Abstract: A pneumatic drive device includes a housing, a piston, and a first membrane. The first membrane and the piston are coupled to each other in such a way that an axial movement of the first membrane, caused by pressurizing a first pressure chamber, is converted into a translational movement of the piston. The pneumatic drive device also includes an output element, and a membrane. The membrane and the output element are coupled to each other in such a way that a circumferentially section-wise oscillating axial movement of the membrane, caused by circumferentially successive pressurization and depressurization of respective pressure chambers, is converted into a rotational movement of the output element.

Abstract: A tissue clip application fitting or retrofitting set comprising a cap attachment configured to be mounted on the distal end portion of a shaft-type medical endoscope. The cap attachment has a proximal mounting or placement portion and a distal tissue clip holding portion, in the region of which a cavity open at least in the distal direction is formed inside a radially outward-pointing peripheral surface. A tissue clip is supported on the peripheral surface, and can be displaced in the distal direction by a pull-off device in the form of a pull-off ring mounted on the radial outer peripheral surface of the tissue clip holding portion so that it can axially slide and move the tissue clip. The pull-off ring is operated by a cable pull that is in direct contact with the pull-off ring for the transmission of sliding force in at least two coupling or engagement points.

Abstract: A method for developing a generative AI system may include constructing a plurality of generative AI systems, wherein constructing the generative AI systems includes executing at least one modeling blueprint; providing a plurality of queries to each of the generative AI systems, the queries being part of an evaluation dataset; during processing of the queries by each generative AI system, monitoring values of one or more quantitative metrics; providing, for display by a user device, data indicating the values of the quantitative metrics for each generative AI system; and providing, for display by the user device, a recommendation regarding use or non-use of at least one generative AI system included in the plurality of generative AI systems.

Abstract: A surgical electrode application instrument of the minimally invasive type, having an effector which forms a rotatable and pivotable instrument head on which are mounted two opposing branches which can be moved towards each other in the manner of tongs, at least one branch of which is formed with a part-circle-shaped notch at the end for holding an electrode wire, and which each have a sickle-shaped cross-section at least in one section. The mutually facing clamping sides in the sickle-shaped section of each branch each have a number of grooves or undercuts which are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the branch and preferably run in parallel in the transverse direction of the branch.

Abstract: A method for generating a description of a data set may include generating a data dictionary that associates fields of the data set with descriptions of the fields based on analysis data and context data. The analysis data may indicate results of analysis of the data set including values of the fields and a value of an outcome variable. The context data may characterize a use case of the data set. The method may include generating a summary of the analysis data based on the analysis data and the dictionary; generating a description of a relationship between the outcome variable and a subset of the fields based on the context data, the summary of the analysis data, and the dictionary; generating a potential explanation for the relationship based on the context data and the description of the relationship; and outputting data based on the potential explanation.

Abstract: A trocar comprising a trocar housing, a drive unit designed and configured to move the surgical instrument, a coupling unit designed and configured to couple and uncouple the drive unit to and from an external drive source, the coupling unit comprising an input shaft being supported by the trocar housing, the input shaft being designed and configured to be driven by the drive source, and a transmission/gearbox designed and configured to convert a rotational movement of the input shaft about the longitudinal input shaft axis into a translational movement of the surgical instrument within to the trocar along a longitudinal trocar direction. Also provided is a minimally invasive surgical device equipped with this trocar.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with a handle, a shaft extending from the handle into a distal direction, and an effector, preferably a (medical/surgical) forceps or a scissor, at a distal end of the shaft. The handle comprises a plurality of manual actuating members being adapted to manipulate the effector for rotating, tilting and open-closing movements. The plurality of manual actuating members comprise a first actuating member being rotatable around a rotational axis, which is a longitudinal axis of the shaft or that is parallel offset to the longitudinal axis, and a second actuating member being rotatable around a rotational axis, which is identical to the rotational axis of the first actuating member or is parallel offset thereto and being movable (axially) along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A tissue clip application fitting or retrofitting set comprising a cap attachment configured to be mounted on the distal end portion of a shaft-type medical endoscope. The cap attachment has a proximal mounting or placement portion and a distal tissue clip holding portion, in the region of which a cavity open at least in the distal direction is formed inside a radially outward-pointing peripheral surface. A tissue clip is supported on the peripheral surface, and can be displaced in the distal direction by a pull-off device in the form of a pull-off ring mounted on the radial outer peripheral surface of the tissue clip holding portion so that it can axially slide and move the tissue clip. The pull-off ring is operated by a cable pull that is in direct contact with the pull-off ring for the transmission of sliding force in at least two coupling or engagement points.

