Abstract: An X-ray imaging system has an X-ray head containing an x-ray source which emits an X-ray beam. The head is rotatable around a pair of orthogonal axes for orienting the emitted X-ray beam in space. A pair of head angle sensors are located with the X-ray head, each being associated with a different one of the pair of axes for measuring an angle of inclination of the X-ray head dependent on its rotation around its associated axis. A display is operably connected to each head angle sensor through a signal processing unit for providing a graphic displaying of angle information related to each of the measured angles collocated at a single viewing station.

Abstract: A subject table for a mammography apparatus has a slot for an X-ray film cassette extending therethrough, as well as a locking mechanism for the cassette arranged in the slot. The locking mechanism has a first detent and a second detent, at least one of the detents being spring-loaded such that the detents lie tightly against the narrow sides of the cassette when a cassette is introduced into the slot. In order to allow removal or replacement of a cassette with a simple manipulation, the lock mechanism has at least one arm that is spring-loaded in its longitudinal direction, and having one end provided with the first detent. The arm is displaceable in its longitudinal direction, and the second detent is displaceable perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the arm. When the second is removed from the cassette by an operating manipulation, the spring loading of the first detent causes the cassette to be ejected from the slot to a sufficient extent to allow it to be grasped by the operator.

Abstract: In a method for controlling an expiratory valve in a ventilator during expiration, including a stage in which the expiratory valve is opened almost completely for a first interval. Opening the expiratory valve almost completely results in a reduction in expiratory resistance. Thus in the first interval of flow or pressure in the expiratory part of the ventilator, a determination is made when the flow or pressure in the expiratory part meets a condition. A second interval is started when the flow in the expiratory part meets the condition and the expiratory valve is regulated during the second interval in order to attain a pre-set end pressure in the expiratory section.

Abstract: A coupling system for transferring liquid anaesthetic from a bottle to a vaporizer has a first part, having a first valve with a first spring-loaded valve body and a first counter body, and a second valve part, having in the corresponding fashion a second valve with a second spring-loaded valve body and a second counter body, the first part and the second part being interconnectable. The first counter body is devised to act on the second spring-loaded valve body in an opening direction, and the second counter body is devised to act on the first spring-loaded valve body in an opening direction to form a path of flow for the liquid anaesthetic.

Abstract: A dosing system has a dosing unit for delivering an amount of an additive into an inspiration gas from a mechanical ventilator an introducer arrangement for introducing an indicator material into the inspiration gas at an onset time within an inspiration phase, and a control arrangement which monitors a level of a component of the expiration gas related to the indicator material during a successive expiration phase and to control the dosing unit to vary the timing of delivery of the additive dependent on both the monitored level and the onset time.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for pressurized medical liquids has a primary reservoir and a primary pressurizing arrangement configured for removably pressurizing medical liquid in the primary reservoir to a delivery pressure. A secondary reservoir has an inlet connected via a valve to receive pressurized liquid from the primary reservoir. As secondary pressurizing arrangement is arranged for supplying a compensating pressure to the received pressurized liquid to maintain it at substantially the delivery pressure as pressure is reduced in the primary reservoir, particularly during refilling with medical liquid from an unpressurized source.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for deriving indices characterizing atrial arrhythmias, a temporally isolated portion of a digital representation of a time-domain electrical signal originating from the atria of a patient is frequency analyzed to provide a corresponding frequency spectrum. The obtained frequency spectrum is compared with a template frequency spectrum, selectively adapted dependent on previously obtained frequency spectra from different temporally isolated portions, to determine a frequency shift value and an amplitude value that optimize a correlation between the two spectra. An output representing the two determined values is used, possibly together with parameters describing the template frequency spectrum, to classify an atrial arrhythmia manifest in the digital representation.

Abstract: A gas container has a gas inlet, a gas outlet, a variable-volume chamber connected to the gas inlet and the gas outlet and a constant force applicator acting on the variable-volume chamber so that constant gas pressure prevails in the variable-volume chamber, regardless of variations in the chamber's volume. The constant force applicator is formed by a spring and a force transfer mechanism that interact with each other through a center of rotation (14) and an application point. The force transfer mechanism varies the distance between the center of rotation and the application point according to the variation in the volume of the variable-volume chamber.

Abstract: A directional valve for respiratory devices has a valve body and a valve seat whose contact surface with the valve body is primarily horizontal. In order to enhance and reinforce the directional valve's operation, the valve body contains a ferromagnetic material, preferably permanently magnetized, a coil is magnetically couplable to the valve body, a source of current is connected to the coil, and a control unit controls the source of current in order to regulate current through the coil to magnetically couple the coil to the valve body, in one or both of the closing and opening directions.

