A soft cable loop based gripper for robotic automation of chemistry.

Robotic automation is proving itself indispensable in the modern Chemistry laboratory, but adoption is slowed down by the technical challenges of implementing such systems. This paper reports on a novel adaptive gripper mechanism that can easily and reliably grasp cylindrical and prismatic objects of various sizes with limited clearance required. The proposed design exploits the inherent compliance of a cable that is driven to fully envelope the target object.

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of the spleen associated with thrombocytopenia.

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of the spleen, a recently described lesion of unknown pathogenesis, with a benign clinical course that is very often asymptomatic. Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation may be a novo lesion or the final common pathway of various benign splenic conditions such as hamartoma, inflammatory pseudotumor and hemangioma. We report the case of a 68 year-old woman with thrombocytopenia and a splenic mass, diagnosed as sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation.

[The evolution of iliac artery surgery: vascular endoprostheses].

The Authors report their experience about vascular endoprostheses in iliac arterial stenoses and thromboses. Results are discussed in relation to technical difficulties and indications. The comparison between classic vascular surgery previously used, and the endovascular procedures recently adopted, leads the Authors to assert the validity of this last technique.

Dacron patch/tube graft: a preliminary study.

A Dacron patch/tube graft was developed specifically to avoid technical complications associated with lateral aortic anastomoses of medium-diameter grafts. This new prosthetic device has now been used in 15 patients without complications. It seems to be particularly useful in patients with thick-walled aortas.

[Vascular endoprosthesis. A new indication in the surgery of the iliac artery].

We have used endoprosthesis (Palmaz Schatz) after balloon angioplasty of iliac arterial stenoses or thromboses, in order to increase the immediate patency and to prevent the recurrence of stenosis. Our series gathers 24 patients operated with endovascular procedures over a period of 2 years: 22 men, 2 women--extreme ages 42 to 78 years, average age 63.5 years--Clinical stage: 22 at stage I, 1 at stage III, 1 at stage IV.