Abstract: In a method for analyzing anaesthetic agents and an analyzer operating according to the method, a parameter directly related to the anaesthetic agent's dielectric polarization is determined. A measuring unit has a container for the anaesthetic agent, two capacitor plates, devised so the anaesthetic agent can be interposed between them for analysis, a voltage source, connectable to the capacitor plates for controlled application of at least one voltage across the plates, and a voltmeter, connectable to the capacitor plates for measuring a voltage across the capacitor plates. The measurement results are analyzed in an analysis unit and the anaesthetic agent is identified from the analysis result. Mixing and/or contamination of anaesthetic agents can also be identified.

Abstract: An anaesthetic vaporizer for dosing a liquid anaesthetic has a liquid container for the anaesthetic, and outlet tube from the liquid container to a dosing point, a first regulator for regulating a flow of anaesthetic from the liquid container toward the dosing point and a control unit for controlling dosing. To improve dosing and safety, the anaesthetic vaporizer has a return tube connected in parallel across the first regulator by a first connection point, downstream from the first regulator, and a second connection point, upstream from the first regulator, a second regulator is arranged in the return tube and a third regulator is arranged in the outlet tube, downstream from the first connection point. The control unit controls at least one of the regulators in dosing the anaesthetic.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a breathing gas to a patient has a gas supply for generating a flow of breathable gas during an inspiration and an expiration phase of a patient breathing cycle. An inspiration line is provided having an inlet through which a flow of breathing gas from the supply can pass as well as an expiration line through which an expiration gas from the patient can flow. A flow controller is provided for selecting, during an inspiration phase, a first flow path for gas from the supply into the inlet and for selecting, during the expiration phase, a second flow path for gas from the supply in a direction across a venturi outlet of the expiration line, to enhance removal of expiration gas therefrom by venturi suction.

Abstract: A manual ventilation bag has a first opening and a second opening, a first soft bag connected to the first opening and a second soft bag connected to the second opening. The manual ventilation bag is advantageously used in combination with a breathing apparatus.

Abstract: An anesthetic filter arrangement has a filter housing with openings disposed to delimit a gas flow path inside the housing for gas passing to and from a patient, and having disposed within the gas flow path a filter element formed of an adsorption material for the alternate adsorption and desorption of gaseous anesthetic from and into gas passing along the gas flow path respectively from and to the patient. An energy source is provided to supply thermal and/or vibrational energy at the filter element to vary retention of the gaseous anesthetic by the filter element.

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: In a method and an arrangement for acoustic determination of an instantaneous fluid temperature, acoustic velocity V in a fluid is monitored and an output signal related to the acoustic velocity is generated. A conventional temperature sensor senses a fluid temperature TS and generates an output signal related thereto.

Abstract: A valve, particularly suited for use with a patient ventilation system to regulate respiration gas flow to and from the lungs of a patient has a substantially parallel, co-axial, arrangement of inner and outer fluid flow passages for conducting gas through the valve to and from a common flow conduit connected to the patient's lungs, each passage having gas flowing therein in a different direction. A cuff is provided which is inflatable to control the flow of fluid through the valve. The cuff is disposed so as to be able to form a fluid-tight seal against one or other of the facing surfaces of the inner and the outer flow passages when inflated, and to block flow through the outer passage in a timed relationship with the breathing cycle of the patient.

Abstract: A device for use in an anaesthetic administration apparatus for identifying at least one liquid anaesthetic in the anaesthetic apparatus has a measuring unit for determining at least one parameter related to the refractive index of the liquid anaesthetic, a unit for determining the temperature of the liquid anaesthetic and an analysis unit for identifying the anaesthetic from the determined parameter.

Abstract: A ventilator has an inspiratory unit and an expiratory valve for regulating a flow of breathing gas and a control unit for controlling the inspiratory unit and the expiratory valve. In order to facilitate the opening of collapsed alveoli in the lungs, the control unit controls the inspiratory unit and the expiratory valve to generate a recruitment phase with an elevated basic pressure for the flow of breathing gas upon which a number of breaths is superimposed at a faster breathing rate.

Abstract: An arrangement to provide a moisture barrier and bacteria barrier for various medical components that is connected to a measuring tube, arranged in the flow paths of a respirator is simple and inexpensive and exchangeable and does not cause a flow resistance in the flow paths of the respirator. A carrier carries at least two moisture barriers and bacteria barriers such that one barrier, given a carrier introduced in the respirator, is arranged exactly in front of each component.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostics apparatus for mammography examinations has an arm for an X-ray tube and a subject table and a compression plate arranged between the X-ray tube and the subject table. The compression plate is connected via a mount to the arm and is displaceable along the arm. The compression plate is connected to the mount so that the compression plate is rotatable relative to the subject table in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the plate. The examination apparatus generates a pressure against the breast under examination that is automatically uniformly distributed over the breast in an optimum way, by connecting the compression plate to the mount with at least one resilient connecting element in at least one connecting point.

