Abstract: A catheter is described for the transvascular implantation of prosthetic heart valves, e.g., including self-expanding anchorage supports, to reduce the risk to the patient during the implantation. Accordingly, a prosthetic heart valve with anchorage supports is temporarily housed in a folded form in a cartridge-type unit during the implantation. The cartridge-type unit can be fixed on the proximal end of a guide system, which includes a flexible region that can be guided through the aorta. Actuating elements run through the interior of the hollow guide system, permitting sections of the cartridge-type unit to be displaced radially about their longitudinal axis and/or laterally in a proximal direction, thus allowing individual sections of the anchorage support and the associated prosthetic heart valve to be sequentially released.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter for the transvasculur implantation of prosthetic heart valves, in particular comprising self-expanding anchorage supports (10), which allow a minimally invasive implantation of prosthetic heart valves. The aim of the invention is to reduce the risk to the patient during the implantation. To achieve this, according to the invention a prosthetic heart valve comprising anchorage supports is temporarily housed in a folded form in a cartridge-type unit (4) riming the implantation. The cartridge-type unit can be fixed on the proximal end of a guide system (1), which comprises a flexible region (9) that can be guided through the aorta.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a light weight optical mirror or a monolithic mirror comprising at least one cooling channel, the method comprising forming a mirror body by iteratively depositing a metallic powder in layers and applying, for each of the layers, heat at least in a subarea of this layer, thereby fusing or sintering the powder in this subarea and bonding it to a previously deposited layer, the powder remaining in an unfused state in at least one region, the method further comprising forming at least one cavity within the carrier by removing the unfused powder from said region and producing a mirror surface at a closed surface of the mirror body. The invention further relates to an optical mirror and to an optical device.

Abstract: A device for the transvascular implantation and fixation of prosthetic heart valves having a self-expanding heart valve stent (10) with a prosthetic heart valve (11) at its proximal end is introducible into a patient's main artery. With the objective of optimizing such a device to the extent that the prosthetic heart valve (11) can be implanted into a patient in a minimally-invasive procedure, to ensure optimal positioning accuracy of the prosthesis (11) in the patient's ventricle, the device includes a self-expanding positioning stent (20) introducible into an aortic valve positioned within a patient. The positioning stent is configured separately from the heart valve stent (10) so that the two stents respectively interact in their expanded states such that the heart valve stent (10) is held by the positioning stent (20) in a position in the patient's aorta relative the heart valve predefinable by the positioning stent (20).

Abstract: A medical device for treating a heart valve insufficiency, with an endoprosthesis which can be introduced into a patient's body and expanded to secure a heart valve prosthesis in the patient's aorta. In an embodiment, the endoprosthesis has a plurality of positioning arches configured to be positioned with respect to a patient's aorta and a plurality of retaining arches to support a heart valve prosthesis. The endoprosthesis includes a first collapsed mode during the process of introducing it into the patient's body and a second expanded mode when it is implanted.

Abstract: A device for the transvascular implantation and fixation of prosthetic heart valves having a self-expanding heart valve stent (10) with a prosthetic heart valve (11) at its proximal end is introducible into a patient's main artery. With the objective of optimizing such a device to the extent that the prosthetic heart valve (11) can be implanted into a patient in a minimally-invasive procedure, to ensure optimal positioning accuracy of the prosthesis (11) in the patient's ventricle, the device includes a self-expanding positioning stent (20) introducible into an aortic valve positioned within a patient. The positioning stent is configured separately from the heart valve stent (10) so that the two stents respectively interact in their expanded states such that the heart valve stent (10) is held by the positioning stent (20) in a position in the patient's aorta relative the heart valve predefinable by the positioning stent (20).

