.

Abstract: A stamp tool assembly is provided that includes a forming cavity for shaping a blank into a formed part. The stamp tool assembly includes adjustable block assembly for modifying the amount of material draw-in from subsequently stamped blanks. A draw-in sensor measures the amount of material from the blanks that is not drawn-into the forming cavity during each stroke. Based on the readings from the draw-in sensor, the adjustable block assembly is expanded or reduced. The adjustable block assembly includes a pair of opposing inclined plates having interlocking teeth such that movement of one plate with respect to the other plate changes a vertical extension of the adjustable block assembly. The adjustable block assembly sets the spacing between two opposing draw-in surfaces, which, in turn, changes the amount of draw-in. Multiple adjustable block assemblies and draw-in sensors may be used in conjunction and controlled via a controlling system.

Abstract: A stamp tool assembly is provided that includes a forming cavity for shaping a blank into a formed part. The stamp tool assembly includes adjustable block assembly for modifying the amount of material draw-in from subsequently stamped blanks. A draw-in sensor measures the amount of material from the blanks that is not drawn-into the forming cavity during each stroke. Based on the readings from the draw-in sensor, the adjustable block assembly is expanded or reduced. The adjustable block assembly includes a pair of opposing inclined plates having interlocking teeth such that movement of one plate with respect to the other plate changes a vertical extension of the adjustable block assembly. The adjustable block assembly sets the spacing between two opposing draw-in surfaces, which, in turn, changes the amount of draw-in. Multiple adjustable block assemblies and draw-in sensors may be used in conjunction and controlled via a controlling system.

Abstract: A method of testing a weld joint includes: preparing a part that includes at least one weld joint which joins at least two metal components with one another; machining at least one hole in the at least one weld joint; inserting, into the at least one port hole, a probe that includes a mirror attached to a camera; and reflecting an image of the weld joint off of the minor and to the camera while the probe is inserted into the at least one port hole. A method of analyzing a weld joint includes: machining a port hole in the weld joint; etching the weld joint; inserting a probe into the port hole, the probe including a minor; reflecting an image of the weld joint off of the mirror towards a camera; capturing the image with the camera; and analyzing the weld joint using the image captured by the camera.

Abstract: A stamp tool assembly is provided that includes a forming cavity for shaping a blank into a formed part. The stamp tool assembly includes adjustable block assembly for modifying the amount of material draw-in from subsequently stamped blanks. A draw-in sensor measures the amount of material from the blanks that is not drawn-into the forming cavity during each stroke. Based on the readings from the draw-in sensor, the adjustable block assembly is expanded or reduced. The adjustable block assembly includes a pair of opposing inclined plates having interlocking teeth such that movement of one plate with respect to the other plate changes a vertical extension of the adjustable block assembly. The adjustable block assembly sets the spacing between two opposing draw-in surfaces, which, in turn, changes the amount of draw-in. Multiple adjustable block assemblies and draw-in sensors may be used in conjunction and controlled via a controlling system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument guiding device comprising the medical instrument, a monitoring device (2) comprising a support (3) and a medical imaging probe (4) which is arranged on the support, a screen (10), and a control unit (11) of the device which is connected to the screen and the probe for generating at least one three-dimensional image, the control unit being configured to generate at least one two-dimensional image on the screen showing a deformation of the instrument from at least the three-dimensional image, the control unit being configured to estimate a virtual path of the instrument from the deformation of the instrument for extending the insertion thereof to a target, and deduce therefrom at least one distance between the virtual path and the target.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for displaying an internal organ of a patient comprising a computer (2) and a screen (3) connected to the computer in order to display at least one image of the internal organ. According to the invention, the computer is arranged to determine, from at least one medical examination previously carried out on the internal organ, at least one confidence area (10) and/or at least one affected area (11), at least partially encompassing one or more portions (9) of the internal organ where samples have been taken and/or at least partially encompassing one or more areas previously identified as suspect during a medical imaging procedure, and to display, on the screen, the image of the internal organ supplemented with the confidence area and/or the affected area. The invention also concerns a corresponding display method.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscopic instrument (1) having an elongate body with a distal end (4) designed to be introduced into the body of the patient so as to come into proximity with an internal organ, the distal end carrying a tool (7) for intervention on the internal organ. The endoscopic instrument has a fool (10) rigidly connected to the distal end and designed to bear on the internal organ, and also controllable means (13) for conferring movements on the tool, at least in directions transverse to a longitudinal axis (X) of the distal end of the endoscopic instrument, when the foot is bearing against the internal organ.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument guiding device comprising the medical instrument, a monitoring device (2) comprising a support (3) and a medical imaging probe (4) which is arranged on the support, a screen (10), and a control unit (11) of the device which is connected to the screen and the probe for generating at least one three-dimensional image, the control unit being configured to generate at least one two-dimensional image on the screen showing a deformation of the instrument from at least the three-dimensional image, the control unit being configured to estimate a virtual path of the instrument from the deformation of the instrument for extending the insertion thereof to a target, and deduce therefrom at least one distance between the virtual path and the target.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for displaying an internal organ of a patient comprising a computer (2) and a screen (3) connected to the computer in order to display at least one image of the internal organ. According to the invention, the computer is arranged to determine, from at least one medical examination previously carried out on the internal organ, at least one confidence area (10) and/or at least one affected area (11), at least partially encompassing one or more portions (9) of the internal organ where samples have been taken and/or at least partially encompassing one or more areas previously identified as suspect during a medical imaging procedure, and to display, on the screen, the image of the internal organ supplemented with the confidence area and/or the affected area. The invention also concerns a corresponding display method.

