Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for imaging the head area of a patient by taking both cephalometric X-ray and photographic images of desired objects to be imaged. The method is conducted by using a mechanism (1) applicable to cephalometric X-ray imaging, which comprises an X-ray source (5) in front of an object, an X-ray receiving element behind the object, and patient positioning implements (8-10). The apparatus is further fitted with photographic instruments (13) for taking photographs from an object to be imaged. In the method, a patient is placed by means of the patient positioning implements (8-10) in a desired imaging position and imaged in the same imaging position in both modes of imaging.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for ECG monitoring, comprising measuring electrodes R, F, L, N; V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6) attached to a patient (P) in accordance with a standard electrode placement; signal leads (1-10) connected to corresponding measuring electrodes (R, F, L, N; V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6) each of said signal leads being provided with a first connector element (11); a collecting connector (13) containing second connector elements (14) for receiving the first connector elements (11); an ECG apparatus comprising an amplifier unit (16) to which the measurement signals are passed from the collecting connector; and change-over switches (18-22) which are so implemented that, in a first connection position (I), they will conduct the measurement signals from the measuring electrodes (R, F, L, N; V1, V2, V3V4, V5, V6) attached to the patient (P) to the ECG apparatus so that the corresponding signal leads (1-10) are connected to a patient, while in a second connection position (II) they establish a shielding

Abstract: Micromachining, etching and bonding techniques are employed to fabricate hermetically sealed gas-filled chambers from silicon and/or glass wafers. The hermetically sealed gas-filled chambers have precise dimensions and are filled with a preselected concentration of gas, thus rendering exceptional performance for use as an optical gas filter. The first step involves etching one or more cavities or holes in one or more glass or silicon wafers. These wafers eventually become part of a chip assembly having one or more hermetically sealed gas-filled chambers after appropriate bonding procedures. Interfaces between aligned silicon wafers are bonded using fusion bonding techniques whereas interfaces between silicon and glass wafers are bonded using anodic bonding techniques.

Abstract: A nebulizer apparatus to atomize liquid solutions or suspensions. The nebulizer is typically used in conjunction with a breathing circuit to deliver atomized medicine to a patient. A housing with an opening covered by a thin mesh plate is supplied with the liquid to be nebulized on an “on-demand” basis. The mesh plate or liquid is vibrated at ultrasonic frequencies to atomize the liquid as it passes through the plate into the breathing gases flowing through the breathing tube. The vibration is produced with a piezoelectric element. The most efficient point to produce vibrations is found by measuring current, voltage or phase angle taken by the piezoelectric element or by measuring the resistance of the strain gauge attached to vibrator.

Abstract: A radiation source assembly and transducer incorporating same are suitable for use in measuring spectral absorption properties of a substance to be analyzed, such as a gas. The radiation source assembly has an optical axis. A measuring radiation source provides radiation in the direction of the axis and a reference radiation source provides radiation in the direction of the axis. An optical diffuser is spaced from the radiation sources along the axis. Radiation from the measuring radiation source and radiation from the reference radiation source are applied to the diffuser and the diffuser forms an exiting radiation beam for the assembly from the radiation of the measuring radiation source and reference radiation source. The exiting radiation beam extends along the axis.

Abstract: A breathing circuit of the closed circuit type has improved means for removing water vapor to prevent condensation within the circuit. A dryer is placed in the breathing circuit, downstream of the CO2 absorber, for removing water vapor from the breathing gases, including that entrained in the breathing gases during passage through the CO2 absorber. The dryer may utilize a thermoelectric cooling element or a water vapor permeable membrane.

Abstract: A method/apparatus for non-invasively measuring a neurological activity state in the brain of a subject to ascertain, for example, the state of the hypnotic component of the subject's anesthesia. The method/apparatus comprises means for, or the step of, passing light through a portion of the brain of the subject, the light having a characteristic that subjects it to scattering during passage by tissues of the brain, the light scattering capabilities of the brain tissues varying responsive to their neurological activity. The light exiting the brain tissue portion is measured to determine the amount of scattering it has undergone as a measurement of the state of the hypnotic component of the subject's anesthesia. Light having a wavelength in a range of 650-1000 nm, preferably around 800 nm may be used.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in an apparatus for analyzing, on the basis of radiation absorption properties, one or more gas component included in a gaseous medium from an origin, like exhaled air from a person. The apparatus comprises a radiation source (10); a measuring chamber (8) provided with radiation transmissive windows (7a, 7b) for receiving a gas mixture (6) from at least the gaseous medium (G1); a first detector (1), which receives the radiation passed through the gas mixture; and between the radiation source and the detector a first optical interference filter (3), which has a first radiation transmission wavelength band and which is tiltable (P) relative to the passing radiation (R) beam.

Abstract: A method for purging an undesired fluid, such as NO2, from a fluid gas administration system, such as an NO gas administration system. In normal operation, the system supplies NO to the patient with the breathing gases inspired during the inspiration phase of the respiratory cycle. Breathing gases are expired during the expiration phase of the respiratory cycle. In the method, the expiration phase of the patient's respiratory cycle is sensed and the administration system is operated in the expiration phase to pass NO through the system to flush out the system, including any NO2 present, into the expired breathing gases of the patient. Since the contents of the system are discharged during the expiration phase, the NO2 gas so removed is carried away from the patient with the expired breathing gases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tonometric measuring head for bringing a measuring medium to a composition consistent with an individual to be examined non-invasively through the outermost tissue layer. A measuring head comprises a sealed chamber, having a wall whose oppositely facing sides are essentially made of pliable membrane materials, at least one membrane material of said materials being permeable to a gas to be analyzed but effectively impermeable at least to solids and liquids, as well as a measuring medium in a cavity within the wall. The measuring head is provided with a guide member between the chamber and an external device. In addition, the chamber wall is partially constituted by a pliable second membrane material which is effectively impermeable both to a gas to be analyzed and to at least solids and liquids.

