Abstract: The invention provides a skin treatment device comprising a laser source (40) and focusing optics (50), such that a focal spot (18) is positioned in a dermis layer (24) of the skin to be treated. The laser beam (42) is powered and focused (16) such that a LIOB (laser induced optical breakdown) phenomenon is obtained, which affects the skin in order to stimulate re-growth of tissue. This in turn reduces wrinkles (30). The device may comprise wrinkle-determining means (52, 54, 56, 58). The focusing optics (50) may have a numerical aperture of at least 0.4. The invention also provides a corresponding method to treat skin, in particular to reduce wrinkles (30), by providing a focused laser beam (16) that causes LIOB in the dermis layer (24) of the skin. The advantage is that damage to overlaying epidermis layers may be avoided by the use of the very local LIOB phenomenon.

Abstract: The invention provides a skin treatment device comprising a laser source (40) and focusing optics (50), such that a focal spot (18) is positioned in a dermis layer (24) of the skin to be treated. The laser beam (42) is powered and focused (16) such that a LIOB (laser induced optical breakdown) phenomenon is obtained, which affects the skin in order to stimulate re-growth of tissue. This in turn reduces wrinkles (30). The device may comprise wrinkle-determining means (52, 54, 56, 58). The focusing optics (50) may have a numerical aperture of at least 0.4. The invention also provides a corresponding method to treat skin, in particular to reduce wrinkles (30), by providing a focused laser beam (16) that causes LIOB in the dermis layer (24) of the skin. The advantage is that damage to overlaying epidermis layers may be avoided by the use of the very local LIOB phenomenon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly automated puncture system for inserting a cannula or a needle into a blood vessel of a person or an animal. The puncture system has an acquisition module that allows for determining at least one location of a blood vessel underneath the surface of a skin and that is further enabled to determine an optimal puncture location that is well suitable for inserting a cannula into the blood vessel. Further, the puncture system has an actuator for moving and aligning the cannula to a determined position. The system is further adapted to autonomously insert the cannula into the blood vessel for multiple purposes, such as blood withdrawal, venous medication and infusions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for achieving sub-surface, highly spatially selective cardiac ablation by means of laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) are disclosed. Damage to non-targeted heart and artery/vein tissue is to be minimized according to the present disclosure. A catheter enters the heart, e.g., via a vein, and catheter location is determined/confirmed. Laser pulses are guided through the optical path within the catheter and, at or near the catheter end, a focusing structure is provided that focuses the laser radiation through the non-targeted vein/heart tissue into the targeted tissue. In the focusing structure, laser induced LIOB occurs and related mechanical effects affect the targeted tissue.

Abstract: An X-ray unit according to the invention has a first arrangement (2) that is intended for the contactless and X-ray free measurement of first data of an object (1). A control unit (3) controls, on the basis of the first data of the object, a second arrangement (4) that measures X-ray data of the object by means of X-rays. With such an X-ray unit, first data 5 of the object can be obtained without using X-rays and control of the measurement of the X-ray data is made possible, with the result that, for the optimum quality of the X-ray data, only a minimum X-ray dose is applied to the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray detector for detecting X-radiation, as used, in particular, in computer tomographic (CT) systems. The X-ray detector in accordance with the invention is composed of a photo sensor device, which comprises individual detector elements (1), above which scintillator elements (2) are disposed. These convert the incident X-ray light (6) into visible or UV light (7), which is detected by a photodiode (4) located on the detector element (1). In accordance with the invention, a micro-lens (3), which focuses the light (7) departing from the scintillator element (2) onto the photodiode (4), is disposed between the scintillator element (2) and the detector element (1). It is possible, in this manner, to use large areas of the detector element (1) for further electronic components (5) outside the photodiode (4), and, at the same time, to ensure a high DQE (Detection Quantum Efficiency) in that the light (7) departing from the scintillator element (2) is virtually fully exploited.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic circuit for reading out a plurality of sensor elements while disadvantages like degradation of analog signal transfer is avoided. The electronic circuit comprises a plurality of sensor elements (1, 11, 1-2, . . . ), each having at least a first and a second state and an output that conveys a trigger signal when the sensor element (1, 1-1, 1-2, . . . ) switches from the first state to the second state, a plurality of registers (R-1, R-2, . . . ) that are coupled to the outputs of the sensor elements (1, 1-1, 1-2, . . . ), a counter (CNT) that in an active state conveys a counter signal that is changing with a given clock rate, means for storing the counter signal into one of the registers (R1) when the trigger signal of one of the sensor elements (1-1 Y is received, and means for uniquely assigning the stored counter signal to the triggering sensor element (1-1).

Abstract: An X-ray unit according to the invention has a first arrangement (2) that is intended for the contactless and X-ray free measurement of first data of an object (1). A control unit (3) controls, on the basis of the first data of the object, a second arrangement (4) that measures X-ray data of the object by means of X-rays. With such an X-ray unit, first data 5 of the object can be obtained without using X-rays and control of the measurement of the Xray data is made possible, with the result that, data, only a minimum X-ray dose is applied to the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray detector for detecting X-radiation, as used, in particular, in computer tomographic (CT) systems. The X-ray detector in accordance with the invention is composed of a photo sensor device, which comprises individual detector elements (1), above which scintillator elements (2) are disposed. These convert the incident X-ray light (6) into visible or UV light (7), which is detected by a photodiode (4) located on the detector element (1). In accordance with the invention, a micro-lens (3), which focuses the light (7) departing from the scintillator element (2) onto the photodiode (4), is disposed between the scintillator element (2) and the detector element (1). It is possible, in this manner, to use large areas of the detector element (1) for further electronic components (5) outside the photodiode (4), and, at the same time, to ensure a high DQE (Detection Quantum Efficiency) in that the light (7) departing from the scintillator element (2) is virtually fully exploited.

