Abstract: A device for injecting a high viscosity material into a cannula, comprising a container being non-compliant and having an outlet adapted to communicate with the cannula for transferring the high viscosity material thereto, a pressure applicator in fluid communication with the container, the pressure applicator defining a fluid flow path through which an incompressible fluid is displaceable, and a material-moving member interrupting the fluid flow path and defining an incompressible fluid receiving portion on one side thereof in communication with the fluid flow path and a high viscosity material receiving portion in communication with the outlet of the container on an opposed side. The material-moving member being displaceable by a pressure of the incompressible fluid acting thereagainst to force the high viscosity material out of the high viscosity material receiving portion of the container and into the cannula.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gels which gelate in situ and are suitable for nucleus (gel bodies of the intervertebral disks) replacement, and to a process and to an apparatus for administration thereof, to the use thereof and to a vessel which comprises an inventive PVA gel.

Abstract: Apparatus for optical inspection of an object, comprising: an optical imaging system (5) for generating an actual image of the real object, a calculation unit (12) for calculating an estimated image of an object of desired shape in respect of a known aberration coefficient of the optical imaging system, an image analysis unit (13) for detecting differences between the actual image and the image calculated by the calculation unit (12).

Abstract: A system for injecting an incompressible low viscosity fluid into a bone cement reservoir adapted to be engaged with a cannula through which a high viscosity bone cement is transferred from the bone cement reservoir to a bone element is provided. The system comprises a control handle having a cylindrical body, a grip portion at an outer end of the cylindrical body and a central thumb-actuated plunger of a power piston, the grip portion being configured for receiving at least two fingers a user such as to permit actuation of the control handle by the single hand of the user, the cylindrical body including the power piston and a low viscosity fluid reservoir concentrically disposed relative to each other, the low viscosity fluid reservoir containing the incompressible low viscosity fluid and the power piston extending longitudinally through a center of the low viscosity fluid reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gels which gelate in situ and are suitable for nucleus (gel bodies of the intervertebral disks) replacement, and to a process and to an apparatus for administration thereof, to the use thereof and to a vessel which comprises an inventive PVA gel.

Abstract: A method for producing pistons that can be used in internal combustion engines made from lightweight metal, with a combustion bowl assigned to one piston head, wherein a bowl rim is subjected to a melt treatment. In a first method step, the bowl rim is inductively heated. In a second method step, the material of the bowl rim, also to be referred to as the delimiting zone, is improved by means of a laser beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plain bearing composite material comprising a steel carrier layer and a bearing coating which is applied to the carrier layer in such a way that it cannot be removed and consists of lead-free aluminium bearing alloy consisting of between 4.4 and 6 wt. % of zinc, between 2.5 and 6 wt % of bismuth, between 1 and 2 wt. % of silicon, between 0.8 and 1.2 wt. % of copper and between 0.2 and 0.8 wt. % of magnesium, optionally a maximum of 0.2 wt. % each of titanium, nickel, manganese, and tin, optionally a maximum of 0.6 wt. % of iron, and also optionally respectively a maximum of 0.1 wt. % of impurity related additives, the total quantity thereof not amounting to more than 1 wt. % of the sum of the constituents. The aluminium bearing alloy forms an aluminium solid solution supersaturated with zinc, said zinc being finely distributed by solution annealing and subsequent chilling.

Abstract: An implant for sealing and/or healing a defect in an annulus having an area intended to encompass the defect. The implant is a textile strip that has a middle area which is intended to encompass the defect and which is an oriented low-density embroidered structure for guided tissue ingrowth and reinforcement and end areas adjacent to the middle area which are a high-density embroidered structure.

Abstract: A device for injecting a high viscosity material into a cannula, comprising a container being non-compliant and having an outlet adapted to communicate with the cannula for transferring the high viscosity material thereto, a pressure applicator in fluid communication with the container, the pressure applicator defining a fluid flow path through which an incompressible fluid is displaceable, and a material-moving member interrupting the fluid flow path and defining an incompressible fluid receiving portion on one side thereof in communication with the fluid flow path and a high viscosity material receiving portion in communication with the outlet of the container on an opposed side. The material-moving member being displaceable by a pressure of the incompressible fluid acting thereagainst to force the high viscosity material out of the high viscosity material receiving portion of the container and into the cannula.

Abstract: The optical analysis system (20) for determining an amplitude of a principal component of an optical signal comprises a multivariate optical element (10) for reflecting the optical signal and thereby weighing the optical signal by a spectral weighing function, and a detector (9, 9P, 9N) for detecting the weighed optical signal. The optical analysis system (20) may further comprise a dispersive element (2) for spectrally dispersing the optical signal, the multivariate optical element being arranged to receive the dispersed optical signal. The blood analysis system (40) comprises the optical analysis system (20) according to the invention.

Abstract: An injection system for injection of a relatively high viscous material into hard tissue surrounded by soft tissue in an animal body. The injection system comprising an elongated tubular member having a proximal section defining a syringe chamber and a distal section defining a cannula. The cannula having an inside diameter and an outside diameter and a length sufficient for insertion into the hard tissue. The proximal section defining the syringe chamber having an inside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the cannula, the proximal section adapted to be inserted in the soft tissue. The cannula having a bore communicating with the syringe chamber. The injection system comprising a syringe fitted for insertion within the syringe chamber of the proximal section. The syringe having an open end for communicating with the bore of the cannula.

