Abstract: The switching apparatus and the method are for varying the impedance of a phase line of a segment of an electrical power line. The phase line includes n conductors electrically insulated from each other and short-circuited together at two ends of the segment. The apparatus comprises at least one first vacuum interrupter connected in series with at least one of the conductors; at least one first controllable motor for selectively opening and closing the at least one first vacuum interrupter; a detector for detecting a parameter representative of current operating conditions of the phase line; and a controller for controlling the at least one first controllable motor according to the parameter detected by the detector.

Abstract: A positioning block (10) for use in total knee replacement surgery, permitting five degrees-of-freedom movement relative to a bone element (39) to which it is fixed. The positioning block (10) comprises a rotational mounting element (14) that is removably engaged to the bone element such that the mounting element (14) is selectively rotatable relative to the bone element, about three substantially perpendicular axes of rotation. A guide body portion (12) is engaged with the mounting element (14) such that it is translatable relative thereto along a proximal-distal axis (43) and an anterior-posterior axis (47), while being rotationally fixed relative to the mounting element (14) such that the guide body portion (12) and the mounting element (14) rotate together relative to the bone element (39).

Abstract: A drill guide assembly (10) for a drilling tool (50) having a chuck engaging a bit portion (54) comprising a tip (62) and a length extending from the chuck, the drill guide assembly comprising a first member (14), a second member (12) and a trackable member (16). The first member (14) is adapted to abut a workpiece surface and defines a central aperture (19) therethrough adapted to receive the bit portion. The second member (12) is adapted to be axially displaced with respect to the first member and is axially biased therefrom, and defines a central aperture (11) therethrough adapted to receive the bit portion. The trackable member (16), fastened to the second member, comprises a detectable element (35) adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space, thereby defining the position and movement of the second member and therefore that of the drilling tool bit portion.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a circular portion of an object, such as to determine the center point of the object, is provided. The method includes determining spatial coordinates of at least two points on a circumferential edge of the circular portion of the object, and calculating the center point of the circular portion using the spatial coordinates of the two points and a geometric parameter representative of the diameter of the circular portion. A calibration device and system are also provided for use with a computer tracking system in order to calibrate such an object having a circular portion.

Abstract: A method of determining a reference point on condyles of a femur uses a computer assisted surgery system having a digitizer with perpendicular first and second planar surfaces, the digitizer being locatable and trackable in three dimensional space by the computer assisted surgery system. A digitized plane is created using the digitizer, the digitized plane being a posterior plane and/or a distal plane of the condyles. The posterior plane and the distal plane are respectively defined by the first and second planar surfaces of the digitizer. A location of the reference point in the digitized plane is then determined using the computer assisted surgical system. The reference point is a most remote point of the femur within the digitized plane.

Abstract: Inserting audio content into one or more communications channels includes associating audio content with one or more corresponding triggers. A communications channel is established with an initiating device and a host, and a communications channel is established with a recipient device and the host. Voice communications are enabled to be exchanged, through the host, between the initiating device and the recipient device. A dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) indicative of a pressed key on the device keypad is received from the initiating device. The audio content associated with the received IDTMF is identified based on the associated audio content with one or more corresponding triggers. The audio content identified as associated with the received DTMF is accessed. The accessed audio content is inserted in the communications channel with the initiating device and the host and the communications channel with the recipient device and the host.

Abstract: A system for tracking a bone-altering tool in computer-assisted surgery, comprising a first trackable reference secured to a first bone, with a first frame of reference being associated with the first trackable reference. A bone-altering tool is securable to the first bone in a secured configuration. Sensors track the trackable reference for position and orientation. A position/orientation calculator is connected to the sensor device to calculate a position and orientation of the first frame of reference. An alteration parameter calculator is associated with the position/orientation calculator to determine a position and orientation of the bone-altering tool in the secured configuration as a function of the position and orientation of the first frame of reference and of the secured configuration. A method for tracking tools using the tracking of a bone is provided.

Abstract: The switching apparatus and method are provided for varying the impedance of a phase line of a segment of an electrical power line. The phase line includes n conductors electrically insulated from each other and short-circuited among each other at two ends of the segment. The apparatus comprises, for each of at least one of the n conductors, a passive component and a pair of electromechanical and electronic switches, the pair of switches being able to connect and disconnect in a selective manner the passive component in series with the corresponding conductor, the switches of each pair being controllable independently. The apparatus also comprises a detecting device for detecting the current operating conditions of the phase line, and a control device for controlling each pair of switches according to the current operating conditions.

Abstract: A method for provisioning a plurality of heterogeneous operating systems on a plurality of target hosts that includes for each of the plurality of target hosts, obtaining a type of operating system (OS) to be provisioned on the target host, populating an OS profile model based on the type of operating system obtained, activating a deployment service based on the type of operating system, and provisioning the target host using a deployment service and the OS profile model.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for modifying a power flux in an electrical transmission line section (6,8), each section including phase lines having n conductors (10,12) electrically insulated from one another and shorted at the ends (40) of the section. The apparatus comprises a power exchange unit including a power converter (18) for power conversion between first and second pairs of terminals (20,22), the first pair of terminals (20) being connected in series to at least one conductor of the section; and an electrical element (24) connected to the second pair of terminals (22) and adapted to circulate power through the power converter to modify said power flux.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a circular portion of an object, such as to determine the center point thereof, is provided. The method comprising determining spatial coordinates of at least two points on a circumferential edge of the circular portion of the object, and calculating the center point of the circular portion using the spatial coordinates of the two points and a geometric parameter representative of the diameter of the circular portion. A calibration device and system are also provided for use with a computer tracking system in order to calibrate such an object having a circular portion.

