Abstract: The invention relates to a medical implant or instrument, particularly a vascular endoprosthesis (stent), comprising a deformable structural part. In order to provide an implant of this type that is magnetic resonance-compatible and can be easily and economically produced, the invention provides that the structural part has a two-layer or multilayer design, whereby layers (2,3) have different electrical and/or magnetic properties. The invention particularly provides that the structural part has a frame structure with openings (5) whereby, in different layers (2,3) of the structural part, the openings (5) are each located at different positions not directly located one above the other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for setting fastening elements, wherein a master shaft rod can be moved via a master motion link into a forward set position in order to be able to set the fastening element also at inaccessible or vertical locations.

Abstract: A setting tool having an engagement structure for setting a fastening anchor comprising a receptacle structure implemented in a shaft, the engagement structure engaging with the receptacle structure during a setting procedure. The fastening anchor can thereby be reliably brought to the setting tool and applied in a yielding soft material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a humidifier for humidifying medical gases, comprising a humidification module including a control unit, wherein the humidification module is adapted for receiving a humidification chamber. Furthermore, the humidification module is further adapted to sense and/or receive information upon connection of the humidification chamber and/or additional equipment such as hoses, power supply pack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for setting a fastener element (55) having an inner pin (56) slidable relative to an outer body (57) and comprising a locking arrangement (32, 33; 38 39) comprising a bolt (19) provided for acting on the inner pin (56) and secured in a retracted position against axial displacement into an advanced position after relatively spacing a handle body (52) and an actuating organ (8, 46). When The actuating organ (8, 46) is actuated by a displacement opposite the retraction direction, an unlatching organ (40, 41) acts on the locking arrangement (32, 33; 38, 39) and releases the bolt (19) for displacing into the advanced position, Very simple handling of the manually actuated device is thus ensured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting at least two belts (21, 22) having transversely oriented connecting bars (23), wherein at least one longitudinal wall (2) and at least one edge wall (7, 8) opposite the longitudinal wall (2) are formed on a base plate (1). Hold-down means (13, 14, 15, 16) are present between the or each longitudinal wall (2) and the or each edge wall (7, 8). One of the longitudinal walls (2) and/or one of the edge walls (7, 8) has or have at least one attaching recess (17, 18) in which at least one connecting bar (23) is inserted for securing belts (21, 22) retained by the hold-down means (13, 14, 15, 16) in the area of the base plate (1) against displacing in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding a quasi-endless material web (4) to a manipulation device (19) receiving the material web (4), wherein a feed tension unit (8) is provided, through which the material web (4) is fed in an S-shape. The feed tension unit (8) comprises a pivotal feed dancer roller (12), the angle positions thereof being captured by a feed angle sensor (34) and fed to a control unit (36), by means of which the material web (4) is fed or retracted by a dispenser roller motor (3) in the direction of the manipulation device (19), depending on the deviation of the angle position from a reference angle position. Substantially uniform tension in the material web (4) is thereby ensured, even under extreme operating conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting fastening elements (5) has a feed drive (21), by means of which the connecting elements (5) can be fed to an installation position, and a setting device which has a setting tool and by means of which a fastening element (5) arranged in the installation position can be ejected to come into engagement with a support part. Also present is a drive mechanism, which is provided with a drive motor that has a rotatable drive shaft (13) and is coupled via a transmission arrangement (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) to the feed drive (21) and the setting device (30), and with a control arrangement for setting the direction of rotation of the drive shaft (13). In one direction of rotation of the drive shaft (13), the transmission arrangement (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) couples the drive motor (12) to the feed drive (21), and in the other direction of rotation of the drive shaft (13), it couples the drive motor (12) to the setting device. The apparatus is therefore relatively easy to handle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expanding rivet having solid cap pieces (14) on expanding legs (3, 4) as pivot structures each haying a sliding surface (14), and having a contact surface (11) already facing a support plate (1) in a relaxed position of the expanding legs (3, 4). When pre-attaching in a secure manner by inserting a rivet pin (2), only a relatively small pivot motion of the expanding legs (3, 4) is required for attaching a contact part (17) on a support part (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for holding elements (1) in a successive arrangement in the longitudinal direction in holding units (5). The holding units (5) are inseparably connected to edge strips (2, 3) via connecting webs (7). The elements (1) are arranged releasably in the holding elements (5). Thus the device can be reused and can be again equipped with elements (1) after removing the elements (1) from the holding units (5).

Abstract: In a fastening element (1) comprised of a holding part (2) configured with a support plate (4) and expanding cheeks (5) and of a locking part (3) that is guided displaceably in said holding part (2), formed adjacent the support plate (4) are cantilevered walls (16) that are offset radially outwardly with respect to a guide wall (13), which, in order to guide the locking part (3), bears flush against the shaft portion (6). As a result, the locking part (3) can be pushed along substantially without force until it reaches inwardly protruding ramp projections (14) formed on the expanding cheeks (5), even when said expanding cheeks (5) are flexed inward, and with the advantage of a better lever ratio for spreading the expanding cheeks (5).

