Abstract: Methods and apparatus for computer-aided prostate condition diagnosis are disclosed. An example computer-aided prostate condition diagnosis apparatus includes memory to store instructions and a processor. The example processor can detect a lesion from an image of a prostate gland and generate a mapping of the lesion from the image to a sector map, the generating the mapping of the lesion comprising identifying a depth region of the lesion, wherein the depth region indicates a location of the lesion along a depth axis. The processor can also provide the sector map comprising a representation of the lesion within the prostate gland mapped from the image to the sector map.

Abstract: A system for capturing the swallowing of at least one user, includes at least one swallowing detection device including at least one swallowing detection sensor which is configured to acquire at least one swallowing signal of the user, at least one system for capturing movements of the user, which system is configured to acquire at least one movement signal of the user during the capture of the at least one swallowing signal of the user by the sensor of the swallowing detection device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method to assist with the operation of an instrument by means of said device, the device and the method using leverage effects in order to calculate the data relative to any point of an instrument axis, instead of using low-accuracy sensors. Other improvements are also described that allow higher-quality usage performance for the operator, which reduces the risk of errors and simplifies the operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intra-laryngeal prosthesis (PIL) for insertion into a larynx, said prosthesis PIL having an upper portion (PH) comprising: a tubular inner wall (1) with a first end, referred to as upper end (2), and a second end, referred to as lower end (3); a tubular outer wall (4) with a first end, referred to as upper end (2) and a second end, referred to as lower end (3), said outer wall (4) surrounding at least a portion of the inner wall (1); a plurality of ribs (5) extending in the direction of the main axis (X) of the prosthesis and connecting the inner wall (1) with the outer wall (4) such that a plurality of cells (6) are formed between the inner wall (1) and the outer wall (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to an intra-laryngeal prosthesis (PIL) for insertion into a larynx, said prosthesis PIL having an upper portion (PH) comprising: a tubular inner wall (1) with a first end, referred to as upper end (2), and a second end, referred to as lower end (3); a tubular outer wall (4) with a first end, referred to as upper end (2) and a second end, referred to as lower end (3), said outer wall (4) surrounding at least a portion of the inner wall (1); a plurality of ribs (5) extending in the direction of the main axis (X) of the prosthesis and connecting the inner wall (1) with the outer wall (4) such that a plurality of cells (6) are formed between the inner wall (1) and the outer wall (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to an intralaryngeal prosthesis which is not at risk of getting blocked and which allows the patient to breathe comfortably. For this purpose, the prosthesis comprises a tubular body pierced by a proximal opening and a convex dome-shaped valve (10), the valve being arranged such that: the distal end (15) of the valve forms a rim (16) which covers a portion of the tubular body (2), and such that a space (17) exists between the distal end (15) of the valve and the tubular body (2) such that air can enter the proximal opening (8) of the tubular body through said space (17).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method to assist with the operation of an instrument by means of said device, the device and the method using leverage effects in order to calculate the data relative to any point of an instrument axis, instead of using low-accuracy sensors. Other improvements are also described that allow higher-quality usage performance for the operator, which reduces the risk of errors and simplifies the operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intralaryngeal prosthesis which is not at risk of getting blocked and which allows the patient to breathe comfortably. For this purpose, the prosthesis comprises a tubular body pierced by a proximal opening and a convex dome-shaped valve (10), the valve being arranged such that: the distal end (15) of the valve forms a rim (16) which covers a portion of the tubular body (2), and such that a space (17) exists between the distal end (15) of the valve and the tubular body (2) such that air can enter the proximal opening (8) of the tubular body through said space (17).

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device for supporting an implant or prosthesis, formed by two parts including one part forming an upper ring (1) which is made from a rigid or semi-rigid solid biocompatible material and another part forming a lower ring (2) which is made from a rigid or semi-rigid, integrable or porous biocompatible material, said device being intended to receive an implant or a removable prosthesis at the upper ring and to be installed in situ by means of the lower ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for fitting and removing a prosthesis (40), comprising: attachment means (2) attachable to the prosthesis (40) and capable of being arranged in two positions, a closed position, in which said attachment means are secured to the prosthesis (40), and an open position, in which said attachment means release the prosthesis; grasping means (3); control means (4) connected to the attachment means (2), the control means (4) being capable of controlling the attachment means (2) such as to place same in the closed position or the open position; at least partially flexible connecting means (5) that connect the control means (4) to the attachment means (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device for supporting an implant or prosthesis, formed by two parts including one part forming an upper ring (1) which is made from a rigid or semi-rigid solid biocompatible material and another part forming a lower ring (2) which is made from a rigid or semi-rigid, integrable or porous biocompatible material, said device being intended to receive an implant or a removable prosthesis at the upper ring and to be installed in situ by means of the lower ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of prosthetics having the function of restoring swallowing, breathing and phonation to a patient having a dysfunctional larynx. More specifically, the present invention concerns a valve device forming an intra-laryngeal endoprosthesis intended for implanting in the anatomical larynx in place having the function of enabling breathing while forming a seal against elements such as saliva, mucus or any other element coming from the bolus. The complete intra-laryngeal endoprosthesis, as well as its various applications, are also the subject matter of the present invention.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improved combustion of oxygen and a mixture of a non-gaseous fuel, which includes providing: 1) a source of a mixture of non-gaseous fuel and conveying gas; 2) a source of oxygen; 3) a burner operatively associated with a combustion chamber; 4) a fuel duct in fluid communication with the source of mixed non-gaseous fuel and conveying gas; 5) a tubular oxygen lance fluidly communicating with the source of oxygen; and 6) at least two injection elements in fluid communication with the source of oxygen. The fuel duct includes a portion that extends along an axis towards the burner. The lance is disposed along the axis and has a diameter D. The injection elements are configured to inject oxygen into, and mix therewith, a flow of the mixture upstream of, or at, the burner. At least one of the injection elements receives oxygen from the lance. The injection elements are spaced apart by a distance X, which is greater than the length of diameter D.

