Abstract: A device for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to a radiation sensitive component and receiving output radiation from said component comprising a radiation-transmissible junction formed by contacting the tip of a first optical fiber with an intermediate portion of a second optical fiber, said junction being encased in an opaque, radiation reflective jacket. A method for determining a desired parameter using such device is also disclosed.

Abstract: New imidazole derivatives of the formula ##STR1## in which Ar denotes phenyl, biphenylyl, naphthyl or thienyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, R.sub.1 denotes hydrogen or lower alkyl, Alk denotes straight-chain or branched alkylene having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, Y denotes oxygen, sulfur, sulfinyl or sulfonyl, n denotes one of the numbers 0, 1 or 2, Z denotes sulfur or sulfinyl, m denotes the number 0 or 1, m being the number 0 when Y denotes sulfur, sulfinyl or sulfonyl, and m being the number 1 when Y denotes oxygen, and R.sub.2 denotes cyclohexyl, phenyl or naphthyl, each of which is optionally substituted by hydroxyl, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, or denotes biphenylyl or pyridyl, and processes for their preparation. The imidazole derivatives have excellent antimycotic properties for use in human and veterinary medicine.

Abstract: Novel, semi-crystalline depsipeptide polymers and copolymers particularly suitable for use in fabricating bioabsorbable medical implant devices such as sutures or clips and obtained through ring-opening polymerization of certain 3-substituted-2,5-morpholinediones prepared by reacting a naturally occurring alpha-amino acid with an alpha-halo acid chloride in inert solvent in the presence of an acid acceptor.

Abstract: Process for selective removal and destruction of hydrogen cyanide contained in nitrous gases, in which the nitrous-containing gases are washed with nitric acid in counter-current in an absorption column and the nitric acid charged with hydrogen cyanide is regenerated at elevated temperature, with simultaneous hydrolysis and oxidation of the hydrogen cyanide.

Abstract: Binder-free granules for oral and parenteral administration with delayed release of the active compound, consisting of a pharmaceutical active compound or granules thereof and a coating of 1 to 20% by weight of poly-D(-)-3-hydroxybutyric acid, based on the total weight, and a process for their preparation.

Abstract: An adjustable prosthesis for a bone joint comprising a joint component, an elongated rod having a distal end and a proximal end, a drive trunnion connected to said rod through an angular gear, an elongated inner sleeve, an outer sleeve and means for preventing rotation of said inner sleeve within said outer sleeve, said elongated rod including a threaded spindle and said inner sleeve including a threaded spindle nut which cooperates with said threaded spindle to provide longitudinal adjustment of the inner sleeve relative to the rod, said inner sleeve being telescopically slidable within said outer sleeve but being prevented by said means from rotating within said outer sleeve, said outer sleeve being secured to said joint component, said elongated rod being supported at its proximal end in said joint component for rotation relative to the joint component by said drive trunnion and angular gear, said drive trunnion being rotatably supported in said joint component, and said elongated rod having means for bein

Abstract: An optical waveguide sensor for determining an analyte in a medium, which sensor comprises an optical waveguide having a portion to be brought into contact with said medium, said portion having a plurality of cells arranged in an array which substantially covers the cross-sectional area of the waveguide, each of said cells containing an indicator sensitive to said analyte, and a method for the preparation of said sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion into the urethra for attachment to and removal of an in-dwelling urinary continence device comprises generally a tubular body having a longitudinal bore with a slidable shaft therein. Slidable jaws are connected to a first end of the shaft and are normally retained in a closed position within the bore. The shaft may be longitudinally displaced within the bore to cause the jaws to protrude therefrom and assume an opened position. A magnet, slidable within the jaws, protrudes from the jaws when they are in their opened position to attract a ferrous ball for retraction into the jaws. The apparatus employs a method for removing an intraurethral device wherein anchoring members holding the device in place may be collapsed and the device removed with a single insertion of the tool. The device may also be used for retrieving objects from body passages other than the urethra, for example, arteries.

Abstract: A high strength, low modulus, ductile, biocompatible titanium base alloy containing one or more isomorphous beta stabilizers, eutectoid beta stabilizers and optional alpha stabilizers, characterized by a modulus of elasticity not exceeding 100 GPa; a method for the preparation of said alloy and prostheses made from said alloy.

Abstract: A sensor for determining the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in a liquid, which comprises a carbon dioxide - permeable, liquid and ion-impermeable membrane enveloping an aqueous medium containing an absorber, a fluorescer and a source of bicarbonate ions, which medium exhibits variations in pH as a function of the partial pressure of dissolved carbon dioxide, the ratio of absorber to fluorescer and the characteristics of the absorption spectrum of the absorber and the excitation and emission spectra of the fluorescer being such that the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the liquid may be determined from the pH of the aqueous medium as measured by the intensity of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescer.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing (4S)-6-fluorospiro-[chroman-4,4'-imidazolidine]-2',5'-dione (sorbinil) or its (2R)-methyl derivative (2-methylsorbinil) is disclosed herein, starting from p-fluorophenol in each instance. The final products obtained have known pharmaceutical value as agents for the control of certain chronic diabetic complications. Key steps concerned with the process involve converting p-fluorophenol into the appropriate .beta.-(4-fluorophenoxy)alkane halide, followed by amidoalkylation with N-benzoyl or N-(lower alkanoyl)-.alpha.-hydroxyglycine to form an intermediate 2-amidoalkylated derivative thereof, and then dehydration and spiroalkylation of said intermediate by treatment with a dehydrating agent and a base to yield a spiroalkylated azlactone compound.

