Abstract: A system for sorting materials comprising a sorting apparatus comprising a handling tool and a robotized arm for displacing the handling tool over the materials; and a vacuum apparatus creating a depression and having a tubing extending from a source for the depression to the handling tool where the tubing for the vacuum apparatus ends and where it defines a diameter. The handling tool is adapted to be displaced to a selected item among the materials and perform a contact therewith with the end of the tubing for the vacuum apparatus for either: grabbing the selected item if the selected item is larger than the diameter; or sucking up the selected item if the selected item is smaller than the diameter, wherein sucking up the selected item has the selected item travel under the effect of the vacuum apparatus.

Abstract: An LED screen for use in interactive golf driving ranges is disclosed. In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of enclosures each housing LED nodes, where the plurality of enclosures is arranged in a plurality of rows to form an LED screen. The system also includes a coupler configured to couple a first one of the plurality of enclosures to a second one of the plurality of enclosures. The system also includes an LED processor configured to control each of the nodes via the coupler to display media on the LED screen.

Abstract: A communications network and method for providing a voice message to a user of a mobile station (MS) in a network having a plurality of independent mobile systems, each independent mobile system including a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Short Message Service Center (SMS-C) and Voice Message System (VMS), wherein each VMS is identified by a unique identifier code. A received voice message is stored in a VMS, and an SMS notification message is sent to the MS. Because each VMS is identified by a unique identifier code, the MS can retrieve a voice message by dialing the code contained in an SMS notification message, regardless of which independent mobile system is serving the MS at the time the voice message retrieval is requested.

Abstract: A method and a device (10) for reorganizing the fibers of a matrix in a living tissue sheet (S) by inducing controlled mechanical constraints in the living tissue (S) sheet thus causing the fibers of the matrix to be aligned parallel to the strain orientation. The sheet (S) is held in a stretched state until the fibers set in place.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stretcher having a brake mechanism that can be selectively activated to influence the movement of the stretcher supported by an inclined surface. The brake mechanism of the stretcher progressively increases the amount of friction between the stretcher and the surface of which the stretcher is supported to reduce or stop movements of the stretcher. The stretcher further includes a pulling member influencing the position or the activation of the brake mechanism on the stretcher and high friction means associated with the bottom side of the stretcher. The present invention also provides a size reduction mechanism requesting limited storage space for the stretcher when not in use and a foot restraint to secure the feet of the patient on the stretcher and offer additional volume to carry additional material with the patient. A method for braking a stretcher on an inclined plane is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a human or animal tissue by applying a compressive force to a stack of sheets of living tissue thereby inducing adjacent layers to fuse or adhere to each other. The force is applied in direction normal to the surface of the tissue. A multi-layer tissue produced by the method described above can also possess at least two different types of sheets and/or consist essentially of between two and twelve sheets of living tissue. The method can also be used to prepare a planar tissue that can further be incorporated in a multi-layer tissue construct. The methods and tissues described herein are useful for the preparation of engineered tissues.

Abstract: A communications network and method for providing a voice message to a user of a mobile station (MS) in a network having a plurality of independent mobile systems, each independent mobile system including a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Short Message Service Center (SMS-C) and Voice Message System (VMS), wherein each VMS is identified by a unique identifier code. A received voice message is stored in a VMS, and an SMS notification message is sent to the MS. Because each VMS is identified by a unique identifier code, the MS can retrieve a voice message by dialing the code contained in an SMS notification message, regardless of which independent mobile system is serving the MS at the time the voice message retrieval is requested.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stretcher having a brake mechanism that can be selectively activated to influence the movement of the stretcher supported by an inclined surface. The brake mechanism of the stretcher progressively increases the amount of friction between the stretcher and the surface of which the stretcher is supported to reduce or stop movements of the stretcher. The stretcher further includes a pulling member influencing the position or the activation of the brake mechanism on the stretcher and high friction means associated with the bottom side of the stretcher. The present invention also provides a size reduction mechanism requesting limited storage space for the stretcher when not in use and a foot restraint to secure the feet of the patient on the stretcher and offer additional volume to carry additional material with the patient. A method for braking a stretcher on an inclined plane is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of assembling a single living tissue sheet formed of different cell populations. According to this invention at least two cell populations composing at least two living tissue sheets can be assembled into a single continuous tissue construct The cells of this construct can also be autologous or heterologous depending on the needs and the type of implant to be transferred in a recipient patient.

Abstract: A method for preparing a human or animal tissue by applying a compressive force to a stack of sheets of living tissue thereby inducing adjacent layers to fuse or adhere to each other. The force is applied in direction normal to the surface of the tissue. A multi-layer tissue produced by the method decribed above can also possess at least two different types of sheets and/or consist essentially of between two and twelve sheets of living tissue. The method can also be used to prepare a planar tissue that can further be incorporated in a multi-layer tissue construct. The methods and tissues described herein are useful for the preparation of engineered tissues.

Abstract: A swim training apparatus has been designed to help swimmers of any age or any type of experience by teaching the right swimming techniques, correcting their swimming bad habits, and enhancing their swimming capabilities. The apparatus is destined to be used under water in a swimming pool or in a natural basin of water and it consists of a plurality of under water steps which are equipped with reference markers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of assembling a single living tissue sheet formed of different cell populations. According to this invention at least two cell populations composing at least two living tissue sheets can be assembled into a single continuous tissue construct. The cells of this construct can also be autologous or heterologous depending on the needs and the type of implant to be transferred in a recipient patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates two new methods of improving the functionality of human or animal tissues by physically or biochemically treating the tissue prior to submitting it to different tests or before grafting it to a recipientpatient. Such a treated tissue is therefore rendered having a greater capability to resist to mechanical stress or shows a higher contractility.

Abstract: A method and a device (10) for reorganizing the fibers of a matrix in a living tissue sheet (S) by inducing controlled mechanical constraints in the living tissue (S) sheet thus causing the fibers of the matrix to be aligned parallel to the strain orientation. The sheet (S) is held in a stretched state until the fibers set in place.

Abstract: A swim training apparatus has been designed to help swimmers of any age or any type of experience by teaching the right swimming techniques, correcting their swimming bad habits, and enhancing their swimming capabilities. The apparatus is destined to be used under water in a swimming pool or in a natural basin of water and it consists of a plurality of under water steps which are equipped with reference markers.

Abstract: A method for storing subscriber service profiles is defined. The method has a step for defining a first table in a home centralized database, where the first table contains identification parameters and each identification parameter is associated to at least one service. The method also has a step for defining a second table in the home centralized database. The second table contains the service profiles and some of the service profiles contain at least one of the identification parameters. A home centralized database and a serving visitor database are also provided.

Abstract: The tissue-engineered heart valve of the present invention is comprised of elements, such as leaflets, formed from self-supporting human engineered tissue. Such self-supporting tissue is comprised of living biological cells and extracellular matrix without the presence of nonviable scaffolding structures. Thus, the tissue-engineered heart valve of the present invention consists of totally living human tissue which could theoretically function like a native biological structure with the potential to grow, to repair and to remodel.