A device and method for operating an optoelectronic safety sensitive edge (100) for the safeguarded motor-driven movement of a gate having a closing edge (141). The device has a deformable, hollow, elastic profile (110), a light transmitter device with a light transmitter (121a), and a transmitter control system (121b), by means of which at least one operating parameter of the light transmitter (121a) can be adjusted, a light receiver device (122) with a light receiver, the light transmitter device and the light receiver device (122) being coupled optically and electrically by the transfer of dynamic signals, an optical, dynamic coupling signal (K2, K2', K2'') within the hollow profile (110); and an evaluating device (130) with means for detecting an electric, dynamic coupling signal (K2, K2', K2''), the evaluating device (130), generating a release signal in response to the detected, dynamic, electric coupling signal. The light transmitter device sends out a signal (K1'', K2'''), in which information is coded, which is assigned to at least one operating parameter, such as an adjusting parameter of the light transmitter (121a).