Abstract: A breath test system is provided comprising a sensor unit configured to sense the presence or concentration of a volatile substance present in air flowing through a predefined inlet area, and generate a signal corresponding to the concentration of said substance. Also provided is an apparatus configured to detect the presence of a person in the vicinity of said input area, and registering said presence, and configured to respond by delivering an output. This apparatus includes a unit configured to call for immediate attention of said person, and upon registration of the presence of said person, provide instructions to said person to direct an expiratory air flow towards said inlet area. An analyzer to determine breath substance concentration of said person is also provided, the determination based on said signal corresponding to the substance concentration.

Abstract: A multifunctional breath analyzer includes a receptor unit for receiving a breath sample from a test subject, a sensing unit providing a signal corresponding to the concentration of at least one volatile substance within the sample, elements for providing a signal indicative of the dilution of the breath sample, and an analyzing unit/processing unit for the identification and quantification of the volatile substance of the breath sample. The signal processing unit is configured to perform at least two different calculations for the quantification, and the signal processing unit is also configured to automatically display the result of a selected calculation, the selection being based on the signal indicating dilution.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system is provided that includes an alcohol concentration determining arrangement. A control unit is adapted to receive and analyze data from the alcohol concentration determining arrangement and output a blocking signal or a dissuasion signal under certain conditions. A blocking arrangement is adapted to prevent driving of the vehicle by the vehicle occupant upon receipt of a blocking signal. An output device is adapted to receive the dissuasion signal and to present a warning to the vehicle occupant to dissuade the occupant from driving the vehicle. The control unit is operable to categorize the concentration of alcohol in the occupant's blood into one of three categories: a low concentration category, in which the blocking signal will not be generated, a high concentration category, in which the blocking signal will be generated, and an intermediate category, in which the dissuasion signal will be generated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for breath analysis from a test person who may be incapable of delivering controlled forced expiration. Breath sampling may be essentially contactless and is provided by active air intake to measuring cell (4) via receptor (2) which exhibits concentration preserving effect based on partial reflow which prevents mixing with ambient air. The analysis is performed by IR spectroscopy, including the determination of concentration of a volatile organic substance, e g ethyl alcohol, and a physiological reference substance, e g carbon dioxide. The timing of sampling is controlled by starting command from operator, and the duration of air intake is controlled by sensor signal from the measuring cell. The apparatus includes one hand unit (1), an exchangeable receptor (2), and a docking station (3).

