Abstract: The invention relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis (2) that comprises first and second rigid half-envelopes (3, 4) in the form of plates, each intended to be secured to one of the two vertebrae adjacent to the intervertebral disc to be replaced. The first half-envelope (3) includes a central tubular part (5) oriented towards the second half-envelope, while the second half-envelope (4) includes a central stud (6) having a cross-section smaller than that of the tubular part, said stud being oriented towards the first half-envelope and inserted in the tubular part. According to the invention, the intervertebral disc prosthesis further comprises a compression pad (7) disposed between the two half-envelopes, including in the space between the tubular part and the stud.

Abstract: A method of forming hollow fiber bundles includes the step of providing a mat having a plurality of hollow fibers forming a weft and a plurality of soluble fibers forming a warp. Each hollow fiber extends between a first side and an opposed second side of the mat. The mat is bundled so as to form a bundle with the first side of the mat defining a first end of the bundle and the second side of the mat defining a second end of the bundle. At least a portion of the bundle is potted so as to substantially fix a position of the hollow fibers relative to each other. The soluble fibers are at least partially dissolved so as to remove the soluble fibers from the bundle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bone fixing device (1) for immobilizing a linking rod (2) designed to connect at least one bone fragment (3) to another, said device comprising: at least one anchoring means (4) designed to be fixed on or in said bone fragment (3); at least one receiving part (7), secured to said anchoring means (4), designed to receive at least part of said linking rod (2); locking means (8) designed to lock said part of the linking rod (2) within said receiving part (7). The invention is characterized in that said locking means comprise at least one solid element (8) having a longitudinal axis, said solid element including at least one inclined surface (9) capable, under the action of a thrust directed along the longitudinal axis of said solid element, of gradually wedging by friction said part of the linking rod (2) into said receiving part (7), until said part of the linking rod (2) is completely locked inside said receiving part (7).

Abstract: The method for managing an energy variation of an aircraft provided with at least one propulsion system, capable of generating a thrust force on said aircraft comprised in a thrust range, is characterized in that said energy variation is expressed by a size representative of said energy variation and homogenous to a gradient of the aircraft, and in that it includes steps for determining the current energy variation of said aircraft, ordering an energy variation of the aircraft, determining, as a function of said ordered energy variation, a necessary thrust force that must be generated by said propulsion system for the energy variation of the aircraft to be able to tend towards said ordered energy variation, and developing and applying a control order to said propulsion system so that it delivers said necessary thrust force.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of hollow fibers includes the step of providing an elongated flexible substantially continuous fiber and coating an outer surface of the fiber with a hollow fiber material. The hollow fiber material is cured or hardened. A gap is created between the outer surface of the support fiber and the inner surface of the coating layer defined thereon. The coated support fiber is cut into a plurality of fiber segments each having exposed ends. The support fiber segments are removed from the coating layer so as to provide a plurality of hollow fibers.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to propose a reliable, economically viable autoclave that also allows rapid heat treatment of food or pharmaceutical products in industrial quantities. To this end, the subject of the invention is a system for shaking items, inside a device under pressure, comprising a chamber (100) equipped with a heating means (110) and with a pressurizing means (115), and a storage basket (200) for the items (P) coupled to a translational shaking means (300, 310-320-330-340), wherein the basket (200) is slidably mounted on a chassis (400) exhibiting a platform (410) supported by support columns (420) passing through the chamber (100) in a fluidtight and decoupled manner and intended to be secured to an immovable support (600).

Abstract: A health product for sports use, in particular a joint support includes a main strap (5; 105; 205; 305) destined to surround the part of the body to be supported. The main strap includes: a bottom layer (2) destined to come into contact with the skin of the wearer, an intermediate layer of padding (3), and a top layer (4) destined to face outward. The main strap is obtained by die-punching and moulding along the peripheral edge.

Abstract: An ambidextrous wrist brace is described, having a substantially rectangular main strap (2) designed to be closed in a tubular shape around the wrist and provided with a slot (21) through which the user's thumb passes to be immobilized by an immobilization system (3) connected to the main strap (2). The thumb immobilization system (3) includes a rod (30) substantially bent into a U-shape to give rise to two end arms (31) which engage telescopically in respective pockets (9, 9?) formed on the main strap (2), so as to be able to adjust the thumb immobilizer (3) in position.

