Abstract: There is provided a transmitter for a wireless audio transmission system comprising at least one analog/digital converter unit for analog/digital conversion of the analog audio signals to be transmitted, at least one digital signal processing unit with a compressing/encoding device for compressing and encoding the digitized signal to be transmitted, a digital/analog converter unit for digital/analog conversion of the digital output signals of the digital signal processing unit into analog signals, and a transmitting unit for wirelessly transmitting the output signals of the digital/analog converter unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates compositions for delivering therapeutic agents from a medical device including an expandable and collapsible structure and methods employing them. A lipid coating including one or more fatty acids increases the amount of therapeutic agent released from the device at the delivery site. The therapeutic agent can be in a matrix including a hydrophilic polymer or an amphiphilic polymer. Release and adhesion coatings can also facilitate delivery of therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The invention provides biodegradable polymeric hydrogel matrices having excellent durability and swellability. The matrices are formed from a combination of poly-?(1?4)glucopyranose macromer and a biocompatible biostable hydrophilic macromer. The matrices can be used in association with a medical device or alone. In some methods the polymeric matrix is placed or formed at a target site in which the matrix swells and occludes the target area, and is able to be degraded at the target site after period of time.

Abstract: The invention provides polymers comprising pendent photochrome or near IR dye groups, as well as polymeric matrices made from these polymers, which can be used as or in association with a medical article. The polymers can be synthesized using methods that facilitate the preparation of medical articles having good biocompatibility. Exemplary polymeric matrices are in the form of lubricious coatings on medical devices, such as catheters. Visualization by irradiation of the photochrome or near IR dye can improve detection of the polymeric matrix on a device or in the body. This, in turn can improve aspects of a medical procedure, such as device insertion or matrix formation, as well as being useful for assessing the quality of the matrix.

Abstract: Hydrophobic ?(1?4)glucopyranose polymers useful for the preparation of implantable or injectable medical articles are described. The hydrophobic ?(1?4)glucopyranose polymer includes pendent groups having hydrocarbon groups and terminal amine or hydroxyl groups. Biodegradable matrices can be formed from these polymers, and the matrices can be used for the preparation of implantable and injectable medical devices wherein the matrix is capable of degrading in vivo. Matrices including and capable of releasing a bioactive agent in vivo are also described.

Abstract: There are proposed wireless headphones which have at least one electroacoustic transducer for the reproduction of audio signals, a receiver for receiving wirelessly transmitted audio data, an intermediate memory for putting the received audio data into intermediate storage, an audio decoding unit and a control unit. The audio data wirelessly received by the receiver are firstly buffered or put into intermediate storage in the intermediate memory. The control unit controls reading of the compressed audio data stored in the intermediate memory so that said data are passed to the audio decoding unit where the compressed audio data are decoded and then outputted by means of the electroacoustic transducers. Wireless transmission is effected at a higher speed than the reproduction of the stored audio signals.

Abstract: The invention provides fluorinated polymeric articles formed a composition including a fluoropolymer. The fluoropolymer is formed using a fluorinated monomer that provides the fluoropolymer with most or all of the fluorine atoms not directly covalently attached to an atom of the fluoropolymer backbone. The fluoropolymer can also include a non-fluorinated hydrophilic monomer in a weight amount greater than the fluorinated monomer. The fluoropolymer composition also includes an ultraviolet light (UV)-reactive group capable of covalent bonding to promotes formation of the fluorinated polymeric article. The fluorinated polymeric article can be in the form of a durable lubricious coating on the surface of an implantable medical device. Coatings of the invention exhibit excellent wet/dry lubricity, durability, and controlled swelling.

Abstract: A handheld instrument for marking a cornea, comprising: a handle; a pendulum coupled to the handle; an eye contact element coupled to the pendulum, the eye contact element comprising an eye contact surface; and a corneal marker comprising a marking element, the corneal marker being rotatably coupled to the pendulum. The marking element is disposed within the eye contact element at a position such that the marking element is capable of contacting a cornea when the eye contact surface is in contact with the eye.

Abstract: Hydrophobic ?(1?4)glucopyranose polymers useful for the preparation of implantable or injectable medical articles are described. The hydrophobic ?(1?4)glucopyranose polymer includes pendent groups having hydrocarbon groups and terminal amine or hydroxyl groups. Biodegradable matrices can be formed from these polymers, and the matrices can be used for the preparation of implantable and injectable medical devices wherein the matrix is capable of degrading in vivo. Matrices including and capable of releasing a bioactive agent in vivo are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a degradable linking agent that includes a core molecule with one or more charged groups; and one or more photoreactive groups covalently attached to the core molecule by one or more degradable linkers.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for microsurgical instruments has a flush chamber closed off at one end by a first plug adapted to liquid-tightly grip one end of the instrument, allowing a portion of the instrument to extend past the first plug and out of the flush chamber. The other end of the flush chamber is closed off by a second plug having an inlet port. Liquid injected through the inlet port on the second plug passes through an internal passageway formed in the instrument and exits the instrument through the portion that extends past the first plug. In another embodiment the instrument has an internal passageway and an end cap through which flushing ports are formed which communicate with the passageway. A first plug having an inlet port is liquid-tightly attached to the end cap and liquid injected into the first plug passes through the plug, through the flushing ports and through the passageway to clean detritus from the instrument.