Abstract: A system for the detection and analysis of at least one volatile substance in breath samples of a subject, including at least one source of infrared radiation adapted to the wavelength range of specific absorption peaks of said substances, a plurality of reflecting surfaces of said radiation adapted for collimation onto at least one detector providing a plurality of electrical output signals corresponding to the transmission of said radiation within wavelength intervals corresponding to said absorption peaks, at least one measuring cell including a mechanical support structure defining the position of said source, reflecting surfaces and detector, adapted to the reception and disposal of said breath sample, and exposing it to said radiation, at least one electronic signal processing unit with capacity to analyse said signals with respect to pre-programmed information concerning infrared absorption spectra of said substances.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system is provided that includes an alcohol concentration determining arrangement. A control unit is adapted to receive and analyze data from the alcohol concentration determining arrangement and output a blocking signal or a dissuasion signal under certain conditions. A blocking arrangement is adapted to prevent driving of the vehicle by the vehicle occupant upon receipt of a blocking signal. A output device is adapted to receive the dissuasion signal and to present a warning to the vehicle occupant to dissuade the occupant from driving the vehicle. The control unit is operable to categorize the concentration of alcohol in the occupant's blood into one of three categories: a low concentration category, in which the blocking signal will not be generated, a high concentration category, in which the blocking signal will be generated, and an intermediate category, in which the dissuasion signal will be generated.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for the determination of alcohol concentration of expired air. By visualising current or accumulated measuring value and error in real time during ongoing measurement, interactive control of alcohol determination is enabled with respect to accuracy and time lapse. Preferably the measurement is performed without contact with compensation for the dilution of the breath sample, which is performed by simultaneous measurement of temperature, concentration of water vapour or carbon dioxide. The method is divided into a stepwise procedure based on the dependence of the measuring error on the dilution of the expired air, and accumulated time, both being possible to influence by the test person or operator. Special advantages are being obtained at measurements relative to a concentration limit. The alcohol determination is preferably performed by means of absorption spectroscopy within the infrared wavelength range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for of assessing the blood concentration level in a human or animal subject, of a volatile blood constituent (preferably alcohol) is disclosed. The method comprises steps of positioning a sensor (21, 22) within the expiratory gas flow of the subject, wherein the sensor (21, 22) is configured to detect the presence of the constituent and provide a first output signal representative of the concentration of said constituent in air, and also to detect a presence of carbon dioxide and to provide a second output signal representative of the concentration of carbon dioxide in air. The flow of expiratory gases from the subject is sampled to provide a first signal and second signal in respect of the expiratory gases substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A system for the detection and analysis of at least one volatile substance in breath samples of a subject, including at least one source of infrared radiation adapted to the wavelength range of specific absorption peaks of said substances, a plurality of reflecting surfaces of said radiation adapted for collimation onto at least one detector providing a plurality of electrical output signals corresponding to the transmission of said radiation within wavelength intervals corresponding to said absorption peaks, at least one measuring cell including a mechanical support structure defining the position of said source, reflecting surfaces and detector, adapted to the reception and disposal of said breath sample, and exposing it to said radiation, at least one electronic signal processing unit with capacity to analyse said signals with respect to pre-programmed information concerning infrared absorption spectra of said substances.

Abstract: A sensor for the measurement of carbon dioxide concentration within an air flow being input to a measuring cell (1) connected to at least one electroacoustic element (2, 3) for transmitting and receiving airborne acoustic waves within the measuring cell (1). The output signal of the sensor corresponds to the propagation velocity of these waves and an indirect measure of carbon dioxide concentration, with an automatic offset correction functionality for compensation of undesired offset variations of the signal, caused by temperature or humidity variations. Preferably, an accumulating function for minimizing the influence of the offset variations is included, which for humidity variations may consist of a material with high porosity and surface density of polar molecular groups. Temperature control of the inner sheath (4) is effected by a temperature sensor (11), a resistive heating element (12) in good thermal contact with the inner sheath (4), and a control circuit (13).

Abstract: A sensor for monitoring gas content. The sensor comprises a housing defining at least two cavities and a resonating structure positioned in each of the cavities. Each of the resonating structures has a resonant frequency dependent upon a physical characteristic of a gas in its respective cavity. Means for exciting the resonating structures generates output signals therefrom, and means compares the output signals from each of the resonating structures and outputs a comparison signal indicative of a difference between the resonant frequencies of the two structures and the relative gas content of the at least two cavities.

Abstract: A sensor for the measurement of carbon dioxide concentration within an air flow being input to a measuring cell (1) connected to at least one electroacoustic element (2, 3) for transmitting and receiving airborne acoustic waves within the measuring cell (1). The output signal of the sensor corresponds to the propagation velocity of these waves and an indirect measure of carbon dioxide concentration, with an automatic offset correction functionality for compensation of undesired offset variations of the signal, caused by temperature or humidity variations. Preferably, an accumulating function for minimizing the influence of the offset variations is included, which for humidity variations may consist of a material with high porosity and surface density of polar molecular groups. Temperature control of the inner sheath (4) is effected by a temperature sensor (11), a resistive heating element (12) in good thermal contact with the inner sheath (4), and a control circuit (13).

