Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the production of three-dimensional objects, in particular of at least parts of dental prosthetic restorations, by a stripping device wiping off plastic material, which protrudes vertically beyond a container, into a collecting container and forms a projection surface. According to the invention, a stripping device and a light source are coupled and simultaneously guided, at a defined distance, across the liquid light-curing plastic material, whereby the stripping device is guided at a defined distance right ahead of the light source and forms the projection surface for the illuminated field of the light source.

Abstract: Processes for fusing opaque fused quartz to clear fused quartz to form ultraviolet light transmission windows comprise surrounding a clear fused quartz ingot with an opaque fused quartz sleeve or opaque fused quartz particles, then heating the clear and opaque fused quartz together in a furnace, past the transition temperature of the opaque fused quartz, in order to join the two types of quartz together around the perimeter of the clear fused quartz ingot, but without substantial mixing beyond the interface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing elongated glass components with low bow. The apparatus may include a heating element to heat a bulk glass component where a strand may be drawn from the bulk glass component in a downward direction and a gripper device including a clamping element to support the strand while pulling or drawing it from the bulk glass component in a linear motion, and a low-friction mounting element attached to the clamping element which allows translational movement of the clamping element in an x-y plane. The gripper device may further be used to reduce bow in the strand while it is being drawn by moving the clamping element on the mounting element in a direction opposite the direction of any measured transverse acceleration.

Abstract: A process for digestion of fine iridium includes (a) alkaline oxidative digestion of 1 part by weight fine iridium and 3 to 20 parts by weight of a combination comprising 40 to 70 parts by weight sodium hydroxide, 15 to 30 parts by weight sodium nitrate, and 10 to 40 parts by weight sodium peroxide in the melt, whereby the sum of the weight fractions equals 100 parts by weight; (b) cooling the digestion material formed in step (a) to 20 to 70° C.; (c) dissolving the acid-soluble fractions of the cooled digestion material in water/halogen hydracid until an acidic aqueous solution with a pH value of ?1 to +1 is obtained; and (d) boiling the acidic aqueous solution obtained in step (c) until the formation of nitrous gases is completed. Insoluble ingredients can be separated from the acidic aqueous solution before or after step (d), if needed.

Abstract: A modular kit and/or method buildings a cage for spondylodesis, wherein the kit and/or method comprises at least two plates, wherein the plates comprise a biocompatible material and each comprise a planar structure and a plurality of pins projecting from the planar structure of the plates, wherein the pins each comprise at least one latching element, wherein the pins are elastically deformable and are arranged sufficiently close to each other on the planar structure such that pressing planar structures studded with pins of several plates onto each other causes the latching elements of different plates to snap into each other, wherein at least two of the at least two plates comprise a recess with a diameter of at least 5 mm.

Abstract: A semiconductor module (10) contains a ceramic interconnect device (50) having at least one semiconductor component (20). The at least one semiconductor component (20) is covered by an encapsulating compound (30) which contains a cured inorganic cement and has a thermal expansion coefficient in the range of 2 to 10 ppm/K. The ceramic of the ceramic interconnect device (50) is selected from ceramics based on aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride or silicon nitride.

Abstract: One aspect provides a housing for an implantable medical device, the housing including a metal substrate having an external surface, and a polymer coating disposed on the external surface of the metal housing, the polymer coating comprising at least one layer of polymer material.

Abstract: A catheter or other elongated member can include an elongated inner portion, an elongated outer portion, a flex circuit ribbon comprising at least one conductor, and an electrical contact. The flex circuit ribbon can be situated between the inner portion and the outer portion. The inner portion and the outer portion can be (1) affixed together between portions of the flex circuit ribbon or (2) integrally formed such that masses of the inner and outer portions are joined together between portions of the flex circuit ribbon. The electrical contact can be configured to be exposed during use. The electrical contact can be situated at, or connected to, the at least one conductor of the flex circuit ribbon.

Abstract: A torque coil 10 includes a first filar configured in an inner layer 14 that is helically wound in a constricted state such that it defines an inner lumen providing access between a proximal and distal end of the torque coil. A second filar is configured in an outer layer 18 that is helically wound over the inner layer in a constricted state. At least one of the first and second filars includes a signal transmitting material surrounded by an isolating material thereby allowing transmission of signals between the proximal and distal end of the torque coil in one of the layers. At least one of the first and second filars includes a torque transmitting material thereby configuring the torque coil to transfer torque from the proximal to the distal end.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to medical catheters, including electrophysiological catheters, comprising a catheter maintaining at least one electrode including a plurality of electrode segments. The catheter can include a plurality of slots in which the electrodes can be secured so that the electrodes are at least partially positioned within a center lumen of the catheter. Methods of manufacturing medical catheters are also disclosed. In various methods of assembling a catheter, a hollow, tubular catheter made of a compliant material having a very small, micro or nano outside diameter is provided. Then, the slots are formed in the catheter and the electrode segments are positioned within the slots.