Abstract: A maskless lithography system is described having a programmable mask to allow performing several lithographic steps using the same mask. In every lithographic step, the corresponding pattern is obtained by providing a digital pattern to the programmable mask. The programmable mask includes an array of pixels which are based on the electro-wetting principle. According to this principle, every pixel has a transparent reservoir containing a first, non-polar, non-transparent fluid and a second, polar, transparent fluid which are immiscible. Applying a field to the reservoir allows to displace the fluids with respect to each other. This allows to make the pixel either transparent or non-transparent. This lithographic programmable mask allows high resolution and fast setting and refreshing. A corresponding method for performing maskless optical lithography also is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plain bearing composite material comprising a steel carrier layer and a bearing coating which is applied to the carrier layer in such a way that it cannot be removed and consists of lead-free aluminium bearing alloy consisting of between 4.4 and 6 wt. % of zinc, between 2.5 and 6 wt % of bismuth, between 1 and 2 wt. % of silicon, between 0.8 and 1.2 wt. % of copper and between 0.2 and 0.8 wt. % of magnesium, optionally a maximum of 0.2 wt. % each of titanium, nickel, manganese, and tin, optionally a maximum of 0.6 wt. % of iron, and also optionally respectively a maximum of 0.1 wt. % of impurity related additives, the total quantity thereof not amounting to more than 1 wt. % of the sum of the constituents. The aluminium bearing alloy forms an aluminium solid solution supersaturated with zinc, said zinc being finely distributed by solution annealing and subsequent chilling.

Abstract: The optical analysis system (20) for determining an amplitude of a principal component of an optical signal comprises a multivariate optical element (10) for reflecting the optical signal and thereby weighing the optical signal by a spectral weighing function, and a detector (9, 9P, 9N) for detecting the weighed optical signal. The optical analysis system (20) may further comprise a dispersive element (2) for spectrally dispersing the optical signal, the multivariate optical element being arranged to receive the dispersed optical signal. The blood analysis system (40) comprises the optical analysis system (20) according to the invention.

Abstract: A distractor for separating adjacent elements, such as vertebrae. The distractor preferably has a scissors-type distracting mechanism, either in a simple scissors or double-acting scissors configuration. A set of blades is provided on each jaw such that an implant may be inserted between the spaced apart blades. The set of blades includes at least two blades.

Abstract: A crankshaft bearing shell in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is made from a steel/aluminum composite material and is composed of a steel supporting layer and an aluminum plated sliding layer containing parts of tin and copper in the aluminum sliding layer, optionally comprising an intermediate layer consisting of pure aluminum. The aluminum sliding layer comprises A1Sn (20-23) Cu(1.8-2.3) alloy, optionally containing additions of up to 0.1 wt % of Ni, 0.7 wt % of Si, 0.7 wt % Fe, 0.7 wt % Mn, 0.2 wt % Ti, wherein the sum of Si, Fe and Mn is less than 1 wt %; and impurities form a total amount of less than 0.5 wt.- % with the aluminum sliding layer having a Brinell hardness of at least 45 HB 1/5/30 after heat treatment.

Abstract: A bone tissue removal and harvesting device is disclosed and includes a cutting tool with a cutting head, a longitudinal shaft attached to the cutting head and a drive element. A container is located on the end opposite the cutting head for collection of the removed bone. The shaft can be made flexible to permit torsion and/or bending around the longitudinal axis without damage to the bone. During the cutting operation, the bone tissue is simultaneously removed and suctioned through an opening of the cutting head and conveyed through an axial shaft bore for collection in the container. The container is detachably mounted to the drive element and connected to the shaft so as to avoid substantial pressure drops from the cutting head to the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crankshaft bearing shell in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. Said crankshaft bearing shell is made of a steel/aluminum composite material and is composed of a steel supporting layer and an aluminum plated sliding layer containing parts of tin and copper in the aluminum sliding layer, optionally comprising an intermediate layer consisting of pure aluminum. Said aluminum sliding layer comprises A1Sn (20-23) Cu(1.8-2.3) alloy, optionally containing additions of up to 0.1 wt % of Ni, 0.7 wt % of Si, 0.7 wt % Fe, 0.7 wt % Mn, 0.2 wt % Ti, wherein the sum of Si, Fe and Mn is less than 1 wt %; and impurities form a total amount of less than 0.5 wt.- % with said aluminum sliding layer having a Brinell hardness of at least 45 HB 1/5/30 after heat treatment.

Abstract: A distractor for separating adjacent elements, such as vertebrae. The distractor preferably has a scissors-type distracting mechanism, either in a simple scissors or double-acting scissors configuration. The distractor includes blades that are removable from the jaws of the distractor such that different blades may be used depending on the patient and situation with which the distractor is to be used. The jaws include a mating fixture and the blades include a mating portion for removable association with the mating fixture.

Abstract: Combining an implant and cement for prophylactic and/or preventative use for femoral neck augmention. A hole is drilled into the femoral neck. The hole is filled with an uncured filler cement after loose materials have been removed from the hole. Then, an open-ended tube, an implant, having openings through its walls is inserted into the hole and attached to the bone. Finally, additional filler cement is provided under pressure to the inside of the tubular implant. The filler cement flows into spaces in the bone structure via the tube wall openings. A sliding leak-tight fit between the implant and a cement injection tube permits delivery of cement at preselected locations along the implant length. Pressure is maintained until the filler cement has hardened. A strengthening factor up to 3 was measured when osteoporotic bone was strengthened.