Abstract: The invention concerns the use of fucanes for obtaining medicines for modulating metalloprotease and inhibiting leukocytic elastase. Said medicines help activate collagen synthesis inhibit proliferation of gingival fibroblasts, and activate proliferation of dermal fibroblasts. They are useful in particular for treating periodontal pathologies and dermal lesions.

Abstract: The device chiefly includes a thermostatically controlled measuring cell (1) with which is associated a transmitting-receiving ultrasonic probe (2). The cell consists of a cavity (10) divided half way up by a thin plate (11). The upper chamber above the plate is designed to receive a suspension (13) of particles while the probe is located in the lower chamber below the plate. The upper face (14) of the probe is separated from the plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement of the red blood cell deformability having a measurement cell formed of two electrically insulated compartments clamped mechanically one against the other, with a commercially available multipore membrane therebetween, each of the parts having inlet and outlet orifices as well as a cavity having one electrode and a lateral hole. One of the cavities contains a buffer, the other being intended to receive a suspension of red blood cells consisting of a dilution of a small volume of red blood cells in a large volume of an isotonic conducting buffer, having a volume concentration allowing substantially the transit of a single red blood cell at a time through the multipore membrane, under the action of a device for applying pressure connected to the cavity containing the suspension. An electronic device translates into transit times the electric impedance variations corresponding to the transit of each single red blood cell through the multipore membrane.

Abstract: To treat hydrocephaly, an intracranial catheter is implanted in the head. It is connected to a tube fitted with a non-return valve and serves to divert the flow of cephalo-rachidian liquid to the peritoneum or to the right auricle of the heart. In accordance with the invention a hydraulic filter of non-linear variable impedance is connected in the tube in series with the valve. The filter maintains an average flow rate of the cephalo-rachidian liquid close to the physiological flow rate, but prevents sudden rushes of fluid flow, thereby permitting the intracranial pressure to vary in the short term in the normal manner over a characteristic period of about one second, while preventing said pressure from rising slowly in the long term, e.g. over a characteristic period of about one minute. This is done by a bead (160) which is housed in a cavity (161) extending between a proximal orifice (111) and a distal orifice (136). The distal orifice constitutes a leaky valve seat for the bead.

Abstract: A probe for studying the visco-elastic behavior of sphincters of living organisms is comprised of an expansible head formed by three articulated groups disposed radially at 120.degree. intervals about a central axis. Each of the articulated groups is composed of a cross-piece which interconnects a rigid member, carrying a strain gauge on its outer surface, to the central axis. The cross-pieces are articulated at one end about the opposite ends of the rigid member and are articulated at the other end about two blocks which are carried by the central axis. The cross-pieces are constructed such that rotation of the central axis causes the distance between the rigid elements and the central axis to vary. A flexible shaft couples the central axis to a motor.