Author: claimsbot

1. A protection device for a stator of a turbine comprising a series of annular sectors (12) which can be coupled by means of connection means, each sector (12) comprising a first side surface (13) which has at least one cavity (14) equipped with a bottom (15), characterized in that each bottom (15) of said at least one cavity (14) is convex and in that each sector (12) comprises at least one stiffening rib (16) positioned inside said at least one cavity (14) and having a variable section in a longitudinal direction to modulate the rigidity of each sector (12)
2. The protection device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said bottom (15) is convex in a circumferential andor axial direction.
3. The protection device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said convex bottom (15) has an apex which in an axial section has an axial curvature radius 70 which, divided by the radius of the rotor, has a value preferably ranging from 0.221 to 0.299.
4. The protection device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that said axial curvature radius (70), divided by the radius of the rotor, has a value equal to 0.260.
5. The protection device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said apex in a radial section has a circumferential curvature radius (60) which, divided by the radius of the rotor, has a value preferably ranging from 0.365 to 0.494.
6. The protection device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that said circumferential curvature radius (60), divided by the radius of the rotor, has a value equal to 0.429.
7. The protection device (10) according to any of the claims from 3 to 6, characterized in that said apex in an axial section has a distance (80) from one end of said at least one cavity (14), said distance (80) divided by an axial length of said at least one cavity (14) has a value ranging from 0.142 to 0.192.
8. The protection device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that said distance (80) divided by an axial length of said at least one cavity (14) has a value equal to 0.167.
9. The protection device (10) according to any of the claims from 1 to 8, characterized in that with respect to the axis of the turbine (70), said rib (16) along an axial direction is tilted by an angle (50) which ranges from 3.162\xb0 to 4.278\xb0.
10. The protection device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that said angle (50) is 3.72\xb0.
11. The protection device (10) according to any of the claims from 1 to 10, characterized in that said rib (16) has a maximum axial height (90) which, divided by the axial length of said at least one cavity (14) has a value ranging from 0.133 to 0.180.
12. The protection device (10) according to claim 1l, characterized in that said maximum axial height (90), divided by the axial length of said at least one cavity (14) has a value equal to 0.156.
13. The protection device (10) according to any of the claims from 1 to 12, characterized in that each sector (12) comprises a sheet (20) equipped with a series of pass-through holes (21) which is fixed to said at least one cavity (14).
14. The protection device (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that said sheet (20) is integral with the corresponding sector (12) of said series of sectors (12).

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A cellular device comprising:
(a) a collagen matrix having a first side and a second side;
(b) a first cell layer absorbed onto said first side of said collagen matrix; and
(c) a first gelled alginate layer and a second gelled alginate layer; wherein said first gelled alginate layer completely covers said first side of said collagen matrix and said first cell layer; and wherein said second gelled alginate layer completely covers said second side of said collagen matrix.
2. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said cellular device possess an endotoxin level of less than 100 EUg.
3. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said collagen matrix comprises a material derived from fascia lata.
4. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said collagen matrix comprises a material derived from human fascia lata.
5. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said collagen matrix is a material that is chemically treated, wherein the chemical treatment comprises:
immersing said material in a defatting solvent;
contacting said material with a solution of base; and
contacting said material with a solution of salt, oxidizing agent, or mixture thereof.
6. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said collagen matrix is sterilized by gamma radiation and treated by lyophilization.
7. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said first gelled alginate layer and said second gelled alginate layer each independently comprises an alginate.
8. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein the first gelled alginate layer and second gelled alginate layer each independently comprises an alginate with a weight-average molecular weight of about 4 kD to about 300 kD.
9. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein the first gelled alginate layer and second gelled alginate layer each independently comprises an alginate with a weight-average molecular weight of about 150 kD to about 250 kD.
10. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein the first gelled alginate layer and second gelled alginate layer each independently comprises an alginate with a weight-average molecular weight of about 75 kD to about 150 kD.
11. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said first gelled alginate layer and said second gelled alginate layer comprises an alginate derived from macrocystitis purifera.
12. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said first gelled alginate layer and said second gelled alginate layer each independently comprises an RGD peptide coupled alginate.
13. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein the first gelled alginate layer and second gelled alginate layer each independently comprises multivalent cations selected from the group consisting of calcium ions, strontium ions, barium ions, and combination thereof.
14. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein the first gelled alginate layer and second gelled alginate layer each independently comprises calcium ions.
15. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said cellular device is equilibrated in a solution comprising about 1.8 mM calcium ions.
16. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said device is about 1 cm2 to about 4 cm2.
17. A cellular device according to claim 1, further comprising a structural support.
18. A cellular device according to claim 1, further comprising a structural support, wherein said structural support placed onto said second side of said collagen matrix or onto said first cell layer; wherein:
said first gelled alginate layer or said second gelled alginate layer completely covers said structural support;
provided that if said structural support is placed on said first cell layer, said structural support is permeable to nutrients.
19. A cellular device according to claim 18, wherein said structural support comprises a mesh.
20. A cellular device according to claim 19, wherein said structural support comprises polyester.
21. A cellular device according to claim 18, further comprising one or more clips affixing said structural support to said collagen matrix.
