Abstract: A support frame for an electrical transformer assembly, comprising two loop-shaped parts, each loop-shaped part having a plurality of limbs, each limb having a peripheral recessed portion in which a primary electrical coil is mountable, and at least one secondary coil is mountable in piggyback on the primary electrical coil, one limb of each loop-shaped part having a straight section. The frame also includes an adjustable attaching means for attaching one of the loop-shaped parts with respect to the other loop-shaped part and adjusting a distance therebetween, so that only the straight sections are adjacent and form a central leg, the central leg being for receiving a magnetic core distinct from the attaching means. The frame provides a means and a method to efficiently secure adjacent windings in a circular core transformer kernel.

Abstract: A support frame for an electrical transformer assembly, comprising two loop-shaped parts, each loop-shaped part having a plurality of limbs, each limb having a peripheral recessed portion in which a primary electrical coil is mountable, and at least one secondary coil is mountable in piggyback on the primary electrical coil, one limb of each loop-shaped part having a straight section. The frame also includes an adjustable attaching means for attaching one of the loop-shaped parts with respect to the other loop-shaped part and adjusting a distance therebetween, so that only the straight sections are adjacent and form a central leg, the central leg being for receiving a magnetic core distinct from the attaching means. The frame provides a means and a method to efficiently secure adjacent windings in a circular core transformer kernel.

Abstract: The disclosed device for verifying a hip-knee-ankle angle includes a mounting base having a planar abutting surface adapted for direct abutting against a resected surface on a distal femur, and a first inertial sensor in communication with a computer assisted surgery (CAS) system to determine an orientation of the mounting base and to digitize a mechanical axis of the femur. A visual alignment guide element is pivotably mounted to the mounting base such that the angular position of the visual alignment guide element is adjustable so as to be visually aligned with a mechanical axis of a tibia. A difference between orientations of the mounting base and the visual alignment guide is calculated by the computer assisted surgery system to determine the hip-knee-ankle angle. The visual alignment guide may include a second inertial sensor and/or a laser emitting element.

Abstract: A patient-specific cutting assembly comprises a model file including geometrical data of a bone of the patient, of an intramedullary canal of the bone, and a planned orientation of a cutting block. A fixing rod is adapted to be longitudinally inserted in and extending partially from the intramedullary canal. A patient-specific cutting block is connectable to the fixing rod. The patient-specific cutting block includes a structure having a patient specific geometry corresponding to the model file of the patient, the structure configured to be connected to a portion of the fixing rod projecting from the bone in a unique coupling orientation. A cutting guide is connected to the structure, the cutting guide being in the planned orientation when the structure is connected to the portion of the fixing rod projecting from the bone.

Abstract: A patient-specific surgical guide for intra-operatively producing a patient-specific augment and a method for producing same are provided. The method includes planning a patient-specific augment using obtained patient imagery of a bone adapted to receive a prosthesis to determine a size and shape of the patient-specific augment corresponding to the bone, creating a model of the patient-specific augment having the determined size and shape, and providing a patient-specific surgical guide having cutting guide surfaces which are customized in position and orientation and configured to guide a surgical implement to form the patient-specific augment corresponding to the 3D model. The patient-specific surgical guide is then used intra-operatively create the augment corresponding to the 3D model.

Abstract: A pin placement instrument for placing a pin in a bone comprises an anatomical interface with a hook-like portion being opened in a lateral direction of the instrument to receive a bone therein in a planned position. A drill guide is connected to the anatomical interface and defining at least one guide slot in a longitudinal direction of the instrument. The guide slot has a lateral opening over its full length in the drill guide to allow lateral withdrawal of the instrument in said lateral direction with the pin placed in the bone passing through the lateral opening. A bushing is removably placed in said guide slot via said longitudinal direction in a planned fit, the bushing defining a throughbore aligned with the guide slot and adapted to receive the pin extending in said longitudinal direction when the bushing is in the guide slot for pin placement.

