Abstract: A “dry” packaging in which a prosthetic heart valve is packaged within a container with hydrogel that can be provided in many forms. Certain embodiments include hydrogel that is preloaded with glycerol or the like. The hydrogel regulates the humidity within the container through a diffusion-driven mechanism if a gradient of humidity between the inside and the outside of the hydrogel exists. Humidity regulation is important to prevent the tissue of the valve structure from drying out. When the partially-hydrated hydrogel is present within container, which is saturated with air of a predefined humidity, the water molecules from the air will be absorbed by the hydrogel if the air humidity is high (i.e. when the thermodynamics favor hydrogel hydration) or vice versa. Various embodiments are configured to also house at least a portion of a delivery device for delivering the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A method for setting up a virtual ad hoc network for transmitting at least one piece of information to a first transportation vehicle as a first network subscriber. The method includes the information being provided based on first data from at least one second network subscriber, and at least one second network subscriber being a second transportation vehicle or an infrastructure component; wherein a motor-vehicle-external, central data processing device receives second data from multiple potential second network subscribers and takes the second data and at least one space-time parameter as a basis for determining the second network subscribers and setting up the virtual ad hoc network with the first transportation vehicle, as the first network subscriber, and the determined second network subscribers, the space-time parameter defining a specific area of relevance that has a predetermined physical and temporal correlation with the current position of the first transportation vehicle.

Abstract: A switching device including a frame, a first fixed contact member having a first contact area, and a first movable contact member having a first contact arm provided with a contact area. The first movable contact member is adapted to pivot relative to the frame around a first pivoting axis between a first position and a second position. The switching device includes a spreader member that is adapted to provide a first intermediate position for the first movable contact member in which a projection of the contact area of the first contact arm overlaps at least partially with a projection of the first contact area on a switch plane perpendicular to the first pivoting axis while the contact area of the first contact arm is spaced apart from the first contact area.

Abstract: A switching device including a frame, a first fixed contact member having a first contact area, and a first movable contact member having a first contact arm provided with a contact area. The first movable contact member is adapted to pivot relative to the frame around a first pivoting axis between a first position and a second position. The switching device includes a spreader member that is adapted to provide a first intermediate position for the first movable contact member in which a projection of the contact area of the first contact arm overlaps at least partially with a projection of the first contact area on a switch plane perpendicular to the first pivoting axis while the contact area of the first contact arm is spaced apart from the first contact area.