A preparation comprising the carotenoids phytoene and phytofluene in an amount which, in combination, is effective in preventing various kinds of damage resulting from oxidation and exposure to UV light is provided. The permutation indices are used to route bits from initial positions in an input bit stream to re-arranged or randomized positions in an output bit stream. To prevent a longitudinal shift of the fiber-optic probe relative to the fiber-optic lumen, a connecting piece, securely connected to the fiber-optic probe, and a counterpart, securely connected to the catheter, are provided which can be joined together. The user data is preferably stored in more than two states per memory cell storage element, in which case the cycle count can be stored in binary in a manner to speed up the erase process and reduce disturbing effects on the erased state that writing the updated cycle count can cause. The display screen updater autonomously updates the display screen with the blended image. An imaging gate a collimating lens and a focusing lens can be interposed between the frame and the illumination area.