Abstract: A control device and a method for operating a vehicle using one of several profiles, each of which contains user-specific settings data for the vehicle. An initial selection of the profile is carried out via an instrument cluster of the vehicle. In contrast, changing and/or managing the respective selected profile is carried out with a head unit of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system is provided for sterilizing, by irradiation, a plurality of products, each product having an identification code. The products are carried on product carriers which include a carrier identification code. The system includes a product loading station, a product unloading station, an irradiation blocking containment, and an irradiation station location located within the containment. A conveyor passes from the loading station through the containment to the unloading station. Code readers are located along the conveyor for detecting and reading both the product identification code and the carrier identification code. A control and monitoring circuit receives the codes, and stores in memory an association between specific carriers and the products located on those carriers.

Abstract: There are disclosed devices for conditioning a blood flow which include at least one element with portions which are exposed to the blood and are deformable cyclically at a frequency comparable to the frequency of the heartbeat, in which the cyclically deformable portions have a continuous coating of biocompatible carbonaceous material comprised of carbon crystals having a density of greater than 2.1 grams per cubic centimeter applied by sputtering directly on and completely covering at least those portions of the device which are exposed to the blood.

Abstract: A prosthetic device which includes a turbostratic biocompatible carbon film firmly adherent to a substrate and having a density of at least 2.1 g/cm.sup.3. The carbon preferably is very thin, e.g. , less than about one micron. The thin carbon biocompatible film covers at least that portion of the substrate which will be in contact with body tissue and/or fluids to insure against physiological rejection and degradation of the prosthetic device. The carbon can be deposited on a variety of substrates, including low temperature substrates, in situ, without adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the substrate. The prosthetic device of the invention is formed by triode sputtering vacuum deposition at a relatively low temperature to achieve the desired results with respect to the deposited carbon and the substrate and with respect to the required adherence therebetween.