Abstract: A surgical method for operating a trocar defining an access port for a surgical instrument, using a holding arm and a number of drives. The method includes: inserting the trocar through an abdominal wall of the patient body; operating at least one drive to move the surgical instrument in the patient body; operating at least one drives to actuate an effector; and moving the holding arm to generate a pivoting movement of the trocar and surgical instrument about a pivot point defined by the abdominal wall of the patient body. The trocar is freely pivotable relative to the holding device, and the pivoting movement is caused by contact between the trocar and the abdominal wall of the patient body or an elastic membrane located on the abdominal wall of the patient body.

Abstract: A device for robot-assisted surgery with at least one coupling unit (100) of a manipulator arm (16) comprising a first transmitting means (102). A sterile cover (38) comprising a sterile lock (200) serves to shield the manipulator arm (16) from a sterile area (39). The sterile lock (200) is connectable both to the coupling unit (100) and to the sterile unit (400). The sterile lock (200) has at least one lock flap (208, 210) which in a closed state shields the first transmitting means (102) in a sterile manner. The sterile unit (400) comprising a second transmitting means (406) has sterile flaps (402, 404) which in a closed state shield the second transmitting means (406) in a sterile manner. When connecting the sterile unit (400) to the sterile lock (200) the lock flap (208, 210) and the sterile flap (402, 404) are opened so that a direct transmission between the first transmitting means (102) and the second transmitting means (406) is possible.

Abstract: A device for robot-assisted surgery with at least one coupling unit (100) of a manipulator arm (16) comprising a first transmitting means (102). A sterile cover (38) comprising a sterile lock (200) serves to shield the manipulator arm (16) from a sterile area (39). The sterile lock (200) is connectable both to the coupling unit (100) and to the sterile unit (400). The sterile lock (200) has at least one lock flap (208, 210) which in a closed state shields the first transmitting means (102) in a sterile manner. The sterile unit (400) comprising a second transmitting means (406) has sterile flaps (402, 404) which in a closed state shield the second transmitting means (406) in a sterile manner. When connecting the sterile unit (400) to the sterile lock (200) the lock flap (208, 210) and the sterile flap (402, 404) are opened so that a direct transmission between the first transmitting means (102) and the second transmitting means (406) is possible.

Abstract: A surgical robot/instrument system comprising a holding arm whose distal end portion has a gripping or holding device arranged thereon, the latter being designed to hold a trocar or a surgical instrument in an exchangeable fashion, and a surgical instrument with a minimally invasive design comprising an instrument shaft whose distal end portion supports an instrument tip via a joint, said instrument tip supporting an effector of the surgical instrument. The surgical robot/instrument system comprises drives by means of which functions such as actuating the effector, inclining or bending of the effector at its joint to the instrument shaft, rotating the effector around its longitudinal axis and/or rotating the instrument shaft, moving the instrument shaft in its shaft direction as well as moving the instrument shaft transverse to the shaft direction can be effected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle, an instrument shaft shaft having a distal end and a proximal end at which the instrument handle is linked, an instrument head, pivotally linked to the distal end of the instrument shaft via a hinge shaft or pins and comprising an effector rotatably supported in said instrument head around its longitudinal axis as well as a surgical tool held by said effector, and a mechanical transmission system at least partially arranged within said instrument shaft transmitting mechanical operation signals from said instrument handle to said instrument head at least for pivoting and/or rotating motions. A bending flexible as well as rotating rigid, hollow spindle is arranged bypassing said hinge shaft or pins and directly connecting said effector with the mechanical transmission system for transmitting at least rotating signals via said spindle to said effector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle, an instrument shaft shaft having a distal end and a proximal end at which the instrument handle is linked, an instrument head, pivotally linked to the distal end of the instrument shaft via a hinge shaft or pins and comprising an effector rotatably supported in said instrument head arround its longitudinal axis as well as a surgical tool held by said effector, and a mechanical transmission system at least partially arranged within said instrument shaft transmitting mechanical operation signals from said instrument handle to said instrument head at least for pivoting and/or rotating motions. A bending flexible as well as rotating rigid, hollow spindle is arranged bypassing said hinge shaft or pins and directly connecting said effector with the mechanical transmission system for transmitting at least rotating signals via said spindle to said effector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle linked to a proximal end portion of a tube shaft to the distal end portion of which an instrument head is linked so as to be bendable, in which instrument head an effector including at least one pivotal engaging element is rotatably supported. The instrument handle has a number of manipulators and/or operating mechanisms for operating the instrument head and/or the effector via gear trains. According to the invention, a clutch which permits a zero point adjustment individual at least over a predetermined pivoting range of the instrument handle is interposed in the gear train effecting the bending motion of the instrument head. The zero point is defined as a relative position of the instrument handle with respect to the tube shaft in which the instrument head adopts a predetermined bending position with respect to the tube shaft.

