Abstract: Positioning instruments and related methods are described for implanting an energy absorbing system for treating joints. The positioning instruments and methods allow the energy absorbing system to be positioned at a joint such that the desired motion will occur for the particular design of a particular energy absorbing system which is to be implanted. The positioning instruments include a locating instrument for locating an anatomical feature and a target location for implantation of the energy absorbing system, a verification instrument for verification of the target location, a placement guide for guiding placement of a part of the energy absorbing system, and positioning device for aligning portions of the energy absorbing system.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for controlling a load on a human hip joint during normal gait while preserving motion. The approach is intended to treat osteoarthritis of the hip without substantially resisting an angular displacement associated with full mobility of the pelvis and femur bones.

Abstract: Positioning instruments and related methods are described for implanting an energy absorbing system for treating joints. The positioning instruments and methods allow the energy absorbing system to be positioned at a joint such that the desired motion will occur for the particular design of a particular energy absorbing system which is to be implanted. The positioning instruments include a locating instrument for locating an anatomical feature and a target location for implantation of the energy absorbing system, a verification instrument for verification of the target location, a placement guide for guiding placement of a part of the energy absorbing system, and positioning device for aligning portions of the energy absorbing system.

Abstract: A measuring device for optical and spectroscopic examination of a sample includes a housing, a first light source, a window, an optical spectrometer with a dispersive element and a number of detector elements and which can record light from the first light source which is indirectly reflected by the sample and reenters the housing through the window, an electronic camera whose incidence opening is directed onto the sample, through the window, and an electronic evaluation device which is connected to an image sensor of the camera and to the detector elements. The camera may be assigned a second light source.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fast, nondestructive measurement method for determining the contents of solid, liquid and/or suspended flowing organic compounds. The arrangement according to the invention comprises a sample vessel, a pump, and a measurement cell which form a unit together with a spectroscopic measurement head. The measurement cell is connected to the pump, which can be regulated to vary the flow rate, and to the sample vessel by a pipe, and the spectroscopic measurement head and the regulatable pump have electrical connections to a controlling and evaluating unit. Due to its compact construction, the solution which makes use of the principle of transflection is also particularly suited to mobile use, for example, to determine the components of liquid manure while the latter is being dispensed. In principle, the solution can be transferred to any applications with suspensions or pumpable, homogeneous and inhomogeneous materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for filling a container (5) with bulk material (3), comprising a filling device with an outflow opening (6) for the bulk material (3) and a container (5) with a filling opening, through which the bulk material (3) passes into the container (5). According to the invention, an arrangement of the abovementioned type is equipped with a measuring device (13) for the repeated detection of image data from the surface (7) of the bulk material (3) in the container (5) during filling and for the repeated determination of filling state values h which are equivalent to the level of the filled bulk material in predefined regions of the bulk material surface, and with a signal processing device for generating control commands from the filling state values h for positioning the outflow opening (6) and the filling opening relative to one another and/or for influencing the quantity of bulk material (3) which flows out of the outflow opening (6) per unit time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method by which image data from the terrain lying in front of a vehicle (1) in the direction of travel are detected, and from which data steering commands to influence the direction and/or the speed of travel are generated. The invention relates further to an arrangement for steering an agricultural vehicle (1) according to this method. According to the invention, the problem is solved in that prominent objects (3) are selected by means of the image data, the distance between the vehicle (1) and the prominent objects (3) is determined, and the steering commands are generated from the image data which correspond to the objects and from the changes of distance between the vehicle (1) and the objects (3).

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring the diffuse reflection of samples and a method for internal recalibration of the measuring head. The spectrometric measuring head with a device for recalibration comprises a housing which is provided with a window and which contains an illumination source, a spectrometer arrangement and at least two standards for internal recalibration. The two standards can be swiveled into the beam path of the measuring head selectively so that the measurement light emitted by the illumination source can be used in its entirety for recalibration. A processor for acquiring and processing measured values and an interface to a bus system are arranged in the housing. Accordingly, relatively time-consuming calibration of the measuring head at the place of use is required only before putting into operation or at longer time intervals. By the internal recalibrations, it is possible to prevent changes in the measured values in long-term operation.