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 universal positioning block for use in bone surgery, permitting up to six degrees-of-freedom movement relative to a bone element to which it is fixed. The positioning block comprises a main block element that is releasably engageable to the bone element such that the main block element is rotatable in a flexion-extension rotation plane and translatable along a medio-lateral axis relative to the bone element. A slider element is engaged with the main block element such that it is translatable along an antero-posterior axis and rotatable in a varus-valgus rotation plane relative thereto and a holder element is engaged with the slider element such that it is translatable relative thereto along a proximal-distal axis and may also further be rotatable in a medio-lateral rotation plane, the holder element being habilitated for engaging a surgical tool guide element.

Abstract: A resin composition for use in a froth spraying system for forming polyurethane foam is disclosed. The resin composition comprises a Mannich polyol, at least one additional polyol other than a Mannich polyol, and a physical blowing agent. The Mannich polyol has a viscosity of at least 4,000 centipoise at 25° C. The physical blowing agent is selected from the group of volatile non-halogenated C2 to C7 hydrocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, hydrochlorocarbons, and mixtures thereof. The physical blowing agent is present in an amount of greater than 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the resin composition. A method of forming the polyurethane foam is also provided comprising the steps of providing the resin composition and a polyisocyanate, mixing the resin composition with the polyisocyanate in a mixing chamber to form a mixture, and discharging the mixture from a dispensing gun as the resin composition reacts with the polyisocyanate to form the polyurethane foam.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for modifying a power flux in an electrical transmission line section (6,8), each section including phase lines having n conductors (10,12) electrically insulated from one another and shorted at the ends (40) of the section. The apparatus comprises a power exchange unit including a power converter (18) for power conversion between first and second pairs of terminals (20,22), the first pair of terminals (20) being connected in series to at least one conductor of the section; and an electrical element (24) connected to the second pair of terminals (22) and adapted to circulate power through the power converter to modify said power flux.

Abstract: The low stray interconnecton power converting module is for converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage. It comprises two DC voltage terminals for receiving the DC voltage, an AC voltage terminal for delivering the AC voltage, and a half-bridge including a pair of power switching elements connected as a series totem pole between the DC voltage terminals via the AC voltage terminal. It also comprises a decoupling device for decoupling the half-bridge. The decoupling device comprises a series of at least two adjacent superimposed electrode plates separated by a dielectric material and extending proximately in overlapping relation with the half-bridge. Each of the adjacent electrode plates is connected to a different one of the DC terminals. The electrode plates form with the two power switching elements, the DC terminals and the AC terminal, a reduced cross section belt-like current closed loop by which a low stray interconnection inductance power converting module is obtained.

Abstract: A positioning block (10) for use in total knee replacement surgery, permitting five degrees-of-freedom movement relative to a bone element (39) to which it is fixed. The positioning block (10) comprises a rotational mounting element (14) that is removably engaged to the bone element such that the mounting element (14) is selectively rotatable relative to the bone element, about three substantially perpendicular axes of rotation. A guide body portion (12) is engaged with the mounting element (14) such that it is translatable relative thereto along a proximal-distal axis (43) and an anterior-posterior axis (47), while being rotationally fixed relative to the mounting element (14) such that the guide body portion (12) and the mounting element (14) rotate together relative to the bone element (39).

Abstract: A drill guide assembly for a drilling tool having a chuck engaging a bit portion comprising a tip and a length extending from the chuck, the drill guide assembly comprising a first member, a second member and a trackable member. The first member is adapted to abut a workpiece surface and defines a central aperture therethrough adapted to receive the bit portion of the drilling tool. The second member is adapted to be axially displaced with respect to the first member and is axially biased therefrom, and defines a central aperture therethrough adapted to receive the bit portion of the drilling tool. The trackable member, fastened to the second member, comprises a detectable element adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space, thereby defining the position and movement of the second member and therefore that of the bit portion of the drilling tool.

Abstract: A drill guide assembly (10) for a drilling tool (50) having a chuck engaging a bit portion (54) comprising a tip (62) and a length extending from the chuck, the drill guide assembly comprising a first member (14), a second member (12) and a trackable member (16). The first member (14) is adapted to abut a workpiece surface and defines a central aperture (19) therethrough adapted to receive the bit portion. The second member (12) is adapted to be axially displaced with respect to the first member and is axially biased therefrom, and defines a central aperture (11) therethrough adapted to receive the bit portion. The trackable member (16), fastened to the second member, comprises a detectable element (35) adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space, thereby defining the position and movement of the second member and therefore that of the drilling tool bit portion.

Abstract: The switching apparatus is intended to be used with a segment of an electric power line having several phase lines. Each of the phase lines has several conductors electrically insulated one from the other and connected in parallel. The conductors of each phase line are short-circuited among them at two extremities of the segment. The apparatus comprises pairs of switches connected in parallel, for selectively opening and closing the conductors of each phase line, a detecting device for detecting current operating conditions of the segment, and a controlling device for controlling the pairs of switches according to the current operating conditions of the segment. The present invention also relates to a switching method.