The device serves for the controlled conveying of a cable. The device has a housing, having a cover plate, on which are externally mounted a drive wheel and contact wheel which can be radially pressed onto the drive wheel, between which the cable can be clamped. The cable can be conveyed by means of the drive wheel being driven by a drive unit in the interior of the housing. The rotational motion of the drive wheel is guided through a stationary light barrier by means of a counting disc, running synchronously therewith and having radial slots or holes in the circumferential area, for determining the motion and rotational speed of the drive wheel. The cover plate and the housing can be sterilized. The drive unit in the interior of the housing is not sterilizable, yet is completely enclosed by the sterilized housing and cover plate.