Abstract: A pulse oximetry sensor has a light emitting and light detecting part containing light emitting diodes and a photo detector electrically connected to a pulse oximetry instrument, and a two-halved clamp. An optical fiber cable is connected between the part and the clamp, and a power distributor transfers part of the available electric power from the pulse oximetry instrument to a power receiver supplying electric power to a signal amplifier.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting air flow at the mouth and nose of a subject, including a transducer for converting electrical signals into ultrasound waves and vice versa, means for directing the ultrasound waves toward the mouth and nose of the subject and receiving return waves, and a detector to analyze electrical signals converted by the transducer from the return ultrasound waves.

Abstract: Apparatus for treatment of circulatory arrest includes a manually operated ultrasound probe (1) for localizing and puncture of a superficial artery (2) with a cannula (8) by which, subsequently, a catheter (10) is inserted towards the heart. The catheter (10) contains an elastically inflatable balloon (14,15) by which the distal aorta can be occluded, thereby making possible the injection of concentrated fluid through openings in the distal part of the catheter (10) from an ampoule (19) containing agents for activation of the cardiac muscle, for blood vessel dilation, for dissolving of blood clots or for protection against hypoxic injuries. The apparatus is controlled by a program stored in a memory unit (41) of a central processing unit (40). One or more pressure sensors (23), driving units (22), and pressure generators (21) are used to control the sequential processes.

Abstract: An acoustic respiration detector includes at least two tubular air transmission lines having ends which are connected to microphone elements. Close to the other ends of the lines are openings at which turbulence, and hence acoustic signals, are created by the incidence of airflow caused by respiration. A holding element secures the openings relative to the mouth or nose of a patient whose respiratory function is to be monitored, and a flow directing element, for example formed like a face mask, directs the airflow to the openings. The microphone elements are connected in a bridge circuit with two voltage supplying leads and at least one signal lead. Thereby the sensitivity to mechanical and acoustic disturbances is suppressed.

Abstract: A miniaturized pressure sensor for physiological in situ measurements has an elastic material shell having an outer surface with an opening extending therethrough. The opening is covered by an elastic diaphragm and a light conductor having an end surface is disposed inside the shell and connected thereto by a glue joint. A body of silicon or gallium is disposed inside the shell and has a thin, cantilevered, short beam portion and a reflecting surface connected to and perpendicularly projecting from a free end of the short beam portion. The reflecting surface is proximate to the end surface of the light conductor so that when the diaphragm is subjected to a pressure differential, it is forced to move thereby causing a corresponding movement of the short beam portion so that the reflecting surface is positioned opposite to the end surface of the light conductor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter for intravascular pressure measurement. The catheter includes a leader (3) with a transducer (4). The leader is surrounded by an inner sheath (2) with a reduced partial section portion (6) and by an outer sheath (1) arranged around the inner sheath. An end closure (5) joins the outer and inner sheath to each other at the distal end of the catheter to form an outer cavity (9), intended to be pressurized by an outside pressure source, whereby the attenuated partial section sealingly surrounds the leader or transducer (4). Pressure calibration in situ is enabled with the aid of the inventive catheter.

Abstract: A silicon micromechanical non-reverse valve. In a main surface of a silicon wafer there is provided a cavity and a cantilever beam. The beam extends over the cavity and is integrally formed with the wafer at its top portion. The beam is provided at a distance above the bottom wall of the cavity. A second wafer of silicon or glass is provided over the first silicon wafer and covers the cavity in order to form a chamber. A second wafer is provided with two openings one of which is situated within the outline of the beam and the other of which is situated outside said outline. The first opening acts as an inlet and the second opening as an outlet for the valve.

Abstract: An optical position-measuring sensor has a monolithic structure which includes at least two masses of photoluminescent material, which on excitation emit photoluminescent light with non-identical spectra. The at least two masses are supported in the sensor by a resilient part (e.g. a beam or diaphragm), the deflection of which determines the wavelength distribution of the luminescent light which is coupled into an optical wave conductor (e.g. a light fiber) terminating in the sensor.