Abstract: A patient-specific surgical guide for intra-operatively producing a patient-specific augment and a method for producing same are provided. The method includes planning a patient-specific augment using obtained patient imagery of a bone adapted to receive a prosthesis to determine a size and shape of the patient-specific augment corresponding to the bone, creating a model of the patient-specific augment having the determined size and shape, and providing a patient-specific surgical guide having cutting guide surfaces which are customized in position and orientation and configured to guide a surgical implement to form the patient-specific augment corresponding to the 3D model. The patient-specific surgical guide is then used intra-operatively create the augment corresponding to the 3D model.

Abstract: A computer assisted surgery system for conducting orthopedic surgery on a knee joint includes a condyle digitizer having a posterior condyle abutment surface defining a first plane and a distal condyle abutment surface defining a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, and a trackable member which is locatable and trackable in three dimensional space by the computer assisted surgery system to define at least orientation of the condyle digitizer in real time. A computer determines a most remote reference point of the femur of the knee joint lying within at least one of the first and second planes when the condyle digitizer is abutted against condyles of the femur such that the posterior condyle abutment surface abuts a posterior side of the condyles and the distal condyle abutment surface abuts a distal side of the condyles.

Abstract: This invention concerns a device for an outdoor switching apparatus of an electrical power line, the switching apparatus being enclosed within a case. The device includes a wall made of electrically conductive material capable of blocking sun rays. The device also includes a fastening assembly for fastening the wall with respect to the case in a position for blocking, at least partially, sun rays from hitting the case during day time. The fastening assembly has at least one spacer made of insulating material for spacing the wall with respect to the case, thus delimiting an air gap between the wall and the case. The device also includes at least one electrical connector for electrically connecting the wall to circuitry of the switching apparatus, located inside the case, for powering and voltage monitoring.

Abstract: A method for assisting subchondral injection comprising creating a model of bone and soft tissue of a patient. At least one void is modeled in the bone from the model of bone and soft tissue. An injection site is identified from the model of bone and soft tissue and modeling of the at least one void. Data is output for guiding at least in the locating of the injection site and drilling of the bone to reach the void. A patient-specific jig for subchondral injection may be created based on the injection site location.

Abstract: A positioning device assembly for positioning a tool guide block for use in an orthopedic surgery includes a positioning device having a block body with a reference surface adapted to abut a bone element, and first and second adjustment mechanisms that are independently operable. The first adjustment mechanism permits rotation of the tool guide block about a medial-lateral extending axis to provide flexion-extension angle adjustment and the second adjustment mechanism permits rotation of the tool guide block about an anterior-posterior extending axis to provide varus-valgus angle adjustment. The second adjustment mechanism includes integral coarse and fine adjustment mechanisms. A tool guide block assembly mounted to the positioning device includes a platform portion which is engaged to the block body of the positioning device and the tool guide block which is releasably engaged with the platform.

Abstract: A method for measuring the real hot-spot temperature in an electric apparatus containing an oil, such as an electric power transformer. The electric apparatus is operated under predetermined and modifiable operating conditions. This method comprises the use of one or several chemical compounds or tracers present and soluble in the oil. Each tracer may transform, at a given temperature, in order to form a residue, such as a soluble gas. From the presence of the residue in the oil, the operator will be able to determine under which predetermined operating condition the hot-spot has been reached and to deduce the hot-spot for a given condition. Among different used compounds, there are diazoic compounds, carbonyl metals, colorants, pigments, liquid crystals and albumins. The method also allows to check the quality of the apparatus on the market and to estimate its life span.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are for varying an impedance of a phase line of a segment of a first electrical power line, the phase line including n conductors electrically insulated from each other and short-circuited together at two ends of the segment. The apparatus includes at least one controllable switching device for connection with at least one of the conductors. The apparatus also includes a controller for performing control of the at least one controllable switching device, the controller having at least one optical port for receiving first optical signals on which the control is based, and for sending second optical signals to adjacent switching apparatuses, the second optical signals including status information of the one switching apparatus, upon which control of adjacent switching apparatuses is based.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and methods for transferring of a ferromagnetic metal ribbon from a roll mounted on a mandrel to another mandrel, including a mandrel located around electrical coils of a transformer. The system includes an apparatus for securing a free end of a ribbon roll including a reel onto which the ribbon roll is mounted and a ribbon retention mechanism having retaining elements movable between a retaining position in which the free end of the ribbon roll is secured on the reel and a releasing position in which the free end of the ribbon roll is free from the reel. An apparatus and method for rolling up a cuttable ferromagnetic ribbon on a mandrel are also disclosed. An apparatus and method for rolling up a cuttable ferromagnetic ribbon on a mandrel are also disclosed. An apparatus and method for manipulating and displacing ferromagnetic material along a path are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tool for digitizing a mechanical axis of a tibia using a computer-assisted surgery system is described. The tool includes upper and lower mounting ends interconnected by an alignment rod extending therebetween. The upper mounting end is releasably fastenable to an upper reference point on a tibial plateau and the lower mounting end includes a self-centering malleoli engaging mechanism having opposed caliper arms displaceable in a common plane relative to each other for clamping engagement with the medial and lateral malleoli of the ankle. At least one trackable member is mounted to the alignment rod of the tool and is in communication with the computer assisted surgery system for providing at least orientation information of the alignment rod. The mechanical axis of the tibia is parallel to the alignment rod and extends between the upper and lower reference points when the tool is mounted on the tibia.

