Abstract: A medical device has an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element adapted to contract a hollow body organ in such a way that said contractile element is adapted to be in a resting position or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with the contractile element constricting the hollow body organ and the resting position being defined with the contractile element not constricting the hollow body organ. The medical device further includes a tensioning device adapted to apply a force so as to tighten the contractile element around the hollow body organ. The contractile element further includes a closure for forming the contractile element into a closed loop around said hollow body organ, the closure having a plurality of lips arranged to engage the contractile element.

Abstract: A medical device has an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element adapted to contract a hollow body organ in such a way that said contractile element is adapted to be in a resting position or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with the contractile element constricting the hollow body organ and the resting position being defined with the contractile element not constricting the hollow body organ. The medical device further includes a tensioning device adapted to apply a force so as to tighten the contractile element around the hollow body organ, the tensioning device having a flexible transmission with a tensioning element arranged in a sheath. The sheath has an inner coiled wire coiled in a first direction, and an outer coiled wire surrounding the inner coiled wire and coiled in a second direction opposite to said first direction.

Abstract: A medical device has an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element adapted to contract a hollow body organ in such a way that said contractile element is adapted to be in a resting position or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with the contractile element constricting the hollow body organ and the resting position being defined with the contractile element not constricting the hollow body organ. The medical device further includes a tensioning device adapted to apply a force so as to tighten the contractile element around the hollow body organ. The medical device further includes a means for eliminating a dead zone of the contractile element when the contractile element is attached around hollow organ with a circumference of the contractile element less than a maximum possible circumference.

Abstract: A medical device has an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element adapted to contract a hollow body organ in such a way that said contractile element is adapted to be in a resting position or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with the contractile element constricting the hollow body organ and the resting position being defined with the contractile element not constricting the hollow body organ. The medical device further includes a tensioning device adapted to apply a force so as to tighten the contractile element around the hollow body organ. The medical device further includes a means for eliminating a dead zone of the contractile element when the contractile element is attached around hollow organ with a circumference of the contractile element less than a maximum possible circumference.

Abstract: A medical device has an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element adapted to contract a hollow body organ in such a way that said contractile element is adapted to be in a resting position or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with the contractile element constricting the hollow body organ and the resting position being defined with the contractile element not constricting the hollow body organ. The medical device further includes a tensioning device adapted to apply a force so as to tighten the contractile element around the hollow body organ. The contractile element further includes a closure for forming the contractile element into a closed loop around said hollow body organ, the closure having a plurality of lips arranged to engage the contractile element.

Abstract: A medical device has an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element adapted to contract a hollow body organ in such a way that said contractile element is adapted to be in a resting position or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with the contractile element constricting the hollow body organ and the resting position being defined with the contractile element not constricting the hollow body organ. The medical device further includes a tensioning device adapted to apply a force so as to tighten the contractile element around the hollow body organ, the tensioning device having a flexible transmission with a tensioning element arranged in a sheath. The sheath has an inner coiled wire coiled in a first direction, and an outer coiled wire surrounding the inner coiled wire and coiled in a second direction opposite to said first direction.

Abstract: Medical device including an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element adapted to contract a hollow body organ, in such a way that the contractile element is adapted to be in a resting position or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with the contractile element constricting the hollow body organ and the resting position being defined with said contractile element not constricting the hollow body organ. The medical device can include a tensioning device adapted to apply a force so as to tighten the contractile element around said hollow body organ. The tensioning device can be arranged to cause the contractile element to apply a substantially uniform occlusive pressure of at most 8N/cm2, along the circumference of the contact area between the contractile element and the hollow body organ when the contractile element is in its activated position.

Abstract: A medical device includes an artificial contractile structure which may be advantageously used to assist the functioning of a hollow organ, an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element (100) adapted to contract an organ, in such way that the contractile element (100) is in a resting or in an activated position, at least one actuator designed to activate the contractile structure, and at least one source of energy for powering the actuator. The ratio “current which is needed to maintain the contractile element in its activated position and in its resting position/current which is needed to change the position of the contractile element” is less than 1/500, preferably less than 1/800, and more preferably less than 1/1000. The medical device further includes elements for reducing corrosion of the medical device.

Abstract: Medical device including an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element adapted to contract a hollow body organ, in such a way that the contractile element is adapted to be in a resting position or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with the contractile element constricting the hollow body organ and the resting position being defined with said contractile element not constricting the hollow body organ. The medical device can include a tensioning device adapted to apply a force so as to tighten the contractile element around said hollow body organ. The tensioning device can be arranged to cause the contractile element to apply a substantially uniform occlusive pressure of at most 8N/cm2, along the circumference of the contact area between the contractile element and the hollow body organ when the contractile element is in its activated position.

Abstract: A medical device includes an artificial contractile structure which may be advantageously used to assist the functioning of a hollow organ, an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element (100) adapted to contract an organ, in such way that the contractile element (100) is in a resting or in an activated position, at least one actuator designed to activate the contractile structure, and at least one source of energy for powering the actuator. The ratio “current which is needed to maintain the contractile element in its activated position and in its resting position/current which is needed to change the position of the contractile element” is less than 1/500, preferably less than 1/800, and more preferably less than 1/1000. The medical device further includes elements for reducing corrosion of the medical device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for programming a pump used to inject medicaments. Said pump comprises two connectable units, namely: (i) a cartridge unit (12) which contains the liquid to be injected and which comprises an electronic memory unit (36) that is intended to contain data relating to the treatment that the patient is to receive and (ii) a pump unit (10) comprising actuation means (18) which act on the aforementioned cartridge unit (12) in order to convey the liquid outwards and a microprocessor which is used to control said actuation means using the data contained in the memory unit (36). The inventive device comprises (a) a computer (46) which is used to produce the above-mentioned data and (b) a first interface (50) which can be connected to the computer in order to receive said data and designed to be connected to the cartridge unit (12) in place of the pump unit (10) in order to introduce the data into the memory unit (36).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for programming a pump used to inject medicaments. Said pump comprises two connectable units, namely: (i) a cartridge unit (12) which contains the liquid to be injected and which comprises an electronic memory unit (36) that is intended to contain data relating to the treatment that the patient is to receive and (ii) a pump unit (10) comprising actuation means (18) which act on the aforementioned cartridge unit (12) in order to convey the liquid outwards and a microprocessor which is used to control said actuation means using the data contained in the memory unit (36). The inventive device comprises (a) a computer (46) which is used to produce the above-mentioned data and (b) a first interface (50) which can be connected to the computer in order to receive said data and designed to be connected to the cartridge unit (12) in place of the pump unit (10) in order to introduce the data into the memory unit (36).

Abstract: The invention relates to anti-gp130 monoclonal antibodies, as well as to their uses for obtaining medicinal products, cell culture adjuvants and diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: New monoclonal murine-IgG.sub.1 antibody obtainable from a new hybridoma-cell line, binding to an epitope of the human interleukin-2 receptor that differs from Tac, inhibiting the binding of human interleukin-2 to its receptor, and appropriate for the treatment, prophylaxis, and diagnosis of interleukin-2-dependent diseases in humans.