Abstract: A solid-state actuator drive apparatus has—a shaft, —a pivot bearing for supporting the shaft, —a drive body, —at least two actuators for the excitation of the drive body and the shaft relative to each other for causing the shaft to rotate relative to the drive body, and—a base element, on which these components are attached. Either the drive body is configured such that it has a drive body opening, and the shaft at least leads into the drive body opening, —or the shaft is configured as a hollow shaft, and an element of the drive body having an annular or discoid circumference is disposed therein. The drive body is disposed stationary relative to the base element. The shaft is disposed in the pivot bearing and is adjustably disposed in the radial direction of the shaft relative to the base element by the solid-state actuators.

Abstract: A tip of an elongate device is navigated into a particular tissue volume in order to examine the particular tissue volume in a body and part of the tissue volume is analyzed in real-time by way of a biosensor. In at least one embodiment, in the process, either the biosensor can be arranged on the tip of the device or the device includes a catheter, by which a substance to be analyzed is transported out of the tissue volume from the tip to the biosensor arranged at the proximal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An injection valve for injecting fuel comprises a valve housing (1) inside of which a drive unit (15) controls the movement of a valve needle (5) that is pretensioned by a spring (11). The injection valve also comprises a main chamber (27), which is provided inside the valve housing, is filled with fuel and accommodates the valve needle (5), and comprises a hydraulic bearing for the drive unit (15). The hydraulic bearing has a hydraulic chamber (29) that is connected to the main chamber (27), whereby fuel serves as the operating substance of the hydraulic bearing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for imaging a tumor tissue, wherein in at least one embodiment a) the tumor tissue is contacted with a monoclonal antibody, an antigen-binding fragment thereof, a recombinant binding protein, an aptamer, or other molecule, each of which recognizes and binds at least one neoepitope which has been generated by proteolytic cleavage of proteins surrounding the tumor tissue by tumor-specific proteases, and b) the complexes formed from neoepitope and monoclonal antibody, antigen-binding fragment thereof, recombinant binding protein, aptamer, or other molecule are depicted with an imaging method, and also to neoepitopes generated by proteolytic cleavage of surrounding proteins by tumor-specific proteases, and also proteins or peptides for generating neoepitopes by tumor-specific proteases.

Abstract: A motor which includes two drive elements, especially piezoelectric bending actuators, having effective directions that are perpendicular to each other. These actuators act upon a drive ring to thereby rotate a shaft. Two tension-compression bars, which are parallel to an effective direction, are connected to the drive ring, have respective joints at their ends and are connected to the ends of a diagonal bar, relative to which the ring can be displaced in the other effective direction. The diagonal bar itself can be displaced relative to fixing elements to an effective direction via a diagonal suspension. The drive, having actuators that are non-radially hinged to the ring.

Abstract: An information converter has at least two material layers having polygonal base surfaces, which are connected to each other in a shear-rigid way, wherein at least in one material layer a change of length can be induced. The polygonal base surface has at least two different interior angles.

Abstract: Multi-leaf collimators have a guide frame (1) with a plurality of metal plates (3) arranged in a displaceable fashion, by which each individual metal plate can be displaced by an electric motor (M), with the electric motor (M) being a rotatory electromechanical motor (M), which operates according to the form-fit principle, with electromechanical actuators.

Abstract: An in vitro method is for diagnosing a tumor disease in a patient.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a device, which can be implanted into a patient, for an in vivo measurement. In an embodiment, the device includes a catheter for guiding a sample of the patient town analysis unit in the device. A measurement result is determined in the analysis unit by analyzing the sample with the aid of a reagent. In an embodiment, the device furthermore includes an interchange chamber, with the aid of which the reagent can be removed from the device or can be inserted into the device. The interchange chamber has a connector allowing removal or insertion of the reagent while the device is implanted.

Abstract: A fluid metering system has a metering valve, which is located between a supply region and a fluid metering region and an actuator drive that converts the elongation of at least two drive elements into the rotation of a drive shaft, the shaft being mechanically coupled to the metering valve, driving the latter for the metering process.

Abstract: A solid state actuator arrangement comprising an actuator which is configured as a solid state bending actuator and which has a first and a second end section opposite each other, a fastening device for fastening the first end section of the actuator in such a manner that it can still be adjusted, and connections for applying a driver signal to the actuator for adjusting the second end section by bending the actuator between at least two positions, an extension element being fastened to the free second end section of the actuator.

