Abstract: The invention is directed to a reboard system comprising a steeply inclined backrest for transporting infants and toddlers approximately in a half-lying, half-sitting posture, particularly in a car opposite the direction of travel thereof, it being possible to vary the length of the backrest in the direction of the spine of an infant sitting in the reboard system when a child is in the reboard system and/or when the reboard system is fastened to a seat of a car opposite the direction of travel thereof, by a guided parallel shift of an extendible part of the backrest relative to said seat surface along a straight line, which is inclined by a constant acute angle ? against the horizontal plane in the direction of travel, whereby the extendible part (10) of the backrest (6) is provided with upper lateral body rests (12) for substantially guiding the shoulders and/or upper arms of the infant during the travel in a car.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for forming a side branch on a hollow vessel, such as the aorta. The side branch is preferably adapted to be connected to a connector conduit, but any other suitable use is also acceptable. The system comprises a graft including a side branch portion, and an applicator comprising a hole forming element adapted to form a hole in the wall of the vessel and an insertion element adapted to be inserted through the wall of the vessel, the insertion element comprising a retraction element adapted to enter into engagement with the graft. The hole forming element may comprise a cutting element adapted to cut a hole in the wall of the vessel, and a positioning element adapted to hold the position of the applicator relative to the vessel. The system further comprises a graft protection element adapted to prevent the graft from being damaged by the cutting element.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for improving the respiration of a patient, with a curved or bent pipe section and a mouthpiece inserted in a first end of the mouthpiece and adapted to provide an easy-to-handle medicinal device by means of which diseases of the airway can be treated, or the pulmonary volume, as well as the pulmonary inhalation performance, of a patient can be improved. This is achieved in that a holding peg connected to the pipe section can be pushed into a second end of the pipe section, and a passage channel disposed in the holding peg which penetrates into the inside of the pipe section, completely or in part, and the holding peg has a flexible hose is attached to it which runs inside the pipe section, the free end of which can move freely in the area of the mouthpiece between inner walls of the pipe section.

Abstract: A steady rest for clamping of rod-shaped workpieces, the steady rest including three holding elements, including two outer holding elements adapted to be swivelled about a pin mounted in a housing and a middle holding element adapted to be adjusted axially, and in which coolant or lubricant can be carried to a workpiece by means of ducts in the housing and the middle holding element. The ducts provided in the housing and in the middle holding element, being connected to a cavity and the ducts being connected together by a deformable flexible high-pressure hose. The ducts being connected together by means of the elastically deformable element.

Abstract: Spinal stabilization mechanisms act to prevent lateral bending, extension, and rotation across adjacent vertebrae. Methods for spinal stabilization includes placing one or more anchors at each vertebral level, positioning one or more sutures around each anchor at each level such that the each suture forms a loop or band around two adjacent anchors, applying tension to the ends of each suture to tighten the suture loop around the anchors and welding overlapping ends of each suture together to form suture bands connecting the anchors and thereby preventing lateral bending, extension, and rotation of the spinal segment. A suture banding tool may be used to place the sutures around the anchors in a looped configuration, apply tension to the suture ends to tighten the suture loop around the anchors and weld the ends of the suture to form a suture band connecting the anchors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuously variable transmission (1) comprising a driven rotary part (2), a chassis (4) or housing, and a driving rotary part (3). The invention also relates to an associated operating method whereby the driven rotary part (2) or the chassis (4) or housing is coupled to a first guide or drive module (5,5?). A second guide module (14) is also provided, the two guide or drive modules (5,5?, 14) being connected to a chassis (4) or housing of the transmission (1) or an adjacent machine or installation part, such that the second guide module (14) can be displaced in relation to the first guide or drive module (5, 5?). Furthermore, the two guide or drive modules (5,5?, 14) are coupled to each other by means of at least two mechanisms, each consisting respectively of a first coupling module (7a-7d) and a second coupling module (8a-8d) which are mounted (9a-9d) or guided against each other and/or can mesh with each other.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a roller bearing arrangement comprising two rings arranged mutually concentrically and at least regionally inside each other, and comprising a gap between these rings, so that they are rotatable in opposite directions about an imaginary axis at the center of the rings and approximately perpendicular to the ring plane, wherein disposed in the region of a gap portion situated between the rings and surrounding the axis of rotation at an approximately constant radius is at least one raceway for at least one row of rollers, each having a rotationally symmetrical shape and rolling displacingly between the rings, each of which rollers, when the rings and the rollers are at the same temperature, has at least one point or region of contact with the raceway portions on each of the two rings, so that the radial and/or axial clearance between the two rings is equal to zero or at least is negligibly small; and comprising a mechanism for compensating for temperature-induced radial changes in th