22. A cellular device according to claim 1, further comprising a second cell layer absorbed onto said second side of said collagen matrix, wherein said second gelled alginate layer completely covers said second cell layer.
23. A cellular device according to claim 22, further comprising a structural support placed onto said second cell layer, wherein:
said second gelled alginate layer completely covers said structural support; and
said structural support is permeable to nutrients.
24. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said first cell layer comprises cells are selected from the group consisting of pancreatic islet cells, mesenchymal stem cells, parathyroid cells, thyroid cells, hepatic cells, neural cells, vascular endothelial cells, thyroid cells, adrenal cells, thymic cells, or ovarian cells.
25. A cellular device according to claim 1, said first cell layer comprises pancreatic islet cells or parathyroid cells.
26. A cellular device according to claim 1, said first cell layer comprises pancreatic islet cells.
27. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein said first cell layer comprises about 20,000 to about 40,000 pancreatic islet cells per cm2.
28. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein:
said collagen matrix comprises a material derived from human fascia lata; and
said first gelled alginate layer and second gelled alginate layer each independently comprise a RGD coupled alginate and multivalent cations selected from the group consisting of calcium ions, barium ions, strontium ions or combination thereof.
29. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein:
said collagen matrix comprises a material derived from human fascia lata; and
said first gelled alginate layer and second gelled alginate layer each independently comprise a modified alginate and multivalent cations selected from the group consisting of calcium ions, barium ions, strontium ions or combination thereof.
30. A cellular device according to claim 29, wherein said an alginate has a weight-average molecular weight of about 50 kD to about 300 kD.
31. A cellular device according to claim 30, further comprising a structural support placed onto said first cell layer, wherein said structural support is permeable to nutrients.
32. A cellular device according to claim 31, wherein said first cell layer comprises pancreatic islet cells, mesenchymal stem cells, parathyroid cells, thyroid cells, hepatic cells, neural cells, vascular endothelial cells, thyroid cells, adrenal cells, thymic cells, or ovarian cells.
33. A cellular device according claim 31, wherein said first cell layer comprises pancreatic islet cells.
34. A cellular device according to claim 33, further comprising two or more clips affixing said collagen matrix to said structural support.
35. A cellular device according to claim 1, wherein:
said collagen matrix comprises a material derived from human fascia lata;
said first cell layer comprises about 20,000 to about 40,000 pancreatic islet cells;
said first gelled alginate layer and second gelled alginate layer each independently comprises calcium ions and an alginate with a weight-average molecular weight of about 4 kD to about 300 kD;
said cellular device is equilibrated in a solution comprising about 1.8 mM calcium ions;
a structural support placed onto said first cell layer; and
two or more clips affixing said structural support to said collagen matrix;

wherein:
said first gelled alginate layer completely covers said structural support and is permeable to nutrients; and
said structural support comprises a polyester mesh.
36. A kit for implanting one or more devices in a patient in need thereof, comprising one or more cellular devices according to claim 1.

1. A method of enhancing the concentration efficiency of a luminescent planar concentrator, the method comprising the steps of providing a luminescent planar concentrator having at least one planar surface and at least one edge and having disposed on the at least one edge a radiation-receiving device and disposing on at least one planar transmissive surface a radiation re-capture element configured to transmit incident radiation to the concentrator element, to re-capture by optical means escaped radiation from the luminescent planar concentrator and to redirect at least a portion of the escaped radiation to a radiation receiving device.
2. A system including a radiation concentrator device comprising: an optical lighting film including a planar surface and a corrugated surface disposed in optical arrangement with a transmissive surface of the radiation concentrator device.
3. A system including a solar radiation concentrator including a luminescent concentrator element having an incident radiation receiving surface comprising: a recapture element comprising a first planar surface and a second, microgrooved, surface, the microgrooved surface including a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, on a planar surface, defining an apex angle substantially equal to a right angle, the recapture element being positioned on the incident radiation receiving surface of the luminescent contractor element in a configuration whereby the first planar surface is adjacent the incident radiation receiving surface of the luminescent concentrator element and whereby the groove direction is substantially normal to the plane of the sun’s trajectory through the course of a day.