Abstract: A device for controlling a capacitive charge, in particular a piezoelectric actuator (2) has a signal generator (6) which is used to control a first end step (1) which is used to produce a discrete signal on the capacitive charge. Device has a second end step (3, 4) which is used to generate a continuous signal on the capacitive charge. A counter-coupling of a deviation of an actual discrete signal is produced by a continuous signal required on the capacitive charge.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining the activity of a proteolytic coagulation factor of the blood coagulation cascade in a body fluid such as whole blood or plasma. A combination is provided in a reaction mixture. The combination comprises the sample and an activation agent for activating a proteolytic coagulation factor of the blood coagulation cascade or for activating the blood coagulation cascade. The effect of the activating on a reagent system comprising a cleavable moiety is evaluated. The cleavable moiety is or becomes bound to a chemiluminescent agent or a sensitizer agent or both. The chemiluminescent agent and the sensitizer agent are related in that, when in close proximity, energization of the sensitizer agent results in energization of the chemiluminescent agent. The effect of the activating is related to the activity of a proteolytic coagulation factor of the blood coagulation cascade wherein the effect is the extent of cleavage of the cleavable moiety.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection valve which has a piezo actuator that is functionally connected to a nozzle needle by a hydraulic transmission device. The hydraulic transmission device is connected to a pressure reservoir by a sealing gap so that the pressure differences between the pressure reservoir and a hydraulic chamber of the hydraulic transmission device are compensated in the long term.

Abstract: A solid-state actuator drive apparatus has—a shaft, —a pivot bearing for supporting the shaft, —a drive body, —at least two actuators for the excitation of the drive body and the shaft relative to each other for causing the shaft to rotate relative to the drive body, and—a base element, on which these components are attached. Either the drive body is configured such that it has a drive body opening, and the shaft at least leads into the drive body opening, —or the shaft is configured as a hollow shaft, and an element of the drive body having an annular or discoid circumference is disposed therein. The drive body is disposed stationary relative to the base element. The shaft is disposed in the pivot bearing and is adjustably disposed in the radial direction of the shaft relative to the base element by the solid-state actuators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a control unit for operating a hydraulic injection valve, which comprises at least one piezoelectric actuator (2), a displaceable component (3) and a hydraulic element (9) such as bearing or a transmission system. The use of a drive voltage (U) modifies the length of an actuator (2), which makes it possible to control the stroke of the displaceable component (a valve needle 3). The inventive control unit (10) produces a polarizing voltage (UB) which pre-stresses the actuator (2) and whose polarization direction is opposite to the polarization direction of said actuator (2). Said invention makes it possible to obtain the greater modification of the length when the actuator (2) operates in the polarization direction than the drive voltage starts at 0 volts, as it was in practice before. Said invention makes it possible to reduce energy consumption.

Abstract: A device for controlling a capacitive charge, in particular a piezoelectric actuator (2) has a signal generator (6) which is used to control a first end step (1) which is used to produce a discrete signal on the capacitive charge. device has a second end step (3, 4) which is used to generate a continuous signal on the capacitive charge. A counter-coupling of a deviation of an actual discrete signal is produced by a continuous signal required on the capacitive charge.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuating unit has a piezoelectric actuator pressed to a first cap which makes it possible to fix the actuating unit thereabove to the drive body of the piezoelectric drive device and cables and/or contact pins used in the form of contact elements with the actuator for the electrical operation thereof. In an advantageous manner, the first cap has at least one orifice for introducing the contact element. In particularly advantageous manner, the actuating units are used in the piezoelectric drive device with a drive body which has a cylindrical drive surface, at least two actuating units provided with the piezoelectric actuators which displace the drive body on a drive plane, a drive shaft which is placed on the drive body surface and is rotated by oscillation and the contact elements for connecting an actuator operating circuit to the actuators.

Abstract: A circuit and/or a corresponding method for controlling a piezoelectric or electrostrictive actuator (P) have a series-connected driver stage (G) which provides a control signal which is used to drive the piezoelectric actuator (P). A reference capacitor (M), which is used to measure a charge (qP) of the actuator (P), is serially connected to the actuator (P). The reference capacitor (M) is used as a series capacitor in order to measure the actuator charge (q<SUB>A</SUB>(T)=q<SUB>P</SUB>(t)) of the piezoelectric actuator. The output variable is a voltage which is proportional to the actuator charge. The voltage is guided to an A/D-converter and is processed further in a digital manner or guided directly to a analogue controller.

Abstract: A direct injection valve in a cylinder head (1) consists of a cylindrical housing comprising the following components: a valve (16) for dosing a fluid by means of a valve needle (15), an actuator (2) for generating a stroke acting on the valve needle, and a fluid supply to the valve (16). In order to minimise the heat transfer from the cylinder head (1) to the injection valve, an air gap (3) surrounds the housing of the injection valve, maintaining the housing and the cylinder head at a distance from each other.