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for altering the tissue in and around an intervertebral disc through localized hypothermia therapy to restore function of the disc and reduce pain. Hypothermia therapy is defined as the reduction of tissue temperature to below that of the equilibrium temperature. Target therapeutic temperatures and times are varied according to the desired treatment effect. Intended effects of hypothermia of the intervertebral disc include cellular disruption leading to cell death and or structural and chemical denaturation within the anulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, or nerve fibers, temporary or permanent deadening of the nerves within or surrounding the disc, induction of a healing response, angiogenesis, or accelerated degeneration and/or drying of the nucleus pulposus and/or anulus fibrosus. Various effects can be achieved by reaching different temperatures for differing periods of time or by the proximity of the hypothermia therapy device to the treatment target.

Abstract: An anatomical imaging system comprising: a CT machine; and a transport mechanism mounted to the base of the CT machine, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a fine movement mechanism for moving the CT machine precisely, relative to the patient, during scanning.

Abstract: In a power-operated chuck (1) with radially adjustable clamping jaws (5) that are attached so as to swivel and be axially adjustable on an articulation lever arranged in a chuck body (2), each of the articulation levers (10) is pivotably mounted on an articulation pin (21) that passes through the articulation levers (10) and the articulation pins (21) are supported in the chuck body (2) so as to prevent rotation and are guided to permit limited axial movement. This embodiment makes it possible not only to carry out precise clampings of workpieces (W) over a long period with a consistently high level of rigidity, but also to avoid wear to a large extent. As a result, workpieces can always be clamped precisely whilst a high level of repeat accuracy is provided.

Abstract: A holding device (1) by which one or more panes of glass (2) forming a balustrade (3) is/are supported on a wall (4) or ceiling (5), consisting of a carrier rail (7) holding or supporting the panes of glass (2) and a holding plate (9) attached to the ceiling (4) or the wall (5), with the carrier rail (7) held in a horizontal direction on the holding plate (9) by means of a U-shaped hook-in pocket (25) projecting from the carrier rail (7). A box rail (11) projecting from the holding plate (9) in the direction of the carrier rail (7) is attached directly or by supporting elements (12), such that the carrier rail (7) is in contact with the box rail (11) or the supporting element (12) in the vertical direction, and one or more setscrews (16) and clamping screws (34) project from the box rail (11) in the direction of the carrier rail (7) with the screws connected to the carrier rail (7), and the distance between the box section (11) and the carrier rail (7) can be varied by means of the setscrew(s) (16).

