Abstract: A medical prosthesis implantable in an anatomical duct in order to treat a disease of the duct, the prosthesis having a longitudinal axis, a first radially restricted state or a second radially expanded state, a proximal end and a distal end, first structural elements having meanders extending along a series of parallel helices coiled around the longitudinal axis, the meanders having apices alternately directed towards the proximal end and the distal end, and second structural discrete elements extending along a series of parallel lines perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second structural discrete elements being individually arranged between two adjacent first structural elements and defining connecting struts by intersecting the two adjacent first structural elements, the second structural discrete elements showing changes of slope with at least one shoulder, but not apices.

Abstract: An endoluminal medical prosthesis has a frame, a flexible sleeve, and means for fastening the flexible sleeve to the frame. The frame includes a plurality of adjacent, axially-spaced undulating or meandering tubular structures, the undulations or meanders being formed by elongate segments arranged in V- or U-formation, with apices therebetween. The flexible sleeve is substantially coaxial with the frame and channels a fluid flowing in the duct. The attaching element, which includes a flexible thread, wraps around and extends from an elongate segment of one meandering structure of the frame to an elongate segment of an adjacent, axially spaced meandering structure of the frame, preferably passing through the flexible sleeve with each wrap or turn around a segment.

Abstract: A subcutaneous locating device for a blood filter is provided with a tubular component or catheter which can be perforated and is adapted so as to be implanted in a patient's body. The device comprises an external casing having a principal passage in order to receive therethrough a tubular component and a radial stud mounted so as to slide in the casing in order to perforate the tubular component and lock the casing along the latter under the control of an operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for implanting a medical prosthesis in a duct of a human or animal body.Thin device comprises a tubular sheath, suitable for containing a prosthesis to be implanted, and a rod for controlling the prosthesis, which rod may slide in the interior of the sheath. The sheath and/or the rod is(are) provided on at least one part of its (their) length with flexible centring means suitable for acting on the profile of the axial line of the sheath, while restricting its distal end to align itself substantially with the axis of the duct when the sheath is disposed therein.The application of the invention is most particularly in the field of blood filters which can be implanted in a blood vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable blood filter comprising a self-expanding external structure made from a zigzagged thread wound on itself in order to exhibit a closed configuration. A central strainer section is connected to the said thread at various points for the retention of possible blood clots. This strainer section may be made from a biologically absorbable material. Applications include the production of medical blood filters, which are self-centering and absorbable.

Abstract: An improved relay for increasing the service life of contacts and the breaking capacity. Each fixed contact is mounted on a solid parallelepipedal block having a hollowed-out portion for receiving the end of the corresponding connection rod and providing a high-quality connection by brazing. The relay is further provided with means for extinguishing the electric arc by lengthening the arc, a permanent magnet being accordingly employed for each pair of associated contacts, one contact being fixed and the other being movable. The magnet is preferably housed within a spark trap.