Abstract: An arrangement for pressurizing an inflatable sleeve (2) that can be applied, for instance, to the arm of a patient for measuring the patient's blood pressure, or that can be applied to an infusion bag for forced infusion of said infusion to a patient, wherein the device further includes a sleeve-connected pressure gauge (3), a hand pump (30) which is connected to the sleeve (2) via line (54,2) and which includes an air inlet (31) that has a check valve (32), wherein the device also comprises a manually actuable air release valve (55) for controlled release of gas from the sleeve interior, wherein a box (5) is connected in the line (52,4) between the sleeve (2) and the air release valve (53); wherein the box (5) is connectable to a pressurized gas source (20) by means of a hose (8), wherein the hose (8) connects with the interior of the box (5) via a check valve (7) and a manually controllable valve (6) for the input of gas from the pressure gas source to the sleeve (2) via the box (5).

Abstract: A combined androgen deprivation and thermotherapy cancer treatment. For example, the combination can be used to treat prostate cancer. Chemical compounds, including a non-steroidal anti-androgen and/or an LH-RH agonist, such as androgen deprivation therapy (“ADT”), can be used in combination with application of non-ionizing radiation to treat cancer. The chemical compounds can be administered before, simultaneously with, and/or after the application of the non-ionizing radiation. When the ADT is applied before the application of the radiation, a reduction in cancer volume can be expected. In patients treated in such a manner, evidence of recurring cancer was not observed.

Abstract: A laser system is provided that includes a laser device for the generation of laser radiation and a light guide for guiding the generated laser radiation. A data medium for identity data is connected to the light guide, and a readout device is included for reading out the identity data. A light guide system is also provided that includes a light guide that can be releasably coupled to a laser device using a mounting device and a data medium for identity data connected to the light guide.

Abstract: An interocclusal sports prophylaxis includes a core having an arch shaped occlusal plate with upwardly extending buccal and lingual walls. A labial force dispersal shield and molar framing braces extend downwardly from the plate at incisor and lingual zones of the plate. The occlusal plate is thickened at the molar and incisor zones so that breathing spaces are provided between mandibular occlusal surfaces not registered with the zones and a mandibular face of the plate. A shock absorption dentition encasement is molded over the upper surface of the core and also covers the molar and incisor zones. The prophylaxis is heated in water, seated in the mouth and then biting pressure is applied to embed the maxillary dentition in the encasement and the lower incisor and molar occlusal surfaces in the encasement covering the zones.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock wave therapy device with a shock wave source for the emission of a shock wave and an ultrasound unit for obtaining image information by means of the emission and reception of ultrasound, whereby the ultrasound unit is provided for the reception of reflected or scattered components of the shock wave for obtaining image information. In addition, the invention relates to a method for obtaining image information for shock wave therapy with the steps: a) emitting ultrasound using an ultrasound unit, b) receiving the reflections of the emitted ultrasound using the ultrasound unit for obtaining image information, c) emitting a shock wave using a shock wave source and d) receiving reflected or scattered components of the shock wave using the ultrasound unit for obtaining image information.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical fibre with a connector piece that has a recess, such as a bore hole, for instance, for accommodating the optical fibre, wherein a fluid channel (18, 14) is provided that begins at the end of the recess and through which a fluid can pass. The invention furthermore relates to an optical fibre with a plug with a gripping piece that has two end openings, wherein the fibre enters into the gripping piece in one end opening and the light of the fibre or the fibre can exit from the gripping piece through the other end opening, wherein the end openings (15, 16) of the gripping piece (2) are interconnected in a way allowing throughflow.

Abstract: Improving cell therapy and tissue regeneration in a patient suffering from a cardiovascular or a neurological disease by treating a tissue of the patient with shock waves and/or applying to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of stem cells and/or progenitor cells. Such treatment increases expression of chemoattractants, pro-angiogenic factors, and pro-survival factors. The chemoattractants can be, for example, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1). For example, the treated tissue can be located in the patient's heart or in a skeletal muscle of the patient, and the shock waves can be extracorporeal shock waves (ESW) or intracorporeal shock waves. The cardiovascular disease can have an ischemic or non-ischemic etiology. For example, the cardiovascular disease can be a myocardial infarction, ischemic cardiomyopathy, or a dilatative cardiomyopathy. For example, the neurological disease can be a peripheral neuropathy or neuropathic pain.

