Abstract: Cartridge for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample. The cartridge includes one or more nucleic acid sequences, wherein the cartridge has a generic part and one or more separate application-specific parts, which are connectable to the generic part.

Abstract: Cartridge and method for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. The cartridge comprises a one or more nucleic acid sequences, and the cartridge includes a generic part and one or more separate application-specific parts, which are connectable to the generic part.

Abstract: A computer program for spine mobility simulation is configured, if running on a computer, to cause the computer to perform the following steps: a) accessing bio-metric data which relate to the spine of a patient, the spine having at least one compromised spine segment; b) displaying a model of the spine of the patient comprising a plurality of vertebrae; c) enabling a user to change the position of at least one of the vertebrae of the spine model; d) computing the effects of the position change on the remaining vertebrae; e) displaying the spine model in a new configuration, thereby taking into account the position changed by the user in step c) and the position changes of the remaining vertebrae computed in step d).

Abstract: An instrument set for screwing an implant into an intervertebral disc space comprises a guide sleeve and a screwing-in instrument. The latter has a shank having a distal end at which the implant can be fixed in a rotationally rigid manner. At the proximal end a rotary handle is fastened in a rotationally rigid manner. The screwing-in instrument further has a residual-advance indicator, which is configured to quantitatively indicate to the surgeon, during the screwing-in procedure, how far the implant is distant in the axial direction from an axial specified position that is fixed relative to the location at which the guide sleeve is supported on the vertebrae.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cartridge for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. The cartridge comprises a generic part and one or more separate application-specific parts, which are connectable to the generic part. Also disclosed is a system for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. This system comprising a reusable apparatus, wherein said apparatus is configured to receive a cartridge and to control a process for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in the sample, being present in said cartridge.

Abstract: A system (1) for point of care diagnosis and/or analysis of a body fluid of a patient, includes at least one cartridge (2), at least one handheld diagnosis and/or analysis device (3) and at least one data processing device (4). Each cartridge (2) comprises a sample receiving room (5) for receiving a sample of the body fluid to be diagnosed and/or analyzed, a diagnosing and/or analyzing arrangement (6) for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the sample, and a first interface (7) for connecting the cartridge (2) to the handheld device (3). Each handheld device (3) comprises one second interface (8) for connecting one of said cartridges (2) to the handheld device (3), a measurement arrangement (9) co-operating with the connected cartridge (2) for measuring the parameter and generating measurement data thereof, and one third interface (13) for connecting the handheld device (3) to the data processing device (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aptitude test system (4) which includes at least one object (1) which is provided with a data carrier (2) on which data associated with the object (1) is stored, as well as a test device (5) which includes a reading apparatus (6) whereby the data of the data carrier (2) can be transfer-red to a computer (7). The data includes aptitude data which characterizes at least one permissible application for the associated object (1). The computer (7) has access to current application data which characterizes a concrete application intended for the relevant object (1). For aptitude testing of the relevant object (1) the computer evaluates the aptitude data thereof and the actual application data. The computer (7) outputs a release signal when the object (1) is suitable for the intended application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aptitude test system (4) which includes at least one object (1) which is provided with a data carrier (2) on which data associated with the object (1) is stored, as well as a test device (5) which includes a reading apparatus (6) whereby the data of the data carrier (2) can be transfer-red to a computer (7). The data includes aptitude data which characterizes at least one permissible application for the associated object (1). The computer (7) has access to current application data which characterizes a concrete application intended for the relevant object (1). For aptitude testing of the relevant object (1) the computer evaluates the aptitude data thereof and the actual application data. The computer (7) outputs a release signal when the object (1) is suitable for the intended application.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system (1) for point of care diagnosis and/or analysis of a body fluid of a patient, comprising at least one cartridge (2), at least one handheld diagnosis and/or analysis device (3) and at least one data processing device (4). Each cartridge (2) comprises a sample receiving room (5) for receiving a sample of the body fluid to be diagnosed and/or analyzed, a diagnosing and/or analyzing arrangement (6) for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the sample, and a first interface (7) for connecting the cartridge (2) to the handheld device (3). Each handheld device (3) comprises one second interface (8) for connecting one of said cartridges (2) to the handheld device (3), a measurement arrangement (9) co-operating with the connected cartridge (2) for measuring the parameter and generating measurement data thereof, and one third interface (13) for connecting the handheld device (3) to the data processing device (4).

