Abstract: A device is for estimating a blood pressure of a user by a combination of an acoustic mode employing acoustic emitters and acoustic detectors and an optical mode using light sources and photodetectors forming source—detector pairs. The device includes an acoustic selection unit to determine the pertinent acoustic emitter—acoustic detector pair as well as an optical selection unit to determine the pertinent light source—photodetector pairs.

Abstract: A device for preparing a blood sample, including a microfluidic card including: a first chamber for separating and/or extracting proteins to be analyzed that are present in the blood sample; a second chamber used for an operation involving digestion of proteins of different species that are present in the sample, to obtain a second sample containing digested peptides and nondigested proteins; and a third chamber connected to the second chamber to receive the second sample containing the digested peptides and the non-digested proteins, the third chamber being used for an operation involving purification and stabilization of the digested peptides.

Abstract: An optically stimulating module to be integrated into a probe is implantable into a living being with a view to locally illuminating a region of said living being. The module includes a casing that is at least partially transparent, and a hermetic electronic unit placed in the casing. The hermetic electronic unit includes an internal volume housing two light sources, a control and processing unit, and a first photodetector. The module also includes a connecting device for connecting the module to a central control and power unit.

Abstract: A device for preparing a blood sample, including a microfluidic card including: a first chamber for separating and/or extracting proteins to be analyzed that are present in the blood sample; a second chamber used for an operation involving digestion of proteins of different species that are present in the sample, to obtain a second sample containing digested peptides and nondigested proteins; and a third chamber connected to the second chamber to receive the second sample containing the digested peptides and the non-digested proteins, the third chamber being used for an operation involving purification and stabilization of the digested peptides.

Abstract: A detection method of detecting analytes of interest which are present in a liquid. The detection method including the steps of forming drops of liquid on a first surface by capillary breaking of a finger of liquid, which is initially formed by liquid dielectrophoresis. The thus formed drops each come into contact with a different detection surface, which is arranged facing the first surface. Analytes of interest which are present in each of the drops are detected at the corresponding detection surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transiently contacting at least one unit for capturing biological targets with a body fluid containing them, a method for recovering the captured targets for analysis, and a system for contacting and recovering a capture substrate included in said unit. The invention relates to samples obtained in particular in vivo from body fluids of the human body, e.g. circulating body fluids, said fluids possibly containing, as targets, proteins, oligonucleotides such as RNA or DNA, antibodies, enzymes or cells.

Abstract: A method of counting thrombocytes contained in a sample of blood, the method having the steps: mixing said sample with: fluorescent markers suitable for bonding specifically with the thrombocytes; and an agent for inhibiting activation of said thrombocytes; introducing the sample (E) into a fluidic chamber (CF) having at least one transparent face; acquiring at least one digital image (IN) of said sample by fluorescence microscopy under stationary illumination; and counting the thrombocytes (T) present in said or each image by image processing computer means (O). Apparatus for implementing the method.

Abstract: A detection method of detecting analytes of interest which are present in a liquid. The detection method including the steps of forming drops of liquid on a first surface by capillary breaking of a finger of liquid, which is initially formed by liquid dielectrophoresis. The thus formed drops each come into contact with a different detection surface, which is arranged facing the first surface. Analytes of interest which are present in each of the drops are detected at the corresponding detection surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transiently contacting at least one unit for capturing biological targets with a body fluid containing them, a method for recovering the captured targets for analysis, and a system for contacting and recovering a capture substrate included in said unit. The invention relates to samples obtained in particular in vivo from body fluids of the human body, e.g. circulating body fluids, said fluids possibly containing, as targets, proteins, oligonucleotides such as RNA or DNA, antibodies, enzymes or cells.

Abstract: A device (6) to sample molecules of biological interest is described. The device (6) includes capture zones (10) whose developed surface area is much greater than the surface so that sampling by contact allows a sufficient quantity of molecules to be obtained to achieve reliable analysis, whilst being sized so that the device (6) is neither invasive nor aggressive. In particular, the device comprises tiered capture zones (10) located on a support (12) fabricated using microtechnology techniques; the capture zones (10) may advantageously be functionalised.

Abstract: A lead for deep electrical neurostimulation, the lead comprising: a rod of biocompatible material; and a blade, also of biocompatible material, secured to one end of said rod and in alignment therewith; in which said blade presents two main faces and a plurality of electrodes disposed on at least one of said two main faces in a two-dimensional configuration, said electrodes being connected to conductor elements disposed inside or on a surface of said rod. A deep electrical neurostimulation system comprising: an electrical pulse generator for deep electrical neurostimulation; and at least one lead of the above-described type, having its electrodes electrically connected to said electrical pulse generator.

