Abstract: A wound closure system and a method of reducing the size of an open wound are disclosed. A suture line is sutured through body tissue adjacent an open wound, the suture line sutured so as to pass into the body tissue at an entry point and exit at an exit point, the suture line including a plurality of barbs extending outwardly at an acute angle with respect to a surface of the suture line. A biasing member applies a continuous pulling force on the suture line for stretching the body tissue toward the open wound, wherein the biasing member is configured to take up any slack of the suture line during stretching of the body tissue and keep the suture line taut.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for acquiring an image by oversampled push-broom scanning from a satellite-borne vehicle or aircraft carrying at least a load transfer sensor bar, characterised in that it consists in controlling the attitude and the vehicle rolling, pitching and yawing angular speeds such that the longitudinal and lateral ground speeds of the bar verify: (a), (b) in which Vref=P/Ti, P being the bar ground step, Ti the sampling period, and m and l two whole numbers.

Abstract: Orientation system and process of an artificial satellite in low orbit. Aerodynamic control surfaces producing rotations of the satellite by upper-layer atmosphere are combined along two axes to magnetic couplers (1, 2, 3) producing rotating movements along the three principal axes of pitch, roll and yaw thanks to the Earth's magnetic field. Great precision may be obtained in orienting the satellite without substantial energy consumption. Command laws are provided.

Abstract: An observation instrument located on a satellite is provided with light sources, whose radiation is reflected by the facets of at least one optical dihedron, whose shape is such that it deflects very slightly or not at all the reflected beam, even if it is displaced. Thus, the reflected beam, which is representative of the sighting axis of the instrument is reflected to a sensor, having a known orientation, in order to give the real direction of the axis. The invention has application to locations or tracking on the ground by the instrument.

Abstract: Angular position finding system for an observation instrument, possibly fitted with a sighting change mirror and which includes one or two reflecting mirrors and one or two alignment sensors. Light patterns are produced both on the instrument and on the alignment sensor and are reflected by the mirror to the alignment sensor where their positions are detected. The orientation of the mirror, and indirectly the orientation of the instrument, can be deducted. Furthermore, if the alignment sensor is equipped with a device for determining an absolute orientation reference, the orientation of the instrument with respect to this reference may also be known.

Abstract: An artificial satellite equipped with roll, yaw and pitch rudders (4, 4', 5) to impose on it rotational forces around its three axes due to the resistance of the rarefied air which surrounds the satellite (compensation for the dynamic inertia of rotating objects onboard the satellite can also be ensured). This invention applies to low-orbit satellites.