Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for measuring an electric current flowing through an inductive load energized by a half-bridge circuit with at least two semiconductor switches. The semiconductor switches are switched on and off in a complementary manner according to PWM.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is for operating at least one light-emitting diode LED in an electrical circuit at a service voltage greater than the forward voltage of the at least one light-emitting diode. The light-emitting diode is PWM-controlled. The circuit includes reactances that are connected in series at both connections of the light-emitting diode, an additional switching arrangement between the terminals, and a full-wave rectifier circuit, such that the circuit is protected against short-circuits on the service voltage and on ground while the LED can continue to be triggered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for operating at least one light-emitting diode LED in an electrical circuit at a service voltage, which is greater than the forward voltage of the at least one light-emitting diode which is to be operated. In this connection, the light-emitting diode is PWM-controlled. The circuit comprises reactances that are connected in series at both connections of the light-emitting diode, an additional switching means between the terminals, and a full-wave rectifier circuit, such that the circuit is protected against short-circuits on the service voltage and on ground while the LED can continue to be triggered.

Abstract: An osteosynthetic bone plate has elongated compression cavities containing eccentric countersinks. The plate includes a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a plate upper side, and a plate lower side for facing bone fragments. The bone plate also includes a compression element with two plate braces which run substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Both plate braces are linked together by bridging struts which intersect the longitudinal axis. A plate brace has an eyelet on at least one of the outer sides of the compression element. Additional eyelets can be positioned in front of this eyelet. A compression cavity is situated in each of said eyelets and a connecting strut, which intersects the transverse axis, extends between the eyelets which are located on each plate brace.

Abstract: The invention relates to an osteosynthetic bone plate which has elongated compression cavities containing eccentric countersinkings. The plate comprises a longitudinal axis (X), a transverse axis (Y), a plate upper side and a plate lower side, whereby the latter is placed facing the bone fragments. The bone plate also comprises a compression element consisting of two plate braces which run substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Both plate braces are linked together by bridging struts which intersect the longitudinal axis. A plate brace has an eyelet on at least one of the outer sides of the compression element. Additional eyelets can be positioned in front of this eyelet. A compression cavity is situated in each of said eyelets and a connecting strut which intersects the transverse axis, extends between the eyelets which are located on each plate brace.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tissue replacement structure comprising (a) a preformed three-dimensional tissue which can be produced by obtaining cells from a human or animal organism and culturing them in a stationary fashion as a suspension culture in cell culture vessels with hydrophobic surface and tapering bottom until a cell aggregate is formed which has differentiated cells embedded therein and has an outer region wherein cells capable of proliferation and migration are present; (b) (i) an autologous cell suspension which can be produced from endogenous cells, with endogenous serum being added, with no addition of growth-promoting compounds, (ii) implants or support materials and/or (iii) growth factors; and/or (c) can be obtained by exposure of the tissue according to (a) to electromagnetic fields, mechanical stimulation and/or ultrasound.

Abstract: The screw-type intraossal dental implant has a bottommost implant tip that is located in the apical area and comprises a root part which extends up to said implant tip and which is intended for insertion into a jaw bone. The implant neck extending up to the coronal area is placed on the root part and is intended for being placed inside the gingivae. The outer thread on the root part is preferably self-cutting. The invention is characterized in that the root part comprises an essentially parabolic outer contour with the implant tip serving as the vertex. The inventive outer contour makes it possible to obtain an improved primary stability and guarantees, to a great extent, the long-term success of the implant.

Abstract: The intraosseous implant intended to be fitted in a bone is provided on the surface with a specific roughness, the implant surface having depressions (1) with a depth (c) of about 20 &mgr;m to about 60 &mgr;m. At the bottom of the depressions (1) there are base faces (2), and between the depressions (1) there are plateau faces (3). Base faces (2) and plateau faces (3) have a horizontal extent (a, b) of about 10 &mgr;m to about 20 &mgr;m. These depressions (1) are ideally as smooth as possible, i.e. they have no surface roughness below the cellular dimension. Obliquely ascending side faces (4) extend from the base faces (2) to the plateau faces (3), and the angle of inclination (&agr;) between the horizontal and the side faces (4) is about 30° maximum. Below the upper neck portion, the implant has a self-tapping thread, and the neck portion of the implant is provided with a porcelain-like coating. The surface energy and surface tension of the implant are kept as low as possible.

Abstract: The device with a bone plate (1) and with a temporarily attachable retainer (100) is used for fixation of, in particular, fragments of a jaw bone. The bone plate (1) has a longitudinal guide slot (40) which is open at one end or closed at both ends. The retainer (100) comprises a disk (110) which engages partially over the bone plate (1) and in which a locking screw (120) sits preferably in a rotatable manner and secure against loss, said locking screw (120) being intended to be screwed into a bone fragment via the guide slot (40). At one end, the bone plate (1) advantageously has areas of members (30) comprising individual members which can be divided off to obtain the desired length, The device extends the possibilities of screwing the bone plate (1), so that better adaptability to the particular task is achieved, and also improved rigidity across the edge of the bone plate (1), while the elasticity of the latter across the surface can be increased by means of less material thickness.

Abstract: A bone fragment-fixing device including a longitudinal bone plate which is provided at each of its ends with two through-holes for screws and which is also provided with a central longitudinal hole extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate. In addition, a slide is provided and arranged on stems which laterally limit the central longitudinal hole, in such a way that the slide is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate. The slide is provided with a longitudinal hole extending cross-wise to the longitudinal axis of the plate when the slide is mounted, thus permitting a three-dimensional adaptability of the device.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the opening and closing process in a system having at least one component moved by electric motor is described.