Abstract: A pneumatic valve comprises a valve housing in which at least two passage channels are formed which are associated with respective pneumatic connections; a movable closing element for a selective closing and releasing of the passage channels; and a piezoelectric drive for the controlled movement of the closing element. The piezoelectric drive comprises two separately controllable individual drives as well as closing elements which are associated therewith and which are movable independently of one another, with each of the closing elements being provided for a selective closing and releasing of one of the passage channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the position of a movable separation element which is arranged within an accumulator as a separator between a gas space and a fluid space, wherein the determination apparatus comprises at least one pressure sensor for the detection of pressure data, at least one ultrasonic sensor for the detection of ultrasonic data and at least one calculation unit for the evaluation of the data with the aid of which determination apparatus the position of the separation element can be determined.

Abstract: A metering unit has a module carrier having a fastening element, a valve module and a media store which is replaceably fastened to the module carrier.

Abstract: The colorectal delivery device provides a device for rectal delivery of therapeutic compositions to the colon of a patient. The composition may be a foam application in some embodiments. The device allows medical personnel to add therapeutic drugs to the pressurized canister immediately prior to administration to the patient.

Abstract: A sanitary disposable urine device is provided. The device includes an inner ring and outer ring each having a top surface and opposing bottom surface. The outer ring is substantially concentric with the inner ring and may be offset. At least one of the top surfaces of the inner and outer rings conforms to a body contour of a user's perineum. The device further includes a hand holder coupled to the bottom surface of the inner ring, the hand holder having an opening configured to match to the inner ring. The device also includes a fluid containing bag having an open end attached to the hand holder such that fluid flows through the inner ring and the opening of the hand holder into the fluid containing bag during usage. The device also includes an inner bag inside the fluid containing bag for containing an absorbent material and an outer sealable bag to secure the device after use.

Abstract: A prone positioning device is described for supporting the chest and head of a patient in a prone position during a medical procedure. The device allows medical personnel to view the face of the patient while the patient is in the prone position by means of a reflective surface disposed in a cavity in the device beneath the patient's face.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve comprises a valve housing in which at least two passage channels are formed which are associated with respective pneumatic connections; a movable closing element for a selective closing and releasing of the passage channels; and a piezoelectric drive for the controlled movement of the closing element. The piezoelectric drive comprises two separately controllable individual drives as well as closing elements which are associated therewith and which are movable independently of one another, with each of the closing elements being provided for a selective closing and releasing of one of the passage channels.

Abstract: A needle safety guard device adapted to attach to a liquid container is provided. The device includes a disk-shaped shield having a medial opening connected with a radial opening between two radial edges. The device also includes a substantially U-shaped holder having two sidewalls coupled substantially perpendicular to the disk-shaped shield along the two radial edges, and a top cover connecting to the two sidewalls and extending from the shield above the radial opening. The U-shaped holder includes a wedged protrusion and a curved protrusion extending from each of the two sidewalls, the curved protrusion being between the top cover and the wedged protrusion for blocking a cap of the liquid container from moving toward the medial opening.

Abstract: A piezoelectric adjustment apparatus comprises a piezoelectric stack which has a plurality of layers of piezoelectric material arranged in a stacked manner and each provided with electrodes, and comprises a lever mechanically connected to the piezoelectric stack for converting a drive movement of the stack into an adjustment movement of an adjustment element provided at the lever. A cooling device for dissipating heat from the piezoelectric stack is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connection system having a first connection part which defines a first passage and to a second connection part to be connected to said first connection part which defines a second passage which is orientated with the first passage in the connected state of the connection parts, wherein the first connection part has a blunt cone section through which the first passage extends and the second connection part has a reception section having a frustoconical reception space for receiving the blunt cone section into which the second passage opens.

Abstract: The eyeglass frame is an improved eyeglass frame with dislocating joints. The dislocating joints prevent damage to the eyeglass frame when external forces are applied to the structure and allow for the frame to be disconnected, if so desired. The joints dislocate without completely separating from the other components of the eyeglass frame or becoming damaged, and the joints can be quickly reconnected without tools.

Abstract: This invention relates to a valve for metering filled and/or pasty media. In accordance with an embodiment, the valve comprises a valve element having a metering opening and a valve gate movable in translation and having a flow opening. The valve gate is configured for carrying out an oscillating double-stroke movement in the course of which the flow opening of the valve gate is temporarily aligned with the metering opening of the valve element. The flow opening of the valve gate is aligned with the metering opening of the valve element in the course of the double-stroke movement of the valve gate a first time during the forward stroke and a second time during the backward stroke.