Abstract: One aspect relates to a rolling element for a ball bearing wherein the rolling element has: (i) a Young modulus E in the range up to and including 100 GPa; and (ii) a yield strength Rp0.2 in the range up to and including 1800 MPa, or wherein the rolling element has at least an alloy of nickel (Ni) and titanium (Ti), wherein the weight ratio of Ni:Ti in the alloy is in the range of from 57:43 to 50:50. One aspect is a rolling bearing with: a. at least an outer ring; b. at least an inner ring, wherein a raceway is defined by the arrangement of the outer ring and the inner ring; and c. at least three rolling elements wherein the rolling elements are arranged in the raceway, wherein at least one rolling element comprises at least an alloy as mentioned above.

Abstract: A sensor for the analysis of gases, with at least one housing having an internal space of the housing having a first opening and a second opening situated opposite it. At least one sensor element arranged in the internal space of the housing. At least one glass element and at least one encapsulating element arranged in the internal space of the housing in an intervening space between a housing wall in the internal space of the housing and the sensor element and fully surround at least regions of the sensor element. The glass element is at the first opening of the internal space of the housing and is adapted to hermetically seal the intervening space. The encapsulating element is arranged on the glass melting element in the direction of the second opening and is adapted to affix the sensor element in the internal space of the housing in a form-fitting manner.

Abstract: One aspect is an apparatus for analyzing particles a capillary as a measuring cell with a hollow channel for receiving or passing through a test sample containing the particles includes a light source for generating a light beam, an optical device for coupling the light beam into the hollow channel at an input point for the purpose of illuminating the test sample, and a detector for detecting scattered light exiting the hollow channel. In one aspects, the hollow channel has an internal diameter DH in the range of 10 ?m to 60 ?m, that the light beam has a radial light intensity distribution with a minimum beam diameter DL, wherein the following applies to the diameter ratio DL/DH: 0.05<DL/DH<2.00, and that the light beam has an angle of incidence of less than 2 degrees in relation to the hollow channel's longitudinal axis on entering the hollow channel.

Abstract: Bone cement applicators and methods apply a bone cement dough in the region of the spine. The applicators and method have at least one tubular cartridge with an internal space, containing starting components of the bone cement, at least one dispensing plunger that is mobile in longitudinal direction on the inside of the at least one cartridge, a hose, an application opening through which the bone cement dough is applicable, a three-way valve being arranged in the hose or on a side of the hose facing the at least one cartridge and in fluid connection with the opening of the at least one cartridge and/or a collecting container arranged on the three-way valve for accommodation of bone cement dough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a tube of glass by zonewise heating and softening of a hollow cylinder by a movable heating zone while rotating about its rotation axis. The glass tube is continuously formed by radial expansion of the softened region under action of centrifugal force and/or internal overpressure applied in the hollow-cylinder bore. The method and apparatus make it possible to deform the hollow cylinder in a single or a small number of forming steps into a glass tube having a larger outer diameter and high dimensional accuracy by determining a circumferential position at which the wall thickness is comparatively small, and during heating and softening of the rotating hollow cylinder a coolant is dispensed from a coolant source onto the deformation zone only when or predominantly when the circumferential position having the comparatively small wall thickness passes the coolant source.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a pump device comprising an impeller; a pump housing surrounding an interior region and having an inlet and an outlet. The impeller is provided in the interior region of the pump housing. The wall of the pump housing has at least one first subregion and at least two further subregions in at least one plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the pump housing. The at least one first subregion comprises at least 60% by weight, based on the total mass of the at least one first subregion, of at least one nonmagnetic material. The further subregions comprise at least 41% by weight, based on the total mass of the further subregions, of at least one ferromagnetic material, wherein each further subregion is adjacent to at least one first subregion in the plane.

Abstract: An Al2O3 carrier has a thin-film structure of platinum or a platinum alloy arranged thereon. The carrier and/or the thin-film structure are adapted to reduce mechanical stresses owing to different thermal expansion coefficients. The carrier and/or the thin-film structure include a surface of the carrier in the region of the thin-film structure is smoothed at least in sections to reduce the adhesion and/or a surface of the carrier has an intermediate layer on which the thin-film structure is arranged. The thermal expansion coefficient of the intermediate layer is from 8*10?6/K to 16*10?6/K, in particular from 8.5*10?6/K to 14*10?6/K, and/or the thin-film structure has at least one conductor path that is undular at least in sections, said conductor path extends laterally along the surface of the carrier.

Abstract: Bone cement applicators and methods for application of a bone cement dough, the applicators and methods comprise a tubular cartridge with an internal space, a dispensing plunger for expelling the starting components through an opening of the cartridge opposite from the dispensing plunger, wherein the dispensing plunger is mobile in longitudinal direction in the internal space of the cartridge. The applicators and methods further comprise a hose, an application opening, a three-way valve operable from outside and arranged or arrangeable in the hose or on a side of the hose facing the cartridge, and a collecting container arranged on the three-way valve.

Abstract: A device and methods mix polymethylmethacrylate bone cement and/or store the starting components of the bone cement. The device comprising: a cartridge with an internal space for mixing the bone cement that is closed on one side by means of a mobile dispensing plunger; a monomer container for a monomer liquid and/or a connector for attachment of a monomer container for a monomer liquid such that the monomer container can be opened appropriately in the device such that the monomer liquid flows from the monomer container into the device; a connecting conduit through which the monomer liquid can be guided into the internal space of the cartridge.