Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for reducing the serine protease and/or serine protease zymogen content of a plasma-derived protein composition. Also provided are methods for manufacturing plasma-derived protein compositions having reduced serine protease and\or serine protease zymogen content. Among yet other aspects, the present invention provides aqueous and lyophilized compositions of plasma-derived proteins having reduced serine protease and/or serine protease zymogen content. Yet other aspects include methods for treating, managing, and/or preventing a disease comprising the administration of a plasma-derived protein composition having a reduced serine protease or serine protease zymogen content.

Abstract: A method for changing test substrates in a continuous-flow vacuum system in a multiple-treatment-step process cycle for treating a substrate, a treatment method using the method for changing test substrates, and systems for treating a plurality of substrates (61) and for changing test substrates. For at least two treatment steps, at least two test substrates (66) are transferred to a vacuum treatment system at the beginning of the process cycle and are transferred back out once the process cycle is concluded. Subsequently, the first test substrate (66) concurrently treated in this step is removed from the measurement position (70) it occupied during the treatment and is deposited in an empty position (71) without a test substrate (66). Subsequently, the second test substrate (66) which has not been treated yet is deposited in the resulting free measurement position (70) for the purpose of supplying the second test substrate to the subsequent treatment step.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for reducing the serine protease and/or serine protease zymogen content of a plasma-derived protein composition. Also provided are methods for manufacturing plasma-derived protein compositions having reduced serine protease and\or serine protease zymogen content. Among yet other aspects, the present invention provides aqueous and lyophilized compositions of plasma-derived proteins having reduced serine protease and/or serine protease zymogen content. Yet other aspects include methods for treating, managing, and/or preventing a disease comprising the administration of a plasma-derived protein composition having a reduced serine protease or serine protease zymogen content.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diaphragm assembly of an aperture diaphragm for delimiting the coating region which is operative in the deposition of a layer and to a sputtering device which uses the diaphragm assembly. The diaphragm assembly comprises a main part (13) which has a passage (14) delimited by a passage edge. The aim of the invention is to design the diaphragm opening to be temporally and geometrically variable in situ. This is achieved in that the diaphragm assembly has at least one diaphragm plate (17, 17?, 17?) which is assembled on the main part (13) so as to be movable in front of the passage (14) and back. The diaphragm assembly additionally comprises a movement device which is operatively connected to the diaphragm plate (17, 17?, 17?) in order to carry out the movement thereof.

Abstract: An observation instrument has a shaft and an imaging unit, the imaging unit comprising an objective lens system and an electronic image sensor arranged for picking up an image generated by the objective lens system, the imaging unit being pivotably arranged in a distal end section of the shaft, a pivot axis of the imaging unit being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the distal end section of the shaft, wherein the image sensor is arranged substantially parallel to an optical axis of the objective lens system and the imaging unit comprises a deflection element for deflecting light exiting from an image end of the objective lens system to an image pick-up surface of the image sensor. The invention also relates to a video imager arrangement for an observation instrument.

Abstract: A medical scope (10) comprises an objective (42) forming an image of an object; an image sensor (44) capturing the image formed by the objective (42) and providing an image signal representing the captured image; a serializer (50) comprising a two-conductor first interface (52) and a multi-conductor second interface (54) connected to the image sensor (44); a first sliding contact (71) and a second sliding contact (72) connected to the two-conductor first interface (52) of the serializer (50); a third sliding contact (73) in electrically conductive contact to the first sliding contact (71) and a fourth sliding contact (74) in electrically conductive contact to the second sliding contact (72). The at least two of the first sliding contact (71), the second sliding contact (72), the third sliding contact (73) and the fourth sliding contact (74) are coaxial.

Abstract: An endoscopic device comprising a housing, first imaging means in the housing for detecting light emanating from objects from a predetermined first surrounding region annularly surrounding the endoscopic device and for producing a first image of the first surrounding region, a first image sensor for detecting the first image and for producing a first image signal, a first image sensor for sensing the first image and for generating a first image signal representing the first image, a second imaging means in the housing for sensing light emanating from objects in a predetermined second surrounding region and for generating a second image of the second surrounding region, and a second image sensor for sensing the second image and for generating a second image signal representing the second image. The first imaging device comprises a catadioptric imaging system with a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and a light refracting interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to formulations of ADAMTS13 with enhanced or desirable properties. As such, the invention provides liquid and lyophilized formulations of ADAMTS13 that are suitable for pharmaceutical administration. Among other aspects, the present invention also provides methods of treating various diseases and conditions related to VWF and/or ADAMTS13 dysfunction in a subject. Also provided herein are kits comprising ADAMTS13 formulations useful for the treatment of various diseases and conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to formulations of ADAMTS13 with enhanced or desirable properties. As such, the invention provides liquid and lyophilized formulations of ADAMTS13 that are suitable for pharmaceutical administration. Among other aspects, the present invention also provides methods of treating various diseases and conditions related to VWF and/or ADAMTS13 dysfunction in a subject. Also provided herein are kits comprising ADAMTS13 formulations useful for the treatment of various diseases and conditions.

