Abstract: An apparatus for processing physiological signals, which includes a signal pick-up unit for picking up physiological measurement signals, in particular for picking up electrical signals of a heart, and first detection means which are connected to the signal pick-up unit and include signal processing means such as a filter and a first threshold value store and a comparison unit which is connected thereto and which is adapted to output a first marker signal if the amplitude of the measurement signal exceeds a threshold value stored in the first threshold value store, second detection means which are connected to the signal pick-up unit and include a second threshold value store and a second comparison unit which is connected thereto and which is adapted to output a second marker signal if the amplitude of the measurement signal exceeds a threshold value stored in the second threshold value store, and an evaluation unit which is connected to the first and second detection means for taking over a respective serie

Abstract: The invention is a static frequency divider with a divider ratio which can be switched over, tor use in the extremely high frequency range. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a static frequency divider with a divider ratio which can be switched over, which includes first and second divider D- type flip-flops which each have two inputs which can be alternately activated by way of control inputs, in order to prevent the occurrence of metastable conditions. This is accomplished by connecting the successive synchronous D-type flip-flops upstream of the two divider D-type flip- flops and the control inputs of the first and second divider D-type flip-flops are connected to separate change-over switching devices.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for measuring the welding voltage at the heating coil of a heating coil fitting a welding current supply unit is connected to the connecting elements of the heating coil fitting by way of connecting lines and junction elements, and the welding voltage is detected by means of a voltage measurement unit. The welding voltage is detected at a respective contact of each of the two connecting elements of the heating coil fitting in electrically insulated relationship with respect to the connecting lines and the junction elements.

Abstract: A railcar unit has a pair of opposed side sills that are joined by structure that performs the function of a web in a deep beam or bracing in a truss. The joining structure is able to transmit loads that are applied transversely to the longitudinal direction of the car from one sill to the other, and is also able to transmit a bending moment couple, in the form of opposite longitudinal tensile and compressive forces, also transmitted to the side sills. The locations at which the transverse forces are imposed on, or by, the intermediate structure have longitudinal slip. When the railcar unit is placed in longitudinal tension under draft loads, the longitudinal slip allows the floor structure not to be subject to the longitudinal draft loads. In the embodiment described the joining structure serves the additional function of acting as a floor panel for vertical loads carried within the well car unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing body signals, comprising at least one sensor (10, 12) for picking up in particular electrical signals from a living body, and means (16, 18) for preparing picked-up signals for further processing, and at least one first memory (22) for a picked-up measurement signal or signal portions, comprising at least one second memory (26) which contains a predeterminable comparison signal which is finite in respect of time, and signal comparison means (24) which are connected to the second memory (26) and the first memory (22) and which are adapted for sliding comparison of signal portions, which overlap in respect of time, of the measurement signal in the first memory (22) to the comparison signal stored in the second memory (26) and for output of a correlation coefficient representing the similarity of each compared signal portion of the measurement signal to the comparison signal.

Abstract: A utility cart which is capable of being readily converted from a first configuration as a conventional utility cart with the area above a bottom table being open into a second configuration as a bin cart, including a number of outwardly extending storage bins. In addition, the utility cart in accordance with the present invention includes end members having “I” beam type construction, the top table and the bottom table have panel members which pivot from an upright position to form a recessed top table and/or a recessed bottom table to a downward position to form a substantially flat top table and/or a substantially flat bottom table and a handle having an organizer integrally built therein, including a beverage container holder, a storage tray and one or more storage compartments.

Abstract: A cardiological device having a sensor, adapted to pick up at least one cardiac signal, and a signal processor including a first detector connected to the sensor, adapted to detect an individual signal or a feature parameter of the cardiac signal, wherein the signal processor further includes an averager connected to the first detector, for forming an average over a plurality of values of the feature parameter or over a plurality of individual signals, a second detector connected to the sensor, adapted to detect cardiological events, in particular extrasystoles, and a first comparator that is connected to the second detector, the averager and the first detector and which are adapted to determine a deviation of a feature parameter or individual signal ascertained in immediate time relationship with an event such as an extrasystole, from the corresponding average.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sensor for obtaining information about the state of an organism for a medical therapy apparatus, preferably for a therapy apparatus for the electrostimulation or other treatment of the heart. The invention is distinguished by at least one sensor element for detecting molecular-genetic information. The invention further concerns a medical therapy apparatus having a sensor of that kind.

Abstract: A stent has a tubular portion which has openings that are of a substantially V-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having an engine, a starter, a motor/generator, a driving shaft, a compound planetary-gear device and a vehicle control device is disclosed. The vehicle control device is used for powering the hybrid vehicle by the motor/generator alone when a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed detection device is below a predetermined switching vehicle speed, and for starting the engine by the starter as well as turning off the motor/generator when the vehicle speed reached the predetermined switching vehicle speed, and for modulating an output driving torque by controlling a torque and a speed of the motor/generator.