Abstract: An engagement unit for insertion on and engagement with a threaded bolt (33) is provided with an inner part (1) and with an outer part (2) that can be slid onto the inner part (1). The inner part (1) and the outer part (2) are configured with torque receiving means (8, 9, 23, 24) for transmitting a torque applied to the outer part (2) to the inner part (1). After the inner part (1) has been slid onto a threaded bolt (33) in a pre-assembly arrangement in which latching means configured on spring arms of the inner part (1) and cooperating with the threaded bolt (33) are able to slide along the threaded bolt (33), the engagement unit according to the invention can thus be inserted onto the threaded bolt (33) and, once the outer part (2) has been slid onto the inner part (1), can be tightened in the manner of a screw.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating table top (4) consisting of one or several basic sections (5) and one or several modules (6), with such modules (6) and basic sections (5) being adjustable relative to each other and such modules (6) being designed so as to be separable from the operating table top (4), and with such modules (6) being designed so as to be replaceable with additional supporting surfaces (8) separably connected to the basic sections (5), and with the operating table top (4) and its attached additional supporting surfaces (8) being of suitable design so that they can be introduced into radiographic equipment, magnetic resonance imaging and/or computer tomography systems and radiographic, magnetic resonance or computer tomographic images can be produced. Moreover, the invention relates to a pertinent operating table system as well as a pertinent operating table (1).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the determination of apoptotic products in samples taken from patients in which apoptosis is induced as a result of disease or therapy, which is characterized in that the concentration of the apoptotic products in samples taken from patients is correlated with the effectiveness of the therapy and thus serves as a follow-up for the therapy. The present invention in particular concerns a method in which the concentration of nucleosomes is determined in serum samples of tumour patients in order to assess the effectiveness of tumour therapy. Furthermore the present invention also concerns the use of a method according to the invention to determine the effectiveness of therapy in tumour patients who are subjected to a radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment as well as in patients after an acute ischaemic event or after hypothermia treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting fastening elements (5) has a feed drive (21), by means of which the connecting elements (5) can be fed to an installation position, and a setting device which has a setting tool and by means of which a fastening element (5) arranged in the installation position can be ejected to come into engagement with a support part. Also present is a drive mechanism, which is provided with a drive motor that has a rotatable drive shaft (13) and is coupled via a transmission arrangement (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) to the feed drive (21) and the setting device (30), and with a control arrangement for setting the direction of rotation of the drive shaft (13). In one direction of rotation of the drive shaft (13), the transmission arrangement (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) couples the drive motor (12) to the feed drive (21), and in the other direction of rotation of the drive shaft (13), it couples the drive motor (12) to the setting device. The apparatus is therefore relatively easy to handle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicinal implant or instrument, more particularly to a vascular endoprosthesis (1), having a radially dilatable hose part (2) comprised of a tubular knitted fabric of interdigitating meshes composed of one or more individual fibres (9). To provide such an implant or instrument that allows for MR-imaging of the interior of the implant or instrument, the invention proposes that the fibres (9) of the knitted fabric be electrically conductive and form an inductor (7, 8) within a high-frequency resonant circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic-field applicator for heating magnetic or magnetizable substances or particles in human or animal tissue having at least two magnet coils (1) for producing a magnetic alternating field, wherein the arrangement of the magnet coils (1) is matched to the body part (2) to be treated in such a way that the magnet coils (1) are on both sides of the body part (2) and the magnetic field produced is concentrated on the body part (2) to be treated. In this way, the volume within which the magnetic field needs to be produced is considerably reduced in comparison with whole-body applicators, which is associated with a lower performance of the magnetic-field applicator for producing the desired magnetic field strength. Furthermore, the magnetic alternating field can be focused on specific areas of the body part (2) to be treated.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the determination of apoptotic products in samples taken from patients in which apoptosis is induced as a result of disease or therapy, which is characterized in that the concentration of the apoptotic products in samples taken from patients is correlated with the effectiveness of the therapy and thus serves as a follow-up for the therapy. The serum samples are taken at various times and determined. The present invention in particular concerns a method in which the concentration of nucleosomes is determined in serum samples of tumour patients in order to assess the effectiveness of tumour therapy. Furthermore the present invention also concerns the use of a method according to the invention to determine the effectiveness of therapy in tumour patients who are subjected to a radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment as well as in patients after an acute ischaemic event or after hypothermia treatment.

Abstract: Sleeve for pre-assembly of a flat gasket on a sealing surface of a machine component having a hole for insertion of the sleeve therein, the flat gasket having a hole for passage of the sleeve therethrough, and the one, first end area of the sleeve being elastically compressible in order to reduce its outer diameter; in order to make pre-assembly of a flat gasket on a machine component as simple as possible, the sleeve has stops on the outer circumference of its first end area, which act in both directions of the sleeve axis to hold the sleeve on the gasket plate in an axial position predetermined by the stops, and the sleeve is also of such configuration at its outer circumference that insertion of the sleeve in the hole of the machine component results in a frictionally engaged and/or positively locked connection between the machine component and the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical implant or instrument, particularly a vascular endoprosthesis (stent), comprising a deformable structural part. In order to provide an implant of this type that is magnetic resonance-compatible and can be easily and economically produced, the invention provides that the structural part has a two-layer or multilayer design, whereby layers (2,3) have different electrical and/or magnetic properties. The invention particularly provides that the structural part has a frame structure with openings (5) whereby, in different layers (2,3) of the structural part, the openings (5) are each located at different positions not directly located one above the other.