Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the intratracheal pressure of a patient intubated with an endotracheal tube. An infusion conduit has a first end at the proximal end of the endotracheal tube and a second end proximate to the distal end of the endotracheal tube. The first end of the infusion conduit is connectable to a pressure sensing unit. A fluid source flows a gaseous or liquid fluid through the infusion conduit to maintain the patency of the infusion conduit from the first end to the second end and to allow the pressure obtained at the second end of the infusion conduit to be used to determine the intratracheal pressure of the subject.

Abstract: A method for determining the tidal volume (Vt) distribution in the lungs of a subject. The distribution is made among a plurality of compartments (i). Each compartment has an assigned tidal volume (Vti)/perfusion (Qi) ratio and an assigned tidal volume (Vti)/compartmental volume (Vai) ratio so that the compartments, collectively, cover a range of ventilation/perfusion ratio (Vt/Q) values and ventilation/volume (Vt/Va) ratio values. The subject inspires a bolus of analytical gases in his/her tidal volume of breathing gases. The analytical gases of the bolus have differing solubilities in the blood of the subject and are inspired in known amounts. The concentrations of the analytical gases expired by the subject are measured, preferably in a plurality of breaths. The expired analytical gas concentrations are expressed as a function dependent on the inspired bolus amounts, the ventilation/perfusion ratios, the ventilation/volume ratios, and the compartmental tidal volumes (Vti).

Abstract: A detector for determining the volume and volumetric changes of respiratory gases in a closed circuit anaesthesia circuit having a bellows ventilator. The device includes a first sensor positioned with respect to the bellows for detecting and indicating when the bellows assumes a given expanded position in a bellows housing indicative of the given volume of respiratory gas in the circuit. A second sensor detects and indicates when the bellows assumes an expanded position indicative of the greater amount of expansion than that corresponding to the given expanded position. During respiratory cycles of the patient, indications from the first sensor in the absence of indications from the second sensor indicates that the volume of gas in the closed circuit anaesthesia circuit is not changing, but is remaining at that corresponding to the given expanded position of the bellows.

Abstract: An arrangement in connection with anaesthetic devices which comprise at least two module units, which are integrated to function together, and data transmission between the module units is carried out by means of a connector arrangement, which comprises contact means arranged in both module units. To provide a durable connector arrangement at least one of the connector means is mobile so that when the module units and thereby the contact means are moved close to one another, the mobile contact means moves so that it comes into contact with the contact means in the other module unit as a result of magnetising force.

Abstract: A tracheal gas insufflation delivery system for use with a ventilator breathing system including a ventilator and a breathing circuit. The delivery system includes a flow generator connected to the inspiratory limb of the breathing circuit through an inlet line. The flow generator is operated to draw off a supply of gas to be used during tracheal gas insulation through the inlet line. The flow generator is connected by a delivery line to the patient limb of the breathing circuit, preferably, near the distal end of an endotracheal tube used in the patient limb. The gas supplied by the delivery line reduces the volume of previously exhaled gases subsequently breathed by the patient increasing the physiological efficiency of patient ventilation and allowing a reduction in ventilatory pressures. The tracheal gas insufflation delivery system may include an intermediate cylinder that can be filled by the flow generator so that the tracheal gas insufflation delivery system can deliver a greater supply of gas.

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 suspension rack in medical use, such as for the storage and suspension of cables (1) and/or tubes for equipment used in patient monitoring, anesthesia, and the like, said rack including a frame (2) provided with fastening means (3) for securing the frame to a substantially solid structure (4) and with frame-connected members for the suspension of cables and/or tubes. The frame (2) includes a bracket element (5).

Abstract: A variable orifice pulse valve has a small internal volume for providing small, accurately measured pulse volumes of gas. The valve may be employed to supply a very small quantity of a therapeutic gas or a diagnostic gas into the breathing gases of a patient. The valve has a housing with an inlet for receiving the gas and an outlet providing the pulsatile discharge of the gas. A chamber, formed in the housing, has a first opening in fluid communication with the inlet and a second opening in fluid communication with the outlet. The intermediate chamber is formed to have a small volume compared to the minimum pulsatile gas discharge volume of the valve. A spring biases a variable orifice member toward the first opening and a solenoid moves the variable orifice member away from the first opening to form an orifice that meters a dose of gas into the valve. A sealing member is spring biased into sealing engagement with the second opening.

Abstract: A tonometric device for use in hollow viscus tonometry and remote sensing of patient fluid parameters is disclosed. 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 method and apparatus for metering to a patient an anaesthetic vaporized from anaesthetic liquid held in a liquid space (27) of a liquid container (18) into a gas space (28). The anaesthetic dose contained in a gas flow supplied to a patient is determined and the dose is adjusted in a manner that the dosage of anaesthetic in a gas intended to be respired by a patient matches a desired dosage and the dosage adjustment of anaesthetic contained in a gas supplied to a patient is effected automatically whenever the current dosage differs from a desired value.

