Abstract: In a holding device for a surgical instrument comprising a holder for the instrument, in order to enable pivotal movement of the instrument while avoiding simultaneous translational movement, it is proposed that the holder be held by at least two guide rods on a frame, the guide rods being rotably connected to the frame and to the holder, the bearing points of the guide rods on the holder being arranged in spaced relation to one another, and the spacing of the bearing points on the frame being greater than the spacing of the bearing points on the holder.

Abstract: A one-way adapter such as a cable modem is initialized to allow a personal computer to receive data from a computer network such as the Internet via a broadcast channel, while transmitting data upstream to the computer network via a telephone line. First, a two-way adapter such as a phone modem is initialized by establishing a telephone link with a terminal server of an Internet Service Provider telephone network. The terminal server obtains an IP address from a phone network address server, and assigns the IP address to the phone modem stack. Next, the cable modem stack sends out a request for session initialization to a cable modem driver. The request is processed by a packet processing relay agent (PPRA), and the IP address of the phone modem is inserted into the packet. The IP packet destination address is set to that of a cable network address server.

Abstract: A peripheral device is provided for a personal computer enabling the PC to provide the functions of a set-top box for television reception. Communication of television and control signals between the television and PC can be provided over the cable wiring already provided in the subscriber premises. Alternatively, wireless communication can be provided between the television and the PC. The invention obviates the need for a set-top box and the associated expense thereof. The television operations take place in the multitasking environment of the PC, so that the PC can be concurrently used for other applications.

Abstract: A vessel comprising a windmill mechanism having a variable pitch propeller, a generator rotatably driven by the windmill mechanism, a storage battery for storing current generated by the generator, a screw rotatably driven by the windmill mechanism, a motor to rotatably drive the screw by means of discharge of the storage battery, a control device for propeller pitch, a direction sensor for determining the natural wind direction with respect to the vessel, and a rotor direction control device to keep the propeller of the windmill in a direction of the natural wind as sensed by said direction sensor. Such a windmill vessel is able to cruise by either one of the wind force, the wind force and electric power, or electric power in response to the direction of the natural wind. The influence of the outlook wind (self cruise wind) by forward movement of the vessel is evaded, and the propeller of the windmill is always kept in the direction of the natural wind.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and imaging blood perfusion in tissue comprises a monochromatic laser light source, means for shaping the laser light beam, means for irradiating a section of the surface of the tissue with the laser light beam, means for collecting light scattered from the irradiated section, an image sensor comprising a plurality of photodetectors, each photodetector of the sensor being able to receive collected light from a predetermined sub area of the section of the tissue surface and produce a corresponding electrical output signal linearly related to the detected instananeous laser light intensity; means for processing the electrical output signals from the plurality of photodetctors, means for calculating the average Doppler frequency shift for each sub area from which scattered light is detected, means for producing an image of the blood perfusion in the tissue section irradiated from the processed output signals, and an image display means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bit rate allocation, or statistical multiplexing, in a multi-channel video data encoder. A pre-processor in each channel determines a bit rate need prior to compression and encoding. A control processes the bit rate need in each channel to arrive at an allocated bit rate for each channel. The video data is then compressed and encoded according to the allocated bit rate. The bit rate demand accounts for various characteristics of the current picture data in each channel, including spatial activity, temporal activity, image size, frame rate, scene change, brightness, flash, fade, and horizontal pixel resolution.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing one or more decoders with a network sync signal at a headend of a television communication network. The system allows decoders to transmit upstream messages synchronously in time slots which are defined according to the network sync signal, thereby improving system throughput. Identifying data is provided in a blanking interval (VBI or HBI) of one or more television signals to designate a horizontal scan line of the respective television signal which follows a reference point in the network sync signal by a predetermined delay. At each decoder, the identifying data is recovered, and the onset of the designated scan line can be used to signal the start of a transmission for the decoder. Preferably, the identifying data is provided in each television signal so the user is not forced to tune to a particular television channel to transmit a message. Various channel access protocols may be used, such as a session oriented protocol, or a synchronized ALOHA protocol.

