Abstract: A ceramo-ceramic dental prosthesis is made from a patient's negative mandibular impression, including at least one working cavity having an inner surface matching the lower surface of the prosthesis to be produced and left at least by one tooth primed by the dental surgeon to be prosthetized. The method of making the prosthesis includes a step of providing a single-unit wax model used for producing by precision casting a single-unit metal model on which is mounted, by the dental technician, a ceramic, the single-unit model having previously been coated with a stripping product to avoid the adherence of the ceramic on the metal single-unit model after the ceramic is cured on the single-unit metal model.

Abstract: An electric circuit is applied to an object having a curved surface. The curved surface of the object is divided into sections, and the circuit is applied one section at a time. The circuit is formed between layers of dielectric material. The dielectric is applied by a computer-controlled device, which controls the position of a spray head and the rotation of the object, such that the spray head is held substantially perpendicular to the surface of the object at all times, and such that a controlled thickness of dielectric material can be deposited. The fine-featured circuits formed by the invention are rugged, and can be used on objects intended to be exposed to harsh environments.

Abstract: A pre-packaged cleaning system or kit is used for transport, storage and solvent impregnation of one or more fabric rolls used for cleaning components of printing machines. A container holds one or more fabric rolls, and one or more bags containing a solvent. When the rolls are to be used, the bags are perforated, allowing the solvent to flow onto the rolls. Thus, the rolls can be impregnated with solvent immediately before use. Because they are stored separately, the rolls and solvent are not likely to deteriorate even during long periods of storage.

Abstract: A turbine includes a stack of substantially parallel disks, the rotation of which causes rotation of a shaft. The disks are separated by peripheral spacers, each peripheral spacer having the shape of an airfoil. Each peripheral spacer defines a chord which is angled radially inward, towards the axis of rotation of the disk. The peripheral spacers are located only in the vicinity of the periphery of the disk. Air, or other fluid, entering the turbine engages the airfoil shaped peripheral spacers, and the flow of air generates lift, and associated drag, causing the energy of the fluid to be more efficiently converted into mechanical, and ultimately, electrical power. The turbine is especially useful in harnessing wind energy for the generation of electric power.

Abstract: A tubesheet is formed at the end of a module containing polymeric material for gas separation, by immersing the end of the module in an epoxy material, or its equivalent. A vacuum, or partial vacuum, applied at or near the opposite end of the module, tends to draw the epoxy material towards the source of the vacuum, and results in a tubesheet having a desired thickness, even though the epoxy material may have relatively high viscosity. The method produces effective tubesheets, while minimizing the degree to which the tubesheet covers the otherwise useful surface area of the polymeric material. The method thus produces gas-separation modules having enhanced productivity.

Abstract: Sampling or transfusion device with protection means including a protective tube that slides longitudinally along the axis in an annular passage between the external body and the central body and has a proximal holding end for moving it selectively between a proximal retracted position in which the needle is not covered by the protective tube or not much covered thereby so that the latter can be used to draw a sample or to administer a transfusion and a distal protection position in which the protective tube covers the needle over the whole of its length.

Abstract: The bone recovery device of the invention comprises an axial main body with an axial cavity passing through it, a front connector incorporating an axial passage and adapted to be fixed to the main body, a filter with a tubular filtering wall adapted to be fitted into the main body, and a scraper piston that slides inside the filter. The scraper piston blocks the end of the filter, and a radial outlet is provided in the axial main body, with an annular cavity left free around the filter between the filter and the axial main body. A canula is inserted into the distal end of the filter. The recovery device may therefore be used to recover bone retained by the filter during aspiration through the canula by the radial outlet, and bone fragments may be extracted by sliding the piston and withdrawing the canula. The recovery device may therefore be used several times without demounting it.

Abstract: A gas separation module includes fibers formed of a membrane which exhibits selectivity between gaseous components to be separated. The fibers are partially coated with a solution which enhances their selectivity, the fibers being uncoated in the vicinity of their feed ends. The partially coated fibers provide a good compromise between the goals of improved selectivity and enhanced product flow. The gaseous component that permeates through the membrane is made to flow in a direction opposite that of the main gas feed, due to a baffle that directs the permeate in the desired direction. The invention also includes a method and apparatus for making the partially coated module.

Abstract: A sonotrode and an anvil have a spacing determined by a manually adjustable mechanical device. The adjustable mechanical device includes an abutment device which maintains the distance between the sonotrode and the anvil greater than the minimum space, and which is provided with an elastic device for elastically attracting the sonotrode and the anvil to each other. Thus, it is possible to control efficiently the melting of material between the sonotrode and the anvil, for reliable welding, or for efficient cutting, or for welding along the cutting line.

Abstract: A pre-packaged cleaning system or kit is used for transport, storage and solvent impregnation of one or more fabric rolls used for cleaning components of printing machines. A container holds one or more fabric rolls, and one or more bags containing a solvent. When the rolls are to be used, the bags are perforated, allowing the solvent to flow onto the rolls. Thus, the rolls can be impregnated with solvent immediately before use. Because they are stored separately, the rolls and solvent are not likely to deteriorate even during long periods of storage.

