Abstract: Atmosphere in a sterilization box 18 is prevented from entering into a filler chamber 44 side, and also, atmosphere on the filler side is prevented from flowing on the sterilization box 18 side. An intermediate chamber 40 is disposed between the sterilization box 18 for performing sterilization by electron beam irradiation to a vessel 2 and the chamber 44 in which a filler 42 is disposed for filling the sterilized vessel 2 with inner content. A pressure in the intermediate chamber 40 is controlled, by a pressure control device, so as to be higher than a pressure in the sterilization box 18 and higher than a pressure in the chamber 44 provided with the filler 42. Since the pressure in the intermediate chamber 40 is highest, atmosphere in the upstream-side sterilization box 18 is prevented from flowing in the filler 42 side and atmosphere in the chamber 44 for the filler 42 is also prevented from flowing in the sterilization box 18 side.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for compressing or decompressing two-dimensional electronic data are provided. The method for compressing the two-dimensional electronic data set includes dividing the data set into data arrays, performing a wavelet transformation on each array to provide a plurality of wavelet coefficients, and encoding at least some of the wavelet coefficients using an entropy encoding scheme. Each data array preferably relates to a separate and continuous area of an image.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for calculating an optimum surgical trajectory or path for displacing a surgical instrument through the interior of the body of a patient. Upon obtaining a volumetric scan of a patient, such as a CT scan, the surgeon can identify and assign weight values indicating a preference on whether an anatomical area be utilized in plotting an optimum instrument trajectory. Upon providing a starting and destination point for a surgical instrument, an optimum surgical trajectory can be determined in essentially real time and graphically presented to the surgeon by superimposing the proposed trajectory upon the patient's volumetric scan. Furthermore, the system and method is interactive, allowing the surgeon to deviate from the proposed optimum path if desired and choose another path. In response, the system will determine and present, in essentially real time, a new optimum trajectory based on the current location of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A control arrangement for use in a medical or surgical instrument, which arrangement includes a keypad for providing manual control functions to a user of the instrument, a retainer clip and a sealing member. The keypad and retainer clip are located within an opening formed in the instrument housing, whereby when the retainer clip is assembled to the housing, the retainer clip automatically causes the sealing member to sealingly engage with a corresponding sealing surface defined adjacent the housing opening, without the need for the use of additional sealing agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a direct liquid-writing instrument without ink leakage from the pen-tip even after a long period of use. Specifically, it provides a direct liquid-writing instrument having an ink-retaining part in a bellows-like shape, in which at least the ink-retaining part in a bellows-like shape is made of: 20 to 95% by mass of (A) a polyamide-based resin; and 80 to 5% by mass of (B) at least one resin selected from a styrene-based resin, an olefin-based resin, and a polyphenylene ether resin.

Abstract: A microdosing device with a dosing chamber for the at least temporary reception of a liquid quantity, and with which is associated at least one discharge opening is provided. A vibrating unit in operative connection with at least one boundary surface of the dosing chamber is provided in order to vibrate the same for a discharge process, and with a delivery function unit connected to the vibrating unit for activating the latter during a delivery time period. A drying function unit is additionally provided and can be activated in time-separated manner with respect to the delivery function unit in order to free the dosing chamber from liquid residues.

Abstract: A hinged fitting for an article of seating furniture, which has a supporting element which is capable of being swung, by means of a swing over joint, from a basic position to the side of the seat to an end position that is located in front of the seat to form a leg rest, with the top or lateral surface of the supporting element in the basic position becoming the bottom surface thereof in the end position, has a displacement device, by means of which the end position of the supporting element can be displaced to a position in front of the seat or the base frame of the article of seating furniture beyond the position defined by the swing over joint.

Abstract: A discharge device for media has a housing (10), an operating member (88) manually movable relative to the housing (10) and which, for performing a discharge can be transferred from an unoperated starting position in the direction of an operating direction (1a) into an operated end position and with a locking member (52), which is displaceable relative to the housing (10) between a locked position where it prevents the displacement of the operating member (88) into the end position and a release position in which it permits the displacement of the operating member (88) into the end position.

Abstract: An auditory ossicle prosthesis (10) which comprises, at one end, a plate-shaped first securing element (11) for bearing on the tympanic membrane or on the footplate of the stirrup, and, at its other end, a second securing element (12) for mechanical connection to the ossicular chain or to the inner ear, and also a connection element (13) that connects the two securing elements so as to conduct sound, wherein the first securing element has a radially inner coupling area (14) for coupling the first securing element to the connection element, and also a plurality of web elements (15, 15?, 15?) for radial connection of the coupling area to radially outer portions (16, 16?) of the first securing element, is characterized in that the coupling area and/or the web elements and/or the radially outer portions are of such a geometric configuration that they together form pieces of a jigsaw from which the first securing element can be assembled in its entirety, wherein the individual jigsaw pieces can be joined to one an

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method of producing a separating agent for an enantiomeric isomer having a high optical resolution power together with sufficient solvent resistance. That is, a method of producing a separating agent for an enantiomeric isomer comprising the steps of allowing the porous carrier to carry the optically active polymer compound by bringing the porous carrier into contact with a dope of the optically active polymer compound and exposing a product to radiation.

Abstract: A dowel assembly for a furniture system provides a fastener usable in assembling various components in a furniture system. The dowel may be employed to define the relationship between first and second components of the furniture system, such as the relationship between adjoining planar surfaces of adjacent furniture panels. The dowel is fitted with a cam such that the cam provides a non-uniform radius at the interface between the dowel and one of the components. Through selective positioning of the cam about the longitudinal axis of the dowel, the interface between components of the furniture system may be selectively adjusted to ensure flush alignment of contiguous surfaces.

Abstract: A system for extracting liquid from a mass comprising a portable platform having an upper surface, a system mass input, a polymer feeding and blending system on the upper surface, a liquid extraction assembly on the upper surface, and piping having a first section between the system mass input and the polymer feeding and blending system, and a second section between the polymer feeding and blending system and the liquid extraction assembly. The system is configured to have mass inputted into the system mass input, transport the mass to the polymer feeding and blending system through the first section of the piping, inject polymer into the mass in the polymer feeding and blending system, and transport the mass from the polymer feeding and blending system to the liquid extraction assembly. Pressure from mass forced into the liquid extraction assembly forces liquid in the mass to exit the mass.