Abstract: A system (2) for extruding and drying an extruded honeycomb body (14) which has channels (18) that extend in a longitudinal direction (L) and which channels (18) are each bounded by first channel walls (20a) that extend in a first direction (A) which is transverse relative to the longitudinal direction (L), and by second channel walls (20b) that extend in a second direction (B) in which is also transverse relative to the longitudinal direction (L) comprises: (i) an extruder (16) having an extrusion head (17) for producing the honeycomb body (14) by extrusion; (ii) a microwave oven (4) comprising an arrangement of a plurality of microwave radiators (6), each microwave radiator being for irradiating the honeycomb body with a directional microwave beam in an irradiation direction (S); and (iii) a feed unit (12) adjoining the extruder (16) for transferring the honeycomb body from the extruder (16) into the microwave oven (4), wherein either: (a) the extrusion head (17) of the extruder is oriented in such a way th

Abstract: Novel mouth rinse (i.e., mouthwash) compositions that permit delivery of silica or silicate materials to the surface of teeth through common mouth rinsing procedures are provided. Such compositions must exhibit proper suspension of the silica or silicate materials (in particulate form) to prevent settling during storage while simultaneously providing proper mouth rinsing properties. Such silica or silicate materials may themselves exhibit any number of therapeutic or aesthetic benefits as long as such materials are easily transferred through mouth rinsing and exhibit proper affinity for deposit on target teeth upon contact therewith. Such silica or silicate materials should exhibit, in one embodiment, certain ionic charge levels as well as sufficiently small particle sizes to permit effective static attraction and eventual accumulation on target tooth surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for the secure input of a PIN on a chip card reader, without its own display, which is connected to a computer system. After an application requests the input of a PIN, the chip card reader passes information to a PIN input program on the computer system, and this program guides the user through the PIN entry procedure.

Abstract: A stable, nasally, orally or sublingually applicable pharmaceutical preparation for administering to patients has an aqueous solution of desmopressin as the active agent. Said solution contains an osmoticum and a buffer which maintains the pH-value in the range of 4 to 6, preferably about 5. The buffer is malic acid, preferably in the form of a racemate. Thereby an improved stability of the desmopressin content in the preparation is obtained.

Abstract: In order to extend the life of the laser light source and to reduce the operating costs, a method for operating a laser light source, in particular for scanning in a confocal scanning laser microscope, the laser light source being supplied with electricity via a power pack, is one wherein the laser light source is operated with the requisite power essentially only during the working beam time, preferably during the data acquisition. When a pulsed laser light source is used, the working beam time, in particular the data acquisition, is essentially synchronized with the emission cycle of the laser light source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring surfaces by confocal microscopy using the reflection method, specially to measure the superficial profiles (1) of treated or drilled teeth (2). The invention seeks to eliminate mistakes occurring when very inclined areas are measured. To this end, the method disclosed is characterized by a confocal representation with enhanced dynamics (relative sensitivity) enabling it to project both the retro-reflections and the weak scattered light (3) or fluorescent light of each focal plane (8).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for the confocal measuring of surfaces inside cavities of the body, specially to measure the surface profile (1) of teeth (2) in the mouth cavity. Said device has a probe (3) that can be introduced into the cavity of the body, a light source feeding the probe (3), a detector picking up a light signal (5) and a processor (6) to digitalize the detected signal transforming it into a tridimensional representation. The device is designed using a simple construction and enabling an error free scanning of the surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for simultaneous representation of a surface profile of any given object, specially to measure the surface profile of teeth, comprises a light source to illuminate the object, an optical element to focus the light signals returning from the surface of the object, a detector to pick up the light signals, and a processor that digitizes and further processes the detected signals. The method enables quick, reproducible scanning of the surface profile by using as few devices as possible while ensuring at the same time a viable constructive size. The method includes placing a beam output coupler in the beam detection path downstream from the optical element to simultaneously couple our the light returning from the various image planes, the coupled-out light being guided to the detector.