Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoscopic instrument for retrograde biopsy, in particular synovial biopsy, comprising a head unit (12) having a distal tip portion (36) for penetrating tissue, a jaw part (24) with a tissue engaging formation (38) for removing the biopsy specimen, the jaw part (24) being pivotable from an idle position to an operating position in the direction of the distal tip portion (36) and back, wherein the tissue engaging formation (38) is essentially oriented away from the distal tip portion (36) in the operating position, as well as a first fluid channel area (76) open to the surrounding area in the region of the head unit (12), wherein the first fluid channel area (76) is at least open to the surrounding area via at least one channel opening (78) provided in the jaw part (24), when the jaw part (24) is in idle position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoscopic instrument for retrograde biopsy, in particular synovial biopsy, comprising a head unit (12) having a distal tip portion (36) for penetrating tissue, a jaw part (24) with a tissue engaging formation (38) for removing the biopsy specimen, the jaw part (24) being pivotable from an idle position to an operating position in the direction of the distal tip portion (36) and back, wherein the tissue engaging formation (38) is essentially oriented away from the distal tip portion (36) in the operating position, as well as a first fluid channel area (76) open to the surrounding area in the region of the head unit (12), wherein the first fluid channel area (76) is at least open to the surrounding area via at least one channel opening (78) provided in the jaw part (24), when the jaw part (24) is in idle position.

Abstract: A method of continually heat-treating a biogenic material in the production of fuels such as ethanol or biogas includes pressurizing the biogenic material with a first pump so as to provide a pressurized suspension. The pressurized suspension is continuously heat-treated at a heat-treatment temperature of from 100° C. to 180° C. in a hydrolysis reactor so as to provide a heat-treated suspension. A temperature of the heat-treated suspension is lowered to below 100° C. The heat-treated suspension is depressurized with a second pump. The first and second pumps are configured to maintain at least one of the pressurized suspension and the heat-treated suspension at a pressure of above 5 bar.

Abstract: A method of subjecting a flowable suspension comprising a biogenic material to a temperature hydrolysis includes passing the flowable suspension through a first downward conduit section. The flowable suspension is passed through a first connecting conduit section and a first upward part. The first connecting conduit section is configured to connect an outlet of the first downward conduit section with an inlet of a second downward conduit section. The flowable suspension is passed through the second downward conduit section. A first flow velocity in the first upward part exceeds a second flow velocity in each of the first downward conduit section and the second downward conduit section.