4. A solar concentrator system comprising a luminescent planar concentrator element having a planar transmissive surface for receiving radiation into the element and at least one concentration point to which point received radiation may be directed by the element, and a recapture element, the recapture element comprising a sheet element having an inner planar transmissive surface placed adjacent to and in optical arrangement with the transmissive surface of the concentrator element and having an outer grooved surface comprising a plurality of parallel grooves having an apex angle substantially equal to a right angle, said recapture element provided with at least one concentration point, whereby radiation emanating from the concentrator element and captured by reflection from the outer surface of the recapture element may be directed to the concentration point by the arrangement of the surfaces of the recapture element, wherein the system in use is positioned such that the groove direction is substantially parallel to the plane of the trajectory of the sun through the course of a day.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A system for optimizing the shipment of merchandise, said system including:
one or more transport vehicles, said one or more transport vehicles transporting a shipment from a first shipper and a second shipper to a first receiver and a second receiver,
wherein said first receiver maintains a first inventory of merchandise at a first receiver location, wherein a first inventory determination determines the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for said first inventory according to one or more first metrics in response to first data received from said first receiver,
wherein said second receiver maintains a second inventory of merchandise at a second receiver location, wherein a second inventory determination determines the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for said second inventory according to one or more second metrics in response to second data received from said second receiver; and
computer hardware, computer software stored on a computer and operating on a computer or a combination of computer hardware and computer software stored on a computer and operating on a computer determining a shipment of merchandise,
wherein said shipment of said merchandise is optimized by determining one or more maximum loads of said one or more transport vehicles at least in part by calculating an amount of merchandise for shipment by said one or more transport vehicles from said first and second source locations to said first and second receivers that reduces logistics costs and that results in shipment of merchandise within the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for the first inventory and within the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for the second inventory according to a calculation employing at least said one or more first metrics, said one or more second metrics, said first data, and said second data.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more first metrics comprise a level of the first inventory and wherein the one or more second metrics comprise a level of the second inventory.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more first metrics comprise prescheduling of the delivery of the merchandise to the first receiver and wherein the one or more second metrics comprise prescheduling of the delivery of the merchandise to the second receiver.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the merchandise comprises first merchandise having a first priority and second merchandise having a second priority less than the first priority and wherein the one or more first and second metrics comprise at least one priority value.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the first merchandise and the second merchandise comprise different types of merchandise.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more transport vehicles have one or more capacities and wherein the one or more first and second metrics comprise the amount of the one or more capacities filled with the merchandise.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more first and second metrics comprise a quantity of the merchandise and a time of transportation of the merchandise.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein said first inventory determination comprises deriving from the first data the level of the first inventory and identifying the quantities of the merchandise shippable to maintain the first inventory as required.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the merchandise is available at a distribution point displaced from the first and second receiver locations and displaced from the first and second shipper locations, wherein the one or more transport vehicles have one or more capacities, and wherein the determination of one or more maximum loads includes the calculation of:
a quantity of the merchandise for shipment by the one or more vehicles from the distribution point to the first receiver location, and
a quantity of the merchandise for shipment by the one or more vehicles from the distribution point to the second receiver location.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more first and second metrics comprise a maximum feasible order size and wherein said calculating comprises calculating the maximum feasible order size that maintains the inventory within the amount of products required to be maintained.
11. A method for optimizing the shipment of merchandise, said system including:
determining a shipment of merchandise using computer hardware, computer software stored on a computer and operating on a computer or a combination of computer hardware and computer software stored on a computer and operating on a computer,
wherein said shipment is from a first shipper and a second shipper to a first receiver and a second receiver,
wherein said first receiver maintains a first inventory of merchandise at a first receiver location, wherein a first inventory determination determines the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for said first inventory according to one or more first metrics in response to first data received from said first receiver,
wherein said second receiver maintains a second inventory of merchandise at a second receiver location, wherein a second inventory determination determines the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for said second inventory according to one or more second metrics in response to second data received from said second receiver; and
transporting a shipment from a first shipper and a second shipper to a first receiver and a second receiver, wherein said transporting employs one or more transport vehicles,
wherein said shipment of said merchandise is optimized by determining one or more maximum loads of said one or more transport vehicles at least in part by calculating an amount of merchandise for shipment by said one or more transport vehicles from said first and second source locations to said first and second receivers that reduces logistics costs and that results in shipment of merchandise within the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for the first inventory and within the limits of merchandise required to be maintained for the second inventory according to a calculation employing at least said one or more first metrics, said one or more second metrics, said first data, and said second data.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the one or more first metrics comprise a level of the first inventory and wherein the one or more second metrics comprise a level of the second inventory.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the one or more first metrics comprise prescheduling of the delivery of the merchandise to the first receiver and wherein the one or more second metrics comprise prescheduling of the delivery of the merchandise to the second receiver.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the merchandise comprises first merchandise having a first priority and second merchandise having a second priority less than the first priority and wherein the one or more first and second metrics comprise at least one priority value.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first merchandise and the second merchandise comprise different types of merchandise.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein the one or more transport vehicles have one or more capacities and wherein the one or more first and second metrics comprise the amount of the one or more capacities filled with the merchandise.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the one or more first and second metrics comprise a quantity of the merchandise and a time of transportation of the merchandise.
18. The method of claim 11 wherein said first inventory determination comprises deriving from the first data the level of the first inventory and identifying the quantities of the merchandise shippable to maintain the first inventory as required.
19. The method of claim 11 wherein the merchandise is available at a distribution point displaced from the first and second receiver locations and displaced from the first and second shipper locations, wherein the one or more transport vehicles have one or more capacities, and wherein the determination of one or more maximum loads includes the calculation of:
a quantity of the merchandise for shipment by the one or more vehicles from the distribution point to the first receiver location, and
a quantity of the merchandise for shipment by the one or more vehicles from the distribution point to the second receiver location.
20. The method of claim 11 wherein the one or more first and second metrics comprise a maximum feasible order size and wherein said calculating comprises calculating the maximum feasible order size that maintains the inventory within the amount of products required to be maintained.