Abstract: A release apparatus for releasing a satellite comprises a release plunger that can be preloaded by a release spring and that is held in a preloaded position by two two-armed pivot levers pivotable about a respective pivot axis, wherein each pivot lever can be held against a force of a spring in a holding position by a release element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separation system that dispenses a satellite from a launch vehicle along a dispensing axis, with a first ring for mounting to the launch vehicle and a second ring for mounting to the satellite and a deployment means exerting a separating force on the first and the second ring.

Abstract: An observation instrument has a shaft and an imaging unit, the imaging unit comprising an objective lens system and an electronic image sensor arranged for picking up an image generated by the objective lens system, the imaging unit being pivotably arranged in a distal end section of the shaft, a pivot axis of the imaging unit being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the distal end section of the shaft, wherein the image sensor is arranged substantially parallel to an optical axis of the objective lens system and the imaging unit comprises a deflection element for deflecting light exiting from an image end of the objective lens system to an image pick-up surface of the image sensor. The invention also relates to a video imager arrangement for an observation instrument.

Abstract: An endoscope with a rotation drum or a rotation module and an elongated rigid and/or flexible shaft tube which, at a distal end, by means of a bearing fork, rotatably bears the rotation drum about a first axis of rotation, and wherein an optical imaging system is disposed within the rotation drum. The bearing fork here has at least one first fluid conduit and at least one nozzle in order to clean and/or to cool the imaging system.

Abstract: Hybrid endoscope, in particular for sterile medical applications, wherein the endoscope comprises a receiving device for an imaging system and a shaft tube, wherein the receiving device is arranged, in a mounted state, on a distal end of the shaft tube. The endoscope is divided into at least two sub-assemblies, wherein a first sub-assembly comprises at least the receiving device, the imaging system and preferably a supply line of the imaging system as re-usable parts, and a second sub-assembly comprises at least the shaft tube as a part for single use, wherein the two sub-assemblies are able to be brought into releasable operative connection by means of an interface.

Abstract: An endoscope with a rotating drum or a rotation module, in particular for use as a sterile disposable instrument, having an elongate rigid and/or flexible shaft tube which at a distal end mounts the rotating drum, so as to be rotatable about at least one first axis of rotation, an optical imaging system being arranged in the rotating drum, with the at least one first axis of rotation running approximately transversely to a longitudinal axis of the shaft tube and with the endoscope having at least one control line for rotating the rotating drum. Here, the at least one control line of the rotating drum runs on an outer side/outer face of the shaft tube, and is fastened to the rotating drum at at least one lever distance (a) from the at least one first axis of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and improved method for preparing a highly concentrated immunoglobulin composition from pooled plasma for subcutaneous injection. A composition comprising 20% or more immunoglobulin suitable for subcutaneous use is also described.

Abstract: An observation instrument has a shaft and an imaging unit, the imaging unit comprising an objective lens system and an electronic image sensor arranged for picking up an image generated by the objective lens system, the imaging unit being pivotably arranged in a distal end section of the shaft, a pivot axis of the imaging unit being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the distal end section of the shaft, wherein the image sensor is arranged substantially parallel to an optical axis of the objective lens system and the imaging unit comprises a deflection element for deflecting light exiting from an image end of the objective lens system to an image pick-up surface of the image sensor. The invention also relates to a video imager arrangement for an observation instrument.

Abstract: Sputter devices comprise a vacuum supply, a gas supply, a substrate holding device, and sputter sources. Each sputter source is held by an individual source support, each of which has an individual reference point allocated on a sputter surface facing the deposition area, and each of which has a source distance to a source reference surface from the individual reference point. The sputter sources are spaced apart from each other, are arranged as a two-dimensional array opposite the deposition area, and extend along the source reference surface. The source reference surface is parallel to the substrate reference surface. At least one of the sputter sources has a source distance deviating from zero.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and improved method for preparing a highly concentrated immunoglobulin composition from pooled plasma for subcutaneous injection. A composition comprising 20% or more immunoglobulin suitable for subcutaneous use is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for the manufacturing of IVIG products. These methods offer various advantages such as reduced loss of IgG during purification and improved quality of final products. In other aspects, the present invention provides aqueous and pharmaceutical compositions suitable for intravenous, subcutaneous, and/or intramuscular administration. In yet other embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating a disease or condition comprising administration of an IgG composition provided herein.