Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) image of the outer ear canal. This will be achieved by scanning at least the outer ear canal by use of a video camera, transmitting the image data of the video camera through a connection to a service provider, analyzing the image data by the service provider with respect of acceptance and integrity, transmitting status information back to the video camera and further processing/converting accepted image data into 3D geometric data. Thus, video image data will be retrieved from the part of interest of the ear and the quality and integrity of this information will be checked by the service provider prior to storing and process/converting this data into 3D imaging data that can be used for an automated manufacturing process for the outer shape of hearing devices, hearing protection devices or hearing aid shells.

Abstract: Calibrating a measuring cell arrangement having a diaphragm vacuum measuring cell, a measuring connector connected to circuitry which has a memory, a control and an interface for exchange of data with peripheral devices and a programmable heater for heating the diaphragm vacuum measuring cell to a presettable temperature includes connecting the measuring cell arrangement to a calibration mechanism, connecting the measuring connector to a vacuum volume and connecting the measuring cell interface to a calibration procedure control, as well as switching on the measuring cell arrangement.

Abstract: An insert structure is proposed for insertion into an orifice, a canal, a tube and the like of a human or animal creature such as an ear canal, an intestinal tract, a gullet, etc. The insert structure comprises at least one longitudinally extending insert member (3) and a plurality of at least nearly perpendicularly extending further members (5, 7, 9), placed longitudinally at a distance to each other along the insert member, the further members (5, 7, 9) being at least of a flexible and/or soft material.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for regulating the filling level in measuring cells of ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometers so that it is optimal for mass resolution and mass accuracy. The invention consists in supplying a fraction of the samples to a second reference mass spectrometer operated in parallel, and employing the mass spectra obtained from this reference mass spectrometer to regulate the filling level in the ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing protection earplug (10) to be worn at least in part in a user's ear canal, comprising a shell (12) having a outer surface individually shaped according to the measured inner shape of the user's outer ear and ear canal, and a functional member (20, 30, 120, 144, 220, 320, 420) engaging said shell in a manner so as to be movable relative to said shell between a first functional position and a second functional position, said shell and said functional member having been produced by an additive layer-by-layer build-up process and having an elasticity of between shore D85 and D65.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of pyruvic acid, in particular pyruvic acid that is 13C-enriched at the C1-atom, i.e. 13C1-pyruvic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method and apparatus for transporting ions from a first pressure region in a mass spectrometer to a second pressure region therein. More specifically, the present invention provides a segmented ion funnel for more efficient use in mass spectrometry (particularly with ionization sources) to transport ions from the first pressure region to the second pressure region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a personal monitoring system for a user, comprising: at least one of a sensor (26, 28) for sensing an internal body parameter of the user and a sensor (14, 26, 28) for sensing an ambient parameter of the ambient around said user, an earpiece (10) for being worn at least in part in the ear canal of the user including an acoustic output transducer (18) for providing sound to the user's ear canal, an evaluation unit (22) communicating with the sensor, means (32, 34) for individually implementing an individually defined regulation for the sensed parameter into said evaluation unit, the evaluation unit being adapted for monitoring sensed values of the parameter over time and comparing them to the individually defined regulations for the sensed parameter and being adapted for continuously judging whether the sensed values of the parameter comply with the individual regulation or not, and a compliance control unit (24) communicating with the evaluation unit and with the output transducer for

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of pyruvic acid, in particular pyruvic acid that is 13C-enriched at the C1-atom, i.e. 13C1-pyruvic acid.

Abstract: A hearing system for a person, comprising: an input device for providing electrical signals produced from sound, a signal processor for processing said electrical signals for producing audio signals, a digital text storage for storing digital text received from a source of digital text, a converter for converting digital text from said digital text storage into audio signals, and an output transducer for converting audio signals into a stimulation of a person's hearing. The hearing system is designed to be worn at least partly within the person's ear canal or behind the person's ear or is designed to be at least partially implanted within the person's skull.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the use of a hearing protection unit comprising a left ear hearing protection device (14) and a right ear hearing protection device (12) to be worn by a user (10) within a monitoring area, an arrangement (16, 18, 22, 1006, 2006) for wirelessly detecting the position of the left ear hearing protection device (14) and the position of the right ear hearing protection device (12) within the monitoring area, a device (22) for judging whether a predefined condition for the detected positions of the left ear hearing protection device and the right ear hearing protection device is fulfilled, and a device (22) for outputting a wearing compliance signal depending on whether the predefined condition is found to be fulfilled by the judging device or not.

Abstract: Hearing aid fitted with a central processing unit (1) having peripherals (3E, 3A) connected to its input and output respectively. Each peripheral includes an identification unit (5) having an the output connected to a first input of a comparator (9). A second input of the comparator is connected to a read-only identification memory (11) containing identification features of the peripherals. An output of the comparator drives a configuration memory (15). As a result, the hearing aid self-identifies its current configuration based on the identification of the peripherals.

Abstract: Hearing aid fitted with a central processing unit (1) having peripherals (3E, 3A) connected to its input and output. Each peripheral includes an identification unit (5) having an output connected to a first input of a comparator (9). A second input of the comparator is connected to a read-only identification memory (11) containing identification features of the peripherals. An output of the comparator drives a configuration memory (15). As a result, the hearing aid self identifies its current configuration based on the identification of the peripherals.

Abstract: A fitting setup for hearing aids (1), wherein a cell phone (1) is the input device. The cell phone is used to communicate with a server so as to change the fitting setup for the hearing aid to an optimal setting. The cell phone may also be used to communicate personalized data to the network, as well as to update resident software programs on the hearing aid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing protection earplug, comprising a hard shell (10) having an elasticity of from shore D 85 to shore D 65 and having an outer surface individually shaped according to the measured inner shape of the user's outer ear and ear canal for being worn at least in part in the user's ear canal, the shell comprising a filter cavity (12) having at least one orifice (20, 30, 40) into which a passive acoustic filter element (21, 31) is inserted for forming, together with said orifice, a passive acoustic filter. The invention also relates to a use of such an earplug and a method for manufacturing such an earplug.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing protection earplug, comprising a shell for being worn at least in part in the ear canal of a user and a faceplate (12) at the outer end of the shell or within a cavity of the shell having an outer opening, wherein the faceplate is provided with adapter means (22) for acoustically connecting, in a detachable manner, a measuring hole (14) extending into the interior of the shell with an external measuring tube (26). The adapter means (22) are adapted to detachably connect to a removable multi-function plug (28, 40) comprising means (30) for closing the measurement hole (14). The invention also relates to a use of such an earplug, a method for manufacturing such an earplug and to a multi-function plug to be used with such an earplug.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for regulating the filling level in measuring cells of ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometers so that it is optimal for mass resolution and mass accuracy. The invention consists in supplying a fraction of the samples to a second reference mass spectrometer operated in parallel, and employing the mass spectra obtained from this reference mass spectrometer to regulate the filling level in the ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing protection device comprising two earplugs (10, 12) to be worn at least in part in a user's right and left ear canal, respectively, and flexible means (14) for mechanically connecting the two earplugs, wherein at least one of said earplugs comprises an acoustic output transducer (32), wherein said connecting means comprises an antenna (24), wherein at least one of said earplugs comprises an electromagnetic signal receiving unit (26) electrically connected to said antenna and to said output transducer, and wherein said hearing protection device is adapted for wireless electromagnetic communication with a remote unit (36, 38, 40) via said antenna.