초록 ▼

A system, method, and apparatus is provided for computerized management of the databases relating to phenotypic health assessment and genomic mapping and genetic screening of animals. Multiple remote users can access a computer network connected with a central database processing resource for managi

A system, method, and apparatus is provided for computerized management of the databases relating to phenotypic health assessment and genomic mapping and genetic screening of animals. Multiple remote users can access a computer network connected with a central database processing resource for managing the data. There is appropriate security and payment of appropriate fees for accessing and retrieving data. Users may input data relating to animal health, lifespan, and genetic background, and obtain reports relating to phenotypic health assessment of a particular animal subject or animal group, and genotypic characteristics of a particular subject or animal group to which this subject belongs. The central computer database processing resource stores phenotypic data and genotypic data relating to animals and analyzes their relationship according to predetermined criteria. The input of data and reporting of data is preferably electronic, or through fax or voice communication. The analysis of the health assessment database and genetic database can be automatic and/or in part manually interpreted by experts related to the central database processing resources.

대표청구항 ▼

A system, method, and apparatus is provided for computerized management of the databases relating to phenotypic health assessment and genomic mapping and genetic screening of animals. Multiple remote users can access a computer network connected with a central database processing resource for managi

A system, method, and apparatus is provided for computerized management of the databases relating to phenotypic health assessment and genomic mapping and genetic screening of animals. Multiple remote users can access a computer network connected with a central database processing resource for managing the data. There is appropriate security and payment of appropriate fees for accessing and retrieving data. Users may input data relating to animal health, lifespan, and genetic background, and obtain reports relating to phenotypic health assessment of a particular animal subject or animal group, and genotypic characteristics of a particular subject or animal group to which this subject belongs. The central computer database processing resource stores phenotypic data and genotypic data relating to animals and analyzes their relationship according to predetermined criteria. The input of data and reporting of data is preferably electronic, or through fax or voice communication. The analysis of the health assessment database and genetic database can be automatic and/or in part manually interpreted by experts related to the central database processing resources. tive to said first blade; and, force measuring device for measuring a force applied by said second blade. 18. The retractor assembly of claim 17, wherein said movement means includes a hex nut that is coupled to said force measuring device.19. The retractor assembly of claim 17, wherein said movement means includes a rack and a pinion gear.20. The retractor assembly of claim 17, wherein said force measuring means includes a gauge and a readout.21. The retractor assembly of claim 17, wherein said movement means includes a slip clutch.22. A method for controlling a retraction of tissue, comprising: inserting a pair of blades into a patient; moving at least one of the blades which exerts a force on the patient; and, measuring the force. 23. A retractor assembly, comprising: a first blade; a second blade; a gear assembly coupled to said first and second blades; and, a slip clutch coupled to said gear assembly. 24. The retractor assembly of claim 23, wherein said gear assembly includes a rack and a pinion gear.25. A retractor assembly, comprising: a first blade; a second blade that can move relative to said first blade; movement means for moving said second blade relative to the first blade, said movement means including a rack and pinion gear; and, clutch means for limiting the movement of said second blade. friction than does the hard plastic. 5. The arm of claim 4, wherein the insert portion is molded from a thermoplastic or silicone elastomer.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the insert portion has an annular shape and comprises thermoplastic or silicone elastomer material having comprises thermoplastic or silicone elastomer material having Shore A durometer in the range 50 to 90.7. A locking arm having a flexible state and a rigid state for use in an organ manipulator apparatus, the arm comprising: a cable; and ball joints threaded along the cable, each of the ball joints having a first portion defining a convex surface and part of a concave socket surface, and a second portion defining a remaining part of the concave socket surface, wherein the first portion of each of the ball joints comprises molded hard plastic and the second portion comprises molded thermoplastic or silicone elastomer. 8. A locking arm having a flexible state and a rigid state for use in an organ manipulator apparatus, the arm comprising: a cable; and ball joints and sleeves threaded alternately along the cable, each of the ball joints defining a convex surface at each end, and each of the sleeves defining a concave socket surface at each end, wherein each of the ball joints is molded from plastic having a first hardness and each of the sleeves is molded from plastic having a second hardness different from the first hardness. 9. The arm of claim 8, wherein each of the ball joints is molded from polycarbonate plastic and each of the sleeves is molded from Ultem plastic.10. The arm of claim 8, wherein each of the sleeves is molded from polycarbonate plastic and each of the ball joints is molded from Ultem plastic.11. A locking arm having a flexible state and a rigid state for use in an organ manipulator apparatus, the arm comprising: a cable; and a first set of ball joints and a second set of ball joints threaded alternately along the cable, wherein each of the ball joints in the first set and the second set defines a convex surface and a concave socket surface, each of the ball joints in the first set is molded from plastic having a first hardness and each of the ball joints in the second set is molded from plastic having a second hardness different from the first hardness. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of the ball joints in the first set is molded from polycarbonate plastic and each of the ball joints in the second set is molded from Ultem plastic.13. A locking arm having a flexible state and a rigid state, said arm comprising: at least one pair of interlocking links, one of said pair having a first substantially convex surface and the second of said pair having a substantially concave surface adapted to mate with said substantially convex surface, wherein at least a portion of the substantially concave surface comprises a jagged profile comprising circular shoulders; a cable passing through an opening axially provided through each of said links; and a mechanism to draw tension on said cable, thereby compressing said links against one another. 14. The locking arm of claim 13, wherein an annular portion adjacent a periphery of said substantially concave surface comprises a softer material than a material making up the remainder of the concave surface.15. The locking arm of claim 13, wherein an annular portion adjacent a periphery of said substantially concave surface comprises a material having a greater coefficient of friction than a material forming a remainder of said substantially concave surface.16. The locking arm of claim 7, wherein said material having a greater coefficient of friction is a coating.17. The locking arm of claim 16, wherein said coating is formed into a groove in said substantially concave surface.18. The locking arm of claim 13, wherein substantially all of said substantially concave surface comprises a surface having a greater coefficient of friction than that of a remainder of said subs