Abstract: A system for measuring exposure to a visual display such as a billboard. A transmitter that is proximate to the billboard broadcasts a data signal that carries information relating to the billboard. This information may identify the location of the billboard, the message displayed by the billboard, and time of day. The data signal is provided at a power level that is adapted to reach a pre-defined exposure area in which the billboard can be viewed. A portable receiving device is provided to a defined consumer population to measure the exposure of the consumers to the billboards. The receiving device may be carried or worn by the consumer, or carried in the consumer's vehicle. The receiving device is adapted to recover the data signal and store the information relating to the billboard when the viewer is in the pre-defined exposure area. The time of day and duration of the exposure may also be recorded.

Abstract: To enable the use of long lasting filters in a sterilizing container having a broken through area which is covered by a flat filter layer, without any structural alteration thereto, it is proposed that the filter layer consist of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and be built up of compact particles fused together and forming pores between them.

Abstract: In order, in the case of an implant for vertebral body fusion having a support body, which comprises two opposite-lying support surfaces for application against the opposing end faces of the vertebral bodies to be fused and is insertable into the gap between the two adjacent vertebral bodies, to achieve an optimum fixing of the supporting body in the intervertebral space, it is proposed that the supporting body has at least one location channel, which extends between the support surfaces and is open at its top and bottom side, and that there is insertable into the location channel a fixing element provided with an external projection and guided in the location channel so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, which fixing element once inserted into the location channel projects out of the open location channel in that it protrudes at the top and bottom side of the supporting body beyond the support surfaces.

Abstract: A probe is mounted on a water submersible pump or other fluid handling device housed within a vault for a transformer, elevator or the like. The probe will extend into any water which accumulates in the bottom of the vault enabling a conductive path to be established through an appropriate electric circuit to the pump motor to permit operation of the pump for pumping water from the vault. Oily fluids, which are immiscible in the water and will normally rise to a level above the water level in the vault, will come in contact with the probe to render the probe nonconductive, thereby inactivating the pump circuit. An alarm is provided to indicate the presence of oil in the vault. In order to prevent false alarms when the probe is nonconductive due to immersion in air, a controller is provided to inhibit operation of the alarm unless a float is raised and the probe is nonconductive.

Abstract: In order to improve a machine tool comprising a machine frame, a drum arranged for rotation about a drum axis within a maximum angular range in relation to the machine frame and having a plurality of machining devices held on it and drives rotatable with the drum and associated with the machining devices, a stationary control and supply device for the drives and a rotary supply unit which has line systems connected, on the one hand, to the rotatable drum as well as, on the other hand, held so as to be stationary in relation to the machine frame, these line systems being free from interruptions, deformable as a result of rotation of the drum and extending in the direction of the drum axis, in such a manner that the spatial requirements for the twistable line systems in the direction of the drum axis are as small as possible it is suggested that the line systems extend into a passage in the drum close to the drum axis.

Abstract: In order to produce a high pressure hose having a fitting for attachment to a corresponding connector member, wherein the fitting comprises a connecting element for establishing connection to the high pressure hose and a coupling element for establishing a nipple/sleeve connection to the connector member, in such manner that a cost effective connection between the high pressure hose and the fitting can be established within a short period of time during the assembly thereof, it is proposed that the connecting element be in the form of a socket piece into which one end region of the high pressure hose is inserted and that the fitting form an interlocking closure assembly with the high pressure hose.

