Abstract: Disclosed is a device for mechanically characterizing an element of interest, for example an oocyte. The mechanical characterization device includes: a support receiving a container suitable for containing a liquid medium; a holder for holding the element of interest; an indenting member; a magnet for generating a magnetic field in which the indenting member is intended to move and which participates in suspending the indenting member with an unstable horizontal direction oriented coaxially to the longitudinal axis; a controller to control the magnet to maneuver the indenting member in translation along the unstable horizontal direction; and a component for determining the mechanical characteristics of the element of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for mechanically characterizing an element of interest, for example an oocyte. The mechanical characterization device includes: a support receiving a container suitable for containing a liquid medium; a holder for holding the element of interest; an indenting member; a magnet for generating a magnetic field in which the indenting member is intended to move and which participates in suspending the indenting member with an unstable horizontal direction oriented coaxially to the longitudinal axis; a controller to control the magnet to maneuver the indenting member in translation along the unstable horizontal direction; and a component for determining the mechanical characteristics of the element of interest.

Abstract: A decorative element including a number of stones (4) assembled in a closed frame (2) to form two decorative faces. The stones include two opposite external faces (10, 12) which are decorative, and internal faces serving as joints (20, 22) between these stones, and as edging (24, 26) with the interior contour of the frame (32). Some of these internal faces (22, 24) have grooves (28) arranged inside the volume of the frame (2) and accepting strips (34) the ends of which cross the contour of this frame at two opposing points in order to be secured. The decorative element is characterized in that the interior contour (32) of the frame (2) has a protruding cross section which fits into corresponding channels made in the internal edging faces (24, 26) of the stones (4). Applicable for example to the creation of jewelry.

Abstract: A decorative element including a number of stones (4) assembled in a closed frame (2) to form two decorative faces. The stones include two opposite external faces (10, 12) which are decorative, and internal faces serving as joints (20, 22) between these stones, and as edging (24, 26) with the interior contour of the frame (32). Some of these internal faces (22, 24) have grooves (28) arranged inside the volume of the frame (2) and accepting strips (34) the ends of which cross the contour of this frame at two opposing points in order to be secured. The decorative element is characterized in that the interior contour (32) of the frame (2) has a protruding cross section which fits into corresponding channels made in the internal edging faces (24, 26) of the stones (4). Applicable for example to the creation of jewelry.

Abstract: A flexible metal strip for making bracelets made up of a plurality of identical elements of hexagonal section arranged side by side and interconnected by link devices. Each element comprises a bottom piece and a top piece superposed thereon. The top piece is annular and surrounds a sleeve which extends axially from the top face of the bottom piece and which is used for crimping the top piece on the bottom piece. Each link device is constituted by a triangularly-shaped ring which links together three adjacent elements. The link element is received in radial grooves formed in the top faces of the bottom pieces of said three adjacent elements.