Abstract: A device for guiding a medical instrument (2) inserted into a natural duct (101) or an artificial duct of a patient in order to bring at least a distal end (1) of the instrument in proximity to an internal organ (100). The device includes an articulated arm (3) with a plurality of degrees of freedom, for moving a proximal end (4) of the instrument, and a controlled blocking mechanism (7) for blocking the degrees of freedom of the articulated arm. The blocking mechanism is designed in such a way that, for at least one of the degrees of freedom, a blockage imposed on the degree of freedom can be released when an outer stress exerted on the instrument (2) exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising: a distal tool (5) securely fastened at a distal end of a rotation shaft (4) and rotatably mounted on and in the extension of a distal member (30) rotatably mounted at an end of an elongated arm (3), an comprising motorized means (20) for actuating the distal motion of the distal tool (5) and further comprising controlling means (21) for a user to control the motorized means (20); a handle (1) extending from the actuation unit (2) and comprising a lever (11) mechanically coupled to the distal tool (5) for actuation of said distal tool (5); characterized in that the handle (1) has a non-axially-symmetric shape and is mounted on and in the extension of the actuation unit (2) with coupling means (12,22) enabling rotation of the handle (1) relative to the actuation unit (2) around the longitudinal axis, and wherein the controlling means (21) are adapted to be operated by the user whatever the rotational position of the handle (1) relative to the actuat

Abstract: A miniaturized scanning system to generate movement of a flexible device positioned at a distal part of a medical tool. The miniaturized scanning system includes an inner shaft with a longitudinal axis, adapted to guide said flexible device along the longitudinal axis, an abutment comprising an external surface and adapted to maintain said device, and a pusher mechanism adapted to engage with said abutment. The miniaturized scanning system includes at least one end portion adapted to contact said external surface of the abutment at a contact point, wherein said end portion is configured to translate along said longitudinal axis of the inner shaft and wherein the translation of said end portion results in a bending of the device in a bending plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the inner shaft and said contact point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising: a distal tool (5) securely fastened at a distal end of a rotation shaft (4) and rotatably mounted on and in the extension of a distal member (30) rotatably mounted at an end of an elongated arm (3), an comprising motorized means (20) for actuating the distal motion of the distal tool (5) and further comprising controlling means (21) for a user to control the motorized means (20); a handle (1) extending from the actuation unit (2) and comprising a lever (11) mechanically coupled to the distal tool (5) for actuation of said distal tool (5); characterized in that the handle (1) has a non-axially-symmetric shape and is mounted on and in the extension of the actuation unit (2) with coupling means (12,22) enabling rotation of the handle (1) relative to the actuation unit (2) around the longitudinal axis, and wherein the controlling means (21) are adapted to be operated by the user whatever the rotational position of the handle (1) relative to the actuat

