Abstract: A discharge device for discharging electrical energy from a circuit of an electrical converter includes an excitation device electrically connected to the circuit and producing during operation of the discharge device from the electrical energy of the circuit an alternating electromagnetic field, and an electrically conductive body constructed as a heatsink and receiving from the excitation device the alternating electromagnetic field so as to induce an eddy current in the electrically conductive body and converting the electrical energy generated in the electrically conductive body into thermal energy. Further disclosed is an electrical converter which includes the afore-described discharge device.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving a visual function, the apparatus having a first display element for displaying at least one moving grid consisting of grid elements; at least one portable closure element for the occlusion of at least one eye; a portable eye tracking device for measuring at least one characteristic value of a non-occluded eye; a first control unit having a first communication interface to the eye tracking device and a second communication interface to the at least one closure element; and a second control unit connected to the display element, with a third communication interface to the first control unit. The second control unit is adapted to provide a display to a non-occluded eye of the moving grids on the first display element controlled on the basis of the characteristic values measured by the eye tracking device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a freezing machine (150) for freezing samples, encompassing: a freezing device (140) for freezing a sample received in the freezing machine (150); a container (100) for receiving the frozen sample, having a reservoir (105) for liquid nitrogen; and a transfer apparatus for transferring the frozen sample from the freezing device (140) into the container (100), the container (100) comprising at least two receiving devices (104), separated from one another, each for at least one frozen sample; a selection apparatus being provided for selecting one of the receiving devices (104) for a frozen sample that is to be transferred into the container (100), the freezing machine (150) being configured to carry out the transfer of the frozen sample, by means of the transfer apparatus, into the respectively selected receiving device (104) of the container (100); and to a method for transferring frozen samples into a container provided therefor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining an intensity and/or a phase of intensity modulation of an intensity-modulated electromagnetic radiation signal, having a detector and imaging optics for imaging an intensity-modulated radiation signal onto the detector. In comparison with this, the present invention addresses the problem of providing an apparatus for reducing scattered light influences on an intensity and/or phase determination of the intensity modulation of an intensity-modulated electromagnetic radiation signal.

Abstract: A method for operating a time-of-flight camera including a time-of-flight sensor comprising an array of time-of-flight pixels with at least two integration nodes, wherein in a 3D mode the time-of-flight sensor and an illumination means are operated by means of a modulation signal and on the basis of the charges accumulated at the integration nodes distance values are determined, characterized in that in a power saving mode the time-of-flight sensor is operated with a control signal for motion detection, the frequency of which is lower than a lowest frequency of the modulation signal for a distance determination in the 3D mode, wherein an object motion is determined based on a differential value at the integration nodes is provided.

Abstract: An inventive iliac connector comprises a connector head (1) and a connecting rod (2) for connecting a sacrum (S) or a spine (SP) to an ilium (I). The connector head (1) has a first hole (15) for holding a spinal rod (3) and a second hole (16) for holding the connecting rod (2), wherein the connecting rod (2) is made of a material being more flexible than titanium. This iliac connector enables a stabilization of ilium, sacrum and spine and enables at the same time movement between ilium and sacrum.

Abstract: A ledge that incorporates a spill sill as a portion of the ledge is disclosed. The ledge includes one or more ports and the spill sill is shaped in a manner that catches liquid as it overflows and directs the water to the port(s). The port(s) are utilized to drain the liquid from the ledge so that the liquid can be routed away for disposal. In addition to being functional, the ledge includes dimensions and/or configurations that make the ledge aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: An inventive iliac connector comprises a connector head (1) and a connecting rod (2) for connecting a sacrum (S) or a spine (SP) to an ilium (I). The connector head (1) has a first hole (15) for holding a spinal rod (3) and a second hole (16) for holding the connecting rod (2), wherein the connecting rod (2) is made of a material being more flexible than titanium. This iliac connector enables a stabilization of ilium, sacrum and spine and enables at the same time movement between ilium and sacrum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining an intensity and/or a phase of intensity modulation of an intensity-modulated electromagnetic radiation signal, having a detector and imaging optics for imaging an intensity-modulated radiation signal onto the detector. In comparison with this, the present invention addresses the problem of providing an apparatus for reducing scattered light influences on an intensity and/or phase determination of the intensity modulation of an intensity-modulated electromagnetic radiation signal.

Abstract: A method for operating a time-of-flight camera including a time-of-flight sensor comprising an array of time-of-flight pixels with at least two integration nodes, wherein in a 3D mode the time-of-flight sensor and an illumination means are operated by means of a modulation signal and on the basis of the charges accumulated at the integration nodes distance values are determined, characterized in that in a power saving mode the time-of-flight sensor is operated with a control signal for motion detection, the frequency of which is lower than a lowest frequency of the modulation signal for a distance determination in the 3D mode, wherein an object motion is determined based on a differential value at the integration nodes is provided.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an apparatus (100) for improving a visual function, having a first display element (1) for displaying at least one moving grid (110) consisting of grid elements (120); at least one portable closure element (2) for the occlusion of at least one eye; a portable eye tracking device (3) for measuring at least one characteristic value of a non-occluded eye; a first control unit (5) having a first communication interface (140) to the eye tracking device (3) and a second communication interface (150) to the at least one closure element (2); and a second control unit (6) connected to the display element (1), with a third communication interface (160) to the first control unit (5).

Abstract: An instrument of an instrument set is used to insert an implant into a disc space. The implant comprises a first cage and a second cage and the instrument comprises a distal end configured to push the cage first inserted into the disc space laterally in its proper anatomical location. Said distal end of the instrument has a tip, which is curved and has a curved inner side configured to contact an outer curved side of the first cage. The instrument set allows the insertion of two cages through a relatively small incision in the interdisc space in a simple yet safe procedure.

Abstract: The longitudinal implant is fastened to bones on either side of a damaged area through a connecting device. Said implant is comprised of a filament or fiber composite material and said connecting device is made of a material harder than said longitudinal implant. The longitudinal implant is preferably made of a carbon filament composite material, wherein the filament are encapsulated in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: A ledge that incorporates a spill sill as a portion of the ledge is disclosed. The ledge includes one or more ports and the spill sill is shaped in a manner that catches liquid as it overflows and directs the water to the port(s). The port(s) are utilized to drain the liquid from the ledge so that the liquid can be routed away for disposal. In addition to being functional, the ledge includes dimensions and/or configurations that make the ledge aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: An inventive iliac connector comprises a connector head (1) and a connecting rod (2) for connecting a sacrum (S) or a spine (SP) to an ilium (I). The connector head (1) has a first hole (15) for holding a spinal rod (3) and a second hole (16) for holding the connecting rod (2), wherein the connecting rod (2) is made of a material being more flexible than titanium. This iliac connector enables a stabilization of ilium, sacrum and spine and enables at the same time movement between ilium and sacrum.

Abstract: The elongated stabilization member comprises a composite rod (R) having a uniform cross-section essentially throughout its length. The rod (R) has at least first and second segments (A, B, C) each of which has a different modulus of elasticity. Preferably the rod (R) is comprised of plastic with carbon fibers disposed therein and said first and second segments (A, B, C) have different orientation densities of fibers or lengths to provide said different moduli of elasticity.

Abstract: The longitudinal implant is fastened to bones on either side of a damaged area through a connecting device. Said implant is comprised of a filament or fiber composite material and said connecting device is made of a material harder than said longitudinal implant. The longitudinal implant is preferably made of a carbon filament composite material, wherein the filament are encapsulated in a polymer matrix.