Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method to grade a piece of wood and simultaneously to classify this piece of wood by allowing an examination of four longitudinal faces thereof, so as to determine optimal specifications for a subsequent use thereof such as shaving, trimming ends, and other applications. The system comprises a structure, a transversal conveyor, a vision unit and a processing unit. The vision unit is partly located above the conveyor in an inclined plane, collecting data on a lateral and upper longitudinal face of an object as the object moves with the conveyor, and partly located under the conveyor, at an angle therewith, collecting data from a complementary lateral longitudinal face of the object as well as from an inferior longitudinal face thereof, as the object moves with the conveyor. The system allows classification of wooden pieces according to predetermined standards, at a rate of 200 pieces per minute with a margin of error less than or equal to 2%.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel process for modifying the surface properties of a material that is suitable for contact with animal tissue so as to enhance its hemocompatibility and make it less thrombogenic when in use. This process comprises: Exposing the surface of the material to plasma treatment conditions in order to create reactive groups on said surface; activating a molecule with an activator to produce a reactive molecular species capable of forming convalent bonds with the reactive groups created on the surface of the material to form convalent bonds. The invention further encompasses the materials produced by this process as well as devices, such as vascular prosthesis, that are comprised of these process-modified materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method to grade a piece of wood and simultaneously to classify this piece of wood by allowing an examination of four longitudinal faces thereof, so as to determine optimal specifications for a subsequent use thereof such as shaving, trimming ends, and other applications. The system comprises a structure, a transversal conveyor, a vision unit and a processing unit. The vision unit is partly located above the conveyor in an inclined plane, collecting data on a lateral and upper longitudinal face of an object as the object moves with the conveyor, and partly located under the conveyor, at an angle therewith, collecting data from a complementary lateral longitudinal face of the object as well as from an inferior longitudinal face thereof, as the object moves with the conveyor. The system allows classification of wooden pieces according to predetermined standards, at a rate of 200 pieces per minute with a margin of error less than or equal to 2%.