Abstract: A medical device for treating a heart valve insufficiency, with an endoprosthesis which can be introduced into a patient's body and expanded to secure a heart valve prosthesis in the patient's aorta. In an embodiment, the endoprosthesis has at plurality of positioning arches configured to be positioned with respect to a patient's aorta and a plurality of retaining arches to support a heart valve prosthesis. The endoprosthesis includes a first collapsed mode during the process of introducing it into the patient's body and a second expanded mode when it is implanted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an optical assembly, comprising at least two optical functional surfaces arranged in a fixed positional relationship to one another on a common supporting structure, wherein by means of a processing machine, in various process steps, at least two optical functional surfaces and at least one reference structure having a defined and measurable relative position to the optical functional surfaces are produced. The supporting structure remains rigidly connected to the processing machine until said process steps have been completed, and wherein the optical functional surfaces are then measured relative to the at least one reference structure, and any deviation from a target shape and target position is determined, after which said process steps are repeated at least once with modified actuation of the processing machine. The invention further relates to an optical device comprising an optical assembly produced in this way and to a unit for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounted optical component and also a method for the production of mounted optical components. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of mounted optical components.

Abstract: A device for the tranavascular implantation and fixation of prosthetic heart valves having a self-expanding heart valve stent (10) with a prosthetic heart valve (11) at its proximal end is introducible into a patient's main artery. With the objective of optimizing such a device to the extent that the prosthetic heart valve (11) can be implanted into a patient in a minimally-invasive procedure, to ensure optimal positioning accuracy of the prosthesis (11) in the patient's ventricle, the device includes a self-expanding positioning stent (20) introducible into an aortic valve positioned within a patient. The positioning stent is configured separately from the heart valve stent (10) so that the two stents respectively interact in their expanded states such that the heart valve stent (10) is held by the positioning stent (2) in a position in the patient's aorta relative the heart valve predefinable by the positioning stent (20).

Abstract: A device for the transvascular implantation and fixation of prosthetic heart valves having a self-expanding heart valve stent (10) with a prosthetic heart valve (11) at its proximal end is introducible into a patient's main artery. With the objective of optimizing such a device to the extent that the prosthetic heart valve (11) can be implanted into a patient in a minimally-invasive procedure, to ensure optimal positioning accuracy of the prosthesis (11) in the patient's ventricle, the device includes a self-expanding positioning stent (20) introducible into an aortic valve positioned within a patient. The positioning stent is configured separately from the heart valve stent (10) so that the two stents respectively interact in their expanded states such that the heart valve stent (10) is held by the positioning stent (20) in a position in the patient's aorta relative the heart valve predefinable by the positioning stent (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating handle (10-1, 10-2) for manipulating a catheter tip (80-1, 80-2) of a catheter delivery system. The operating handle (10-1, 10-2) comprises a hand grip (11) designed to be held by a user, and a manipulating part (12) axially aligned with the hand grip (11). The manipulating part (12) is rotatable relatively to the hand grip (11) about a longitudinal axis (L) defined by the operating handle (10-1, 10-2). The operating handle (10-1, 10-2) comprises at least one sliding member (30, 40) operatively linked with the manipulating part (12) by means of a cam mechanism (50) such that, upon rotation of the manipulating part (12) relative to the hand grip (11), the at least one sliding member (30, 40) moves axially in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L).

Abstract: A device for the transvascular implantation and fixation of prosthetic heart valves having a self-expanding heart valve stent (10) with a prosthetic heart valve (11) at its proximal end is introducible into a patient's main artery. With the objective of optimizing such a device to the extent that the prosthetic heart valve (11) can be implanted into a patient in a minimally-invasive procedure, to ensure optimal positioning accuracy of the prosthesis (11) in the patient's ventricle, the device includes a self-expanding positioning stent (20) introducible into an aortic valve positioned within a patient. The positioning stunt is configured separately from the heart valve stent (10) so that the two stents respectively interact in their expanded states such that the heart valve stent (10) is held by the positioning stent (20) in a position in the patient's aorta relative the heart valve predefinable by the positioning stent (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a light weight optical mirror or a monolithic mirror comprising at least one cooling channel, the method comprising forming a mirror body by iteratively depositing a metallic powder in layers and applying, for each of the layers, heat at least in a subarea of this layer, thereby fusing or sintering the powder in this subarea and bonding it to a previously deposited layer, the powder remaining in an unfused state in at least one region, the method further comprising forming at least one cavity within the carrier by removing the unfused powder from said region and producing a mirror surface at a closed surface of the mirror body. The invention further relates to an optical mirror and to an optical device.

