Abstract: An output unit for a beverage dispenser outputs hot beverages and/or ingredients for beverages to a container standing below the output unit. The output unit has one or more outlet assemblies for beverages and/or ingredients. Improved cleaning and/or mixing is achieved in that each of the outlet assemblies has a central inner outlet and an outer outlet which concentrically encloses the inner outlet, and in that the outer outlet is designed as a ring nozzle directed in the outlet direction so that a fluid which is output through the outer outlet encloses the inner outlet in the form of a concentric liquid sheath.

Abstract: A system for in-situ evaluation of the performance of an actuator of a hearing instrument to be implanted in a middle ear cavity of a patient and to be mechanically coupled to an ossicle or to the cochlea includes: a reference output transducer assembly for generating sound waves in the middle ear cavity, means for providing test audio signals as input to the actuator and to the reference transducer assembly, a microphone assembly for being inserted at least in part into the middle ear cavity for picking up sound waves in the middle ear cavity generated by vibrations of the actuator and by the reference output transducer assembly according to the test audio signals and for providing for an output signal corresponding to the picked-up sound waves, and means for analyzing the output signals of the microphone assembly in order to evaluate the actuator performance.

Abstract: An electrode system for transcutaneous nerve and/or muscle stimulation that includes a pair of stimulating electrodes and a stimulation current generator for generating a nerve and/or muscle stimulation current between the stimulating electrodes. The system also includes a current-injecting electrode arranged in proximity to one of the stimulating electrodes, and an injection-current generator located in the area of the current-injecting electrode. The current-injecting electrode and the corresponding injection-current generator reduce, or even eliminate, undesirable sensations resulting from an excitation of subcutaneous receptors by the stimulation current.

Abstract: An output unit for a beverage dispenser outputs hot beverages and/or ingredients for beverages to a container standing below the output unit. The output unit has one or more outlet assemblies for beverages and/or ingredients. Improved cleaning and/or mixing is achieved in that each of the outlet assemblies has a central inner outlet and an outer outlet which concentrically encloses the inner outlet, and in that the outer outlet is designed as a ring nozzle directed in the outlet direction so that a fluid which is output through the outer outlet encloses the inner outlet in the form of a concentric liquid sheath.

Abstract: A system for in-situ evaluation of the performance of an actuator of a hearing instrument to be implanted in a middle ear cavity of a patient and to be mechanically coupled to an ossicle or to the cochlea includes: a reference output transducer assembly for generating sound waves in the middle ear cavity, means for providing test audio signals as input to the actuator and to the reference transducer assembly, a microphone assembly for being inserted at least in part into the middle ear cavity for picking up sound waves in the middle ear cavity generated by vibrations of the actuator and by the reference output transducer assembly according to the test audio signals and for providing for an output signal corresponding to the picked-up sound waves, and means for analyzing the output signals of the microphone assembly in order to evaluate the actuator performance.

Abstract: A system has an implantable unit and an external unit. The external unit is fixable at the patient's head and has an audio signal source, an audio signal processing unit for processing audio signals from the audio signal source, a rechargeable power source, a transmitter for transmitting processed audio signals via a transcutaneous audio link to the implantable unit and a power transmission coil for transmitting power via a transcutaneous power link to the implantable unit. The implantable unit has a stimulator for a patient's middle ear or inner ear component according to the processed audio signals. The external unit is coupleable to the inductive charging device for inducing an AC voltage in the power transmission coil. The external unit has a recharging circuitry for transforming the AC voltage induced in the power transmission coil by the charging device into a charging current for recharging the rechargeable power source.

Abstract: Electrotherapy systems and methods for delivering an electrostimulation treatment program to a user while reducing the risk of inducing cardiac fibrillation. The systems and methods detect electrostimulation treatment program delivery characteristics, including a pulse intensity above a preset limit; a pulse duration above a preset limit; an inappropriately compensated pulse; a charge per pulse above a predetermined limit; a current improperly exiting from a stimulation channel; a current present outside of a pulse; an excitation pulse and a compensation pulse generated on different channels; an inter-pulse time less than a predetermined limit; and a time between an excitation and a compensation pulse greater than a predetermined limit. The limits are selected in relation to an objective of reducing the risk of inducing cardiac fibrillation.

Abstract: Electrotherapy systems and methods for delivering an electrostimulation treatment program to a user while reducing the risk of inducing cardiac fibrillation. The systems and methods detect electrostimulation treatment program delivery characteristics, including a pulse intensity above a preset limit; a pulse duration above a preset limit; an inappropriately compensated pulse; a charge per pulse above a predetermined limit; a current improperly exiting from a stimulation channel; a current present outside of a pulse; an excitation pulse and a compensation pulse generated on different channels; an inter-pulse time less than a predetermined limit; and a time between an excitation and a compensation pulse greater than a predetermined limit. The limits are selected in relation to an objective of reducing the risk of inducing cardiac fibrillation.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool has a handle, a least one two-speed transmission, at least one switch element for shifting the transmission between various gear ratios, wherein a distance between the switch element and a gripping region of the handle provided for placement of an operator's hand is less than or equal to a maximum finger extension range.

Abstract: An operating mode switch for setting at least one operating mode in a hand-held power tool, comprising an adjustment ring rotatable manually around its axis and movable into at least one rotational position which activates an operating mode, and a locking device controlled by the adjustment ring and engaging in the adjustment ring, the locking device being configured such that in the at least one rotational position of the adjustment ring it automatically falls into a locking position which locks the adjustment ring in position, while the engagement ring is engageable from the at least one rotational position by manually rotating the adjustment ring.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool has a handle, a least one two-speed transmission, at least one switch element for shifting the transmission between various gear ratios, wherein a distance between the switch element and a gripping region of the handle provided for placement of an operator's hand is less than or equal to a maximum finger extension range.