Abstract: A sanitary disposable urine device is provided. The device includes an inner ring and outer ring each having a top surface and opposing bottom surface. The outer ring is substantially concentric with the inner ring and may be offset. At least one of the top surfaces of the inner and outer rings conforms to a body contour of a user's perineum. The device further includes a hand holder coupled to the bottom surface of the inner ring, the hand holder having an opening configured to match to the inner ring. The device also includes a fluid containing bag having an open end attached to the hand holder such that fluid flows through the inner ring and the opening of the hand holder into the fluid containing bag during usage. The device also includes an inner bag inside the fluid containing bag for containing an absorbent material and an outer sealable bag to secure the device after use.

Abstract: Contact lenses are described that include particles of polymer fiber mat incorporated into a polymer lens wherein the polymer fiber mat is formed by electrospinning a prepolymer solution. Methods for making the contact lenses with improved oxygen permeability are also described. Methods for making the contact lens with optional therapeutic drug delivery and refractive correction are also described.

Abstract: A positioning device is described for supporting the chest and head of a patient in a desired position during a medical procedure. The device includes removable inserts that allow the device to be adjusted to fit the size of the patient's head and torso.

Abstract: An adjustable tongue-positioning device for an oral gag device has a shaft portion with a vertical shaft adapted for slideably engaging with an oral gag device, an engagement bead attached to a support, the support attached to the vertical shaft, an engagement ring attached to the vertical shaft. The tongue positioning device also has an adjustable tongue portion with at least one tongue depressor portion having a slot adapted for engaging with the engagement bead of the shaft portion, and a flexible ratchet adapted for engaging with the engagement ring of the shaft portion. In operation the adjustable tongue portion is engaged with the engagement ring and bead of the shaft portion, and the shaft portion with an adjustment mechanism of an oral gag.

Abstract: A sanitary disposable urine device is provided that includes an inner ring and outer ring each having a top surface and opposing bottom surface. The outer ring is substantially concentric with the inner ring and may be offset. At least one of the top surfaces of the inner and outer rings conforms to a body contour of a user's perineum. The device includes a hand holder coupled to the bottom surface of the inner ring, the hand holder having an opening configured to match to the inner ring. The device includes a fluid containing bag having an open end attached to the hand holder such that fluid flows through the inner ring and the opening of the hand holder into the fluid containing bag during usage. The device includes an inner bag inside the fluid containing bag having an absorbent material and an outer sealable bag to secure the device after use.

Abstract: The invention relates to an LED module (1) comprising at least one light-emitting diode (LED) (3) and at least one heat sink (2) for active cooling, having at least one coolant channel (6) through which a cooling fluid flows. The dimensions of the at least one coolant channel (6) are selected so that a predominantly laminar flow of the fluid is set up in the at least one coolant channel (5) during operation of the LED module (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge for holding liquid, paste-like or powdered compounds and a piston for closing such a cartridge, and a system made up of such a cartridge, comprising a tool (15), wherein the piston comprises a cylindrical or cylindrical tube-like base member that can be placed into a cartridge and moved along the cylindrical longitudinal axis inside a cartridge, wherein at least one sealing lip (12) is provided that seals against a sealing surface running parallel to or at an acute angle with respect to the cylindrical longitudinal axis, wherein the sealing lip is arranged such that by way of a tool that can be accessed from an end side of the piston, the sealing lip can be lifted off the sealing surface when the cartridge is closed by the piston so that air can escape from the cartridge.

Abstract: A minimally invasive spinous process fixation system includes dual rigid spinous clamps, each configured to articulate axially along a cylindrical shaft, and together configured to enclose and clamp around the adjacent or superior spinous process by means of opposing and swiveling spherical contact heads with spiked spinous contact faces. The spinous clamps are lockable when desired compression is achieved. A pedicle clamp has right and left clamp bodies for enveloping pre-existing pedicle rods. Each of the right and left clamp bodies includes upper and lower rigid metal plates supporting medial and lateral swivel cups. The upper and lower medial swivel cups engage and clamp about a connecting rod extending from the spinous clamp, and the upper and lower lateral swivel cups engage and clamp about one of the pedicle rods. A channel through the upper and lower metal plates accepts a locking screw to simultaneously tighten and fix the swivel cups in place about the connecting rod and the pedicle rod.