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising: —a distal tool (5) securely fastened to a distal end of a rotation shaft (4) and rotatably mounted on and in the extension of a distal member (30) rotatably mounted at an end of an elongated arm (3), —an comprising motorized means (20) for actuating the distal motion of the distal tool (5) and further comprising controlling means (21) for a user to control the motorized means (20); —a handle (1) extending from the actuation unit (2) and comprising a lever (11) mechanically coupled to the distal tool (5) for actuation of said distal tool (5); characterized in that the handle (1) has a non-axially-symmetric shape and is mounted on and in the extension of the actuation unit (2) with coupling means (12, 22) enabling rotation of the handle (1) relative to the actuation unit (2) around the longitudinal axis, and wherein the controlling means (21) are adapted to be operated by the user whatever the rotational position of the handle (1) relative to the actuat

Abstract: The invention concerns an imaging system to monitor at least one surgical instrument in an operative site inside a volume of the body of an animal, comprising: at least one endoscopic camera to obtain endoscopic data on the operative site, at least one ultrasound imaging device to obtain ultrasound data on the operative site, and a processing device to process the endoscopic and ultrasound data. The imaging system further comprising at least three markers intended to be positioned in the operative site, said markers being mobile relative to the instrument, each marker being adapted to be detected both by the endoscopic camera and by the ultrasound imaging device, so as to permit cross-mapping of the endoscopic and ultrasound data by the processing means.

Abstract: A miniaturized scanning system to generate movement of a flexible device positioned at a distal part of a medical tool. The miniaturized scanning system includes an inner shaft with a longitudinal axis, adapted to guide said flexible device along the longitudinal axis, an abutment comprising an external surface and adapted to maintain said device, and a pusher mechanism adapted to engage with said abutment. The miniaturized scanning system includes at least one end portion adapted to contact said external surface of the abutment at a contact point, wherein said end portion is configured to translate along said longitudinal axis of the inner shaft and wherein the translation of said end portion results in a bending of the device in a bending plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the inner shaft and said contact point.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an elongated arm and a distal end mounted with a pivot joint on the elongated arm. A drive shaft substantially coaxial with the elongated arm forms a universal joint facing the pivot joint. A distal tool is securely fastened on the drive shaft and rotatively mounted on and in the extension of the distal end of the elongated arm, such that the distal tool has two rotational degree of freedom, distinct and independent of each other, one being around an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated arm and the other being around an axis substantially collinear to an own axis of the distal tool. The elongated arm includes a plurality of linking elements mounted in series to form the pivot joint. The universal joint is a Cardan joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for guiding a medical instrument (2) inserted into a natural duel (101) or an artificial duct of a patient in order to bring at least a distal end (1) of the instrument in proximity to an internal organ (100), the device comprising an articulated arm (3) with a plurality of degrees of freedom, for moving a proximal end (4) of the instrument, and controlled blocking means (7) for blocking the degrees of freedom of the articulated arm. According to the invention, the blocking means are designed in such a way that, for at Mast one of the degrees of freedom, a blockage imposed on said degree of freedom can be enforced when an outer stress exerted on the instrument (2) exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument (100; 200) comprising: an elongated arm (111; 207) according to a longitudinal axis and having a distal end (105; 204) mounted with a pivot joint on the elongated arm according to an axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; a drive shaft (103; 3), substantially coaxial with the elongated arm, comprising means forming a universal joint (104; 206) facing the pivot joint; and, distal tool (9) securely fastened on the drive shaft and rotatively mounted on and in the extension of the distal end of the elongated arm, such that the distal tool has two rotational degrees of freedom, distinct and independent of each other, one being around an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated arm and the other being around an axis substantially collinear to an own axis of the distal tool, characterized in that the means forming a universal joint comprise a flexible drive sleeve (104; 206).