Abstract: An x-ray diagnostic device for mammogram examinations has an arm for an x-ray tube and a subject table as well as a compression plate arranged between the x-ray tube and the subject table that is connected to the arm and that is displaceable along this arm. The arm is rotatably mounted at a stand for an optimal compression of the breast with a simultaneous reduction of the pain cause by the compression, an arrangement for vibrating the compression plate during the compression procedure is provided.

Abstract: An active filter circuit for removing high frequency noise from an input signal, particularly RF noise from an ECG signal, has an active first circuit having an input and an output, an RC-filter network arranged in electrical connection with the input and a second circuit connected in a positive feedback loop with the RC-filter network and adapted to reduce high frequency signals at an output of the first active circuit.

Abstract: An anesthetic filter arrangement has a filter housing with openings disposed to delimit a gas flow path inside the housing for gas passing to and from a patient, and having disposed within the gas flow path a filter element formed of an adsorption material for the alternate adsorption and desorption of gaseous anesthetic from and into gas passing along the gas flow path respectively from and to the patient. An energy source is provided to supply thermal and/or vibrational energy at the filter element to vary retention of the gaseous anesthetic by the filter element.

Abstract: An arrangement for passive gas sampling of a breathing gas in a breathing system allows sampling during both inspiration and expiration. The arrangement has a tube-piece having a first connector for receiving an inspiratory gas flow, a second connector for delivering an expiratory gas flow and a third connector for delivering the inspiratory gas flow and receiving the expiratory gas flow, a first port arranged between the second connector and the third connector and connected to a measurement chamber, a second port arranged between the first connector and the third connector and connected to the measurement chamber and a third port arranged between the first connector and the second connector and connected to the measurement chamber.

Abstract: An arrangement for passive gas sampling of a breathing gas in a breathing system has an element disposed in a tube for the passive diversion of a portion of the flow of breathing gas to a measurement chamber.

Abstract: An arrangement for passive gas sampling in a breathing system has a conduit having a venturi-nozzle for passively generating pressure variations in the conduit dependent on a flow of breathing gas in the conduit, and a first port and a second port terminating in the conduit and connected to a measurement chamber. The first port and the second port are arranged relative to the venturi-nozzle such that the pressure variations force a flow of breathing gas through the first port into the measurement chamber and out through the second port.

Abstract: A multi-electrode catheter has a longitudinally extending body with a number of longitudinally extending lumens formed therein and a number of electrode assemblies. Each assembly has an electrode located at an external surface of a caudal section of the body and an electrical conductive surface extending longitudinally within an associated lumen of the number of lumens connected to a cephalad section of the body. The conductive electrical surface forms at least a portion of an internal wall of the associated lumen and is in electrical connection with a different one of the electrodes forming the electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A valve assembly HAS an element movable in a mechanical journal arrangement relative to a valve opening to establish an opening position of a valve, and A control unit for controlling the application of an oscillatory electromagnetic force to the element (8) having an known peak amplitude to cause the element to execute a sympathetic oscillatory motion as a friction reducing maneuver. The control unit is adapted to control the peak amplitude of the oscillatory electromagnetic force to sequentially apply a number of different peak amplitudes, each during a different measurement period. A monitor detects changes in the opening position of the valve during each of the measurement periods and provides a measure thereof. A processor is connected to the control unit and to the monitor to determine a working amplitude of the oscillatory electromagnetic force at which the detected changes will be minimized and to supply the determined working amplitude to the control unit.

Abstract: A valve in a breathing device has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat arranged in the housing, a valve body arranged in the housing to be freely moveable with respect to the valve seat between a closed position where the valve body completely covers the valve seat and an open position where the valve body is distanced from the valve seat. The valve body comprising a rigid central portion and a circumferential wrinkled and flexible portion devised for friction-free movement of the rigid central portion, and an actuator for controlling a force applied on the valve body in response to a control signal. The actuator includes an actuator body, a shaft having an end contactable with the valve body, and an electromagnetic displacement coil.

Abstract: In a method for assessing pulmonary stress, a volume of respiratory gas is received from the lungs of a subject, an ensuing pressure is measured and the pressure-volume (P-V) relationship is analyzed. The analysis includes a determination of the profile of the pressure-volume (P-V) relationship. The profile is straight when no stress is present, convex when there is a risk for over-distension and concave when alveolar units are opened up. Implemented in a breathing apparatus the method can be used to assist an operator in diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in relation to a patient.

Abstract: A manual ventilation bag has a first opening and a second opening, a first soft bag connected to the first opening and a second soft bag connected to the second opening. The manual ventilation bag is advantageously used in combination with a breathing apparatus.

