Abstract: The composition as described serves for in vivo cartilage repair. It basically consists of a naturally derived osteoinductive and/or chondroinductive mixture of factors (e.g. derived from bone) or of a synthetic mimic of such a mixture combined with a nanosphere delivery system. A preferred mixture of factors is the combination of factors isolated from bone, known as BP and described by Poser and Benedict (WO 95/13767). The nanosphere delivery system consists of nanospheres defined as polymer particles of less than 1000 nm in diameter (whereby the majority of particles preferably ranges between 200-400 nm) in which nanospheres the combination of factors is encapsulated. The nano-spheres are loaded with the mixture of factors in a weight ratio of 0.001 to 17% (w/w), preferably of 1 to 4% (w/w) and have a release profile with an initial burst of 10 to 20% of the total load over the first 24 hours and a long time release of at least 0.1 per day during at least seven following days.

Abstract: A compound material including fibers which are embedded in a thermoplastic matrix has a free surface to be treated. The material has one or more capillary spaces extending between the fibers, which spaces are at least partly formed by communicating pores and which are open towards the free surface. An average diameter of the pores is greater than, equal to or not substantially less than the fiber diameter.

Abstract: The composition as described serves for in vivo cartilage repair. It basically consists of a naturally derived osteoinductive and/or chondroinductive mixture of factors (e.g. derived from bone) or of a synthetic mimic of such a mixture combined with a nanosphere delivery system. A preferred mixture of factors is the combination of factors isolated from bone, known as BP and described by Poser and Benedict (WO 95/13767). The nanosphere delivery system consists of nanospheres defined as polymer particles of less than 1000 nm in diameter (whereby the majority of particles preferably ranges between 200-400 nm) in which nanospheres the combination of factors is encapsulated. The nanospheres are loaded with the mixture of factors in a weight ratio of 0.001 to 17% (w/w), preferably of 1 to 4% (w/w) and have a release profile with an initial burst of 10 to 20% of the total load over the first 24 hours and a long time release of at least 0.1 per day during at least seven following days.

Abstract: In the method for producing a surface structure, material is ablated by means of a liquid jet (1). The jet (1) is emitted from a nozzle (10) under high pressure (p). In this an ablation location (3) is controlledly moved on a surface (20a) of a substrate (20) to be structured with the production of a predetermined macro-topography (2′) or a largely planar surface, namely through moving the nozzle and/or the substrate. The substrate is in particular part of a surgical implant. The liquid of the high pressure jet (1) is emitted at a predetermined diameter d of the nozzle with a sufficiently high pressure p so that through the material ablation a linear track (2) with quasi-fractal micro-topography (4) is produced. In this the track width D is at least twice as large as d. Values for p and d are provided in the following range: 100 bar<p<3000 bar and 0.1 mm<d<10 mm; or p>3000 bar and d>0.03 mm.

Abstract: The method for the manufacture of unidirectionally fiber reinforced thermoplastic bands comprises a pressure impregnation of a fiber strand in a bath with a dispersion of thermoplastic particles. Heat treatments for the drying of the strand and a melting on of the particles taken up by the strand follow the pressure impregnation. The strand is drawn through the bath at a predetermined draw-off speed about a plurality of deflection elements. The dispersion of the bath is largely held in a stationary state, namely through the supply of an infeed dispersion with a first particle concentration and through an initial setting of a second particle concentration in the bath: The infeed dispersion is fed in continuously or periodically, with the first particle concentration being held constant. A corresponding feeding in of a dispersion of higher particle concentrations as well as an additional amount of dispersing medium is possible.

Abstract: The use of a thermal spray method relates to the production of a layer (20) for a heat insulating coat of a material (10) in powder form. This material consists at least to 80 mol % of zirconium silicate ZrSiO4, in particular of the mineral zircon, and the majority of its powder particles (1) have diameters in the region between 10 and 100 &mgr;m. During the spraying on the particles are at least partially melted through in a gas flow (42) under reducing conditions and at a temperature greater than 20000° C. Method parameters, among others the dwell time of the particles in a heat imparting medium, in particular a plasma (41) or a flame, the temperature of the heat imparting medium and the momentum transferred to the particles, are chosen in such a manner that the layer (20) which is formed of the particles has a structure with lamellar elements (21).

Abstract: The method for the manufacture of sections of fiber-plastic compound materials is carried out by means of at least one draw nozzle (10). In this nozzle, fibers (41) which are impregnated with flowable plastic (42) are formed under pressure to a product (41) with a predetermined cross-section and consolidated with the withdrawal of heat. The cross-sectional surface of the draw nozzle is periodically increased and decreased in time in its entire shape imparting region, with a value for the frequency of the oscillating cross-sectional surface being chosen less that 1 kHz, preferably less than 100 Hz.

Abstract: The method for the manufacture of sections of fiber-plastic compound materials is carried out by means of at least one draw nozzle (10). In this nozzle, fibers (41) which are impregnated with flowable plastic (42) are formed under pressure to a product (41) with a predetermined cross-section and consolidated with the withdrawal of heat. The cross-sectional surface of the draw nozzle is periodically increased and decreased in time in its entire shape imparting region, with a value for the frequency of the oscillating cross-sectional surface being chosen less than 1 kHz, preferably less than 100 Hz.

Abstract: The cast part (1) comprises a basic body (2) of a first material and a coating of at least one second material. The second material is applied to a co-cast skeleton structure (3) on the surface (20) of the basic body, with it forming a covering (4) or a covering layer (42).

