Abstract: Techniques for providing a virtual operating space for performing a virtual surgical procedure. The technique includes generating a three-dimensional view of a virtual operating space comprising one or more virtual objects capable of being manipulated by a user for performing one or more operating steps in a virtual surgical procedure on one or more virtual patients. The technique also includes manipulating the one or more virtual objects in the virtual operating space to perform all or part of a virtual surgical procedure. The technique further includes generating a virtual radiographic image of one or more portions of the virtual patient at least following the performance of one or more steps of the virtual surgical procedure to provide visual feedback to the user regarding the performance of the one or more steps in the virtual surgical procedure.

Abstract: In the clamping assembly of this invention, whereby a rotary cutting tool is concentrically clamped to an untapered shaft that carries and drives it, a sleeve-like radially elastic collet, received in a bore through a hub-like tool body part, has a threaded end portion which projects axially beyond the bore and on which a nut is rotatable. The collet has an untapered radially inner surface and a tapered radially outer surface that progressively increases in diameter from the thread to its opposite end. The bore, all along its length, defines a matingly tapering inner wedging surface in the body part. The collet is confined to axial shifting relative to the body part. The nut is confined to rotation by a radially outwardly projecting circumferential flange on it, overlain by an annular captivating plate secured to the body part.