Abstract: An injection vaporizer has a reservoir for liquid to be vaporized and a delivery conduit connected to the reservoir with an outlet for injecting liquid to be vaporized into a gas space, formed by a flow-through chamber. A pumping system is operable to transfer liquid from the reservoir to the outlet. A heater supplies thermal energy into the delivery conduit. A pressure generator generates an elevated delivery pressure within the delivery conduit and is operable with the heater to establish a heated pressurized liquid at the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for determination of a recruiatable volume in a lung has a control system connectable to a pneumatic unit and to a measurement system and operable to, at a first point in time, regulate the pneumatic unit to generate a first test breath having predetermined parameters with respect to flow and/or pressure of the gas flow, register volume and pressure in the lung during the first test breath, measured by the measurement system and at a second point in time, to regulate the pneumatic unit to generate a second test breath identical to the first test breath, register volume and pressure in the lung during the second test breath, measured by the measurement system, compare the registered volume and pressure for the first test breath and the second test breath, and determine a recruiatable volume based on the comparison.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for examining the pulmonary mechanics of a respiratory system, in order to obtain information about the mechanical properties of the respiratory system's lungs, during an expiration of a flow of gas streaming out of the respiratory system is modulated, the volume of gas streaming out of the respiratory system is determined, the variation in pressure in the respiratory system is determined, and an expiratory pressure-volume relationship is determined from the expiratory volume and the expiratory variation in pressure.

Abstract: A nerve stimulation device has a pulse generator for generating stimulation pulses and an output for the stimulation pulses from the pulse generator, which is connectable to an electrode arrangement adapted for interaction with a living being to stimulate the phrenic nerve. The nerve stimulation device is made more safe and effective by the provision of an input connectable to an esophageal electrode for the reception of measurement signals. The esophageal electrode is adapted to be inserted in the esophagus of the living being for obtaining measurement signals. A signal analyzer filters myo-electrical signals from the diaphragm out of the measurement signals and a regulating unit regulates the pulse generator dependent on the myo-electrical signals.

Abstract: In a cart and a carrier for medical equipment, the carrier has a bottom section and a back section and a pair of wheels and is arranged on an axle at the junction between the bottom section and the back section. The axle functions as a pivot axle and the back section as a lever for lifting the entire bottom section off the floor when the carrier is moved. Smooth and convenient interaction between the cart and carrier is achieved because the cart has a receiving part and a first locking part, and the carrier has a coupling arrangement and a second locking part. The coupling arrangement can be inserted into the receiving part and serves as a pivot axle for the carrier. The carrier locks to the cart when the second locking part is moved toward the first locking part when the carrier is lifted around the pivot axle.

Abstract: A patient ventilator system has a high-frequency oscillation ventilator connectable to a patient circuit and operable to induce oscillations within gas in the circuit at a predetermined high-frequency and a gas supply connectable to the patient circuit for supplying breathing gas thereto. A detection device is also included within the ventilator system and is adapted to monitor during the operation of the high-frequency oscillator ventilator, gas pressure and/or gas flow to detect a variation therein not derived from the induced high-frequency oscillations and to output a trigger signal dependent on the detected variation indicating a spontaneous breathing effort. The gas supply is operable on receipt of the trigger signal to supply breathing gas into the circuit at a level to assist the spontaneous breathing effort.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for monitoring the composition of a breathing gas mixture having a first gaseous component and a second gaseous component, a data processor is supplied, either as an input value or as a measured value from associated humidity sensors with an indication of a moisture content value (RHComp1) for the first gaseous component and a moisture content value (RHComp2) second gaseous component before mixing. An indication of the moisture content value for the mixture (RHMix) is measured and provided to the data processor. From these inputs the data processor determines a value indicative of the amount (x,y) of one or both of the first gaseous component and the second gaseous component in the mixture according to the relationship: RHComp1·x+RHComp2·y=RHMix.

Abstract: A valve assembly has a valve opening which can be sealed and un-sealed by movement of a membrane 6, a force generator, such as an electromagnetic force generator having a solenoid and armature arrangement, and a shaft that is operably connected to the membrane and which is movable along a movement axis under the influence of the generated force to move the membrane and thereby regulate the degree of opening of the valve. Bearing assemblies are provided to procure a magnetic suspension of the shaft, permit its movement along the axis, and also to optionally produce a magnetic biasing of the shaft in a direction along the axis, particularly in the absence of a generated force.

Abstract: A ventilator for connection to a patient to provide assisted breathing, has a gas flow generator, a pressure meter, a flow meter and a control unit, which determines a gas pressure, on the basis of a pre-set tidal volume for the patient and measurement signals from the pressure meter and flow meter, for each breath and which regulates the gas flow generator so that it generates the determined gas pressure. An improved breathing mode, better tailored to the patient, is achieved by the control unit also determining the gas pressure to be generated by the gas flow generator on the basis of mechanical resistances and a variable corresponding to the aggregate effect of the resistance and elastance of the lungs.