Abstract: Ischemia in a hollow internal organ can be detected in its incipient stages by obtaining a CO.sub.2 sample from within the organ of interest, measuring the partial pressure of CO.sub.2 sample, measuring the bicarbonate concentration of an arterial blood sample, and on the basis of these two measurements calculating the pH of the wall of the organ. The value of the pH is an indicator of the onset of ischemia in the organ. The CO.sub.2 sample is obtained by a novel catheter, multiple embodiments of which are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for determining the vitality or adequacy of oxygenation of the whole body, or a solid internal organ, by the measurement of the pH of venous blood.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the automatic adjustment of exposure parameters in an imaging apparatus operating on linear tomographic principles and intended for the slice imaging of the region of denture and temporomandibular joints. The method includes a stage for measuring a radiation (8) transmitted through the skull and for adjusting exposure parameters on the basis of the measuring result.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for metering to a patient an anaesthetic vaporized from anaesthetic liquid held in a liquid space (27) of a liquid container (18) into a gas space (28). The anaesthetic dose contained in a gas flow supplied to a patient is determined and the dose is adjusted in a manner that the dosage of anaesthetic in a gas intended to be respired by a patient matches a desired dosage and the dosage adjustment of anaesthetic contained in a gas supplied to a patient is effected automatically whenever the current dosage differs from a desired value.

Abstract: A method of straining a diaphragm and a device therefor. The diaphragm (3) is placed between two preferably ring-shaped frame parts (1, 2). In addition at least between one frame part (1, 2) and the diaphragm (3) is placed a resilient body (4), which touches the frame parts when they are pressed against each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mammography unit, comprising a C-arm which is mounted on a turning axle (2) adapted to be vertically (arrow C) movable on an upright column (1) and which is pivotable about the turning axle (2) (arrow D), one leg (3) of said C-arm being provided with an X-ray tube (4) and the opposite leg (5) with an image receptor, and said unit further comprising a compression element (6) for compressing the breast to be imaged against the image receptor. The C-arm is further adapted to move linearly (arrow A) in substantially radial directions in the direction transverse to the turning axle (2). The unit comprises elements (20, 21) for controlling the linear motorized movement of the C-arm (arrow A) and the relative compressive movement of the compression element (6) (arrow B) to occur simultaneously at a substantially equal speed for compressing the breast between the compression element and the image receptor.

Abstract: An applicator for coupling an electromagnetic field to a sample to be imaged by magnetic resonance imaging, comprising an electrical periodic structure constructed so as to oscillate with substantially the same phase over its whole length.

Abstract: A gas collecting unit (8) suitable for the examination of a patient's respiratory gas, which gas collecting unit is supplied from one or a plurality of gas sources (1) with a gas to be respired by a patient, and which gas collecting unit is used for delivering a gas, which at least partially contains a gas expired by a patient, to a measuring device (13) for examination. The gas collecting unit (8) comprises a dome (15) having a shell (17) which at least partially encloses a gas space (18) and which dome includes an opening (19) for pushing the head of a patient therethrough at least partially into the gas space (18) within the dome. A collar (16) has a wall (20) which extends around the dome opening (19) and which collar includes a neck opening (22) surrounded by the wall (20) for introducing the head of a patient therethrough towards the gas space (18). The wall (20) of said collar connects the shell of said dome (15) against the skin of a patient.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a data transmission system for the identification of the location (20) of the data terminal equipment (16). The system comprises the data terminal equipment (16) which operates according to the instructions given by a program, the data network (13) for the transmission of the data between the data terminal equipment (16) and, data network connection points (18), adapted to forward communication, and to which there is a connection from the data terminal equipment, an element (14) linked to the data terminal equipment, correspondingly adapts the communication to be transferred to the data terminal equipment and network. The invention is characterized in that a coding element (15) can be linked to the data terminal equipment to be connected to the network, from which coding element the physical address of the equipment location (20) can be read into a transmittable communication.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for anticipating a change occurring in the condition of a patient's organism before the condition of a patient reaches a critical point, the condition of a patient's organism being monitored by the application of an appropriate measuring method and the determinations according to said measuring method being effected at appropriate time intervals. The measuring results obtained on the basis of effected measurements, the number of which must be at least two, or quantities derived therefrom are utilized for predicting the future development of one or more measuring results and, if a measuring result according to the prediction indicates that a limit value representing a predetermined critical point is reached in the condition of a patient within a predetermined period of time, a warning signal is released indicating that this critical point is being approached.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for analyzing a compound to be drawn from a patient's organ. The apparatus comprises a sampling element having a wall which a compound to be analyzed is capable of penetrating. The apparatus also includes a pressure-difference producing element which, through the action of a pressure-difference, is capable of delivering a sample along a tube extending from the sampling element. The apparatus also includes an analyzer capable of performing an analysis on a sample drawn from the sampling element. The analyzer is in flow communication with the sampling element by way of the tube. According to the method, a mixture consisting of a medium and a compound drawn from the organ is delivered to the analyzer for a subsequent analysis, and at least some of the mixture is returned from the analyzer back to the sampling element.