Abstract: The invention relates to a method for localizing cross-sectional X-ray images (6) taken from a given part of the dental arch, said imaging being effected with a panoramic X-ray apparatus which is provided with a patient supporting mechanism (1) and software for imaging the jaw in the transverse direction. The method includes a step of imaging cross-sections (6) on the same film as a respective longitudinal image (5) of the dental arch, and the cross-sectional images (6) are exposed to include identifications (A, B, C) for the sections, said identifications being also exposed on the longitudinal image (5) in alignment with the cross-sections along which the images are taken.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for mixing gases with each other, said apparatus comprising at least two channels (1, 2) for flowing a gas therein and regulating elements (10, 11) fitted in these channels for controlling a flow progressing in the channels. One channel includes a restricting element (12) connected in series with regulating element (11) for adjusting a maximum value for a gas flowing there through, said restricting element being linked through the intermediary of a coupling assembly (15) to regulating element (10) in one channel such that the operations of regulating element (10) and restricting element (12) are linked together.The invention relates also to a method for combining gases together at a desired ratio, said gases flowing in at least two different channels (1, 2).

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for panoramic x-ray equipment automatically adjusts imaging parameters. The intensity of radiation passed through the patient is measured by detectors, such as photo diodes, and provided to a control unit. On the basis of the measured radiation, the control units identifies anatomical features and adjusts the imaging parameters accordingly.

Abstract: Liquid incursion into the gas analyzer or monitoring components of a gas analyzer of a variety employed in medical practice is prevented by a sequence of components performing under computer control. A liquid detector is positioned immediately downstream of the liquid separator/trap of the apparatus to detect any failure of that separating system. Should an incursion occur, the output of the detector will cause a safety valve to block further passage of materials into the monitoring components. The removable separator/trap components are monitored by interlock sensors. Upon appropriate signaling of such removal, a purging valve is actuated to employ atmospheric air made available by the removal of the separator/trap unit to purge the encroaching liquid from the forward components of the analyzer assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. The nuclei, protons or the paramagnetic electrons of an imaged object are cyclically polarized during a period of about one second with a permanent magnet which is then quickly shifted away from the imaged object in a permanent magnet carrier tube, so that the field of the permanent magnet would not have an interfering effect on the immediately following signal-collection for MRI-imaging. The permanent magnet can be manipulated or shifted back and forth in the tube either magnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically or mechanically. The apparatus also includes another permanent magnet or a resistive magnet coil couple, which is located in the tube near the opposite end of the tube, and which generates a homogeneous magnetic field within the imaged area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the examination of an object, such as a human body, an animal or the trunk of a tree, on the basis of NMR phenomenon and magnetic resonance imaging techniques, said method including a preparatory section and a signal pick-up section. Said preparatory section comprises the actions for producing a spin inversion and the actions for off-resonance radiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method based on the NMR phenomenon and magnetic resonance imaging techniques for the examination of an object, such as a human body, an animal or a tree trunk, wherein the image-related information is collected by effecting several times the operations required by a so-called imaging sequence, wherein the excitation procedure is followed by coupling across the object a magnetic field gradient, a so-called phase-encoding gradient, produced as a resultant of one or more divergent gradient fields, and thereafter a so-called read-out gradient during which a nuclear magnetic resonance signal is collected. One or more component gradient fields of said phase-encoding gradient produce a read-out gradient in some of the sequence repetition times.

Abstract: A method for providing reference markers in magnetic resonance (MR) images which are highly discernible and accurately defined in the MR image. The method may be carried out with short imaging times. The reference markers have a volume containing NMR active nuclei and an electron spin resonance relaxant During the MRI examination procedure of an object, electron spin resonance energy is supplied to the reference markers to amplify the NMR signal from the markers by dynamic nuclear polarization. The amplification improves the visibility of the reference marker in the MR image of the object while permitting the size of the marker to be reduced to improve the accuracy by which other features appearing in the image may be located by reference to the markers. The reference markers may be used to locate anatomical features in a portion of a human body undergoing MRI examination.

Abstract: An operative instrument for the examination of an object, for example a biopsy tube or a capsule of a radioactive substance intended for radiation therapy. A part of the operative instrument, the active part, is adapted to be detected by NMR methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging, either in a manner that the active part contains a substance having NMR active nuclei or in a manner that the NMR active nuclei in proximity of the active part of the object can emit NMR signals in connection with an NMR or magnetic resonance imaging examination arrangement. A substance, a relaxant, is arranged in interaction with said NMR active nuclei, said relaxant causing activation of the NMR signal by means of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) when the electron spin system of said substances is saturated with external energy, i.e. saturation energy.