Abstract: A lead for deep electrical neurostimulation comprising a rod of biocompatible material and a blade, also of biocompatible material, secured to one end of the rod and in alignment therewith. The blade presents two main faces and a plurality of electrodes disposed on at least one of the two main faces in a two-dimensional configuration. The electrodes are connected to conductor elements disposed inside or on a surface of said rod. A deep electrical neurostimulation system comprising an electrical pulse generator connected to at least one lead of the above-described type is also disclosed.

Abstract: Probe (1) for deep electrical neurostimulation, and more specifically for deep brain electrostimulation, comprising: a tubular body (10) of biocompatible material with a lateral wall (11) defining a lumen (12) and a closed anterior end (13), said tubular body (11) can be introduced for at least a part of its length inside a patient's body for reaching a region to be stimulated; wherein it also comprises: a plurality of electrically insulating arms (32) each bearing at least one electrode (40) and being able to pass from a first position in which they are housed inside of said tubular body (11) to a second position in which they project radially from this latter and inversely; and means (20 and 50) for making said arms (32) pass from said first position to said second position and inversely.

Abstract: A lead for deep brain electrical stimulation, to be inserted into liquid cavities, such as ventricles, or cysternae or subarachnoidal spaces, the lead comprising: a tubular body of biocompatible material having a side wall defining a lumen, said tubular body being suitable for being inserted over at least a fraction of its length into the inside of a patient's body in order to reach a region for stimulation; electrodes disposed close to a distal end of the tubular body; and a rigid stylet for inserting removably into the lumen of said tubular body; the lead being wherein said tubular body has an equilibrium shape that is not rectilinear, being different from the shape of the stylet and presenting one and only one bend, and that is sufficiently flexible and elastic to follow the shape of said stylet by deforming reversibly when the stylet is inserted into the lumen.

Abstract: A method of counting thrombocytes contained in a sample of blood, the method having the steps: mixing said sample with: fluorescent markers suitable for bonding specifically with the thrombocytes; and an agent for inhibiting activation of said thrombocytes; introducing the sample (E) into a fluidic chamber (CF) having at least one transparent face; acquiring at least one digital image (IN) of said sample by fluorescence microscopy under stationary illumination; and counting the thrombocytes (T) present in said or each image by image processing computer means (O). Apparatus for implementing the method.

Abstract: A device (6) to sample molecules of biological interest is described. The device (6) includes capture zones (10) whose developed surface area is much greater than the surface so that sampling by contact allows a sufficient quantity of molecules to be obtained to achieve reliable analysis, whilst being sized so that the device (6) is neither invasive nor aggressive. In particular, the device comprises tiered capture zones (10) located on a support (12) fabricated using microtechnology techniques; the capture zones (10) may advantageously be functionalised.

Abstract: A microtechnological device (6) for sampling cells on or in a tissue or other element of the body. It comprises a support (12) having at least one surface of interest (14) on which is present at least one recovery zone (10) comprised of a bottom wall (22) equipped with a plurality of protuberances (24). Preferably, the microtechnological device comprises at least one recovery zone covered with a coating that has the power to attract the cells to be sampled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of transporting an analyte present in a sample, to a method of concentrating an analyte present in a sample, and to a device for implementing these methods. In the method of transporting an analyte present in a sample of the present invention, a solution A in which the analyte is attached to magnetic particles is prepared from the sample; the solution A is introduced into a first container connected via a bottleneck to a second container; and the analyte attached to the magnetic particles is moved, by means of a magnetic system, from the first container to the second container via the bottleneck, the second container being filled with all or part of the solution A and/or with another solution.

Abstract: A device for measuring electrical activity of biological elements, including a substrate that has lower and upper faces and at least one through opening, the opening being delimited by a set of walls. Two plates are placed on either side of the lower and upper faces of the substrate and delimit, with the set of walls, a chamber. Each of the plates is provided, on its face lying opposite the substrate, with at least one electrode facing the opening in the substrate. Each of the plates further has at least one channel that starts inside the chamber and connects the chamber to the outside of the device, and the chamber communicates with the outside of the device only through the channels.

Abstract: A lead for deep electrical neurostimulation, the lead comprising: a rod of biocompatible material; and a blade, also of biocompatible material, secured to one end of said rod and in alignment therewith; in which said blade presents two main faces and a plurality of electrodes disposed on at least one of said two main faces in a two-dimensional configuration, said electrodes being connected to conductor elements disposed inside or on a surface of said rod. A deep electrical neurostimulation system comprising: an electrical pulse generator for deep electrical neurostimulation; and at least one lead of the above-described type, having its electrodes electrically connected to said electrical pulse generator.