Abstract: Hydrophobic ?(1?4)glucopyranose polymers with enhanced degradation properties are described. Between the ?(1?4)glucopyranose polymeric portion and the hydrophobic portion exists a linker portion having a chemistry that facilitates degradation of the polymer. Diester and carbonate ester linker chemistries are exemplified. Biodegradable matrices can be formed from these polymers, and the matrices can be used for the preparation of implantable and injectable medical devices wherein the matrix is capable of degrading in vivo at an increased rate. Matrices including and capable of releasing a bioactive agent in vivo are also described.

Abstract: An injector having a hollow cylindrical body having a first, discharge end and a second, plunger end, and a plunger which is axially slidable within the body. A first end of the plunger is adapted to contact either an IOL or a cartridge containing an IOL and to force the IOL out of the injector or cartridge into the eye. A second end of the plunger has a knob or stop proximate the pushing end, used to grip the plunger and move it into the housing. Located on the housing proximate the second end is a micrometer barrel rotatably and threadedly mounted to the injector housing. When the plunger is fully pushed into the injector housing, the knob contacts the micrometer collar thus halting the inward movement of the plunger. The micrometer collar is rotatably adjustable with respect to the housing thereby altering the position at which the plunger knob contacts the micrometer dial and, thereby, adjusting the distance to which the the plunger extends toward or past the discharge end of the injector.

Abstract: The invention is based on the idea of providing a detection device which is capable of distinguishing whether a microphone or audio signal processing arrangement connected thereto operates on an analog or digital basis. An analog or digital connection is selected in accordance with that determination procedure. Consequently there is provided a detection device which has a sensing device, a determining device and a selecting device. The sensing device senses an external signal fed to the detection device and forwards that signal to the determining device. The determining device determines whether the sensed external signal was transmitted by an analog or digital signal processing apparatus and transmits a corresponding determination signal to the selecting device. The selecting device then selects either an analog or a digital connection, in dependence on the determination signal.

Abstract: There is provided a transmitter for a wireless audio transmission system comprising at least one analog/digital converter unit for analog/digital conversion of the analog audio signals to be transmitted, at least one digital signal processing unit with a compressing/encoding device for compressing and encoding the digitized signal to be transmitted, a digital/analog converter unit for digital/analog conversion of the digital output signals of the digital signal processing unit into analog signals, and a transmitting unit for wirelessly transmitting the output signals of the digital/analog converter unit.

Abstract: There are proposed wireless headphones which have at least one electroacoustic transducer for the reproduction of audio signals, a receiver for receiving wirelessly transmitted audio data, an intermediate memory for putting the received audio data into intermediate storage, an audio decoding unit and a control unit. The audio data wirelessly received by the receiver are firstly buffered or put into intermediate storage in the intermediate memory. The control unit controls reading of the compressed audio data stored in the intermediate memory so that said data are passed to the audio decoding unit where the compressed audio data are decoded and then outputted by means of the electroacoustic transducers. Wireless transmission is effected at a higher speed than the reproduction of the stored audio signals.

Abstract: A cartridge for an intraocular lens (L) for use in an injector (I) has an at least approximately plane resting surface (4) for supporting the lens (L) in a partially folded or non-folded state, an arched surface (11) which adjoins the resting surface (4), and a sliding element (3) with which the partially folded or non-folded lens (L) supported on the resting surface (4) can be slid along the arched surface (11) and folded, in particular rolled. By means of this cartridge, an intraocular artificial lens can be brought to the smallest possible format in a simple manner and without damage to the lens.

Abstract: There is provided a wireless headphone unit having at least one electroacoustic transducer and a transmitting/receiving unit for wirelessly receiving first signals which contain audio signals to be reproduced on the electroacoustic transducer and a network identification unit for storing the network identification of the wireless headphone unit, wherein the transmitting/receiving unit is adapted for wirelessly transmitting the network identification of the headphone unit.

Abstract: A conference voice station for a conference system has an audio unit for converting audio signals into network-specific signals, a network interface for transmitting the network-specific signals to an external network and for receiving network-specific signals from an external network, and a network identification unit for storing a network identification.

Abstract: A plunger needle (3) for an intraocular lens injector has a plunger tip (4) with a contact area for making contact with a lens (L), the contact area being arranged in a front face (40) of the plunger tip (4), which is curved cylindrically. The plunger needle (3) according to the invention, with its specially configured plunger tip (3), permits reliable guiding of the lens (L) upon injection into an eye and prevents the lens (L) becoming stuck in the injector. It is also easy to produce.