Abstract: A method for visualizing the interior of a bodily passageway comprising providing a visualization system for deployment in the passageway, the visualization system comprising a tube having non-rotatable distal and proximal end portions and, a rotatable intermediate portion therebetween; visualization apparatus disposed within a lumen of the tube; and a helical thread on an exterior surface of the rotatable intermediate portion of the tube having structural integrity and a surface profile, such that when the tube is in the bodily passageway and the thread engages the interior side wall of the passageway, rotation of the rotatable portion of the tube induces a movement between the tube and the passageway; inserting the visualization system into the bodily passageway at a location remote from the site to be visualized; rotating the rotatable portion of the tube to bring together the site and the visualization apparatus; and using the visualization apparatus to visualize the interior of the bodily passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a first conduit to the heart without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. The first conduit may then be attached to a second conduit that has a prosthetic device interposed. The second conduit may then be connected to the aorta. The prosthetic device may be a prosthetic valve or a pump, for example. The apparatus of the present invention includes an implantable connector with first conduit component, a retractor expansion component, a coring component, and a pushing component. The retractor expansion component is slide-ably coupled to the coring component. The retractor expansion component serves to seat against and separate the inside apical wall of the left ventricle so that the coring component may cut cleanly through the myocardium to form a tissue plug without leaving any hanging attachments to the inside walls. By remaining seated against the inside wall, the retractor expansion component follows the tissue plug into the coring component.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in performing a diagnostic assay of an analyte, the apparatus comprising a base that has been structured using laser processing so as to provide at least one patterned surface by melting and resolidification of the base, wherein the patterned surface is characterized by structures ranging in scale from 10 to 2000 nanometers and further wherein the pattern is stochastic in all three spatial dimensions; and a metal applied to the at least one patterned surface so as to provide at least one metalized patterned surface.

Abstract: Methods for providing a flexible spinal stabilization system operative to prevent lateral bending, extension, and rotation across two or more adjacent vertebrae are described. Broadly, the invention utilizes a pair of connectors on each vertebrae, and flexible elongated elements, such as sutures or cables, in an axial and crisscrossed pattern to provide an arrangement that resists extension, lateral bending, and torsional/rotational motion. In some embodiments, the flexible stabilization system includes a pair of locking anchors and a pair of hook-like anchors. The locking anchors are pre-threaded with a suture in a loose looped configuration before insertion into the vertebra. Once the locking anchors have been inserted, the suture loops can be looped over hook-like anchors inserted into an adjacent vertebrae to join the vertebrae and apply tension across the disc space. In some embodiments, the hook-like anchors can have multiple hooks for use in joining multiple vertebral levels.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for implants with composite coatings to promote tissue in-growth and/or on-growth. An implant includes: a substrate; a structured surface formed on at least a portion of the substrate; and a biocompatible coating deposited on at least a fraction of the structured surface. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the implant has good biocompatibility while the biocompatible coating has good strength.

Abstract: Methods for spinal stabilization operative to prevent lateral bending, extension, and rotation across two or more adjacent vertebrae are described. Broadly, the method includes placing two or more anchors at each vertebral level, passing one or more sutures through each anchor at each level, applying tension to the sutures and joining the sutures in a cross-braced arrangement over the disc space between two or more vertebrae to prevent lateral bending, extension, and rotation of the spinal segment. The sutures can be welded in any combination of diagonal and vertical patterns across the adjacent vertebrae. In some embodiments, two or more sutures can be threaded through some of the suture anchors such that multiple vertebral levels can be joined in a cross-braced arrangement. Two or more sutures can also be used in multiple anchors in two adjacent vertebrae to provide additional reinforcement or stabilization across different portions of the two vertebrae.

Abstract: An air filter for purging unwanted substances from air, the air filter comprising: an acid-purging stage, wherein the acid-purging stage comprises an air-permeable skeleton which has an acid-neutralizing substance mounted thereto, wherein the air-permeable skeleton comprises fiberglass fibers and the acid-neutralizing substance comprises sodium bicarbonate, and further wherein the sodium bicarbonate is secured to the fiberglass fibers using an adhesive; and a solvent-purging stage, wherein the solvent-purging stage comprises solvent-purging granules captured between two air-permeable screens, and further wherein the solvent-purging granules comprise activated carbon granules.

Abstract: A switch (1) for converting mechanically generated movements into electrical switching signals, consisting of a cover (2) and a carrier plate (3) at a distance from one another and fixedly connected together, a switching element (4) that can be moved to a limited extent relative to the cover (2) and be actuated by one or more pushbuttons (5) facing the carrier plate (3), by means of which the particular adjustment movements of the switching element (4) can be measured and are converted into switching signals, the movement direction of the switching element (4) should be being perceived as the movement direction of an object, in particular a vehicle seat, and the switch (1) can be operated in at least six different movement directions.