Abstract: A method for the ablation of human or animal articular cartilage is disclosed that employs an exogenous absorber, such as a compound having the molecular formula C43H47N2NaO6S2, to coat or color the surface of the articular cartilage. The coated or colored cartilage surface then has an energy absorption peak at a specific wavelength due to the exogenous absorber, which makes it possible to employ a simple and cheap laser diode to generate a pulsed laser beam at the specific wavelength so as to superheat the coated or colored cartilage thereby causing at least partial ablation of cartilage.

Abstract: A method for the ablation of human or animal articular cartilage is disclosed that employs an exogenous absorber, such as a compound having the molecular formula C43H47N2NaO6S2, to coat or color the surface of the articular cartilage. The coated or colored cartilage surface then has an energy absorption peak at a specific wavelength due to the exogenous absorber, which makes it possible to employ a simple and cheap laser diode to generate a pulsed laser beam at the specific wavelength so as to superheat the coated or colored cartilage thereby causing at least partial ablation of cartilage.

Abstract: An optical light beam device for automatically controlling the bending operation when bending with a press brake, comprising an emitter (1), mounted on one side of the press, adapted to produce a large-diameter light beam (8), directed parallel to the bending axis of the workpiece to be bent, and a receiver (4) comprising a box (11) including a screen (14) drilled with a plurality of holes (15) arranged to forming a plurality of light beams (16) of small diameters. The box (11) comprises a deflecting means (17) intended to deflecting the light beams (16) on to a system of photodiodes (18) arranged on the axis of rotation (19) of a rotating motor (12) fast with the box (11) and with an angle coder (13). A microordinator is connected to the photodiodes (18) and to the angle coder (13) and permits the determination of the instantaneous bending angle of the workpiece and the control of the descent of the punch.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensing instrument is described which in its specific embodiment comprises an anemometer. Three sensor bearing arms are provided, all at the same azimuth. Three components of the fluid flow are thus simultaneously detected. By having the arms at the same azimuth greater precision is obtained in measuring both the directionand intensity of the fluid vector than with instruments having their sensors in a standard cartesian arrangement. The instrument is thus better adapted to suit the requirements of environmental studies concerning the atmosphere.