Abstract: A process for burning a sulfur-containing fuel to produce a flue gas. The process includes introducing a sulfur-containing fuel into a combustion chamber, introducing an oxidant stream into the combustion chamber and mixing it with the sulfur-containing fuel to define a combustion zone, and introducing potassium carbonate into the combustion chamber. The sulfur-containing fuel is burned to produce the flue gas and potassium sulfate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improved combustion of oxygen and a mixture of a non-gaseous fuel, which includes providing: 1) a source of a mixture of non-gaseous fuel and conveying gas; 2) a source of oxygen; 3) a burner operatively associated with a combustion chamber; 4) a fuel duct in fluid communication with the source of mixed non-gaseous fuel and conveying gas; 5) a tubular oxygen lance fluidly communicating with the source of oxygen; and 6) at least two injection elements in fluid communication with the source of oxygen. The fuel duct includes a portion that extends along an axis towards the burner. The lance is disposed along the axis and has a diameter D. The injection elements are configured to inject oxygen into, and mix therewith, a flow of the mixture upstream of, or at, the burner. At least one of the injection elements receives oxygen from the lance. The injection elements are spaced apart by a distance X, which is greater than the length of diameter D.

Abstract: A process for burning a sulfur-containing fuel to produce a flue gas. The process includes introducing a sulfur-containing fuel into a combustion chamber, introducing an oxidant stream into the combustion chamber and mixing it with the sulfur-containing fuel to define a combustion zone, and introducing potassium carbonate into the combustion chamber. The sulfur-containing fuel is burned to produce the flue gas and potassium sulfate.

Abstract: A process for burning a sulfur-containing fuel to produce a flue gas is disclosed. The process comprises introducing a sulfur-containing fuel into a combustion chamber, introducing an oxidant stream into the combustion chamber and mixing it with the sulfur-containing fuel to define a combustion zone, and introducing potassium carbonate into the combustion chamber. The sulfur-containing fuel is burned to produce the flue gas and potassium sulfate.

Abstract: Provided is a novel regenerative heat exchanger and a method for heating a gas in the heat exchanger. The regenerative heat exchanger features a chamber separated into a plurality of annular concentric spaces, including: a first, inner annular space defining a hot collection chamber; a second, outer annular space concentric to and around the first space defining a cold collection chamber; and a third annular space defining a heat exchange zone concentric to and between the first and second spaces. The heat exchange zone contains a particulate heat transfer material. The third space is supported on the inside by a concentrically disposed hot grid, and the external diameter of the third annular space is less than about double the internal diameter of the third annular space. The invention has particular applicability to the feeding of hot blast to a blast furnace in the iron making industry.

Abstract: Provided are novel gas permeable bricks of a refractory material suitable for use in a hot grid of a regenerative heat exchanger. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the brick has an inner face and an outer face on opposite sides of the brick. One or more cavities extend from the inner face partially into the brick. A plurality of channels for each of the cavities extend from the outer face to the cavities. The cavities and channels allow a gas to pass through the brick. Also provided is a hot grid suitable for use in a regenerative heat exchanger formed from a plurality of the bricks.

Abstract: Provided is a process for melting a charge in a furnace. Energy of fusion is supplied to the charge, and gases including at least one combustible gas are generated during the the melting. A post-combustion of the combustible gas is performed by injecting an oxidant gas containing more than 25% by volume of oxygen during at least some periods of the process. The oxidant gas is injected above the charge, in the form of at least one oxidant gas jet. Each jet has a flow rate of between approximately 50 and 1200 Sm.sup.3 /h and a speed of injection into the furnace of between approximately 5 m/s and 150 m/s. The process has particular applicability to an electrical furnace for melting scrap for the production of steel.