Abstract: The instant invention is a bio-supportive medium comprising a degradable material, at least one nutritional source, and at least one bio-limiting agent dispersed in the biodegradable material. The nutritional source is present in the degradable material or an additive to the degradable material. The components of the bio-supportive medium are provided in quantities, such that the bio-supportive medium is capable of supporting formation of a biomass having a specific consortium of organisms, substantially at equilibrium within its environment or host habitat. While maintaining the biomass, the bio-limiting agent also provides the bio-supportive medium to limit the amount and type of species present in the biomass. The instant invention provides a unique bio-mimicking and environmentally-friendly way to control fouling of materials exposed to marine and aquatic environments.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement provides an electrode line (10) carrying at least a first fixing element (16) which is designed to fix the electrode line to body tissue, especially the myocardium of a heart, and which is arranged at a spacing relative to the distal end (12) of the electrode line (10), wherein the first fixing element (16) is fixedly connected to the electrode line (10) and has a free first end (40) which has a component of extension in a direction tangential with respect to the electrode line (10) and which is of such a configuration that the first fixing element (16) penetrates into body tissue that is adjacent to the electrode line in the situation of use by a rotary movement of the electrode line (10) about the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A rail road car has a deck for carrying wheeled vehicles. The rail road car can be coupled to other rail road cars of the same type. Bridge plates are provided to permit wheeled vehicles to be conducted between adjacent rail road cars. The bridge plates have one end mounted to the rail road car at a pivot fitting. The pivot fitting allows the bridge plate to be moved from a length-wise position spanning the gap between cars, to a cross-wise storage position. The bridge plates have fittings which permit three degrees of freedom relative to the adjacent rail road cars, namely a first degree of freedom to tolerate yawing motion of the first rail road car, a second degree of freedom to accommodate yawing motion of the second rail road car, and a third degree of freedom to accommodate variation in distance between the respective portions of the rail road cars to which the bridge plate is mounted while the rail road cars are moving.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of signaling an internal status of an implantable cardiac stimulation device, which status is defined by a value of a status parameter, including the steps: a) Recording a measurement value (S12) representing the status parameter, b) Ascertaining the existence of the status by comparison of the measurement value with a comparative value (S14), c) Delivering a signal pulse with a predetermined, measurable pulse parameter, wherein the pulse parameter is uniquely associated with the status if the measurement value corresponds to the comparative value within predetermined limits (S26). In accordance with the invention the time difference of equal, predetermined phases of two successive, periodically recurring events prior to delivery of the signal pulse is measured (S20), and then the signal pulse is delivered prior to or after the next expiry of the measured time difference by a predeterminable period of time uniquely associated with the status (S22, S24, S26).

Abstract: A rail road car has a deck for carrying wheeled vehicles. It has a bridge plate mounted to one end to permit wheeled vehicles to be conducted between the rail road car and an adjacently coupled rail road car. The bridge plate is movable between an extended, “drive-over” longitudinal orientation relative to the rail road car, and a side-ways, or cross-ways stowed orientation. The bridge plate can be moved to the stowed position by uncoupling the rail car, and pivoting the bridge plate to the cross-ways position. The cars can be re-coupled by placing the bridge plate in the length-wise orientation, and then advancing two cars together to form a coupling.

Abstract: A rotatory pump has a housing (20) and an impeller wheel (40) which is mounted on a driving shaft (30) to rotate integrally therewith. The driving shaft is rotatably supported in the housing. The driving shaft also has a disk (44) disposed to be concentric with the driving shaft. Radially extending blades (46) are directed along the axial direction of the driving shaft (30) being provided on the disk, and the blades, together with the inner wall portions (22a) of the housing (20) which face the blades (46), form flow channels for the fluid to be pumped. At least one raised portion (48) is on each of the radially extending edges (46a) of preferably three blades (46), to bear against the inner wall portions (22a) of the housing (20) which face the blades (46) of the impeller wheel housing.

Abstract: An auto rack rail road car has a main deck and at least one upper deck for carrying automobiles. The auto rack rail road car is provided with short travel buff gear and a reduced slack, or slackless, coupler. Bridge plates are provided to span the space between adjacent coupled rail road cars. The bridge plates are able to remain in place during train motion. The bridge plates can be swung to a stowed position.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement (10) comprising a first electrode cable (12) which is to be inserted into the coronary sinus and which has an electrode conductor (32) and at least one electrode (38, 40) for outputting and/or receiving electrical signals in the coronary sinus. Longitudinally slidably guidable in the lumen of the first electrode cable (12) at least in a longitudinal portion-wise manner is a second electrode cable (14) which can issue from the first electrode cable through an opening (52) at the distal end thereof and which is adapted for insertion into a cardiac vein which opens into the coronary sinus.

Abstract: In order to ensure a simple structure and precise handling in the case of a catheter, in particular a bi- or unidirectionally deflectable ablation catheter, comprising a flexible guide tube (3) which extends from a gripping element (1) and which terminates in a catheter tip (6) for treating or investigating a hollow organ in a body, wherein provided for deflection purposes there is at least one draw wire (13a; 13b) which extends within the flexible guide tube (3) and which is fixed to the tip (6) of the catheter and which is movable by way of a transmission means disposed in the gripping element (1) for converting the rotary movement of a manual control wheel (7) into a longitudinal movement for the draw wire (13a; 13b), it is proposed that provided as the transmission means is a toothed drive pulley (8) which is coupled to the control wheel (7) and which correspondingly engages into the teeth of a toothed belt (9) which is guided over guide means within the gripping element (1) in such a way that the draw wi