Abstract: A mechanism for transporting a patient to a magnetic resonance unit. A coil seat is mounted on the upper surface of a lower bed and the lower bed is mounted for movement relative to a magnet. An upper bed is mounted for movement on the lower bed. In the positioning stage, the coil is located outside of the magnet and the upper bed carrying a patient is moved relative to the lower bed to position the patient in registry with the coil, such that a desired anatomical area is brought into the imaging area of the coil. This is followed by pushing the upper and lower beds as a unit into the bore of the magnet. As various coils can be positioned on the lower bed at a common positioning location, it is possible to employ a common electric connection to eliminate the need for separately attachable cables.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coil and coupling arrangement for use in equipment based on magnetic resonance, which arrangement can be applied e.g. to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The apparatus is adapted to operate on more than one polarizing magnetic field strength and the apparatus includes a coil arrangement for producing and detecting a resonance signal as well as for changing the energy states of spin systems. The operating states and physical properties, such as e.g. the resonance frequency, of the coil arrangement are changed by using switches or couplings whose state is controlled by the polarizing magnetic field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the identification of a gas flow or its disturbances. A gas flowing in a gas pipe is allowed to pass through at least two flow-restricting elements in series, the pressure differences of a flowing gas being measured over said elements and effecting the identification by means of such measured pressure differences.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging method for the examination of an object such as a human body, an animal or a tree trunk, based on the NMR phenomenon and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. The amplitude of excitation pulses used for producing an NMR signal is selected in a manner that a so-called excitation angle is smaller than 90.degree. and the object of these excitation pulses is subjected to electromagnetic irradiation at a frequency which is different from the resonance frequency of an NMR signal recording on the magnetic image of said object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the examination of a moving component by the application of NMR methods and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). The saturation of electron spins required by DNP is adapted to occur within such area of an object in which the polarizing magnetic field has a different strength from the area of object which is subjected to NMR operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for the examination of an object, such as a human body, by means of ultrasound and NMR methods in such a manner that both examination methods are adapted to be effected substantially simultaneously and on the same target area. The apparatus is provided with a device for radiating the magnetization of an electron spin system in the said target area in order to achieve a dynamic nuclear polarization and to amplify an NMR signal through a so-called Overhauser-phenomenon.

Abstract: An intubation tube contains both a sampling connector (2) for a gas analyzer and a spirometer (18). Spirometer (18) and sampling connector (2) are manufactured so that, in operation, they make up a single unit which is linked via outflow tubes 6 and 7 to pressure and/or flow measuring elements (12, 13) as well as via a sampling tube (9) to a gas analyzer (10). A microprocessor adjusts the flow rate in accordance with the composition of the gas as determined by the gas analyzer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying dynamic nuclear polarization and magnetic imaging to studying an object. As the saturation of an electron spin system required by dynamic nuclear polarization is proceeding, the intensity of a polarizing magnetic field over the object is different from that of a polarizing magnetic field lying over the object during the detection of an NMR signal. The apparatus is provided with means for changing the intensity of a polarizing magnetic field in a manner such that the difference between magnetic field intensities is achieved.

Abstract: An NMR signal measuring method for simultaneously measuring RF field components inducing in RF coils and spinning in opposite directions. The components spinning in opposite directions are measured separately and the measuring results are compared for the elimination of faults.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the determination of the content of one or a plurality of gas components, e.g. carbon dioxide, present in the respiratory gas of a patient, especially in small children whose respiration is characterized by a high respiration frequency and a small respiration volume. The method is based on sucking, e.g. by means of a pump (8), into a tube (5) samples of the respratory gas of a patient from the phase of a respiratory cycle that is considered appropriate. In the determination of carbon dioxide content, the sampling is preferably effected as of the instant at which a flow reversal detector (4) fitted in tube (2) detects that a patient is inhaling or when the corresponding reverasl of flow has been detected in a respirator (3). In the determination of carbon dioxide content, the sampling must be stopped before the boundary zone of fresh incoming gas and exhaled gas, in inhalation reaches the end of sampling tube (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer method and an arrangement for a film cassette unit in a panoramic X-ray apparatus. A film cassette unit (6), comprising a film cassette and cassette aggregate, is transferred either manually or electrically upwards from between patient and operator. After positioning a patient, prior to effecting the imaging, the film cassette unit (6) is lowered or descends automatically down to an imaging position. The transfer can be effected either by turning around a horizontal shaft (9) or by moving in vertical plane.