Abstract: Patient-specific instrumentation for use when performing articular joint repair is provided. A patient-specific jig is adapted to be positioned over a bone at an articular surface thereof for assisting in preparing the bone surface for reception of a prosthesis. The jig comprises a bone contacting portion adapted to matingly contact a portion of the articular surface of the bone and a cutting slot adapted to receive therein a saw blade for resecting the articular surface of the bone. The cutting slot may be press-fitted into the opening of a cut guide. A patient-specific plate and a patient-specific rotational guide are also provided for guiding a positioning of the prosthesis over the resected surface of the bone. A method for manufacturing the patient-specific jig is further provided.

Abstract: A patient specific instrument (PSI) surgical guide and method for producing same is described. The method includes: obtaining imagery of at least a portion of a patient, and determining one or more surgical targets in the tissue; planning at least a trajectory of the surgical procedure based on a determined surgical target within the tissue; performing segmentation of the imagery; creating a three-dimensional model of the PSI surgical guide, the PSI surgical guide being customized in size and shape and configured to fit on the specific patient. The PSI surgical guide is then produced to correspond to the modeled PSI surgical guide. The PSI surgical guide has a guide element positioned and oriented to guide a surgical implement along the planned trajectory toward the determined surgical target in the tissue.

Abstract: A tool for digitizing a mechanical axis of a tibia using a computer-assisted surgery system is described. The tool includes upper and lower mounting ends interconnected by an alignment rod extending therebetween. The upper mounting end is releasably fastenable to an upper reference point on a tibial plateau and the lower mounting end includes a self-centering malleoli engaging mechanism having opposed caliper arms displaceable in a common plane relative to each other for clamping engagement with the medial and lateral malleoli of the ankle. At least one trackable member is mounted to the alignment rod of the tool and is in communication with the computer assisted surgery system for providing at least orientation information of the alignment rod. The mechanical axis of the tibia is parallel to the alignment rod and extends between the upper and lower reference points when the tool is mounted on the tibia.

Abstract: A method and system (10) for the installation of a cutting guide (60) on a bone element (33) in orthopedic computer assisted surgery is provided. The method includes positioning a drill guide (30) against a distal end of the bone element (33), determining at least two pin locations on one of a medial (31) and a lateral side of the bone element (33), fastening locating pins (42) to the bone element (33) at the determined pin locations, removing the drill guide (30) and installing a CAS bone reference (20) in its place on the same locating pins (42), and subsequently mounting the cutting guide (60) to the same locating pins (42).

Abstract: An appliance and a method are intended to monitor a phase line of a section of an electrical energy grid line. The appliance comprises a device for monitoring a parameter of a phase line. The parameter is representative of routine operating conditions of the phase line and has a known propagation speed. The appliance also comprises a device for generating an event detection signal each time the parameter has a value that exceeds a threshold, and for storing a reception time when the detection signal is generated. The appliance also has a device for sending a signal representative of a geographic location of the end of the section and a device for performing a geographic location of the event once two consecutive detection signals are generated from the signal representative of the geographic location, and reception times associated with the two detection signals.