Abstract: Devices and to methods for thoracic drainage for a patient having an air fistula. A vacuum is produced in the pleural cavity of the patient by means of a suction device. In order to adjust the vacuum on the basis of objective criteria, a suitable size measure for the air fistula is determined and the vacuum produced by the suction device is controlled according to said size measure. An adaptive algorithm includes: (a) determining a first value of a size measure for the air fistula; (b) changing the vacuum by a first difference value; (c) determining a second value of the size measure after a first waiting period; (d) changing the vacuum by a second difference value having the opposite sign if the second measure is greater than the first measure; (e) repeating steps (a) to (d) after a second waiting period.

Abstract: Devices and to methods for thoracic drainage for a patient having an air fistula. A vacuum is produced in the pleural cavity of the patient by means of a suction device. In order to adjust the vacuum on the basis of objective criteria, a suitable size measure for the air fistula is determined and the vacuum produced by the suction device is controlled according to said size measure. An adaptive algorithm includes: (a) determining a first value of a size measure for the air fistula; (b) changing the vacuum by a first difference value; (c) determining a second value of the size measure after a first waiting period; (d) changing the vacuum by a second difference value having the opposite sign if the second measure is greater than the first measure; (e) repeating steps (a) to (d) after a second waiting period.

Abstract: Devices and to methods for thoracic drainage for a patient having an air fistula. A vacuum is produced in the pleural cavity of the patient by means of a suction device. In order to adjust the vacuum on the basis of objective criteria, a suitable size measure for the air fistula is determined and the vacuum produced by the suction device is controlled according to said size measure. An adaptive algorithm includes: (a) determining a first value of a size measure for the air fistula; (b) changing the vacuum by a first difference value; (c) determining a second value of the size measure after a first waiting period; (d) changing the vacuum by a second difference value having the opposite sign if the second measure is greater than the first measure; (e) repeating steps (a) to (d) after a second waiting period.

Abstract: In an apparatus for guiding a medical probe into body cavities, a handle housing is provided consisting of inner, upper and lower modules. The inner module comprises a rinsing liquid supply and suctioning hose assembly, which can be removed and discarded after use. The lower housing part includes probe support and guide structures and the upper housing part includes operating slide members engaging the hoses of the hose assembly for controlling the flow through the hoses. It also includes means extending through the inner module and engaging the probe support in the lower module for axially moving the probe support and the probe retained therein. A two-lumina shaft extends from the apparatus in alignment with the probe and receives the probe, and flow communication structures are provided for interconnecting the two hoses with the lumina in the shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope, in particular a mediastinoscope, in which the handle and the optics guided therein form an inseparable unit and which includes a first and second spatula-like part which can be separated from one another in the longitudinal direction. An adjusting mechanism is provided which permits a separation, a fastenable displacement parallel to the axis and a fastenable pivoting of the two parts relative to one another. In particular by way of the pivotability an expansion of a body cavity to be visually examined or which is to undergo therapy by way of introduced auxiliary instruments is made possible according to requirements.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for applying a multiple component tissue adhesive, which apparatus has component conveying channels for the components of the tissue adhesive, extending in a one-piece construction part from a connecting part to a delivery part, and a gas conveying channel for a medicinal gas serving for atomizing the tissue adhesive components, wherein all the conveying channels end in separate exit openings at a front side of the delivery part and extend parallel to one another over at least that part of their longitudinal extension which is immediately upstream of the exit openings, and wherein the component conveying channels together are enclosed by the gas conveying channel at least on that part of their longitudinal extension immediately in front of their exit openings.