Abstract: A data acquisition system which includes data generating and processing units (1a, 1b, 1c), each of which includes a respective data source (3a1, 3a2, 3b1, 3c1) which serves to generate data. The data each time generated is processed by means of associated data processing means (2a, 2b, 2c 11a1, 11a2, 12a1, 12a2, 13a1, 13a2) in such a manner that each time a digital data word which comprises at least two bits is presented for output. The output of the digital data words takes place in synchronous-parallel fashion in dependence on first control signals (4, 5). Shift registers (6a, 6b, 6c) which are coupled to one another so as to form a chain propagate the digital data words in synchronous-parallel fashion in dependence on second control signals (7, 8) and are coupled to a respective associated data generating and processing unit (1a, 1b, 1c).

Abstract: A data acquisition system which includes data generating and processing units (1a, 1b, 1c), each of which includes a respective data source (3a1, 3a2, 3b1, 3c1) which serves to generate data. The data each time generated is processed by means of associated data processing means (2a, 2b, 2c 11a1, 11a2, 12a1, 12a2, 13a1, 13a2) in such a manner that each time a digital data word which comprises at least two bits is presented for output. The output of the digital data words takes place in synchronous-parallel fashion in dependence on first control signals (4, 5). Shift registers (6a, 6b, 6c) which are coupled to one another so as to form a chain propagate the digital data words in synchronous-parallel fashion in dependence on second control signals (7, 8) and are coupled to a respective associated data generating and processing unit (1a, 1b, 1c).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensorless commutation of a direct-current motor. To allow an exact, easy to design, flexible, and highly integratable circuit arrangement for commuting motor devices, analogue phase detectors are replaced by digital devices, in particular Sigma-Delta-modulators, which oversample the induced voltages of coils of said motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid two-dimensional scintillator arrangement which is formed by a plurality of one-dimensional detector strips. The detector strips (1) are formed by scintillator slabs (3) and absorber layers (2) which are glued between said scintillator slabs. The detector strips (1) are fitted parallel to one another in a fitting form (4). The one-dimensional detector strips can be manufactured with a high degree of precision. The fitting form (4) can also be manufactured with a very high degree of precision and accommodates the individual detector strips (1) in a second direction which extends perpendicularly to the direction in which the detector strips extend. The fitting form (4) is provided with transverse pieces (5), the detector strips (1) being inserted between the transverse pieces (5).

Abstract: An X-ray detector that includes a sensor matrix and a scintillator arrangement and in which wire elements are spaced apart in layers A and B in order to reduce the crosstalk in neighboring detector elements. Scintillators are inserted at least partly in the grid openings formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric drive device with a bimodal piezoelectric resonator, with at least a first control electrode for triggering the resonator in a first drive direction, with at least a second control electrode for triggering the resonator in a second drive direction, and with a trigger circuit for supplying control signals to the first and the second control electrode. The invention is characterized in that a regulating circuit is provided for regulating the control signals, the second control electrode is designed for supplying a feedback signal to the regulating circuit when the resonator is being triggered in the first drive direction by means of the first control electrode, and the first control electrode is designed for supplying a feedback signal to the regulating circuit when the resonator is being triggered in the second drive direction by means of the second control electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensorless commutation of a direct-current motor. To allow an exact, easy to design, flexible, and highly integratable circuit arrangement for commuting motor devices, analogue phase detectors are replaced by digital devices, in particular Sigma-Delta-modulators, which oversample the induced voltages of coils of said motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid two-dimensional scintillator arrangement which is formed by a plurality of one-dimensional detector strips. The detector strips (1) are formed by scintillator slabs (3) and absorber layers (2) which are glued between said scintillator slabs. The detector strips (1) are fitted parallel to one another in a fitting form (4). The one-dimensional detector strips can be manufactured with a high degree of precision. The fitting form (4) can also be manufactured with a very high degree of precision and accommodates the individual detector strips (1) in a second direction which extends perpendicularly to the direction in which the detector strips extend. The fitting form (4) is provided with transverse pieces (5), the detector strips (1) being inserted between the transverse pieces (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for loss-free transmission of data packets from a transmitter (10) to a receiver (7). In this arrangement, the transmitting unit (5) of the transmitter continuously transmits data packets to the receiver (7) via the transmission channel (8) and at the same time stores a copy thereof in a buffer (3). The receiver (7) supplies the transmitter (10) with an acknowledge signal (9) concerning the success or failure of the transmission of the data packets. If a data packet has not been successfully transmitted, it is extracted from the buffer (3) by a control unit (4) of the transmitter (10), and inserted once again into the stream of data packets to be transmitted. By contrast, successfully transmitted data packets are erased from the buffer (3). The buffer (3) permits recourse to and the renewed transmission of data packets even when the corresponding acknowledge signal is not awaited after each transmission operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation sensor (10) which is notably suitable for use in the radiation detector of a computed tomography apparatus. The radiation sensor (10) is preferably constructed as an integrated chip in the CMOS technique and is provided with photodiodes (11) which are arranged in the form of a matrix as well as with a temperature sensor (12). The output signals of the photodiodes (11) can be corrected in respect of temperature dependency by means of the output signals of the temperature sensor (12). The temperature sensor (12) preferably utilizes the same data format as the photodiodes (11), so that it can be addressed, read out and treated in the same way as the photodiodes (11) by an evaluation unit (13). The measured temperature value, furthermore, can be used for the detection of faults and/or ageing of the radiation sensor chip (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray detector 8 which includes a sensor matrix and a scintillator arrangement 20 and in which wire elements 21 and 22 are spaced apart in layers A and B in order to reduce the crosstalk in neighboring detector elements; scintillators 23 are inserted at least partly in the grid openings 24 formed.