Abstract: The present invention provides a light tube for illumination by a power supply circuit including a bulb portion and a pair of end caps disposed at opposite ends of the bulb portion. A plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed inside the bulb portion and in electrical communication with the pair of end caps for illuminating in response to electrical current to be received from the power supply circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light tube for illumination by a power supply circuit including a bulb portion and a pair of end caps disposed at opposite ends of the bulb portion. A plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed inside the bulb portion and in electrical communication with the pair of end caps for illuminating in response to electrical current to be received from the power supply circuit.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a nuclear graphite contaminated with radioelements includes subjecting the graphite, immersed in a medium containing water, to high-voltage pulses. The pulses have sufficient energy for electric arcs to be initiated and to break the constituent bonds of the water molecules and the carbon-carbon bonds of the graphite. The number of high-voltage pulses is determined so as to convert the graphite into gas.

Abstract: A device for denuding the endothelium of a vascular cavity wall in order to maximize thrombosis and prevent recanalization in the vascular cavity. The device comprises an endovascular tool, such as a guidewire, microcatheter, microballoon or coil, and at least one denuding element attached to the endovascular tool, adapted to remove at least part of the endothelium of the vascular cavity wall while avoiding wall perforation. This invention also includes a method of preparing a vascular cavity having blood therein before vascular cavity occlusion by removing at least part of the endothelium of the cavity wall in order to maximize thrombosis and prevent recanalization in the vascular cavity. The method comprises the steps of endovascularly disposing at least one denuding element inside the cavity and using the at least one denuding element to remove at least part of an endothelium of a cavity wall while avoiding wall perforation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of a nuclear graphite contaminated with radioelements, the said process comprising a milling step consisting in subjecting the said graphite, immersed in a liquid medium, to high-voltage pulses, the said liquid medium having a resistivity such that, owing to the effect of the energy conveyed by the said pulses, electric arcs are initiated and, upon contact with the said graphite, break the carbon-carbon bonds that make up this graphite, the number of high-voltage pulses being set so as to obtain a given particle size.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods of embolizing a vascular site in a mammal comprising introducing into the vasculature of a mammal a composition comprising an inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said inverse thermosensitive polymer gels in said vasculature, which composition may be injected through a small catheter, and which compositions gel at or below body temperature. In certain embodiments of the methods of embolization, said composition further comprises a marker molecule, such as a dye, radiopaque, or an MRI-visible compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microcatheters (8) with a detachable tip for administering liquid embolic agents. The detachable tip microcatheter for use with liquid embolic agents in treating an aneurysm comprises a body adapted to be introduced in a vascular cavity; a detachable tip portion mounted on a distal end of the body; and a detaching mechanism (16) mounted between the tip and the body for detaching the tip from the body, the tip portion being adapted to be positioned in use in the aneurysm to introduce the embolic agent into the aneurysm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an occlusion device for treating an aneurysm, its use and a method for treating an aneurysm. The occlusion device comprises a detachable filling element and at least one radioactive source. The detachable filling element and the radioactive source are adapted to be inserted into a vessel at least in close proximity of a neck of an aneurysm. The radioactive source stimulates neointima formation for obstructing the neck of the aneurysm or filling up the aneurysm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bag packaging system composed of a bag sealable to contain a liquid, in which the bag is composed of a continuous outer water soluble film and an inner continuous protective film layer that allows storage therein of a liquid that would chemically or physically react with the water soluble film but is prevented from doing so by the presence of the continuous protective film layer on the inner portion of the bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bag packaging system composed of a bag sealable to contain a liquid, in which the bag is composed of a continuous outer water soluble film and an inner continuous protective film layer that allows storage therein of a liquid that would chemically or physically react with the water soluble film but is prevented from doing so by the presence of the continuous protective film layer on the inner portion of the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the sustained endovascular treatment of aneurysms, such as intracranial or for closing any body lumen, such as vascular lumen or other using an occlusion device for the local delivery of biologically active DNA therapeutic molecules. The invention also relates to a method for a rapid preparation of the artificial occlusion device to be coated shortly before or during the clinical procedure. A subsequent step in the method of treatment involves introducing at an aneurysm site or inside a vessel a slow-releasing, biologically active DNA molecule-leaching device. The device releases a biologically active DNA molecule at the aneurysm site for stimulating neointima formation and for increasing neointima thickness. The neointima formation fills the aneurysm and the biologically active DNA molecule released in the aneurysm is absorbed by surrounding tissues of the aneurysm for providing long-term treatment of the aneurysm preventing recanalisation.

