Abstract: Described is a surgical suture positioning system for closing an opening inside an intracorporeal tissue wall, comprising an elongated shaft, which has a distal shaft region, on which a means is provided, which is made at least partially of an elastomer material and which can be reversibly transferred from a position that is flush with the shaft into a position radially protruding over the shaft, and a needle guide unit, which is provided on the shaft and in which at least one needle arranged movably along the shaft is guided, which needle can be reversibly transferred from a retracted position into an advanced distal position, in which the needle penetrates the means located in the position radially protruding over the shaft, wherein a suture carried along by the means remains in the means by retracting the needle into the retracted position.

Abstract: The invention is a device for application in the sterile area for controlling an electric instrument provided in the non-sterile area, with the sterile area being separated from the non-sterile area substantially by a covering. The invention comprises at least one sensor responsive to the magnetic field which is provided in the non-sterile area and a unit generating a magnetic field is provided in the sterile area. The at least one sensor responsive to the magnetic field and the unit generating a magnetic field are separated from each other at least by the covering. The unit generating the magnetic field is disposed relative to the at least one sensor responsive to a magnetic field so that a variation of the magnetic field in space and/or time, which is induced by the unit generating the magnetic field, is detectable by the at least one sensor responsive to the magnetic field and a sensor signal can be generated.

Abstract: A fixing device is disclosed for at least one operating element or fixing element suitable for application in sterile areas in surgical operations, which is largely freely positioned in three dimensions and supported for fixing, while the sterile area is separated from the non-sterile area substantially by a sheet-like covering. A holding device is provided which is located in the non-sterile area and which, while being at least separated by the covering, enters into an operative connection via an active surface with the operating or fixing element, with the operative connection being based on magnetic forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure-cutoff arrangement for an auxiliary power steering system in the end positions of the steering lock, having at least one working poston 2 which is displaceable in the axial direction in a steering housing 1 and delimits two working spaces I, II, cutoff valves 7, 17 associated with the working piston 2, and also stop elements 13, 23 which are associated with the steering housing 1 and are displaceable in the axial direction and against which one of the cutoff valves 7, 17 runs, in each case, in the end position and, in doing so, opens for the purpose of cutting off the pressure, and wherein the stop elements 13, 23 are fixed in a force-locking manner, with a retaining force which exceeds the opening force of the cutoff valves 7, 17, a spring 14, 24 acting in the radial direction.

Abstract: A device for changing the position of an optical imaging system. In one preferred embodiment, a supporting ring surrounds the optical imaging system at least partially. At least one unit is provided which generates or is sensitive to a magnetic field. A casing element surrounds the supporting ring in a largely non-contacting manner, which provides a watertight enclosure of the supporting ring, inclusive of the optical imaging system. A controller surrounds the casing element, at least partially, and is provided with an equal number of units generating or sensitive to a magnetic field in a radial or axial direction relative to the unit in the supporting ring. The controller unit permits a non-contacting displacement of the supporting ring, inclusive of the optical imaging system, along the direction of its optical axis without any wear-inducing engaging operative mechanisms, by means of a magnetic force. In a second embodiment, the controller is a rod-shaped magnetic carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for illuminating objects, in particular those to be recorded by a video camera, having at least one lamp, the light of which a condenser system projects onto an optical system, which directs said light onto the object or objects to be illuminated, and a control means for controlling the intensity of the illumination with which the object is illuminated.The present invention is distinguished by the control means moving, respectively pivoting, the lamp, the condenser system and/or the the optical system in the direction of the optical axis of the condenser system, respectively of the optical system and/or perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: An endoscope has an objective arranged at its distal end, the image of which a relay-lens system conveys to the proximal end of the endoscope a light guide at least partially surrounds the relay-lens system and the objective, and conveys illumination light of an illumination light source from a light-entry connection to the distal end.The light guide is provided with a hollow-cylinder made of a transparent and optically clear material which surrounds the objective and the relay-lens system. The light from the illumination light source can be coupled into the circular front face of the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: Described is a varifocal lens for a TV camera, which in particular may be mounted on an endoscope, having a lens barrel, which is provided with guide indentations for radial pins attached to the lens mountings, and two lens groups, which may be moved toward each other for setting the focal length and together for focussing. The invented lens is distinguished by the combination of the following features:said lens barrel is guided in a support bearing in the direction of the optical axis in such a manner that it can be moved and is secured against rotary motion.the guide indentations are slits, which are open at the front or the rear and consist of a straight section running parallel to said optical axis and abutting upon the front or rear end of the barrel; a section running concentrically to said optical axis and a hereto abutting actual cam for controlling the movement of the lens groups.

Abstract: A process for stereoscopic picture reproduction on an electronic picture screen of a prerecorded picture, and in particular an X-ray picture, is provided for achieving detail enhancement. The pre-recorded picture is scanned to generate an identical pair of signals corresponding to each picture element, and the second signal of the pair is displaced relative the first. The second signal is then reversed and any portions of the signal corresponding to sharp contours in the original are filtered. The two signals are then recombined and the resulting signal is displayed on the electronic picture screen. The displayed picture is thereby given simulated shadowing for a sterescopic effect resulting in detail enhancement.