Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided having a tubular shaft with working elements arranged at its distal end, at least one of which may be spread apart. The working elements engage through an actuator element with a handle arranged at the proximal end of the shaft for opening and closing the working elements. A continuous hollow channel is provided in the interior of the instrument, into which at least one additional instrument may be inserted. The hollow channel preferably has a cross section corresponding to the inner clearance diameter of the tubular shaft. The working elements are configured such that they do not extend into the cross section of the hollow channel either in opened or in closed condition.

Abstract: Described is a grip part of an endoscopic instrument with at least a movable control element for mechanical guidance of a tool unit mounted on the distal end of the shaft of the endoscopic instrument and a main body. The invention is distinguished in that the main body has a largely symmetrical shape which is ergonomically adapted to the human hand such that the endoscopic instrument can be encircled at least partially by the palm of a hand balled into a fist and that the operating element is movable relative to the main body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new caffeoyl-CoA 3-O-methyltransferase genes isolated from parsley and their use for the transformation of vectors, host organisms and plants.

Abstract: A medical manipulating device (1), in particular, for endoscopic applications, havinga medical instrument (3) disposed at the distal end,a grip (2) disposed at the proximal end, the grip (2) being provided with a grasping part (4) which can be held by hand, the grasping part (4) being provided with actuating elements which can be operated with the fingers, anda shank part (5), which connects the grip (2) to the instrument (3), and which is provided with transmission elements which transmit actuation of the actuating elements to the medical instrument (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to new caffeoyl-CoA 3-O-methyltransferase genes isolated from plants and their use for the transformation of vectors, host organisms and plants and for the generation of plants which have an increased resistance to pests.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (1) is used to clamp a vessel (6), hollow organ or the like. The instrument has essentially a lock assembly (3) with a thread holder (4) and a shaft-like lock assembly holder (5) that can be coupled to the lock assembly. The lock assembly holder can be coupled with the lock assembly and has actuating members (7) for opening and closing the lock assembly thread holder. One thread end (12) is connected to the lock assembly (3) and with the aid of forceps (25) extended through the instrument can be grasped and drawn through two clamping jaws (9) spring-loaded towards each other. A loop is formed around the vessel (6) and the thread drawn to clamp off this vessel. After lock assembly (3) and lock assembly holder (5) have been detached from each other, the drawn-through thread end is clamped and the lock assembly holder (5) as well as the forceps (25) can then be removed.

Abstract: An optical system for imaging the light from light sources having varying astigmatic differences of focus in different planes, having an optical element with an astigmatic effect and having an imaging lens system, the optical element having an astigmatic effect being provided with two lens components, the distance of which in the direction of the optical axis can be adjusted in order to correct astigmatic differences of focus varying from light source to light source and/or changing astigmatic differences of focus due to aging.