Abstract: The method serves for the sealing of porous layers (10) at body surfaces (11), in particular of thermal spray layers of a ceramic coating material. Communicating capillary spaces (12) in the layer (10) have openings at the surface (11). A liquid (2) is used as a sealing medium which consists of a solvent and at least one oxidizable metal which is contained therein.

Abstract: The method for the production of a ceramic layer on a metallic base material combines the following measures: The base material is preheated. Ceramic coating material is applied to a locally melted surface region of the base material. The coating material is therein likewise melted. A metallurgical bonding zone is provided using an additive material which reacts with the coating material and which is additionally applied to the base material as an adhesion producing layer or is added to the base material as a component of the alloy.

Abstract: The transmission comprises at least three induction systems which are arranged axially one after the other or coaxially one above the other and which can be rotated about a common axis of rotation (4). The induction system in the middle is in each case provided in the side faces with a winding which are connected to one another and are executed in such a manner that the magnetic rotary fields which arise by means of relative movement between the induction system in the middle and one adjacent induction system effect a relative movement between the induction system in the middle and the other adjacent induction system in order to produce an output movement.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring plants with mechanical components, measured values (xiT; xiu) are determined at predeterminable time intervals for a fixed set of parameters (xi). The measured values (xiT) which are determined for various working points during a modelling phase are used for the generation of a model for the operating behavior of the components. With the help of the model for the operating behavior at least one monitoring value (r; snu) is derived at predeterminable time intervals which is independent of the respective current working point. The temporal behavior of the monitoring value (r; snu) is used for estimating the wear in the components and/or for the detection of operating disturbances.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement apparatus for an image producing ultrasonic system has a carrier body (2) which is rotatable or pivotal about an axis of rotation (A) and a plurality of transducer elements (3) which are arranged on the carrier body (2) for the emission and reception of ultrasonic signals. At least two of the transducer elements (3) are dispacedly arranged relative to one another with respect to the peripheral direction of the carrier body (2) and with respect to the axial direction determined by the axis of rotation (A).

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous generation of electrical energy and heat for heating purposes uses a combustion gas consisting mainly of one or more hydrocarbons as well as a gas mixture containing oxygen. The method is carried out by means of at least one gas burner and at least one stack of fuel cells, with an oxygen surplus having a stoichiometric ratio greater than about 3 being provided in the battery. In the battery less than half of the combustion gas is converted for the generation of electricity while producing a first exhaust gas. The remainder of the combustion gas is burned in the burner while producing a second exhaust gas, and the first exhaust gas is used at least partially as an oxygen source for the combustion. Heat energy is won from the exhaust gases, with at least about half of the water contained in the exhaust gases being condensed out.

Abstract: In the method for manufacturing monocrystalline structures, parts or workpieces of metallic super-alloys on substrates with a monocrystalline structure or monocrystalline structures, the surface of the substrate is melted with an energy beam of high energy density from an energy source. The material which is to be introduced into the monocrystalline structure is supplied to the melted region of the substrate. The supplied material is completely melted. The energy input with the energy beam is regulated and/or controlled in such a manner that the speed of solidification and the temperature gradient lie in the dendritic crystalline region in the GV diagram, outside the globulitic region.

Abstract: The high temperature fuel cell with a thin film electrolyte has an electrochemically active element which is executed as a planar multi-layer structure. At least the electrolyte and cathode layers are deposited on a porous, gas-permeable carrier structure, by means of a thin film technique. The carrier structure is a sintered body of metal ceramic material which comprises a highly porous base layer as well as a fine pored cover layer of anode material placed on the base layer. The pores of the base layer are open with respect to one another and have an average diameter of the order of magnitude of at least about 300 .mu.m. The pores of the cover layer have diameters which are not substantially greater than 1 to 3 .mu.m. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the carrier structure is substantially the same as that of the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a cell block with fuel cells, a heat insulating sleeve and an afterburner chamber between the sleeve and the cell block. The afterburner chamber is connected at two opposite ends via channels to at least one exhaust outlet for exhaust gases. These channels are each closeable by a blocking member, with the combustion chamber of the auxiliary burner communicating with the channel between the afterburner chamber and one of the blocking members. This blocking member is closed during a starting-up phase, while the other blocking member is open.

Abstract: In the method of a photo-oxidative treatment of tissue containing collagen tissue, the tissue is pre-treated with an aqueous conditioning solution prior to an irradiation with light. In this pre-treatment the tissue permeable to the solution is loaded with a dye contained in the solution, in particular with methylene blue. This dye, activated by light, catalyzes photo-oxidative reactions. In accordance with the invention a substance is added to the conditioning solution, the refractive index of which is greater than that of water. As a result of this additive, the tissue containing collagen assumes a greater transparency for light during the pre-treatment.

Abstract: The method for damping global flow oscillations (20a.x, 20b.x) in a flowing medium in the region of an unstable flow (10) separating itself from at least one boundary surface (11, 12) is comprised of detecting the global flow oscillations with a sensor system (13) and superimposing a compensatory oscillation (15, 16) controlled by the signals of the sensor system onto the flowing medium in a separation zone of the separated unstable flow. Correspondingly, the apparatus for performing the method comprises a generator (17, 18) which superimposes a compensatory oscillation on the flowing medium in a separation zone of the separated unstable flow and a control system (28, 29) which evaluates the signals of the sensor system and controls the compensatory oscillation so that the amplitude of the global flow oscillation is damped by a prespecified factor.