Abstract: A holder for connection to a first unit has a locking device designed for insertion, in a first position, into a receiving part in the first unit and, in a second position, for locking the holder to the first unit, is described. The holder's locking device has a threaded locking shaft arranged for axial movement in the holder, a handle with a threaded hole for admitting the locking shaft and a locking element rigidly connected to the locking shaft. The holder also has at least one beveled shoulder against which the locking element is axially movable, the handle axially pulling the locking shaft, as well as the locking element, against the beveled shoulder when rotated for locking, thereby inducing simultaneous rotation of the locking element to lock the holder to the receiving part.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for evaluating effective flow resistance of a patient breathing circuit connected to a mechanical breathing assist device, a flow controller is operable to temporarily introduce an occlusion to the gas flow within the breathing circuit at a time after the end of an inspiration phase of a breathing cycle provided by the breathing assist device. A sensor unit 34 has a flow sensor for measuring gas flow within the circuit and a pressure sensor for measuring gas pressures within the circuit. An evaluating unit receives measurements from the sensor unit, to determine for a measured gas flow a value of a pressure drop within the breathing circuit after the introduction of the occlusion, and establishes a relationship between the calculated pressure drop and the measured gas flow, such as based on the known Blasius formula.

Abstract: In a method for assessing pulmonary stress, a volume of respiratory gas is received from the lungs of a subject, an ensuing pressure is measured and the pressure-volume (P-V) relationship is analyzed. The analysis includes a determination of the profile of the pressure-volume (P-V) relationship. The profile is straight when no stress is present, convex when there is a risk for over-distension and concave when alveolar units are opened up. Implemented in a breathing apparatus the method can be used to assist an operator in diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in relation to a patient.

Abstract: A digital x-ray imaging system has a digital image generator with an x-ray source for irradiating a subject with a radiation beam and a data acquisition system located to detect the radiation after its interaction with the subject, to generate an image of the subject and to emit a digital data set representing the image. A digital image processor is connected to the digital image generator to receive first and second digital data sets respectively representing images obtained at different first and second exposure levels. The processor is configured to generate a third digital data set which when reconstructed provides an enhanced contrast information digital image. The third didgital data set is formed by data extracted from each of the first and the second digital data sets selected as representing regions of different radiation absorbency of the subject, dependent on the respective first and second exposure levels.

Abstract: An expiration cassette is removably insertable in a receiving section of a ventilator and contains a gas passage, an expiratory valve and a flow meter. The expiratory cassette also has a locking mechanism for lacking and unlocking interaction with a receiving section in the ventilator.

Abstract: A heating device has a microwave source and a radiating antenna for coupling microwaves from the source into respiration gas in a gas flow-path of a patient breathing circuit, such as in an expiration gas-flow section internally located in a mechanical breathing aid. The microwave source and antenna are arranged to couple microwave energy sufficient to heat respiration gas in the flow path at a location at or upstream of a measuring device, such as a flow meter, to prevent condensation at the device. A detector and signal processor also are provided to calculate a moisture content from the microwave interaction with the respiration gas.

Abstract: In a method for calibration and measurement of a micro-dialysis system and a micro-dialysis system, one sensor is employed. Measurement times in micro-dialysis tend to be long, since concentration equilibrium at the measurement probe is necessary. The method enables calibration and measurement to be performed with two dialysates with differing analyte contents in order to facilitate measurement with no need to wait for complete equilibrium.

Abstract: When treating patients with severely injured or sick lungs, there is often the problem of providing a life sustaining treatment without risking further damage to the lungs as a result of the treatment itself. An apparatus for improving the distribution of gas in the lungs of a patient to alleviate this problem directs a controllable pressure to one or several selected positions on the patient's thorax. In one embodiment of the apparatus, the apparatus includes a vest which includes compartments which can be filled with a fluid under pressure from a pressure source via tubes.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system has an X-ray head containing an x-ray source which emits an X-ray beam. The head is rotatable around a pair of orthogonal axes for orienting the emitted X-ray beam in space. A pair of head angle sensors are located with the X-ray head, each being associated with a different one of the pair of axes for measuring an angle of inclination of the X-ray head dependent on its rotation around its associated axis. A display is operably connected to each head angle sensor through a signal processing unit for providing a graphic displaying of angle information related to each of the measured angles collocated at a single viewing station.

Abstract: In a method for determining the gas content, e.g. of oxygen in breathing gas in a breathing apparatus, and a breathing apparatus operating according to the method, the gas content is determined from the speed of sound in the breathing gas. In order to resolve the problems caused by temperature variations in gas samples, determination of the speed of sound is synchronized with one or more specific times in a respiratory cycle. Determination can then be made when conditions are most stable.

Abstract: In a cart and a carrier for medical equipment, the carrier has a bottom section and a back section and a pair of wheels and is arranged on an axle at the junction between the bottom section and the back section. The axle functions as a pivot axle and the back section as a lever for lifting the entire bottom section off the floor when the carrier is moved. Smooth and convenient interaction between the cart and carrier is achieved because the cart has a receiving part and a first locking part, and the carrier has a coupling arrangement and a second locking part. The coupling arrangement can be inserted into the receiving part and serves as a pivot axle for the carrier. The carrier locks to the cart when the second locking part is moved toward the first locking part when the carrier is lifted around the pivot axle.