Abstract: A method and a system for determining a condition of an optical fiber cable of an electrosurgical instrument with regard to its transfer characteristic for light are described. The system can comprise an evaluation unit having a light source and a light analysis unit that can be optically coupled with the optical fiber cable. The emission light emitted from the light source is coupled in the optical fiber cable, reflected at its distal end and transmitted back to the light analysis unit and is received as receipt light. The receipt light is correlated with the emission light and therefrom a transfer characteristic can be determined. If this is carried out prior to the first use of the electrosurgical instrument and subsequently at least once, changes in the transfer characteristic can be determined and the condition of the optical fiber cable can be concluded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding bearing having a first bearing component and a second bearing component, which are arranged such that they can rotate relative to each other in a rotation direction (RR) about a rotation axis (RA), wherein at least two sliding segments (1) are arranged between the first bearing component and the second bearing component, wherein the at least two sliding segments (1) each have a support structure (2) for fixing the sliding segment (1) to the first or second bearing component, and a sliding surface (3) for bringing the sliding segment (1) into sliding contact with the second or first bearing component, wherein the sliding surface (3) has, in the rotation direction (RR), a front leading edge (4) and a rear trailing edge (5), wherein the sliding surface (3) has an oil distribution groove (6), which is arranged directly adjacent to the front leading edge (4), and wherein the sliding segment (1) has a passage opening (7) for supplying the oil distribution groove (6) with oil, w

Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding bearing having a first bearing component and a second bearing component, which are arranged such that they can rotate relative to each other in a rotation direction (RR) about a rotation axis (RA), wherein at least two sliding segments (1) are arranged between the first bearing component and the second bearing component, wherein the at least two sliding segments (1) each have a support structure (2) for fixing the sliding segment (1) to the first or second bearing component, and a sliding surface (3) for bringing the sliding segment (1) into sliding contact with the second or first bearing component, wherein the sliding surface (3) has, in the rotation direction (RR), a front leading edge (4) and a rear trailing edge (5), wherein the sliding surface (3) has an oil distribution groove (6), which is arranged directly adjacent to the front leading edge (4), and wherein the sliding segment (1) has a passage opening (7) for supplying the oil distribution groove (6) with oil, w

Abstract: A method for producing a housing-side or rotor-side bearing body of a sliding bearing arrangement for mounting a rotating shaft of a rotor in a fixed housing. Providing a basic body of the bearing body. Processing the basic body on a surface by forming multiple intersecting grooves, between the intersecting grooves multiple bar-like protrusions are formed. Reforming the protrusions subject-to form a defined pattern of undercut-like recesses or geometries. Applying a sliding bearing material to the surface having the reformed protrusions subject to infiltrating or filling the undercut-like recesses or geometries.

Abstract: A method for producing a housing-side or rotor-side bearing body of a sliding bearing arrangement for mounting a rotating shaft of a rotor in a fixed housing. Providing a basic body of the bearing body. Processing the basic body on a surface by forming multiple intersecting grooves, between the intersecting grooves multiple bar-like protrusions are formed. Reforming the protrusions subject to forming a defined pattern of undercut-like recesses or geometries. Applying a sliding bearing material to the surface having the reformed protrusions subject to infiltrating or filling the undercut-like recesses or geometries.

Abstract: A plain bearing, with a bearing base body of a metallic material and a plain bearing layer of a non-metallic material. The plain bearing layer is applied to the bearing base body either directly or indirectly via an intermediate layer of a metallic material applied to the bearing base body. The bearing base body of the metallic material or the intermediate layer of the metallic material is produced from an austenitic steel or from a metal alloy. The plain bearing layer of the non-metallic material is produced from polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. Microfluidic devices of the present invention comprises a first elastic layer, a fluid flow channel within the elastic layer; and a means for providing a fluid sample from the fluid flow channel to an analytical device. The present invention also provides an analytical apparatus comprising such a microfluidic device and an analytical device.