Abstract: A surgical system is for use with a surgical tool and a tissue characteristic sensor associated with the surgical tool. The system has an expected tissue characteristic for tissue on a predefined trajectory of the tool in a patient, and a controller to receive a sensed tissue characteristic from the tissue characteristic sensor, such sensed tissue characteristic associated with an actual trajectory of the tool. The controller compares the expected tissue characteristic for the expected location with the sensed tissue characteristic for the actual trajectory. A robot can be used to carry out automated surgical tasks and make adjustments based on differences between the expected characteristic and the sensed characteristic.

Abstract: A transition base has a first mounting surface that faces in a first direction, has a second mounting surface that faces in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and has a plurality of columns that are disposed between the first and the second mounting surfaces. Each column has a column length that extends between the first and the second mounting surfaces, has a structural element, and has a damping element. Each of the structural and the damping elements extend along the column length. Further, one of the structural and the damping elements may be incorporated in or encased by the other of the damping and the structural elements.

Abstract: A process for providing replacement electrical motors to a number of disparate users that employ large, industrial electric motors for driving electrical generators or other rotary equipment. The process comprises providing a cooperative motor repair and replacement program and alliance for the repair and replacement of the electric motors; ascertaining the specifications and condition of the motors of each user who participates in the program, and transferring the motors of each user to one or more common climate-controlled storage locations, so that they will be in good condition and available when required. Desirably, the inventory of the user's own motors is supplemented by new motors in a sufficient quantity to satisfy the replacement motor requirements of all the users. To the extent required, an inventory is maintained of transition bases that are used to position a replacement motor so that it matches the specifications of the driven apparatus.