Abstract: The invention relates to a shockwave apparatus for treating the human or animal body by mechanical shockwaves.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods for interrogating a surface using scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM). In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises the steps of: a) repeatedly bringing a SICM probe into proximity with the surface at discrete, spaced locations in a region of the surface and measuring surface height at each location; b) estimating surface roughness or other characteristic for the region based upon the surface height measurements; and c) repeatedly bringing the probe into proximity with the surface at discrete, spaced locations in the region, the number and location of which is based upon the estimated surface roughness or other characteristic in the region, and obtaining an image of the region with a resolution adapted to the surface roughness or other characteristic.

Abstract: An instrument for applying vibrations to the human body is disclosed, comprising a housing in which an axially movable ram is arranged at the distal end, and a drive device for the ram, for setting the ram in a reciprocating motion, wherein the drive device comprises an axially movable projectile arranged proximally of the ram and an accelerating device for the projectile for accelerating the projectile distally in the direction of the ram, the ram being able to execute a stroke of at least 1 mm.

Abstract: A system for controlling medical devices is disclosed, generally comprising a surgical network, an input device for entering a medical command, a controller for generating medical command data, and a translator for communicating with at least one ancillary device, where the ancillary device is either a device that is not compatible with the surgical network or is a device that generates high-bandwidth data. In some embodiments, the ancillary device is connected via Ethernet for high-bandwidth data transmission or via Bluetooth for wireless control.

Abstract: A device is used for stimulating the pelvic muscles of a patient. The device comprises a tubular body which is of such a size that it can be placed along the crotch of a human body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for a treatment of a human or animal body by mechanical shockwaves including a detection device for an automatic detection of properties of an impact body used therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for a regular preparation of an apparatus for a treatment of a human or animal body by mechanical shockwaves to such a treatment wherein an impact body 9 used for shockwave production is replaced with a not-used impact body 9 before each treatment of a further patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting a pressure application time in an apparatus (10, 44) for treating the human or animal body by mechanical shockwaves, independently of pressure and/or frequency values set, and to a respective apparatus (10, 44).

Abstract: A medical apparatus for treatment of the human or animal body by mechanical pressure waves or shock waves, comprising a device designed to generate the pressure waves or shock waves and having at least one applicator part that comprises an input face, to which an impact can be repeatedly applied in order to generate the pressure waves or shock waves, and that comprises an output face, from which the pressure waves or shock waves are applied into the body, said applicator part being made at least partially of plastic or ceramic. At least one weight element that increases the weight of the applicator part is arranged on the applicator part between the input and output faces, said input face and output face being made of plastic or ceramic.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for treatment of the human or animal body by mechanical pressure waves or shock waves, comprises a device designed to generate the pressure waves or shock waves. The device for generating the pressure waves or shock waves have at least one applicator part which can be subjected to impacts at a proximal end in order to generate the pressure waves or shock waves and, at a distal end, applies the pressure waves or shock waves into the body. The apparatus is additionally designed to generate outside the body, and to apply into the body, at least one further physiological action parameter chosen from the group consisting of electrical current, electro-magnetic waves, in particular light, ultrasound and/or a further mechanical action.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for treatment of the human or animal body by pressure waves or shock waves has a device designed to generate the pressure waves or shock waves and having at least one applicator part and a pneumatic drive which, by means of a pressurized gas, repeatedly generates impacts on a proximal input face of the applicator part in order, with the applicator part, to generate pressure waves or shock waves that are applied from the applicator part into the body by way of a distal output face. The pressurized gas acts, in the form of individual gas pressure pulses, directly on the applicator part to generate the pressure waves or shock waves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of biological body substances, in particular of the human body, by accelerating a projectile (13) and colliding it onto an impact body (9) which couples a mechanical shockwave to biological body substance. Therein, the impact body (9) is made of sintered ceramics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the central control of devices used during an operation, comprising a first control unit for control of said devices. The system is characterized in that a second control unit is provided which is connected to the first control unit for exchange of information. The first control unit may be embodied as closed system for control of at least those devices which carry out safety-related functions (safety-related devices), and the second control unit may be embodied as open system for control of the remaining devices which carry out non safety-related functions (non safety-related devices). The invention further relates to a method for the central control of devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the central control of devices (20, 52) used during an operation, comprising a first control unit (12) for control of said devices. The system is characterized in that a second control unit (14) is provided which is connected to the first control unit for exchange of information. The first control unit is embodied as closed system for control of at least those devices (20; 22-26) which carry out safety-related functions (safety-related devices), and the second control unit (14) is embodied as open system for control of the remaining devices (52) which carry out non safety-related functions (non safety-related devices). The invention further relates to a method for the central control of devices.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes a first instrument part adapted for introduction into a cavity of a human body and having an introduction channel therein for passage of gas therethrough, and a second instrument part having a connection channel therein adapted to be connected to the first instrument part introduction channel. The second instrument part is adapted for connection to a gas source to provide gas, at a flow rate suitable for insufflation of a human body cavity, from the gas source through the connection channel to the introduction channel for introduction into the human body. A heating device heats the gas in the introduction channel to substantially the temperature of the human body.

Abstract: A device is used for stimulating the pelvic muscles of a patient. The device comprises a tubular body which is of such a size that it can be placed along the crotch of a human body.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a medical appliance, such as a moving operating table, has a touchscreen on which a user interface is displayed. The user interface has a number of first buttons. A control unit initiates first actions of the medical appliance when the first buttons are actuated by a user. Furthermore, the user interface has at least one stop area which, when actuated, stops any first action. The first buttons and the stop area are spatially distributed over the user interface such that center points between each first button and the stop area are located outside each first button.

Abstract: A high-frequency generator for high-frequency surgery is driven by a d.c. voltage supply. This d.c. voltage supply has a first working mode for transferring energy in a direction of the high-frequency generator, and also a second working mode for transferring energy in an opposite direction. With this arrangement, a particularly fast and efficient regulation of output voltage of the generator is possible. Therefore a reliable first cut may be performed on different kinds of tissue without any coagulation. Furthermore, owing to a high efficiency, a particularly small constructional size can be achieved.

Abstract: A high-frequency generator for high-frequency surgery comprises a power generator for supplying high frequency energy at a base frequency. A standardizing factor is determined, with which an output variable from the power generator must be scaled in order to attain a given desired value. Furthermore, harmonics of the base frequency are determined from the output variable and scaled using this factor. By means of an input, the thus obtained signal now controls the output power of the generator. With this arrangement, a reliable first cut may be performed on various kinds of tissue without occurrence of any coagulation.

Abstract: An apparatus for insufflating a body cavity with an insufflation gas comprises an insufflation device for delivering the insufflation gas to the body cavity. To detect possibly critical states in the body cavity, the apparatus is designed to withdraw a measuring gas from the body cavity. A measuring device having a gas sensor serves for measuring an additional substance contained in the measuring gas in addition to the insufflation gas and for outputting a measuring signal as a function of the additional substance.