Abstract: Particularly in hospitals, care homes or similar institutions, it is necessary to have a safely handled and reliable method for the emptying and cleaning of excretion containers, for example urine bottles or bedpans. A method and a system (110) are therefore proposed, by means of which such articles to be rinsed (112) can be treated. In this case, first, in an emptying step (210), the articles to be rinsed (112) are emptied and are rinsed out with a rinsing-out liquid. Subsequently, in a circulation step (212), the articles to be rinsed (112) are washed in circulation. Finally, a rinsing-clear step (214) is carried out, in which the articles to be rinsed (112) are rinsed with a rinsing-clear liquid. Then, in an optional disinfection step (216), preferably a chemical disinfection step (216), the articles to be rinsed (112) are disinfected, and, in an optional drying step (218), the articles to be rinsed (112) are dried by being blown off with heated air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for evaluating the risk of carrying a fetus with genetic anomalies such as aneuploidy and in particular, to such a system and method where a screening system and method is provided to identify fetus' having trisomy-21 (Down's syndrome) with the use of biochemical marker concentrations evaluated from the maternal blood serum.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle linked to a proximal end portion of a tube shaft to the distal end portion of which an instrument head is linked so as to be inclinable, in which instrument head, in turn, an effector including at least one pivotable engaging element is rotatably supported. The instrument handle comprises a number of manipulators and/or operating mechanisms designed for operating the instrument head and/or the effector. One of the manipulators consists of an operating element in the form of a rotary knob with respect to its function, the operating element being rotatably supported on the instrument handle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle linked to a proximal end portion of a tube shaft to the distal end portion of which an instrument head is linked so as to be bendable, in which instrument head an effector including at least one pivotal engaging element is rotatably supported. The instrument handle has a number of manipulators and/or operating mechanisms for operating the instrument head and/or the effector via gear trains. According to the invention, a clutch which permits a zero point adjustment individual at least over a predetermined pivoting range of the instrument handle is interposed in the gear train effecting the bending motion of the instrument head. The zero point is defined as a relative position of the instrument handle with respect to the tube shaft in which the instrument head adopts a predetermined bending position with respect to the tube shaft.

Abstract: relates to a surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle (1) linked to a proximal end portion of a tube shaft (2) to the distal end portion of which an instrument head (4) is linked so as to be bendable, in which instrument head an effector (3) including at least one pivotal engaging element (30) is rotatably supported. The instrument handle (1) has a number of manipulators and/or operating mechanisms for operating the instrument head (4) and/or the effector (3) via gear trains. According to the invention, a clutch (37) which permits a zero point adjustment individual at least over a predetermined pivoting range of the instrument handle (1) is interposed in the gear train effecting the bending motion of the instrument head (4). The zero point is defined as a relative position of the instrument handle (1) with respect to the tube shaft (2) in which the instrument head (4) adopts a predetermined bending position with respect to the tube shaft (2).