Abstract: A device for mapping electrical activity in a patient's heart, has an imaging unit, such as a fluoroscopic imaging unit, for generating a physical in vivo image of a patient's heart as an anatomical reference image, an electrode catheter, with at least one electrode for sensing intracardiac electrical activity, for insertion into a patient's heart, and signal processing equipment for determining activation times, from sensed electrical activity, in relation to a reference time for electrical activity at different points in the heart, and for generating a graphic image showing the activation times at different points in the heart and superimposing this graphic image onto the anatomical image. An arrangement is further provided for inserting at least one reference point into the anatomical image, and a setting unit moves the graphic image in relation to the reference image with the aid of the reference point.

Abstract: A fluid pressure release valve includes an aperture through which fluid can flow. An element is movable to unseal the aperture and to open the valve when a force exerted by the fluid in the valve exceeds a predetermined force. An electromagnetic biasing arrangement biases the element to seal the aperture and hold the valve closed against the escape of fluid with the predetermined force. The applied bias is variable according to changes in the sensed position of the element and a monitoring arrangement, cooperable with the solenoid, monitors the changes in its electrical properties as a shaft moves in the monitoring arrangement, indicating a change in position of the element. The monitoring arrangement also varies the bias to reduce the predetermined force responsive to the sensed change in position of the element indicating an opening of the valve.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring the condition of at least one filter arranged in a flow path of a ventilator. Flow measurement signals are obtained from a first flow meter and a second flow meter and pressure signals are obtained from a first pressure meter and a second pressure meter. When a filter in the inspiratory section of the ventilator is to be tested, flow through the filter and the drop in pressure across the filter are determined from the pressure measured by the first pressure meter and the second pressure meter. If the drop in pressure in relation to the flow lies within predefined limits, the filter is deemed to be serviceable. In a corresponding manner, another filter in the expiratory line can be tested, wherein flow through the filter is determined by the second flow meter.

Abstract: A dosing device for adding small amounts of an additive gas or liquid, such as NO or liquid anaesthetic, to a breathing gas in an inspiratory line in an anaesthetic machine or ventilator, has a constant-volume dosing chamber with an inlet, equipped with a first valve, for connection to a source of gas or liquid supplying the additive gas or liquid at a predetermined, constant, positive pressure, and an outlet, equipped with a second valve, for injecting gas or liquid from the dosing chamber into breathing gas. Control elements are arranged to open and close the valves in a controlled fashion. A control unit is also arranged to cause the operating elements to open the second valve for one or a number of predetermined intervals during the inspiratory phase.

Abstract: A computerized apparatus for processing a multi-lead ECG beat signal to generate a residual signal has an averager unit for providing a template ventricular beat signal, and a subtraction unit for subtracting the template beat signal from the multi-lead ECG beat signal to generate the residual signal. An alignment stage is disposed before the subtraction unit and compares the template beat signal with an intermediate beat signal in the alignment parameter generator. A further subtraction unit may be provided to receive the multi-lead ECG beat signal and to subtract a signal representative of an estimated atrial signal therefrom to generate the intermediate beat signal. The alignment stage also modifies the template beat to increase the relative alignment of the two signals, with respect to at least spatial, characteristics, and emits the modified signal as an output for use by the subtraction unit as the template beat signal.

Abstract: A system for delivering radiation to an intracorporeal target site has a controllable external radiation source 8 and a cooperable location system for controlling the radiation source to deliver radiation to the internal target site. The location system includes a reference element positionable at an internal site having a known spatial relationship with the target site, this element being configured to provide an output signal related to its location for controlling the radiation source.

Abstract: In a method for flushing and calibrating at least one sensor in a system for body fluid analysis, said system having a first container, connected to the sensor, holding a first flushing liquid, and a second container, connected to the sensor, holding a second flushing liquid, the flushing liquids having different analytic contents, a calibration measurement is performed with one of the flushing liquids before every body fluid analysis determination, with the different flushing liquids being used alternatively according to a predetermined pattern. The pattern is governed by certain criteria or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A gas analyzer has a test chamber for a gas sample, an inlet for the gas sample and a gas sensor sensitive to gas movement, for determining the concentration of a constituent gas in the gas sample. The inlet is adapted to be connected to an inspiration line of a respirator. A shield is arranged so it covers the inlet of the test chamber, causing the gas sample to remain relatively still inside the test chamber during the analysis, regardless of the main flow of the gas to be analyzed. The gas analyzer can accordingly be devised for direct connection to the gas to be analyzed.

Abstract: A valve for regulating a gas or liquid has a valve housing with an inlet and an outlet. A valve seat is arranged in the valve housing and connects the inlet to the outlet via a valve opening. A valve body facing the valve seat is formed by a band attached at a first fixation point and a second fixation point. The first fixation point is at one end of a lever. An actuator is arranged on the other end of the lever to act on the lever so the distance between the first fixation point and the second fixation point increases. The band is then stretched, and the valve opening is exposed, enabling gas/liquid to flow toward the outlet. When the actuator's action on the lever is regulated, an exact flow of gas/liquid can be regulated.

Abstract: In a method for detecting a variation, such as a variation in the concentration of a substance, in a flowing medium, a sample of the medium is made to flow past a sensor for detecting the variation, with the direction of flow of the sample being reversed and the velocity of the sample in relation to the sensor being reduced during passage of the sample through the sensor. A device for detecting such a variation contains a sensor and a pump controlled to reverse the direction of flow and to reduce the velocity of the sample of the medium for making a measurement of the sample.

