Abstract: A device for controlling a motor vehicle occupant protection system. Such a device has a control unit with an encoder for encoding messages and a transmitter for transmitting the encoded messages in the form of output signals. The encoded messages include a first encoded message having a first number of positions and a second encoded message having a second number of positions, the first number of positions being smaller than the second number of positions. In this case, at least one of the encoded messages may be provided with an error-correction code.

Abstract: An implant, in particular an intervertebral prosthesis, which consists of an elongated elastic body which is form-elastic and takes on the form of a spiral S in the force free state. The spiral can be drawn by a reverse winding up into an insertion instrument which is only insubstantially larger in the insertion region than the cross-section of the elongated elastic body in order to reach the inner space of an intervertebral disc through a small opening in the annulus fibrosus and to push in and sever off the self winding spiral when the interior is filled. This has the advantage that inner spaces of differing sizes can be filled with the same spiral.

Abstract: A control device in a motor vehicle for detecting an impact and for detecting a rotational movement includes a transversal acceleration pick-up in each half of the vehicle, as defined by the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and a longitudinal acceleration pick-up. An evaluation device evaluates longitudinal acceleration and transversal acceleration variables and derives a rotational movement variable from the transversal acceleration variables.

Abstract: A configuration for controlling a restraining device has a first control unit which controls two electrically controllable power switches of a firing circuit connected to the restraining device as a function of acceleration. A third electrically controllable power switch is provided in the firing circuit and is controlled by a second control unit as a function of the acceleration.

Abstract: An implant, in particular an intervertebral prosthesis, which consists of an elongated elastic body which is form-elastic and takes on the form of a spiral S in the force-free state. The spiral can be drawn by a reverse winding up into an insertion instrument which is only insubstantially larger in the insertion region than the cross-section of the elongated elastic body in order to reach the inner space of an intervertebral disc through a small opening in the annulus fibrosus and to push in and sever off the self-winding spiral when the interior is filled. This has the advantage that inner spaces of differing sizes can be filled with the same spiral.

Abstract: An implant consisting of several support members (7), which are produced from an elastic plastic, is provided as a replacement for a part, which is no longer capable of bearing loads, of the core region of an intervertebral disk (3). The support members (7) are inserted one after the other into a central cavity (5) constructed in the core region by means of a tube (6) passing through an outer annular region (4) of the intervertebral disk (3) until said cavity is filled. When the cavity (5) becomes clogged with the filling members (7), they become deposited on the boundary walls of the annular region (4) and against one another and are elastically deformed under stress. Accordingly a universal implant which can be adapted to cavities (5) of any shape, and which forms a relatively compact, elastic support structure, can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention discloses a fastening system for pedicel screws anchorable in different vertebrae. The spherical screw heads lie in spherical shells of apertured counter-bodies. The counter-bodies have planar support surfaces which lie on a supporting link in the region of elongate holes. A screw element is provided in the axial direction of each pedicel screw and is pivotably journalled at the supporting link with a spherical support surface arranged in the region of the elongate hole. The pedicel screws are generally skewed relative to one another and can, when account is taken of the nature of the bone, be rigidly connected to the supporting links via the screw elements due to the fact that the support surfaces can be clamped against one another in a self-locking manner on pedicel screws which are positioned inclined relative to the support surfaces.

Abstract: An implant consisting of several support members (7), which are produced from an elastic plastic, is provided as a replacement for a part, which is no longer capable of bearing loads, of the core region of an intervertebral disk (3). The support members (7) are inserted one after the other into a central cavity (5) constructed in the core region by means of a tube (6) passing through an outer annular region (4) of the intervertebral disk (3) until said cavity is filled. When the cavity (5) becomes clogged with the filling members (7), they become deposited on the boundary walls of the annular region (4) and against one another and are elastically deformed under stress. Accordingly a universal implant which can be adapted to cavities (5) of any shape, and which forms a relatively compact, elastic support structure, can be achieved.

Abstract: The artificial intervertebral disk member (1) consists of an upper (2) and a lower (3) support, which are attached in the adjacent vertebrae (32, 33), and of an elastic separator (4). The separator is constructed as a separate insert part (5), which can be inserted from outside into the final position (E) and can be fixed there. The upper support (2) is securely connected to the lower support (3) via the elastic separator (4). This produces a "patient-friendly" implant which can be optimally adapted and revised to suit the patients.

Abstract: In a fishing reel of the type in which the spool for receiving the fishing ine is caused to move to and fro in the direction of its winding axis in response to a cam drive for driving a spindle attached to the spool, the cam drive including a guide part with a guide slot into which projects an eccentrically mounted cam stud, the guide slot is in the form of an elongated S in order to impart an acceleration to the spool at its reversing points, and thereby prevent formation of bulges at the sides of the spool during winding. The locations in the guide slot corresponding to reversing points of the spool are offset from a center line of the guide slots along a longitudinal axis of the slot in a direction perpendicular to the stroke direction, resulting in the above-described acceleration and also having the effect of increasing displacement of the cam drive mechanism in the stroke direction.

Abstract: An intervertebral disk prosthesis is described which with respect to its external dimensions imitates a natural intervertebral disk and connects two adjacent vertebrae to their upper and lower attachment surfaces. The intervertebral disk member is made of one piece from a strong, elastically deformable material and comprises parallel slits at a right angle to the connecting axis which partially overlap. In overlapping regions adjacent slits form parts of leaf springs for the transmission of forces from one attachment surface of the prosthesis to the other attachment surface.

Abstract: The prosthesis has a valve at one end formed of a fixed base and a coiler body which is able to rotate on the base. A flexible elastic body defining a hollow chamber extends from the coiler body and is able to receive filling medium via the valve. A compact strand extends from the free end of the elastic body. An instrument is provided for implanting the prosthesis between two vertebrae along with a drive belt for rotating the coiler body about the fixed base and, thus the elastic body about the coiler body. Filling of the elastic body takes place after coiling.