Abstract: A medical device for treating a heart valve insufficiency, with an endoprosthesis which can be introduced into a patient's body and expanded to secure a heart valve prosthesis in the patient's aorta. In an embodiment, the endoprosthesis has at plurality of positioning arches configured to be positioned with respect to a patient's aorta and a plurality of retaining arches to support a heart valve prosthesis. The endoprosthesis includes a first collapsed mode during the process of introducing it into the patient's body and a second expanded mode when it is implanted.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed for the transvascular implantation of prosthetic heart valves, e.g., including self-expanding anchorage supports, to reduce the risk to the patient during the implantation. Accordingly, a prosthetic heart valve comprising anchorage supports is temporarily housed in a folded form in a cartridge-type unit during the implantation. The cartridge-type unit can be fixed on the proximal end of a guide system, which comprises a flexible region that can be guided through the aorta. Actuating elements run through the interior of the hollow guide system, permitting sections of the cartridge-type unit to be displaced radially about their longitudinal axis and/or laterally in a proximal direction, thus allowing individual sections of the anchorage support and the associated prosthetic heart valve to be sequentially released.

Abstract: An adaptive mirror that includes a substrate layer, on the first surface of which a reflecting layer and on the second surface of which at least one actuator is disposed. The substrate layer has a thickness of less than or equal to 1,000 ?m and the mirror having at least one further metallization for thermal compensation, as a result of which a thermal deformation of the mirror is avoided or preadjusted such that the desired curvature is set as a function of the reflected power.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for fastening and anchoring heart valve prostheses which is essentially formed of wire-shaped interconnected elements. The aim of the invention is to be able to be implant, in a minimally invasive manner, a device of this type via the aorta by compressing the device to make it smaller, and by extending the same at the site of implantation, whereby ensuring a secure retention and a secure sealing with regard to the aorta wall. To this end, the invention provides that for fastening and supporting a cardiac valve prosthesis, three identical pairs of arched elements are interconnected, with a configuration that is offset by 120°, by means of solid body articulations. These solid body articulations carry out the function of pivot bearings.

Abstract: A device for the transvascular implantation and fixation of prosthetic heart valves having a self-expanding heart valve stent (10) with a prosthetic heart valve (11) at its proximal end is introducible into a patient's main artery. With the objective of optimizing such a device to the extent that the prosthetic heart valve (11) can be implanted into a patient in a minimally-invasive procedure, to ensure optimal positioning accuracy of the prosthesis (11) in the patient's ventricle, the device includes a self-expanding positioning stent (20) introducible into an aortic valve positioned within a patient. The positioning stent is configured separately from the heart valve stent (10) so that the two stents respectively interact in their expanded states such that the heart valve stent (10) is held by the positioning stent (20) in a position in the patient's aorta relative the heart valve predefinable by the positioning stent (20).

Abstract: A device for the transvascular implantation and fixation of prosthetic heart valves having a self-expanding heart valve stent (10) with a prosthetic heart valve (11) at its proximal end is introducible into a patient's main artery. With the objective of optimizing such a device to the extent that the prosthetic heart valve (11) can be implanted into a patient in a minimally-invasive procedure, to ensure optimal positioning accuracy of the prosthesis (11) in the patient's ventricle, the device includes a self-expanding positioning stent (20) introducible into an aortic valve positioned within a patient. The positioning stent is configured separately from the heart valve stent (10) so that the two stents respectively interact in their expanded states such that the heart valve stent (10) is held by the positioning stent (20) in a position in the patient's aorta relative the heart valve predefinable by the positioning stent (20).