Abstract: A bendable portion, which is arranged at the distal end of an insertion tube of an endoscope, comprises a plurality of tube segments, each of said tube segments having connecting means that cooperate with the connecting means of the adjacent tube segment, as well as control wires that can control the bending of the bendable portion. The respective connecting means of a tube segment are provided such that they axially protrude from the faces of the tube segment and are located within the mantle of the tube segment and such that they do not exceed the thickness of the mantle. The connecting means, which are provided on the respective faces of adjacent tube segments and which are located opposite each other, complement each other in the manner of a hinge-type connection.

Abstract: A patient bed and a method for reproducibly positioning and supporting a patient in a medical diagnosis or therapy apparatus, such as a CT apparatus or an MRI apparatus, involve supporting at least regions of the patient body in a desired position on the patient bed and using at least one positioning unit to position the regions of the patient body relative to the patient bed. The patient bed has a number of height-adjustable elements arranged like a matrix that are individually adjustable in terms of height.

Abstract: A computed tomography unit includes a radiation detector with several detector elements, a data recording system for reading the electrical signals generated by the detector elements and the processing thereof to give raw data may be supplied via a data transmission path. The computed tomography unit further includes an analytical device for the automatic determination of the quality of the data recording system and/or of the data transmission path and optionally the radiation detector in addition. The analytical unit in particular initiates a measurement for the generation of raw data, calculates at least one value for at least one parameter which permits a quality determination therefrom and displays an analytical result, which incorporates the calculated value, on a display device.

Abstract: A patient bed and a method for reproducibly positioning and supporting a patient in a medical diagnosis or therapy apparatus, such as a CT apparatus or an MRI apparatus, involve supporting at least regions of the patient body in a desired position on the patient bed and using at least one positioning unit to position the regions of the patient body relative to the patient bed. The patient bed has a number of height-adjustable elements arranged like a matrix that are individually adjustable in terms of height.

Abstract: In a method, a data transmission device and a system for transfer of operating and/or error data originating from a medical examination apparatus from a user of the apparatus to a third-party organization, operating and/or error data of the medical examination apparatus necessary for determination of an operating and/or error state of the medical examination apparatus are initially selected from an accumulation of available data. The selected operating and/or error data are then filtered according to predetermined filter criteria by means of a filter device disposed in a secure area of the user, and the selected and filtered operating and/or error data are then forwarded to a reception device of the third-party organization.

Abstract: A computed tomography unit includes a radiation detector with several detector elements, a data recording system for reading the electrical signals generated by the detector elements and the processing thereof to give raw data may be supplied via a data transmission path. The computed tomography unit further includes an analytical device for the automatic determination of the quality of the data recording system and/or of the data transmission path and optionally the radiation detector in addition. The analytical unit in particular initiates a measurement for the generation of raw data, calculates at least one value for at least one parameter which permits a quality determination therefrom and displays an analytical result, which incorporates the calculated value, on a display device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a low-pressure chromatography column 1 having a diameter of more than 30 cm, and essentially consisting of a vertical cylinder 13 having a base plate 12, a lower sintered disk 3 arranged above the base plate 12, an upper sintered disk 16 fastened to the underside of a lid designed as a mobile plunger 4, and having at least three controllable elements 5 for raising or lowering the plunger 4, which are connected to the plunger 4, equipped with sensors 6 electrically connected to a control unit 10 for determining the vertical position and horizontal placement of the plunger 4. With the aid of an optical observation device (e.g., endoscope), the plunger/gel material can be adjusted exactly over the entire positioning range of the plunger. The advantages of the invention include simple and rapid production of the packing and purer products than could be obtained without such packing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of keeping nozzle bodies or breaker plates clean during extrusion of polymer which can be shaped from the melt which comprises preventing the formation of deposits near the nozzle orifices by gassing these orifices at the point of extrusion of the melt, said gas consisting entirely or partly of vapors of substances which have a depolymerizing action on the deposits formed from the melt at the edge of the nozzle orifice.