Abstract: A method of measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in a medium by determining the water content in a pH-independent sensor system comprising an optical fiber having attached thereto a fluorescence indicator embedded in a carrier matrix containing a miscible mixture of water and non-aqueous solvent in predetermined proportions and being separated from said medium by a gas-permeable, water-impermeable diffusion membrane, said indicator, when excited by excitation radiation of a predetermined wavelength, emitting fluorescent emission whose intensity is dependent upon the ratio of water to non-aqueous solvent present in the system such that the ratio of intensities of emitted radiation is therefore proportional to the amount of water present and diffusion of carbon dioxide through said gas-permeable membrane and subsequent reaction with water to deplete the water content of the system induces a change in the intensities of said emissions, which method comprises transmitting excitation radiation through sai

Abstract: A multi-channel electromagnetic radiation transmission system comprising a plurality of first cladded optical fibers coupled to at least one second cladded optical fiber through a series of radiation-transmissible junctions each of which is encased in an opaque, radiation reflective jacket, and including means for attachment to radiation sensitive components whose emission signals are adapted to be received without substantial attenuation by a radiation measuring, transducing, recording or retransmitting component. A method for determining a plurality of parameters using such a system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Single-stage process for preparing mixed-substituted enantiomerically pure 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines of general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are different and independently of each other denote a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.24 -alkyl or C.sub.3 to C.sub.24 -alkenyl radical, by reacting 1-0-triphenylmethyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine of the general formula ##STR2## in which T denotes a substituted or unsubstituted triphenylmethyl group and R.sub.2 is as defined above, with a reactive carboxylic acid derivative of the general formulaR.sub.1 --CO--X IIIin which R.sub.

Abstract: Imidazole and triazole derivatives of the general formula ##STR1## in which Ar denotes thienyl or denotes phenyl, biphenylyl or naphthyl, each of which is substituted by halogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, R.sub.1 denotes hydrogen or lower alkyl, Alk denotes straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, Y denotes oxygen, sulfur, sulfinyl or sulfonyl, n denotes zero, 1 or 2, Z denotes oxygen, sulfur or sulfinyl, m denotes zero or 1, R.sub.3 denotes hydrogen, straight-chain or branched alkyl, cyclohexyl, or denotes phenyl which is optionally substituted by hydroxyl, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, or denotes biphenlyl, pyridyl or denotes naphthyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, X denotes CH or N, and R.sub.2 denotes hydrogen or lower alkyl, and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts for use as antimycotic agents in human and veterinary medicine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the pasteurization of plasma proteins and plasma protein fractions without essentially impairing their biological activity, by subjecting a suspension of the plasma proteins or plasma protein fractions in glycerol esters of saturated or singly or multiply unsaturated fatty acids having 4-22 carbon atoms, or mixtures of these esters, as the inert heat-transfer agent, with a maximum water content of the suspension of 1% by weight, to a heat treatment at temperatures of 50.degree. to 120.degree. C.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of binder-free granules which can be compressed to give solid medicament forms, which consists in initially placing a predetermined amount of celiprolol hydrochloride, over 50% of which have a particle size below 40 .mu.m and not more than 10% have a particle size above 100 .mu.m, in a fluidized bed granulator, forming a fluidized bed by passing in additional air at a temperature not higher than 30.degree. C. and, by spraying distilled water into the fluidized bed preparing free-flowing granules having a water content of 20-40% by weight, less than 10% of which have a particle size below 63 .mu.m, and drying these granules at temperatures from 30.degree. to 60.degree. C. after they have been discharged, and the use thereof.

Abstract: A bone prosthesis comprising at least one joint component replacing a natural joint half, which is provided with a shank adapted to be connected to the bone, wherein a set of joint components is provided, and the shank is designed as a bone replacement member, with a connection portion provided adapted to be connected to the bone at one end and at the other end to the shank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the biotechnological preparation of poly-D-(-)-3-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) which comprises continuously culturing a microorganism that is a strain of Alcaligenes latus or a PHB-producing mutant thereof, in two separate successive fermentation stages with unrestricted supply of nutrients. The PHB-containing microorganism population cultured in the first stage with a dissolved oxygen content of 25 to 50% of the saturation value for air is then continuously transferred into a second fermentation stage in which the culture is continued at a dissolved oxygen content of 8-15% of the saturation value of air. The PHB is extracted in the usual manner from the biomass thereby obtained.

Abstract: A three-component acetabular cup assembly for receiving and releasably retaining the femoral head component of a prosthesis, said cup assembly comprising an outer metal shell, a cup-shaped inner bearing of substantially rigid plastic fixedly secured within said metal shell, and a locking ring made from the same plastic as the inner bearing; the outer surface of the bearing and the inner surface of the locking ring having cooperating configurations forming a secure but releasable latch.