Abstract: Provided herein is a cell encapsulation device comprising an internal chamber suitable for holding biological agents, wherein the internal chamber is disposed between a first semipermeable layer and a second semi-permeable layer, and the first and second semi-permeable layers are mounted on a supporting frame surrounding a perimeter of the internal chamber; wherein the supporting frame comprises a first frame element and a second frame element, and the first and second frame elements co-operate to position the first and second semipermeable layers at a predetermined separation distance between the layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for producing a nutritional composition (6), the system comprising (a) a measurement device (3) for determining a level of one or more nutrients in a sample (2) from a subject (7); (b) a controller (4) for calculating a required nutrient intake for the subject (7), wherein the controller (4) is operatively linked to the measurement device (3) and is configured to calculate the required nutrient intake based on the level of the nutrients in the sample (2) from the subject (7); (c) a nutritional dispenser (5) for preparing a personalized nutritional composition (6) comprising a combination of nutrients required by the subject (7); wherein the nutritional dispenser (5) is operatively linked to the controller (4) and is configured to produce the personalized nutritional composition (6) comprising the combination of nutrients based on the required nutrient intake for the subject (7) calculated by the controller (4).

Abstract: An immersive videoconference method wherein multiple participants (21, 22, 23, 24) in different locations (11, 12, 13) remotely interact with each other through a telecommunication network architecture (8, 31, 38), wherein the method comprises at the location (11, 12, 13) of a given participant (21, 22, 23, 24); —capturing video images of the participant by a pair of video cameras (4A, 4B); —detecting, tracking and determining size and position related parameters of the participant in the video images; —generating a single elementary video stream related to the participant; —associating a room identifier to the elementary video stream, the room identifier being uniquely associated to the given participant; —sending the elementary video stream, the size and position related parameters and the room identifier (41A, 42A, 43A) to a centralized entity (30); —repeating the above steps for each participant (21, 22, 23, 24) at the different location (11, 12, 13); wherein the method further comprises at the centralize

Abstract: Method for enriching content of a web page (2) displayed for a user on a computer (3) connected to a computerized network (5) and provided with a web browser (4), said method comprising the steps of: the web browser (4) sending a request for a web page (2) to a distant web server (6), upon receipt of the web page (2) from the web server (6), the web browser (4) parsing the web page (2) for contact information, upon detection of contact information within the web page (2), the web browser (4) sending a request for presence information (8) associated with said contact information to at least one presence server (7), upon receipt of the presence information (8) from the presence server(s) (7), the web browser (4) displaying the web page (2) on the computer (3) together with the presence information (8).

Abstract: Provided herein is a cell encapsulation device comprising an internal chamber suitable for holding biological agents, wherein the internal chamber is disposed between a first semipermeable layer and a second semi-permeable layer, and the first and second semi-permeable layers are mounted on a supporting frame surrounding a perimeter of the internal chamber; wherein the supporting frame comprises a first frame element and a second frame element, and the first and second frame elements co-operate to position the first and second semipermeable layers at a predetermined separation distance between the layers.

Abstract: An immersive videoconference method wherein multiple participants (21, 22, 23, 24) in different locations (11, 12, 13) remotely interact with each other through a telecommunication network architecture (8, 31, 38), wherein the method comprises at the location (11, 12, 13) of a given participant (21, 22, 23, 24);—capturing video images of the participant by a pair of video cameras (4A, 4B);—detecting, tracking and determining size and position related parameters of the participant in the video images;—generating a single elementary video stream related to the participant;—associating a room identifier to the elementary video stream, the room identifier being uniquely associated to the given participant;—sending the elementary video stream, the size and position related parameters and the room identifier (41A, 42A, 43A) to a centralized entity (30);—repeating the above steps for each participant (21, 22, 23, 24) at the different location (11, 12, 13); wherein the method further comprises at the centralized enti

Abstract: The recoverable intra-uterine system comprises a housing capable of containing one or a plurality of elements selected from among the group comprising an embryo, male and/or female gametes, a fertilized oocyte, and unfertilized ovum and a combination of these elements, the housing having along an axis a distal end and a proximal end, and a device for holding the recoverable intra-uterine device in the uterus. The holding device is arranged at the proximal end of the housing and includes at least one holding arm in the uterine cavity capable of taking at least two positions: —one free position in which at least one holding arm is separated from the axis; and —a retracted position in which at least one holding arm is substantially parallel to the axis. Use in medically assisted reproduction techniques.