Abstract: An arrangement in an anesthesia apparatus, the anesthesia apparatus comprising a filling device located by a vaporizer and an anesthetic bottle that fits the filling device, the filling device being provided with a valve device, which is arranged to open and close as needed. To provide a controlled discharging of anesthetic, the arrangement comprises a discharge space, which is connected to an interspace formed between the anesthetic bottle and the valve device located in the filling device when the anesthetic bottle is being pulled outward, and a closing member, which, as a result of the anesthetic bottle being pulled outward, is arranged to open a flow connection between the interspace and the discharge space before the connection between the anesthetic bottle and the filling device opens.

Abstract: A tonometric device for use in hollow viscus tonometry and remote sensing of patient fluid parameters is disclosed in combination with a secondary apparatus, such as a urinary catheter, a nasogastric sump apparatus, or a feeding tube, for example. The device is capable of monitoring certain critical fluid properties of interest, such as oxygen gases and carbon dioxide gases in the wall tissue itself of the patient's organ, rather than monitoring such properties in a lumen of the organ. A walled sampling chamber, which is preferably an inflated balloon member, is provided on an elongated tube, with provisions for positioning the sampling chamber in direct contact with a wall portion of the patient's internal organ.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring sensor (10), comprising: detector legs (1, 2 movable to varying distances (H1. . . H2) from each other; detector elements (11) and possible emission elements (12) in the detector legs; pivoting means, the detector legs being tiltable (M) relative to each other around a pivoting axis (13) established thereby; operating legs (3, 4), each of which is attached to done detector leg and serves as an extension thereof; a spring element (7) between the operating legs for producing a compressive force (P2) between the detector legs, containing for example a finger which is non-invasively measured with the measuring sensor for some characteristic. The spring element (7) consists of an elastomer material and a solid component, extending from the first operating leg (3) to the second operating leg (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for compensating measured concentration values of a first chemical compound (A) within a first internal tract (1*) of a patient, which concentration values (PA) are rendered by a second chemical compound (B), which is becoming present in the body of said patient, to deviate from actual concentration when mixing with the first chemical compound within said first internal tract. Concentration values (EB) of at least said second chemical compound (B) in a second tract (2*) of said patient is measured or derived several times and estimated concentration values (CB) of said second chemical compound is determined simulating its non-detected concentrations in said first internal tract of the patient. The measured initial concentration values (PA) of said first chemical compound (A) in the first internal tract (1*) is corrected by a compensating factor (Fc), whereafter said successive and corrected concentration values (CA) are the respective one for display and/or further use.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring a mechanically transmitted signal based on the organs or vital functions and for processing the results, the apparatus comprising a measuring sensor arrangement (10) comprising one or more measuring sensors (1) and signal processing means (2; 2, 3, 4) for processing the sensor signal(s), transmission means (5; 5a, 5b) for transmitting the signal generated by the sensor arrangement (10), a data collecting device (6) for receiving and storing the signal transmitted by the transmission means, means (7) for processing the signal stored by the data collecting device (6) and a display or output device (8) for presenting the results.

Abstract: A method and arrangement in connection with a ventilator, in which fresh gas is supplied to a patient and part of the patient's breathing gas is supplied to the patient with a bellows means. To provide a basic solution suitable for a variety of uses fresh gas is supplied to the patient by means of a gas mixer. The fresh gas flow from the gas mixer is occasionally led to drive the bellows means.

Abstract: An improved remote sensing tonometric catheter apparatus (20) and method for sampling of a fluid or gas property of interest in a hollow internal organ. The tonometric catheter (20) assists in early detection of the problems of stress ulceration and/or intestinal ischemia. The tonometric catheter (20) can be one or more sampling chambers (40) for introduction into an internal organ or area adjacent thereto. Preferably, the wall (36) of the sampling chamber (40) is freely permeable to the gas or fluid to be measured by the sensor (42), but is poorly permeable to other gases or fluids which may interfere with the sensor (42).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the difference between a regional CO2 partial pressure of a selected body organ of a mammalian subject, such as the gut, and a systemic CO2 partial pressure of the subject. The regional CO2 partial pressure value is tonometrically obtained at body temperature using a gaseous sampling medium. A systemic CO2 partial pressure value is obtained from the blood. The systemic CO2 partial pressure value can be that for the body temperature or for a standard temperature. If the systemic CO2 partial pressure value is that for the body temperature, the regional CO2 partial pressure value is compared to the systemic CO2 partial pressure value and the difference therebetween is provided as a CO2 partial pressure gap measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus/method for detecting an empty breathing gas compartment condition in a bellows ventilator for a patient. The apparatus includes a first sensor for measuring, during inspiration, the incoming flow of gas into a driving gas compartment located in the bellows container. The second sensor measures the pressure in the driving gas compartment. During the inspiration cycle, measurements taken by the first and second sensors are signaled to a control unit and used to determine a .DELTA.V/.DELTA.p compliance value. The compliance value will be large if the bellows is movable, i.e. not in the empty breathing compartment gas condition. The compliance value is small if the empty breathing gas compartment condition exists. The compliance value, so determined, is compared with a reference compliance value in the control unit to detect the empty breathing gas compartment condition.