Abstract: A corset (100) includes a first portion (5) and a second portion (5?) with substantially the same shape as the first portion (5). Each portion (5, 5?) includes a solid band (50) and a plurality of laces (52) which protrude from one end of the solid band (50). The two portions (5, 5?) are constrained to each other by crossing the laces (52) with each other and by closing the ends of groups of laces by closure elements (56). The closure elements (56) of the laces are connected to tightening members (6) which can be operated manually by the user to tighten the laces (52).

Abstract: A compression device for use after venous surgery or endovenous treatment, the device comprising a sleeve (2) of elastic material and having a substantially cylindrical insert (5) suitable for being interposed between the leg and the sleeve (2) in register with a predetermined path.

Abstract: A splint (1), in particular for the wrist, includes a substantially rectangular main band (2), adapted to be closed in a tubular shape around the part of the body to be protected, a plurality of laces (50) having an end integral with one side of the main band, at least one gripping element (30) joined to the other end of the laces and adapted to be fastened on the upper surface (20) of the main band. The splint further includes a comb-shaped insert (6), provided with teeth (61, 62) spaced apart from each other so as to form gaps (63) wherein the laces can be inserted. A fastening strip (65) is connected to the teeth of the insert and is adapted to be fastened on the upper surface of the main band.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bone fixing device (1) for immobilizing a linking rod (2) designed to connect at least one bone fragment (3) to another, said device comprising: at least one anchoring means (4) designed to be fixed on or in said bone fragment (3); at least one receiving part (7), secured to said anchoring means (4), designed to receive at least part of said linking rod (2); locking means (8) designed to lock said part of the linking rod (2) within said receiving part (7). The invention is characterized in that said locking means comprise at least one solid element (8) having a longitudinal axis, said solid element including at least one inclined surface (9) capable, under the action of a thrust directed along the longitudinal axis of said solid element, of gradually wedging by friction said part of the linking rod (2) into said receiving part (7), until said part of the linking rod (2) is completely locked inside said receiving part (7).

Abstract: This system comprises local monitoring units installed in close proximity to the facilities to be monitored, each of which comprises a device for detecting facility malfunctions; a first computer made available to the facility maintenance company, connected to the local units through a transmission network for receiving and processing fault information transmitted from the local units; a second computer made available to a facility management company, which receives the same information as the first computer from the local units; each local unit being associated with a facility and further comprising a control device for allowing a maintenance engineer to signal the beginning and the end of an inspection of the associated facility, these events being transmitted to the computers which comprise a device for storing all information transmitted by the local units.

Abstract: A rotary-wing aircraft rotor blade (23) includes (semi)conductive loops (10) extending along axes (19A to 19C, 19W to 19Z) that are oblique relative to the longitudinal axis (26) of the blade. Impedance changes in the loops are sensed that indicate a location of damage to the blade.

Abstract: A writing instrument having a selective engagement mechanism includes a first barrel portion with a writing tip and a second barrel portion. A docking collar with male projections extending laterally therefrom is associated with one of the first and second barrel portions, and for each male projection, at least one complementary track is provided in a track-carrying member associated with the other of the first and second barrel portions. A biasing element, such as a gasket, facilitates securement of the first and second barrel portions when engaged with one another.

Abstract: An ambidextrous wrist brace is described, having a substantially rectangular main strap (2) designed to be closed in a tubular shape around the wrist and provided with a slot (21) through which the user's thumb passes to be immobilized by an immobilization system (3) connected to the main strap (2). The thumb immobilization system (3) includes a rod (30) substantially bent into a U-shape to give rise to two end arms (31) which engage telescopically in respective pockets (9, 9?) formed on the main strap (2), so as to be able to adjust the thumb immobilizer (3) in position.

Abstract: A thin walled microtube is formed by providing a continuous elongated member having an outer surface. The member is at least partially formed of a water soluble material. A coating material is provided. The coating material may be a silicone compound that is curable such that the coating material cures into a substantial non-porous silicone. The outer surface of the elongated member is coated with a coating material so as to form a substantially uniform and continuous layer of coating material on the outer surface. The layer of coating material is cured so as to form a substantial uniform and continuous layer of substantially non-porous silicone on the outer surface. The elongated member is at least partially dissolved using water and purged from the silicone layer, such that an elongated tube of substantially non-porous silicone is formed.