Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular implant, in particular a stent, in the form of a round braid composed of threads of biocompatible material extending in oppositely directed helices and crossing over each other, thread areas located at the tube ends being free from thread ends, and threads present there being guided back into the braid structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor (1) for determining particle and/or dye concentrations in liquid or gaseous media and to a method for operating the same. The optical sensor (1) comprises at least one measuring head. The measuring head consists of an emitter unit (2) with a semiconductor emitting element (9), which emits visible emission light beams (8), and with a receiver unit (3) with a semiconductor receiving element (10). The portion of the emission light beams (8), which pass through an absorption section containing liquid or gaseous medium, is guided onto the receiving element (10). An evaluating unit (6) is coupled to the measuring head via electric leads (4, 4?), and the received signals, which are present at the output of the semiconductor receiving element (10), are evaluated inside said evaluating unit in order to determine the particle or die concentration.

Abstract: In a cross-wound bobbin (1), the helical lines along which the yarn (4) is wound have a different inclination in adjacent layers. The winding ratios are selected such that the quantity drawn off is greater if the unwinding point is moving from the unwinding end to the bottom end, compared to the quantity drawn off if the unwinding point is moving from the bottom end to the unwinding end.

Abstract: A biologically resorbable nerve guide rail with a microporous guide tube of polymers of hydroxycarboxylic acids, where the porosity allows a metabolism through the tube wall, but prevents the passage of cells, and optionally several monofilaments of polymers of hydroxycarboxylic acids located in the guide tube, is characterized in that the inner surface of the tube and/or the surface of the monofilaments have an orientation aid for longitudinally oriented colonization with Schwann's cells.

Abstract: A suture material for surgery comprises one or more filaments and is formed with a coating, which is characterized in that the coating at least partly comprises a bioresorbable polymer, which is essentially formed from a random terpolymer with a completely amorphous structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor (1) for determining particle and/or dye concentrations in liquid or gaseous media and to a method for operating the same. The optical sensor (1) comprises at least one measuring head. The measuring head consists of an emitter unit (2) with a semiconductor emitting element (9), which emits visible emission light beams (8), and with a receiver unit (3) with a semiconductor receiving element (10). The portion of the emission light beams (8), which pass through an absorption section containing liquid or gaseous medium, is guided onto the receiving element (10). An evaluating unit (6) is coupled to the measuring head via electric leads (4, 4?), and the received signals, which are present at the output of the semiconductor receiving element (10), are evaluated inside said evaluating unit in order to determine the particle or die concentration.

Abstract: A flat hernia implant with a flexible fabric formed from at least two textile fabric structures constructed substantially independently of one another and firmly interconnected over the entire surface area of the hernia implant so as to form a composite structure, is made available for use in surgery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating material for medical treatment, particularly a wound contact material, of resorbable, synthetic material, which is formed from a terpolymer based on lactide, trimethylene carbonate and &egr;-caprolactone with a maximum lactide content of 85 wt. %, trimethylene carbonate in the range 5 to 20 wt. % and &egr;-caprolactone in the range 5 to 20 wt. %, a method for its manufacture and its use.

Abstract: A flat implant with a flexible fabric formed from at least two textile fabric structures constructed substantially independently of one another and firmly interconnected over the entire surface area of the implant so as to form a composite structure, is made available for use in surgery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing aqueous liquor dyeable modified polypropylene threads. The inventive method is characterized in that a CR polypropylene suitable for fiber formation is mixed with a reaction partner which can react with CR polypropylene and the mixture obtained is processed in an extrusion spinning facility to form a thread. Suitable reaction partners are difunctional carboxylic acids, corresponding carboxylic acid derivatives or master batches made of polypropylene and difunctional carboxylic acids or corresponding carboxylic acid derivatives. The polypropylene threads obtained can be knitted to form textile fabrics. The polypropylene threads and textile fabrics can be dyed with the usual coloring agents according to a standard aqueous liquor extrusion process.

Abstract: A drafting equipment is provided with a small double belt for spinning machines with a fiber bundling zone which follows the pair of output rollers of the main drafting field and is followed by a pair of delivery rollers. A pneumatic compression device is provided between the pair of output rollers and the pair of delivery rollers. A pneumatic compression device is provided with a small perforated belt and a suction device extending on the side of the belt away from the fiber sliver and which sucks air through the fiber sliver between the pair of output rollers and the pair of delivery rollers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biohybrid articular surface replacement in the form of a three-dimensional, porous carrier, in which cartilage cells can be cultured in vitro and/or in vivo to a three-dimensional cell union and which following cell growth and optionally after tissue development, can be placed on the exposed bone in the vicinity of a defective articular surface, wherein on the side of the carrier intended for engagement with the bone it has an agent for aiding osseous integration.

Abstract: A coupling device for the releasable connection of a lifting element, in particular of a jacquard machine, to at least one lifting element of a warp thread in a weaving machine. The preferred coupling device connects a sinker cord of a jacquard machine to a harness cord of the harness of a weaving machine. The coupling device has a first coupling part assigned to the lifting element and a second coupling part assigned to the harness cord. The coupling parts execute a radial relative movement during coupling and uncoupling. The coupling device provides for rotational alignment of the two coupling parts with one another. At least one coupling part is assigned or capable of being assigned a rotational alignment mechanism. The coupling device is used in a system which rapidly connects and disconnects many connectors at the same time.

Abstract: A surgical suturing thread is coated with a fatty acid metal salt. For this purpose it is dissolved in an organic solvent and the suturing thread is coated with the hot solution, whose temperature is so high that the fatty acid metal salt remains in the dissolved state. The solvent is then evaporated from the thus applied coating at elevated temperature.

Abstract: Interlacing means are provided for the interlacing of multifilament yarns exhibiting a yarn channel. At given distances from the entrance and exit openings forming the yarn channel, yarn guides are so arranged that, with the supply of compressed air shut off, the yarn is laid onto the yarn channel so that it extends parallel to its longitudinal direction, and that the straight yarn sections, which are located between the entrance and exit openings of the yarn channel and the yarn guides, are inclined at acute angles to portions of the geometric longitudinal axis of the yarn channel. Furthermore, the blow angle of the blow nozzle is smaller than 90.degree.. The length of the yarn channel equals for smooth yarns maximally 40 mm and for texturized yarns maximally 30 mm. There results exceptionally high yarn advance speeds and a particularly good vortexing of the yarn.

Abstract: A flexible hollow organ, especially a vascular prosthesis intended for implantation in the human or animal body parts. The hollow organ includes a flexible prosthetic tube serving for a throughflow of a medium or which consists of such a prosthetic tube. A wall of the prosthetic tube exhibits at least one braided hose of flexible, elastic threads produced as a hollow meshwork. The hose, where provided, imparts to the prosthetic tube an increased resistance against buckling and compression.

Abstract: A pinch ring for the thread balloon of a spinning machine or twisting machine is substantially a single wire loop forming a spiral or helix. The ring may have overlapping end portions. The degree of overlap and the shape of the overlapping end portions as well as the pitch and the axial clearance between opposite points in the overlapping portions are all critical to the performance of the ring. The pinch ring defined by the invention permits substantially higher production rates without decreasing the rupture strength of the thread and provides a thread with substantially higher strength at standard production speeds.