Abstract: A fluid movement system for moving a sample fluid is preferably included in a cartridge to be inserted into a reading device. The fluid movement system includes a pressure variation means for moving the sample fluid under the influence of a pressure variation applied to the fluid movement system, and a timing means for controlling the timing for releasing a pressure in the pressure variation means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for point of care diagnosis and/or analysis of body fluids of a patient, comprising:—a cartridge (2),—a diagnosis and/or analysis apparatus (3),—means (6) for measurement of the concentration of at least one specific component of a sample of the body fluids,—connecting means (8, 13) providing communication for electrical and/or Ooptical values between the cartridge (2) and the diagnosis and/or analysis apparatus (3),—wherein said values correlate with at least one of the respective concentrations,—diagnosing and/or analyzing means (14) measuring the respective concentration value via the connecting means (8, 13),—storage means (10) for storing cartridge specific data and/or information,—reading means (15) for reading the data and/or information out of the storage means (10),—wherein the diagnosing and/or analyzing means (14) evaluate the respective concentration values in accordance to the cartridge specific data a

Abstract: Disclosed is the sensing a sample fluid. The sample fluid is first provided into a cartridge (400), and the cartridge (400) inserted into a reading device (420). A pressure variation is provided in the cartridge (400), and the sample fluid will be moved to a sensing element (140) by using the provided pressure variation and by controlling the timing for releasing a pressure in the pressure variation means (40, 50, 100, 110). The moved the sample fluid can then be sensed by means of the sensing element (140).

Abstract: Optical vehicle display having a set of LEDs arranged in a matrix and having a control circuit which acts as a controllable current source and as controllable voltage source, so that a constant current can be applied for each LED and the respective voltage is established accordingly. An optical vehicle display designed in this way permits a design as a taillight, brake light, flashing indicator and the like in a motor vehicle with favorable production at the same time due to reduced faulty assembly and simple adjustment of the light values.

Abstract: An optical display device has a set of LEDs arranged in a matrix and includes control circuitry which acts as a controllable current source and as controllable voltage sources. The control circuitry enables a constant current to be applied for each LED, and respective voltages to be established accordingly. Due to the additional logic circuitry which deliver different clock pulses at different frequencies for cyclic switching of at least one LED, signals that are visible to the human eye are generated and at the same time signals that are not visible to the human eye are also generated. The signals that are not visible are digitally coded and transmitted for appropriately adapted reading devices. Thus additional information for a variety of purposes can be made available, especially in the communications and traffic area, simultaneously with the lighting up of the LEDs. This refers in particular to traffic control systems, diagnosis and monitoring.

Abstract: A portable hand-held monitor (1) for monitoring vital signs is connected, via a single connector (7), with a cable (9). This cable ends up in a combiner (10) which, in turn, receives plugs (12a to 12d) leading, via cables (11a to 11d), to single sensors or transducers applied to a patient. Portable hand-held monitor (1) comprises a display (3) and internal memory means, in order to store recorded vital signs and to transmit them to a remote computer later on. As only a single cable (9) is required for connection with combiner (10), patient monitoring becomes quite easy if the combiner (10), cable (9) and the associated sensors and interconnection cables are left at or near the patient. In this case, a plug (8) connected with cable (9) has simply to be inserted into connector (7), in order to start data acquisition. The same simple approach may be used to monitor the next patient, and so on.

Abstract: A respiration monitor for detecting effective respiration of a patient includes circuitry for suppressing the indication of unwanted signals due to heart activity, noise and flat breathing. A first threshold circuit is provided for increasing the sensitivity of the respiration monitor in response to a decreasing amplitude of the measured respiration signals. A first comparator circuit provides a fixed amplitude threshold below which detected signals are fully neglected. A second threshold circuit provides an adjustable amplitude threshold for the measured respiration signal, which threshold is raised in response to a decreasing respiration frequency below a predetermined frequency limit. Effective respiration is indicated only if all the aforementioned amplitude thresholds are exceeded.