Abstract: A plantar insole has bearing areas (6, 7, 8, 9) of the main surface which are provided with a rigidity or hardness which are less with respect to other areas (10-13) of the main surface. These areas (6-9) are arranged under the major bearing areas of a foot, i.e. under toes, under the metatarsal heads, under the heel and under the external bearing area of the foot, making it possible to attain a compromise between the necessity of an impact absorption and stabilization of the foot in a shoe. The insole may be adapted to any type of footwear.

Abstract: A gas-separation module allows a sweep gas to be introduced at selectively variable locations, and in selectively varying amounts, along the length of the module. The sweep gas enters the module through a perforated conduit. A slotted sleeve, disposed within the conduit, selectively blocks and unblocks perforations in the conduit. Rotation of the sleeve causes slots to come into, or out of, registration with the perforations. The sleeve permits varying amounts of sweep gas to be introduced at different locations along the length of the module. Rotation of the sleeve changes the profile of introduction of sweep gas, and can be used to optimize the performance of the module for each of a set of different pressure conditions.

Abstract: A portable system for air separation or air dehydration, or both, is carried on a truck or equivalent vehicle. The air separation system includes, at a minimum, a feed compressor and a gas separation membrane. The air dehydration system includes a feed compressor and an air dehydration membrane. The feed compressor receives power from the engine of the vehicle, only when the vehicle is not moving under its own power. Heat from the vehicle engine may also be used to heat the compressed air stream to prevent the formation of water. The system can also be used to perform air dehydration and air separation simultaneously. The system is substantially self-contained, and can be easily driven from one location to another, simply by driving the vehicle to another location. The invention is especially useful in providing air separation or air dehydration services, or both, for relatively brief periods, at multiple locations.

Abstract: In a downhole steam generator, hydrogen, oxygen, and water are separately injected into an oil well. The hydrogen and oxygen are made to react, either with the aid of a catalyst or due to an electric spark. Heat from the reaction converts the water in the area into steam, which is then used to enhance the production of the oil well. The hydrogen may be produced at the surface of the well by the steam reforming of a hydrocarbon. The hydrogen injected into the well may be provided as part of a reformate mixture produced by the steam reforming process. The water is preferably atomized by the stream of oxygen immediately before ignition, so as to provide a maximum surface area for heat absorption.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring the size distribution of a particle sample by counting and classifying particles into selected size ranges. The particle concentration is reduced to the level where the probability of measuring scattering from multiple particles at one time is reduced to an acceptable level. A light beam is focused or collimated through a sample cell, through which the particles flow. As each particle passes through the beam, it scatters, absorbs, and transmits different amounts of the light, depending upon the particle size. So both the decrease in the beam intensity, due to light removal by the particle, and increase of light, scattered by the particle, may be used to determine the particle size, to classify the particle and count it in a certain size range.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new method of synthesis of biologically active substances of determined structure directly in the cells of living organisms containing specific RNA or DNA molecules of determined sequence. The method is based on the hybridization of two or more oligomers bound with biologically inactive precursors of biologically active substances to specific RNA or DNA in vivo in the cells of living organisms. After hybridization of the oligomers to RNA or DNA the biologically inactive precursors bound to the 5? and/or 3? ends of the oligomers can interact with each other to make biologically active form of the substances. This changing of properties is due to chemical reactions which bind the biologically inactive precursors through a chemical bond into a biologically active form of the whole compound.

Abstract: In a device including an anterior plate for vertebral column support, there is at least one connecting sliding piece which is used to connect an anchoring screw to a securing rod. The securing rod is inserted into a cylindrical bearing and is fixed using a tightening device including a small clamp and a tightening screw. The connecting sliding piece includes at least one tip which extends away from the cylindrical bearing for the securing rod, in a direction which converges with the axis of the anchoring screw. In this way, the connecting sliding piece is provisionally fixed by pressing same against a vertebra, the anchoring screw is subsequently screwed in place and, finally, the securing rod is inserted laterally into the cylindrical bearing before being tightened using the small clamp and the tightening screw. The device is designed for anterior implantation on a vertebral column.

Abstract: A device for storing and transporting a tooth includes a basket having two halves, each half including at least one net. When the halves of the basket are in abutment, the nets together form one or more compartments capable of holding a tooth. The basket is inserted into a container holding a cell preserving solution. The container is then sealed, and can then be stored or transported. In the case where there are multiple nets in each half, the teeth are stored in multiple separate compartments, and do not impinge against each other, or against the walls of the container, during storage or transportation. The stored teeth can later be used to recover cells, including stem cells, for medical use.

Abstract: A tool of the invention comprises a casing having two mutually perpendicular elongate plane bearing faces extending in two longitudinal directions. A first laser beam generator generates a laser line in the first longitudinal direction. Air levels are used to check that a bearing face is horizontal. Retractable linear marking means such as a tracing cord or a graduated tape can be deployed in the second longitudinal direction, thereby extending the second bearing face, and retracted into the casing by winding them onto a spool provided with a handle. This kind of tool considerably facilitates marking and tracing lines on a construction site and constitutes an easily transportable one-piece object.