Abstract: In order to provide a disk brake for vehicles, comprising a brake disk securely connectable to a hub, a brake caliper engaging over the brake disk on oppositely located sides, at least one first brake lining movable in the direction of the brake disk in relation to the brake caliper and at least one second brake lining arranged on the brake caliper so as to be non-displaceable, with which the brake linings do not touch the brake disk in the non-actuated state, it is suggested that the brake caliper be arranged so as to be fixed in a defined geometrical correlation to the hub, that the brake caliper be positioned in relation to the brake disk when the disk brake is not actuated such that a gap exists between the brake linings and the brake disk, and that when the disk brake is actuated the first brake lining act on the brake disk in such a manner that an outer ring of the brake disk acted upon by the first brake lining moves in the direction of the second brake lining under elastic deformation of the brake dis

Abstract: In an orthopaedic fixing system comprising at least one implant part which has at least one through-opening, and comprising fixing elements which are inserted into the through-openings, the through-openings having widened portions which receive a head-shaped thickening of the fixing elements, in order to fix the fixing elements in the implant part in an axial direction without however impairing their ability to rotate, it is proposed that the head-shaped thickenings of the fixing elements are compressible, that the widened portions have an outside diameter which is slightly smaller than the non-resiliently-compressed head-shaped thickening, and that the widened portions have undercuts, into which the head-shaped thickening after insertion into the widened portion engages resiliently.

Abstract: In order to improve a clamping device comprising a guide rail, a first clamping element supported on the guide rail and having a first clamping surface formed by a pressure member of a clamping spindle and movable in a clamping direction, a slide bracket guided on and movable along the guide rail and fixable by a first wedging element, and a feed device including a second wedging element supportable on the guide rail and a pivotally mounted feed lever lying with its handle between the guide rail and the clamp grip of the clamping spindle, and a second clamping element supported on the guide rail and having a second clamping surface, such that ergonomically it can be installed more expediently on a workpiece, and the workpiece can thereby be finally clamped, it is proposed that the feed lever act with a first pressure member between the second wedging element and the slide bracket such that upon actuation of the feed lever in the direction of the clamp grip of the clamping spindle, the slide bracket is displac

Abstract: A chip-battery micro-module and fabrication method thereof wherein an integrated circuit "chip" is secured to a battery coin cell using various conductive and insulative layers that provide power to the chip while also forming a protective structure for protecting the chip. The chip-battery micro-module may be used to power an electronic accessory which is directly attached thereto, such as an LCD display or speaker, or to power a circuit in a smart card or electronic device such as a portable telephone. The chip may be secured to the battery using epoxy layers, epoxy bodies, dielectric layers, and plasma- or vapor-deposited layers. The above elements may be conductive or insulative as required. The chip-battery micro-module can be integrated into a plastic smart card. The use of the rigid battery coin cell provides the chip-battery micro-module with improved strength characteristics for withstanding loads and impacts during assembly and handling.

Abstract: To be able to secure the tendon replacement member without additionally weakening the tibia in the case of an implant for securing a tendon replacement member to a channel receiving the tendon replacement member in the region of the tibia close to the knee, it is proposed that the implant is in the form of a disc with passages for threads connected to the tendon replacement member and is dimensioned so that it completely covers the outlet opening of the channel from the tibia.

Abstract: In order to provide an insulation system for internal thermal insulation of a pressure chamber which can be subjected to pressure by a gas flow, the system being constructed for arrangement at an inner surface of an outer jacket of the pressure chamber and comprising at least one layer of insulating material, whereby good thermal insulation can be obtained with little maintenance work, it is proposed that the insulation system should comprise means for equalizing pressure between the insulating material and an internal chamber, which means are arranged over a large area relative to a surface of a layer of insulating material.

Abstract: In a drill for surgical purposes comprising a housing with an electric motor and a drilling mechanism driven by this electric motor arranged therein, and a handle forming part of the housing and having control grips arranged thereon for controlling the speed and reversing the direction of the electric motor, and serving to accommodate a battery and the electric control member of the electric motor, to enable sterilization without causing any damage, on the one hand, and high-power operation, on the other hand, it is proposed that a power pack comprising the battery, the electric control member, switches for speed control and reversal of direction actuatable by the control grips, and electric terminals for the electric motor arranged in the housing be insertable into the handle. The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in International Application PCT/EP97/00549 of Feb. 7, 1997, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.