Abstract: A device for counting the number of usage cycles of a sensor, for intracorporeal electrophysiological measurement and/or therapy, has a counting unit, connected to the sensor, containing a specific identification code for the sensor, and a detection unit which detects the sensor's connection/disconnection to/from external measurement and therapy equipment. The detection unit causes a sensing unit to read a sensor identification code in the counting unit whenever the sensor is connected so as to determine, from information about sensor usage stored in a main computer, whether conditions for a new usage cycle have been met and, if so, increments the counter's contents by one usage cycle.

Abstract: In a method for modifying at least one calculation algorithm in a biopsy system and a biopsy system operating according to the method, a phantom is placed in a specific position on an object table in a biopsy system and the phantom is irradiated with penetrating radiation from at least two angles to produce at least two images. The phantom contains markers at exact positions, and the calculation algorithm can be modified on the basis of information on the known positions of the markers and image information in the two exposures.

Abstract: A device for compensating for flow resistance in an expiratory section of a ventilator system has a bellows system whose increase in volume during expiration is regulated by a regulatory device and a control unit, so that expired gas fills the bellows system. The increase in volume is regulated according to values measured for pressure so virtually complete compensation for flow resistance is attained. Pressure is measured with a first pressure gauge located by the bellows system, and a second pressure gauge located by the patient. The device can be a separate apparatus which is connectable to a ventilator, or can be totally integrated into the ventilator.

Abstract: A ventilator for respirator treatment includes a gas delivery unit and a regulating unit arranged to control the gas delivery unit to deliver gas to a patient according to prescribed parameter values to obtain sufficient ventilation of the patient. Sensors are provided for sensing respiration efforts of the patient and to control the regulating unit to adapt an operation cycle of the gas delivery unit to sensed respiration efforts of the patient. The regulating unit controls the gas delivery unit also to deliver a pressure or volume support to the respiration of the patient to a predetermined resulting total pressure or volume level. If an apnea exceeding a predetermined length of time is detected by the sensor, the regulating unit controls the gas delivery unit to deliver gas to the patient according to the aforementioned prescribed parameter.

Abstract: In a device for monitoring measurement electrodes, attached to a patient in order to pick up physiological measurement signals, and a neutral electrode and associated leads at the same time as physiological measurement signals are picked up, each measurement electrode is connected to an input terminal on its associated measurement amplifier. A test signal generator is arranged to generate a pure AC signal, without any direct current component, across the neutral electrode attached to a patient during the pickup of measurement signals.

Abstract: A vaporizer carousel for an anaesthetic machine has a gas supply device on which a holder for at least one vaporizer is arranged in a rotating fashion. A coaxial gas coupling area is arranged between the gas supply device and the holder in order to achieve an uninterrupted flow of gas between the gas supply device and the holder, regardless of the holder angle of rotation in relation to the gas supply device. The coaxial gas coupling area is formed by first and second connecting conduit in the gas supply device, first and second gas conduits in the holder and a gas space between the gas supply device and the holder.

Abstract: In a method an apparatus for vaporizing anesthetic liquids, in which a carrier gas is passed through a vaporizer so as to be saturated with vaporized anesthetic liquid, the vaporizer has a container, partially filled with anesthetic liquid, an inlet for a carrier gas, an outlet for carrier gas saturated with anesthetic and a pressure chamber. The carrier gas is supplied to the vaporizer at a pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure and is bubbled through the anesthetic liquid in the container in order to become saturated with anesthetic. The flow of gas at the outlet can be regulated as needed. Exact pressure and temperature conditions can be measured and/or regulated with a pressure meter, pressure regulator, thermometer and temperature regulator in order to regulate the partial pressure of anesthetic in the container.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling breathing of a patient, momentary compliance is calculated during an inspiration. The calculated momentary compliance is then compared to a threshold value. If momentary compliance is less than the threshold value during a first interval, positive end expiratory pressure is reduced for subsequent breathing cycles so momentary compliance is greater than the threshold value during the first interval. If momentary compliance is less than the threshold value during a second interval, the ratio between inspiration time and expiration time, as well as the breathing rate, is changed so momentary compliance is greater than the threshold value during the second interval, at the same time as a pre-defined minute volume is generated.

Abstract: An arrangement for analyzing body fluids drawn from a living subject has a fluid sample station connectable to the subject for drawing fluid from the subject, a disposable cassette connectable to the fluid sample station for receiving a fluid sample to be analyzed, a sensor unit for analyzing the fluid sample, a cassette store in which a plurality of disposable cassettes are storable and a transfer system for bringing cassettes in the cassette store, one by one, into operative connection with the fluid sample station. A control unit controls the transfer system to bring the respective cassettes into connection with the fluid sample station at a programmable rate.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for determining the position of a catheter inside the body of a patient, position signals are transmitted between the catheter and a position location unit, located at a distance from the catheter, the position signals are transmitted during a calibration stage from known calibration positions inside the body, or position signals, transmitted by the position location unit, are received at the known calibration positions. A correction function is determined from the difference between the calibration positions derived from the received location signals and the known, true calibration positions, whereupon catheter positions, derived from received position signals, are corrected in subsequent measurement stages according to the correction function.