Abstract: Vanadium dioxide particles having formula V1−xMxO2, wherein 0≦x≧0.05 and M is a doping metal, and being characterized in that they have a particle size of less than 10 &mgr;m, a method for preparing same, and the use of said microparticles, in particular for surface coating, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bag packaging system composed of a bag sealable to contain a liquid, in which the bag is composed of a continuous outer water soluble film and an inner continuous protective film layer that allows storage therein of a liquid that would chemically or physically react with the water soluble film but is prevented from doing so by the presence of the continuous protective film layer on the inner portion of the bag.

Abstract: The present invention is relative to a panel hinged on a receiving part, along at least one curved contour edge, by means of two hinges which define a geometric axis of rotation around which the panel pivots between an open position and a closed position. The panel includes fittings intended to engage, during rotation of the panel between its open and closed positions, with reception fittings carried by the receiving part, in order to press the aforesaid curved edge of the panel against the receiving part, the fittings fixed to the panel describing a curved trajectory the center of which is situated on the axis of rotation around which the panel pivots.

Abstract: A device for replacing all or part of the posterior vertebral articular process (3, 13), engaging a support (7) and members for anchoring same to the vertebra, wherein each complete (5) or partial (1, 11), upper (1, 5) and/or lower (11) prosthesis mimics the anatomical shape of the posterior vertebral articular process and comprises artificial sliding surfaces (2, 12) facing one another between at least two adjacent vertebrae while adapting to the physiological orientation thereof, and the anchoring members comprise a support (7) with a convex surface matching and engaging at least one portion of the concave surface of the posterior arch of the vertebra on at least one side of the spinous process (9), and rigidly connect at least one separate portion of the support (7), to a corresponding separate portion of the vertebra.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for suspending a helicopter tank, the tank comprising a container which possesses a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls forming a closed volume which is designed to be placed in a compartment of the helicopter, the compartment having at least one partition adjacent to the top portion of the container. The device comprises at least one fastening made of a material that absorbs energy by plastic deformation, which fastening is fixed firstly to the partition of the compartment and secondly to one of said walls of the container so that in the event of a violent shock it limits the displacement and the acceleration of the container relative to the partition of the compartment by plastic deformation of the fastening.

Abstract: Electrostatic filter in which the enclosure (2) is fitted with a flexible membrane (12) , behind which an acoustic wave generator (14) is placed and which vibrates the gaseous contents of the filter to detach retained dust and clean the filter.

Abstract: According to the invention, the total mercaptans in an aqueous sample are assayed by means of the formation of a chromophoric substitution product between all the mercaptans present in the sample and a reagent corresponding to the general formula I: ##STR1## Reduced glutathione (GSH) is assayed in the form of a chromophoric thione formed specifically by alkalization from the substitution product formed above between GSH and the reagent.The concentration of mercaptans distinct from GSH is obtained by subtraction of the concentrations obtained in the preceding assays.Application to the assay of mercaptans and GSH, especially in the presence of other mercaptans, in particular in biological media.

Abstract: Ancillary equipment for subjecting a portion of the spine to sustained stress in order to correct and/or maintain the shape of and/or the forces exerted on the vertebrae before and during the positioning of spinal implants. The equipment includes at least two engagement ends (6a, 6b, 6c, . . . and/or 6a', 6b', 6c', . . . ) for engaging one or preferably both sides of at least two separate respective vertebrae, while at the same time engaging the parallel longitudinal rails (3) of a frame-like support (1) via corresponding corrective branches (4a, 4b, 4c, . . . and/or 4a', 4b', 4c', . . . ) and a removable base (5) of said engagement ends, and further includes members (13, 17, 43, 65) for adjusting and locking the engagement ends (6a, 6b, 6c, . . . and/or 6a', 6b', 6c', . . . ) in their relative positions in each or a combination of three orthogonal directions.

Abstract: Making fibrous substrates. The method consists for a given substrate thickness in adopting a displacement step size that varies in application of a step size reduction relationship adopted to impart constant thickness to the various superposed and bonded-togehter layer thickness making up said substrate thickness. Application to manufacturing friction parts.