Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting silica nanoparticles and/or graphene nanoplatelets in samples of various kinds, which may be solid surfaces, air or gas streams, or liquids suspected of being contaminated. The method is based on the use of a sensor having a photoluminescent substrate for the presence of carbon dots deposited thereon.

Abstract: An artificial sphincter to be implanted in a urethra, for treating patients suffering from urinary incontinence, includes a container configured to be connected to a wall of a urethra, inside or outside it, a valve unit housed within the container and configured to move from a release configuration to a block configuration and vice-versa. An actuation magnet is movably (rotatably or slidably) arranged between a first and a second position in the container, and is connected to the valve unit such that a predetermined (rotation or translation) movement of the actuation magnet from a first towards a second position, or from the second towards the first position, under the effect of an external manoeuvre magnet, brings the valve unit from the release configuration to the block configuration, where the valve is stably maintained, and from the block configuration to the release configuration, where the valve is stably maintained.