Abstract: A recoverable intra-uterine system comprises a receptacle (10) designed to contain one or more elements chosen from the group comprising an embryo, male and/or female gametes, a fertilized oocyte, an unfertilized ovum, and a combination of these elements, and a retaining device (20) for retaining the recoverable intra-uterine system in the uterus. The retaining device (20) comprises a deformable element (21) designed to be retained by bearing in the neck of the uterus. Use in artificial insemination techniques.

Abstract: Method for enriching content of a web page (2) displayed for a user on a computer (3) connected to a computerized network (5) and provided with a web browser (4), said method comprising the steps of: the web browser (4) sending a request for a web page (2) to a distant web server (6), upon receipt of the web page (2) from the web server (6), the web browser (4) parsing the web page (2) for contact information, upon detection of contact information within the web page (2), the web browser (4) sending a request for presence information (8) associated with said contact information to at least one presence server (7), upon receipt of the presence information (8) from the presence server(s) (7), the web browser (4) displaying the web page (2) on the computer (3) together with the presence information (8).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices and methods for in situ delivering an antibody or a fragment thereof to a host. In particular, the invention relates to devices and methods for in situ delivering an antibody or a fragment thereof to patient suffering for a neurodegenerative disorder or other diseases treated by antibody administration.

Abstract: The recoverable intra-uterine system comprises a housing capable of containing one or a plurality of elements selected from among the group comprising an embryo, male and/or female gametes, a fertilized oocyte, and unfertilized ovum and a combination of these elements, the housing having along an axis a distal end and a proximal end, and a device for holding the recoverable intra-uterine device in the uterus. The holding device is arranged at the proximal end of the housing and includes at least one holding arm in the uterine cavity capable of taking at least two positions: —one free position in which at least one holding arm is separated from the axis; and —a retracted position in which at least one holding arm is substantially parallel to the axis. Use in medically assisted reproduction techniques.

Abstract: A recoverable intra-uterine device comprising a housing containing one or several elements selected from a group containing an embryo, male and/or female gametes, a fertilised oocyte, an unfertilised egg and the combination thereof, wherein said housing is provided with a wall made of a biocompatible material. The wall is provided with a series of perforations whose size is sufficient in order to bring the intra-uterine medium into a cellular contact with the housing and to keep the elements therein. The inventive device is provided with a system for loading and unloading one or several elements selected from the group containing an embryo, male and/or female gametes, a fertilised oocyte, an unfertilised egg and the combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical component having at least one guide with a ridge structure obtained by chemical etching on a substrate made of semiconductor material, the ridge having a base and a top face, the guide having an outline with at least one curved section, the tangent at any point on the outline defining the local orientation (&bgr;) of the guide. According to the invention, the width of the base (weff) of the ridge is substantially constant all along the guide and the width of the top face (w) of the ridge varies according to the local orientation (&bgr;) of the guide with respect to the reference crystallographic direction (R) of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical component having at least one guide with a ridge structure obtained by chemical etching on a substrate made of semiconductor material, the ridge having a base and a top face, the guide having an outline with at least one curved section, the tangent at any point on the outline defining the local orientation (&bgr;) of the guide. According to the invention, the width of the base (weff) of the ridge is substantially constant all along the guide and the width of the top face (w) of the ridge varies according to the local orientation (&bgr;) of the guide with respect to the reference crystallographic direction (R) of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for cryopreservation of cells or tissues encapsulated in a bioartificial organs, wherein the integrity and the viability of the encased cells are maintained, along with the integrity of the artificial capsule used to encase the cells. The method provides novel conditions for cryopreserving a bioartificial organ in a freezing container using a minimum volume of added cryopreservative solution necessary to maintain both the structural integrity of the jacket encasing the bioartificial organ, and the viability of the cells encased therein.