Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting and/or calibrating a medical microscope, the following being implemented for at least one observer beam path of the medical microscope: capturing respective image representations of an object at different magnification levels of a zoom optical unit, and determining a zoom center using the captured image representations as a starting point, and i) capturing respective further image representations at different axis positions of at least one linear or rotational movement axis of the medical microscope, a rotation of the capture device relative to the at least one linear or rotational movement axis being determined using the captured further image representations as a starting point, and/or ii) capturing respective further image representations of the object in different focal planes and/or at different working distances in the case of an off-centered imaging optical unit, a rotation of the capture device being determined using the captured further image representa

Abstract: A method for determining an optical axis of a main observer camera of a medical microscope arrangement in a reference coordinate system includes capturing a capture region with a main observer camera and at least partly with an environment camera. The environment camera is configured to track objects and its coordinate system or a coordinate system of an optical marker forms the reference coordinate system. A test object is captured at at least one working distance where a neutral point of a zoom system of the main observer camera is determined in the coordinate system of the environment camera by capturing and evaluating image representations of the test object at different magnifications. The optical axis is determined proceeding from the neutral point. At least one item of descriptive information describing the determined optical axis in the reference coordinate system is generated and provided. Furthermore, a medical microscope arrangement is provided.

Abstract: A method and a medical optical tracking system, wherein the medical optical tracking system is synchronized with at least one other medical optical tracking system, extraneous light signals of the at least one other optical tracking system are detected by way of a sensor or a camera used for tracking of the optical tracking system, temporal properties of the detected extraneous light signals are determined based on acquired sensor data or acquired camera images, and temporal properties of light signals generated by way of a light source of the optical tracking system and/or a measuring window of the sensor or the camera are defined, on the basis of the determined temporal properties of the extraneous light signals, such that the light signals from the light source and/or the measuring window lie in light signal pauses of the at least one other optical tracking system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of medical navigation including the method steps of: capturing a first image representation of a medical marker in a first perspective; capturing a second image representation of the medical marker in a second perspective; determining a three-dimensional representation of the medical marker on the basis of the first image representation and the second image representation; capturing a third image representation of the medical marker; and determining a spatial pose of the medical marker on the basis of a comparison of the third image representation and the three-dimensional representation of the medical marker. The present disclosure further relates to a medical navigation system, to a computer program and to the use of a three-dimensional representation of a medical marker for registering a medical instrument, a patient and/or a piece of medical equipment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of medical calibration, including the method steps of: capturing an image representation of a medical marker and of a medical instrument connected therewith; determining a spatial pose of the medical marker on the basis of the image representation; determining a first position of a tracking point of the medical instrument on the basis of the determined spatial pose and on the basis of information relating to a spatial pose relationship between medical marker and tracking point, and determining a second position of the tracking point on the basis of the captured image representation; determining a deviation between the first position and the second position; adjusting the information relating to the spatial pose relationship between medical marker and tracking point on the basis of the determined deviation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting and/or calibrating a medical microscope, the following being implemented for at least one observer beam path of the medical microscope: capturing respective image representations of an object at different magnification levels of a zoom optical unit, and determining a zoom center using the captured image representations as a starting point, and i) capturing respective further image representations at different axis positions of at least one linear or rotational movement axis of the medical microscope, a rotation of the capture device relative to the at least one linear or rotational movement axis being determined using the captured further image representations as a starting point, and/or ii) capturing respective further image representations of the object in different focal planes and/or at different working distances in the case of an off-centered imaging optical unit, a rotation of the capture device being determined using the captured further image representa

Abstract: A molding compound is made by heat-softening, fusing and compressing strips of unidirectionally aligned filaments embedded in a thermosetting resin. The thermosetting resin is non-tacky at room temperature, which allows for easy handling, elimination of cold storage and the use of robotic manufacturing methods. Composites made by molding the molding compound have excellent, highly isotropic tensile properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermosetting resin pre-impregnated or infused fiber materials or prepregs comprising a thermosetting resin mixture and a fiber material component of a heat resistant fiber, such as carbon fiber, having an areal weight of from 500 to 3,000 g/m2 having a coating of from 0.5 to 4 phr of a latent, particulate curative or solid curative, preferably, dicyandiamide, wherein the prepregs are infused with a thermosetting resin mixture comprising (a) at least one liquid epoxy resin, and (b) a hardener and/or a catalyst, as well as methods of making the same. The prepregs of present invention enables the simple provision of lightweight composites having consistent resin cure throughout.

Abstract: The surface of a carbon fiber is electrochemically treated by a method to form nitrogen containing groups on the surface of the carbon fiber. The method comprises contacting a carbon fiber surface with an aqueous solution comprised of a non-cyclic aliphatic amine and water soluble inorganic hydroxide with said aqueous solution having a pH of at least 9. A positive electrical bias is then applied to the carbon fibers in the aqueous solution relative to another electrode in contact with the aqueous solution, wherein the positive electrical bias is at a voltage above the oxidation potential of water. The treated carbon fibers are useful for making epoxy reinforced carbon fiber composites.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermosetting resin pre-impregnated or infused fiber materials or prepregs comprising a thermosetting resin mixture and a fiber material component of a heat resistant fiber, such as carbon fiber, having an areal weight of from 500 to 3,000 g/m2 having a coating of from 0.5 to 4 phr of a latent, particulate curative or solid curative, preferably, dicyandiamide, wherein the prepregs are infused with a thermosetting resin mixture comprising (a) at least one liquid epoxy resin, and (b) a hardener and/or a catalyst, as well as methods of making the same. The prepregs of present invention enables the simple provision of lightweight composites having consistent resin cure throughout.

Abstract: The surface of a carbon fiber is electrochemically treated by a method to form nitrogen containing groups on the surface of the carbon fiber. The method comprises contacting a carbon fiber surface with an aqueous solution comprised of a non-cyclic aliphatic amine and water soluble inorganic hydroxide with said aqueous solution having a pH of at least 9. A positive electrical bias is then applied to the carbon fibers in the aqueous solution relative to another electrode in contact with the aqueous solution, wherein the positive electrical bias is at a voltage above the oxidation potential of water. The treated carbon fibers are useful for making epoxy reinforced carbon fiber composites.

Abstract: A molding compound is made by heat-softening, fusing and compressing strips of unidirectionally aligned filaments embedded in a thermosetting resin. The thermosetting resin is non-tacky at room temperature, which allows for easy handling, elimination of cold storage and the use of robotic manufacturing methods. Composites made by molding the molding compound have excellent, highly isotropic tensile properties.