Abstract: A urological working place is provided that can include a U-bow with an x-ray source arranged at one end and an image processing device arranged at the other end, wherein the image processing device cooperates with the x-ray source. An examination table is releasably secured to the U-bow and replaceable by an alternate examination table that is independent of the movements of the U-bow. The x-ray source and the image processing device are displaceable relative to the U-bow individually and synchronously in a transverse direction, and the U-bow is supported in a lower area thereof so that it is tiltable in the longitudinal direction of the examination table.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for magnetic imaging of an object. The method comprises monitoring a magnetic field of sources in the object at a plurality of magnetic detectors to obtain a corresponding plurality of sensor outputs, monitoring a position of the object while monitoring the magnetic field of the sources, modeling the magnetic field of the sources in the object as a gradient of a scalar potential, the scalar potential comprising a sum of spherical harmonic functions each multiplied by a corresponding coefficient, and, compensating for the position of the object by applying a transformation to the plurality of sensor outputs, the transformation including, at least in part, a spherical harmonic translation transformation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of compensating for crosstalk between electromagnetic sensors in an array, each sensor having a flux transformer with a current therein which does not vary smoothly with an applied magnetic field, each sensor configured to produce an output signal comprising a stepwise varying component and a finely varying component. The method comprises, for each sensor to be compensated, applying a crosstalk compensation function to the output signal of the sensor to be compensated, the crosstalk compensation function based at least in part on at least one of the stepwise and the finely varying components of at least one other of the sensors in the array.

Abstract: A method for locating an object relative to an array of magnetic sensors in an environment in which there is present a noise signal having a fundamental frequency fNOISE, includes generating one or more magnetic signals by means of one or more magnetic emitters mounted at known locations on the object during an integration time T. The one or more magnetic signals have one or more frequencies. The one or more magnetic signals and the noise signal are detected at six or more magnetic detectors. Relative amplitudes of the magnetic signals are determined. The one or more frequencies of the magnetic signals are substantially equal to frequencies at which a power spectrum of the detected noise signal has zeros.

Abstract: A laser system is provided that includes a laser unit, an incoupling means for coupling the laser radiation into a light-guide, and an outcoupling means for coupling the laser radiation out from the light-guide. A data transmitting means is coupled to the incoupling means or outcoupling means and produces optical signals which are coupled into the light-guide via the incoupling means or the outcoupling means. These optical signals are received by a data receiving means at the other end of the light-guide. The laser system can be used for realizing a data communication between the hand-piece and the stationary unit of the laser system in the case of which additional cables between the hand-piece and the laser are not necessary for transmitting data.

Abstract: A urological working place is provided that can include a U-bow with an x-ray source arranged at one end and an image processing device arranged at the other end, wherein the image processing device cooperates with the x-ray source. An examination table is releasably secured to the U-bow and replaceable by an alternate examination table that is independent of the movements of the U-bow. The x-ray source and the image processing device are displaceable relative to the U-bow individually and synchronously in a transverse direction, and the U-bow is supported in a lower area thereof so that it is tiltable in the longitudinal direction of the examination table.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for the ultrasonic inoculation of biological cell material. The method and device can be implemented by transmitting ultrasonic energy via a device, that includes an ultrasonic transducer and suitably formed glass fibres coupled thereto, into the immediate vicinity of the cells to be inoculated in a fluid containing the inoculation medium or a tissue aggregation. A simple method for low-cost inoculation of individual cells or cell aggregations with biological molecules and/or with pharmaceutical particles is thereby provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithotriptor carriage comprising a moving device. For rendering the lithotriptors accessible to a possibly large field of application, a lithotriptor carriage comprising a moving device and an accommodating bed connected therewith, on which a lithotriptor can be mounted and detachably arrested on the carriage by means of an arresting device, is provided, wherein the lithotriptor is ready to be used in the mounted state.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a shockwave source to the body of a patient is provided. The apparatus may include a coupling bellows that is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The coupling bellows may include a coupling portion that is configured to provide a coupling surface relative to the body of a patient and is transmissive to shockwaves. The coupling bellows may also include an outer portion that is sound-insulating.

Abstract: A device for the testing and monitoring of the function of a shock wave or pressure wave source is provided. The testing and monitoring device is characterized in that a passive non-linear transmission element transforms very short shock wave pulses received by it, the shock wave pulses typically having pulse durations lasting a few microseconds, into a considerably lower frequency range, whose oscillations are then sensed and evaluated.

Abstract: A non-invasive apparatus and method for monitoring the blood pressure of a subject detects a pulse signal at both a first and second location on the subject's body The elapsed time between the arrival of corresponding points of the pulse signal at the first and second locations is determined. Blood pressure is related to the elapsed time by relationships such as: P=a+b ln(T), where a and b are constants dependent upon the nature of the subject and the signal detecting devices.

Abstract: A urological working place for a lithotriptor, said working place comprising a U-bow having arranged thereon an X-ray source at one end thereof—which is normally the upper end—and an image processing means at the other end thereof—which is normally the lower end—said image processing means co-operating with said X-ray source, and further comprising an examination table which is attached to said U-bow, said X-ray source and said image processing means being adapted to be displaced relative to the U-bow individually and also synchronously in the transverse direction, and said U-bow being supported in the lower area thereof such that it is tiltable in the longitudinal direction of the examination table, said examination table, which is secured to the U-bow, being releasably secured and adapted to be replaced by an examination table which is independent of the movements of the U-bow.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for monitoring physiological characteristics interfaces to a subject's ear. The sensor assembly has a projection that projects into the subject's concha. The projection may have a notch to accommodate the subject's anti-tragus. A clip connected to the projection holds a sensor against the subject's lobule. The sensor may comprise a pulse-oximetry-type sensor.