Abstract: The description relates to a standard for wavelength and intensity for spectrometers, particularly for calibrating and testing measurement heads in spectrometers which are usable primarily in the near infrared region (NIR) of the spectrum. The standard comprises a holder and a plate body arranged in the holder. The plate body is made of transparent plastic with high strength and dimensional stability over a large temperature range. The plastic has distinct absorption bands throughout the entire NIR range and has a chemical structure and composition ensuring an extensive moisture barrier against water absorption and water release in a reliable and stable manner over time. The plate body advantageously comprises an amorphous, transparent copolymer based on cyclic and/or linear olefins.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a measuring device for capturing the throughput of collected material. The measuring device has a measuring surface which acts together with the crop material and is supported movably at a support point in such a manner that its position depends on the throughput of the crop material, and an optical position capturing device for capturing the position of the measuring surface. Preferably the support point is a solid body articulation and the position capturing device is a laser interferometer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device (10) for optical and spectroscopic examination of a sample (34), having a housing (12), a first light source (20), a window (16), an optical spectrometer (22) with a dispersive element (42) and a number of detector elements (44) and which can record light from the first light source (20) which is indirectly reflected by the sample and reenters the housing (12) through the window (16), an electronic camera (26) whose incidence opening (38) is directed onto the sample (34), through the window (16), and an electronic evaluation device (28) which is connected to an image sensor (54) of the camera (26) and to the detector elements (44). It is proposed that the camera (26) is assigned a second light source (24).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fast, nondestructive measurement method for determining the contents of solid, liquid and/or suspended flowing organic compounds. The arrangement according to the invention comprises a sample vessel, a pump, and a measurement cell which form a unit together with a spectroscopic measurement head. The measurement cell is connected to the pump, which can be regulated to vary the flow rate, and to the sample vessel by a pipe, and the spectroscopic measurement head and the regulatable pump have electrical connections to a controlling and evaluating unit. Due to its compact construction, the solution which makes use of the principle of transflection is also particularly suited to mobile use, for example, to determine the components of liquid manure while the latter is being dispensed. In principle, the solution can be transferred to any applications with suspensions or pumpable, homogeneous and inhomogeneous materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an arrangement for measuring the diffuse reflection of samples and to a method for the internal recalibration of the measuring head. According to the invention, the spectrometric measuring head with means for recalibration comprises a housing which is provided with a window and which contains an illumination source, a spectrometer arrangement and at least two standards for internal recalibration. The two standards can be swiveled into the beam path of the measuring head selectively in such a way that the measurement light emitted by the illumination source can be used in its entirety for recalibration. Further, a processor for acquiring and processing the measured values and an interface to a bus system are arranged in the housing. With the solution according to the invention, the relatively time-consuming calibration of the measuring head at the place of use is required only before putting into operation or at longer time intervals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for treating a target body surface using a radiation applicator. The therapeutic treatment apparatus adapted to conform to a patients body. The treatment apparatus comprises a plurality of light sources coupled with a flexible substrate, a light integrator in at least a portion of the optical path between the light source and the patient's body surface, a power supply, and a controller.

Abstract: A spectrometric measuring head for harvesting machines and other agricultural equipment comprises a housing with a window, in which a light source, a spectrometer arrangement and at least two standards for internal recalibration are provided. The standards can optionally be swiveled in the optical path of the measuring head such that the entire measuring light coming from the light source is used for recalibration. A processor that captures and processes the measured values and an interface to a bus system are arranged in the housing.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a measuring device for capturing the throughput of collected and/or processed crops. The measuring device having a measuring surface which acts together with the crop material and is supported movably at a support point in such a manner that its position depends on the throughput of the crop material, and an optical position capturing device for capturing the position of the measuring surface. Preferably the support is a solid body articulation (42) and the position capturing device is a laser interferometer.

Abstract: A spectrometric measuring head for harvesting machines and other agricultural equipment comprises a housing with a window, in which a light source, a spectrometer arrangement and at least two standards for internal recalibration are provided. The standards can optionally be swiveled in the optical path of the measuring head such that the entire measuring light coming from the light source is used for recalibration. A processor that captures and processes the measured values and an interface to a bus system are arranged in the housing.

Abstract: A bone substitute which consists of a porous metallic or a biocompatible, open-cell material which is wholly or partly impregnated with a solution comprising factor XIII, or at least some of its pores are filled with a solution comprising factor XIII, is described.

Abstract: A boiler furnace that is adapted to burn slag producing pulverized coal in suspended form at the upper end of the furnace in which solid fuel is being burned on a subjacent grate. The boiler furnace has an upright combustion chamber with baffles intermediate the upper portion of the furnace and the grate to effectively arrest slag that falls from the upper portion of the furnace before it reaches the subjacent grate.