Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: An implantable defibrillator apparatus having a plurality of defibrillation electrodes which can be applied to the heart muscle in order to apply electric defibrillation shocks thereto, and a defibrillation-controller for selectively applying respective electric defibrillation shocks to the electrodes preferably sequentially in time and in synchronism with the QRS.

Abstract: An active implantable device having a sensor capable of detecting signals indicative of the conditions of the wearer of the device; a processor capable of selectively identifying, from signals detected by the sensor, particular conditions of the wearer of the device such as to require urgent assistance, an actuator capable of inducing the performance of therapeutic actions on the body of the wearer upon the occurrence of the particular conditions of the wearer of the device and a telemetry system capable of signaling from the body of the wearer of the device the occurrence of the particular conditions of the wearer of the device.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: A prosthesis having an apertured structure is located in a chamber (11) which is taken to sub-atmospheric pressure. Once sub-atmospheric pressure has been reached, a liquid, optionally containing pharmacological agents, is introduced into the chamber. Drawn by the sub-atmospheric pressure, the liquid saturates the apertured structure of the prosthesis. In this way, the invention eliminates the risk of air being trapped in the apertured structure that could give rise to the formation of blood clots after implantation of the prosthesis. The liquid can contain drugs that penetrate the prosthesis, performing their therapeutic action locally and over time after implantation.

Abstract: An implantable heart-stimulation apparatus having a plurality of stimulation electrodes which can be applied to the heart muscle in one or more chambers of the heart in order to apply electrical stimulation signals thereto, and stimulation-control means for applying stimulation signals to the electrodes in accordance with a time plan determined individually and separately for each of the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A stent for angioplasty has a body (1) in the form of a generally tubular envelope susceptible of being dilated in use from a radially-contracted position into a radially-expanded position. The body of the stent (1) includes a plurality of successive segments (2) having a serpentine shape with loop parts having sequentially-opposite concavity. These loop parts are connected by connector parts (4) and the bridges (3) which connect the segments (2) of the stent together join to the aforesaid connector parts (4).

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: The anchorage element (3) includes a body made of shape memory material which, on reaching a transition temperature, passes from a generally retracted position with respect to the associated implant device (1) to an expanded position in which the element (3) anchors the device (1) to the implant site.

Abstract: Electrodes can generate electrical stimulation pulses at least one first intensity level and at least one second intensity level. The first and second intensity levels are above and below a given stimulation threshold, respectively. The synchronous or asynchronous delivery of second-level pulses enables the conduction of the atrioventricular node to be modulated by electrotonic effect, for example, to reduce ventricular frequency in the event of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: An implantable defibrillator apparatus having a plurality of defibrillation electrodes which can be applied to the heart muscle in order to apply electric defibrillation shocks thereto, and defibrillation-control means for selectively applying respective electric defibrillation shocks to the electrodes preferably sequentially in time and in synchronism with the QRS.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an implantation device having a body, the surface of which has at least a portion coated with a receptor, and a preparation containing a ligand formed from the combination of an active principle with a substance capable of binding to the receptor. This preparation may be brought into contact when desired with the implantation device which is, for example, a stent.

Abstract: Electrodes can generate electrical stimulation pulses at least one first intensity level and at least one second intensity level. The first and second intensity levels are above and below a given stimulation threshold, respectively. The synchronous or asynchronous delivery of second-level pulses enables the conduction of the atrioventricular node to be modulated by electrotonic effect, for example, to reduce ventricular frequency in the event of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: An implantable defibrillator apparatus having a plurality of defibrillation electrodes which can be applied to the heart muscle in order to apply electric defibrillation shocks thereto, and defibrillation-control means for selectively applying respective electric defibrillation shocks to the electrodes preferably sequentially in time and in synchronism with the QRS.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fluorescent dyes and its valence tautomers of the formula wherein Q represents a conjugated moiety that increases the fluorescent quantum yield of the compound; R.sub.1 is a functionalized group of the formula--(CH.sub.2).sub.j Y, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of SO.sub.3 H, COOH, NH.sub.2, CHO, NCS, epoxy, phthalimido, and COOZ, wherein Z represents a leaving group; R.sub.2 is a functionalized group of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.k Y', wherein Y' is selected from the group consisting of SO.sub.3 H, COOH, NH.sub.2, CHO, NCS, epoxy, phthalimido, and COOZ, wherein Z represents a leaving group; M.sup.+ is a counterion selected from the group consisting of ammonium, alkali metal cations, and alkaline earth metal cations; n=1 to 4; m=1 to 4; j=2 to 10; and k=2 to 10.

Abstract: A method of preparing biological implantation material fixed by means of aldehydes, in which the excess aldehyde is bound by treatment with an aminocarboxylic acid and the acid is selected from compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## in which n is 1 or 2 and X is a sulpho- (--SO.sub.3 H) or phosphono- (--PO.sub.3 H) group, and mixtures of such compounds.

Abstract: Physico-chemical parameters, such as pH, pO.sub.2, pCO.sub.2, % O.sub.2, sat, etc., are determined with the use of a sensitive medium, such as a chromophore, having at least one optical property the profile of the spectrum whereof over a predetermined wavelength spectrum of optical radiation varies as a function of the parameter to be determined. The profile of the spectrum is analysed, for example by means of polychromatic sensor means acting on the medium's spectrum, which is preferably substantially continuous, so as to enable the analysis to be carried out with the aid of a profile-recognition function by typical pattern-recognition operations. The determination is thus rendered largely independent of numerous perturbing factors such as those resulting from the use of partially disposable monitoring units, thus eliminating the need for calibration steps.

Abstract: The structure has a core which may be a strand or braid, as well as a sheath surrounding the core and defining the exchange surface. Preferred applications are for biomedical equipment such as blood oxygenators and blood purification equipment.

Abstract: A stentless prosthesis is made completely from material, for example bovine pericardium, other than valve material. A projection of the valve sleeve allows reparatory operations on surrounding tissues.

Abstract: The prosthesis is manufactured by knitting a foundation yarn with a high degree of heat-shrinkability and at least one effect yarn which is substantially heat stable, immersing the resulting fabric in boiling water so as to shrink the foundation yarn and thereby reduce its permeability to liquids while not affecting the effect yarn significantly so that it is possible to obtain good velvet effects without resorting to very high overfeed rates for the effect yarn.