Abstract: An irradiation apparatus has at least one exchangeable radiation source that may be moved by means of a transport cable between at least one rest position and at least one irradiation position and a long-distance transport container for radiation sources to be exchanged. In order to reduce the danger of control errors, the rest position is located inside the long-distance transport container and the transport container forms or may form an integral part of the irradiation apparatus. For that purpose, interface elements are provided on the transport container and other parts of the irradiation apparatus. By winding and unwinding the transport cable on and from a feeding drum with a cable-receiving groove at least partially covered by a pressing strip, particularly thin transport cables may be used, so that the width of the pressing strip substantially corresponds to the width of the cable-receiving groove.

Abstract: A method and device for inserting radioactive radiation sources into applicators and for withdrawing the radiation source and depositing them in at least one shielded loading and/or storage station. To remove a radiation source from the loading and/or storage station a traction wire with a coupling effective in the direction of traction is advanced via a fork and a switch into the loading and/or storage station, coupled with the radiation source and withdrawn as far as a stop where it is uncoupled and the traction wire is withdrawn through the fork. To introduce the radiation source into the applicator, on the other hand, a thrust wire having a coupling effective only in the direction of thrust is brought via the fork up to the radiation source and, carrying the radiation source with it, is advanced via the switch into the applicator and withdrawn again leaving the source in the applicator.

Abstract: In a syringe for ultrasonically aided penetration of arterial or venous vessels the transmitter and the receiver are arranged in the piston. This simplifies manipulation and, particularly if a physiological saline solution is simultaneously injected to directly couple the ultrasound to the soft parts surrounding the vessel, enables vessels even in anatomically difficult positions to be localized simply and without the danger of complications.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for leak-proof sealing of a metallic capsule closed by a stopper and joining the capsule to a metal cable by arc welding, wherein a capacitor is charged, the capsule with a striking tip at one end or the stopper with an ignition point and the cable are clamped at their ends, connected to the terminals of the capacitor, moved together and welded together by discharging of the capacitor with the formation of an arc.

Abstract: A process and device for detecting and evaluating surface cracks in workpieces wherein a picture is produced of the surface of the workpiece by means of a video camera and said picture is digitized and is processed by means of a computer to produce a binary picture of any cracks present and a sorting report is triggered when a preselected threshold level is exceeded. In order to obtain a sorting signal that is independent of the absolute brightness of the original picture a blurred background picture is derived from the original picture levels that have been converted to digitized grey shade levels and subtracted from the original picture, the difference picture formed in this way giving the crack representation.