Abstract: In a method for adaptive triggering of respiratory phases in a breathing device, and a breathing device operating according to the method, first respiration indicator signal is determined based on at least one of the parameters flow and pressure, the respiration indicator signal is compared with a trigger requirement and a trigger signal is generated when the respiration indicator signal fulfils the trigger requirement. In order to shorten response times to respiration changes without losing stability, an excitable cell signal related to respiration is measured, and a second respiration indicator signal is determined based on the measured excitable cell signal, and the trigger requirement is adapted in relation to the second respiration indicator signal.

Abstract: An X-ray examination apparatus has a base and a support connected by an arm arrangement. The support is connected to a holding device in which a curved carrier is displaceably mounted, the curved carrier having an X-ray emitter at one end and a radiation detector at an opposite end. An examination table is movable between the X-ray emitter and the radiation detector. The arm arrangement is composed of at least first and second arms. The first arm is rotatably mounted at a shaft at the base, and the second arm is rotatably mounted at a shaft at the carrier. The respective free ends of the first and second arms are rotatably connected to each other by another shaft. The carrier, without bothersome components of the stand beneath the examination table, can be rotated 90° from a head-adjusted position in both directions to lateral positions, while maintaining the isocenter at a fixed position, and the carrier also can be lowered to the floor on which the base is disposed.

Abstract: A dispenser unit for a non-gaseous flowable material has a holder for the flowable material with an aperture therein through which the material can be transferred between into and out of the holder, and a flow meter for measuring flow of the material during transfer. The flow meter has a sensor, for example a differential pressure meter which determines a pressure difference between two locations which are vertically spaced from each other within the holder, one above and one below the surface of the material, at a number of times during the transfer. The meter emits a signal indicative of the flow from a calculation of the rate of change of the determined pressure difference.

Abstract: A device for the supply of a gas from a respirator/anaesthesia device to a bedridden patient has at least one gas tube and a connecting interface, which can be connected to the patient, and an adjustable holding device for the gas tube and for the connecting interface. In order to prevent leaks, injury to the patient or damages to the gas tubes when the patient moves or changes position, the device is provided with at least one sensor and the holding device is provided with control arrangement for controlling its movements. The sensor detects movement of the patient is connected via the connecting interface, and a signal generated by the sensor and supplied to the control arrangement which, dependent thereon, controls the holding device such that its movements and therefore the movements of the connecting interface automatically follow the movements of the patient.

Abstract: A directional valve for a breathing apparatus, such as an anaesthetic machine, has a valve seat with a valve port and a valve plate resting loosely on a valve seat. The valve plate has a soft, pliant area on its surface in contact with the valve seat and a relatively rigid area across the valve port.

Abstract: An x-ray examination apparatus has a base with at least one fixed part and one carriage that can be vertically shifted in relation to the fixed part. The carriage is provided with a horizontally projecting shaft, to which an apparatus component is mounted and which has a center axis around which the apparatus component can rotate. A pulley with a peripheral surface that is at least partially round is rotationally mounted to the shaft and is firmly connected to the apparatus component. A first pair of wheels is arranged at the fixed part of the base and a connector is provided to connect the pulley to the wheels so that whenever the wheels are respectively simultaneously rotated in different directions, the pulley and thus the apparatus component are vertically shifted and whenever the wheels are rotated in the same direction, the pulley and thus the apparatus component are caused to rotate around the center axis.

Abstract: A system for assisted breathing has a ventilator delivers a breathing gas to a living creature in order to facilitate, support and/or control the breathing of the living creature. The respiratory musculature is weakened during treatment with a ventilator, long-term treatment in particular, and this results in longer treatment times, especially weaning times. Accordingly, a stimulation apparatus, devised for connection to the living creature, is incorporated into the system for assisted breathing in order to stimulate the respiratory nervous system and/or respiratory musculature of the living creature. Weakening of the respiratory musculature can be reduced by the stimulation apparatus emitting a stimulation signal at specific intervals.

Abstract: An ultrasonic nebulizer includes a nebulization chamber for holding a liquid to be nebulized, the liquid being limited by an upper boundary within the chamber, and a nebulization source acoustically couplable to the liquid within the chamber to provide therein an ultrasonic output at an amplitude to cause nebulization. The nebulization source is controllable to vary the amplitude of the ultrasonic output to provide a measurement period during which no nebulization occurs, and a sonar device measures, during the measurement period, a time interval between emission of an acoustic pulse toward the boundary and detection of a component of the emitted acoustic pulse reflected from the boundary, and provides an output signal dependent on the measured time interval for use in determining location information of the boundary within the chamber.