Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system includes an inhalation source; a plenum in fluid communication with the inhalation source; at least one challenge plethysmography mask in fluid communication with the plenum, for each challenge plethysmography mask including a mask having a cavity to receive at least a nose of a test animal, a delivery conduit in fluid communication with the plenum and the cavity of the mask, at least one exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the cavity of the mask and the plenum, and a pressure sensor attached to the mask to measure pressure within the cavity of the mask; at least one processor in electrical communication with the at least one pressure sensor, the processor configured to process an output signal of the pressure sensor into respiratory data for each test animal during an exposure study; and an exhaust system in fluid communication with the plenum.

Abstract: A multipart medical engineering system, which comprises at least two components that can be connected via positioning-determining connection feature (410, 411). At least one component (44) is intended to remain in the vicinity of the patient in the connected and unconnected states of the system and at least one component (41) can be removed or replaced with other components in the unconnected state. The component (44) intended to remain in the vicinity of the patient contains a data storage element (45) that can be written to and read via an interface (46) that is mechanically integrated in the position-determining connection means (410, 411).

Abstract: A wearable action-assist device which assists or executes an action of a wearer by substituting for the wearer is provided with an action-assist tool 2 having an actuator 201 which gives power to the wearer 1, a biosignal sensor 221 which detects a wearer's biosignal, a biosignal processing unit 3 which acquires from a biosignal “a” detected by the biosignal sensor a nerve transfer signal “b” for operating a wearer's muscular line skeletal system, and a myoelectricity signal “c” accompanied with a wearer's muscular line activity, an optional control unit 4 which generates a command signal “d” for causing the actuator 201 to generate power according to the wearer's intention using the nerve transfer signal “b” and the myoelectricity signal “c” acquired by the biosignal processing unit 3, and a driving current generating unit 5 which generates a current according to the nerve transfer signal b and a current according to the myoelectricity signal “c”, respectively, based on the command signal “d” generated by th

Abstract: A bymixer device and method which provides fast-response, accurate measurements of mixed inspired and/or expired gas fractions in open or closed ventilation circuits and/or in circle circuits used in anesthesia and/or critical care. The bymixer device may include a main flow channel and a bypass flow channel. The bypass flow channel includes a flow-restrictor (e.g, an orifice) that partially blocks the flow of respiratory gas through the bypass flow channel, a mixing chamber positioned upstream of the flow restrictor and a sampling apparatus (e.g., a port for withdrawing samples of gas from said mixing chamber and/or sensor(s) positioned within the mixing chamber).

Abstract: An implant for treating rectocele and/or prolapsus of the vaginal fornix is thin and flexible and includes a support body from which there extend at least two upper suspension stabilizers disposed on either side of a sagittal plane and two lower suspension stabilizers disposed on either side of the sagittal plane. The implant may be constructed from a suitable biocompatible material such as a woven synthetic material, or a knitted material of polypropylene or polyester fibers.

Abstract: A compressed air respirator has prolonged operating time due to a rebreathing feature. The respirator has a compressed air reserve (1) with a connected demand air supply valve (2), wherein the demand air supply valve (2) is connected with a reversible breathing gas reservoir (4) with adjustable volume. A rebreathing line (25) for the user of the apparatus has an expiration valve (88), wherein the rebreathing line (25) is connected with the breathing gas reservoir (4).

Abstract: An anesthetic gas scavenging system is provided. The system includes a housing having one or more apertures placed proximate to a patient's mouth and a vacuum source interconnected with the housing for excavating anesthesia exhaled by the patient. The housing can take the form of a circular tube and can be positioned to rest about a patient's neck. The housing can have closed ends attachable together about a patient's neck. Alternatively, the housing can take on other desired shapes, and can be suspended on a strap about a patient's neck to rest on the patient's chest.

Abstract: A plurality of connection terminals are covered with a housing so that the plurality of connection terminals are collectively treated by handling of the housing. The housing is put over and fitted to a case of a compressor while connecting the connection terminals to connection pins for external wiring through an opening of the housing. With a seal member arranged in between, the opening is pressed against an external face of the case to conduct sealing between them.

Abstract: A membrane pump (1) having a membrane (24) which can be actuated by a crank drive (32), which membrane bounds, together with a concave pump body surface (8), a pump chamber (38), an inlet channel (4) and an outlet channel (17) which open out at an inlet opening (9) and an outlet opening (20) in the pump body surface (8), the membrane (24) having a membrane core (25) and an elastically deformable membrane ring (26) and the membrane core (26) having a convex surface adapted to the pump body surface (8). The inlet opening (9) is arranged in the region of the pump body surface (8) which the membrane (24) first approaches upon an expulsion stroke of the crank drive (32), and the elastically deformable membrane ring (26) closes the inlet opening (9) before the attainment of top dead center of the crank drive (32).

Abstract: A valve for a hermetic compressor has a valve plate disposed between a cylinder block and a cylinder head. The cylinder block has a cylinder, and the cylinder head has a refrigerant suction chamber and a refrigerant discharge chamber, which are partitioned from one another by a partition. The cylinder head further has at least first, second and third plates of different thicknesses, a refrigerant suction passage for interconnecting the refrigerant suction chamber and the cylinder; and a refrigerant discharge passage for interconnecting the refrigerant discharge chamber and the cylinder. A suction valve opens and closes the refrigerant suction passage while being moved by pressure in the cylinder; and a discharge valve opens and closes the refrigerant discharge valve while being moved by the pressure in the cylinder.

Abstract: In an axial piston pump, a plurality of reciprocating pistons are at least partially positioned within a barrel. The barrel includes a ring shaped high pressure collection cavity that is positioned between the piston chambers and the outlet of the pump. In order to minimize potential loses due to leakage from the ring shaped collection cavity, the barrel is made from a casting that utilizes a ring shaped core supported in a mold. This facilitates the formation of the ring shaped cavity while insuring location and dimensional tolerances, and assisting in the latter machining of the casting to its final form.

Abstract: A cowl for use with a combustor of a gas turbine engine, the cowl includes a main body with an annular corrugation. A combustor of a gas turbine engine, the combustor includes: a hollow body defining a combustion chamber, the hollow body having a liner; an outer cowl having an annular corrugation, the cowl connecting to the liner; and an inner cowl connecting to the liner. A method of configuring a cowl for a gas turbine engine combustor, the method includes forming an annular corrugation in a main body of the cowl.

Abstract: An exercise device and method of use are provided which allows the user to exercise and strengthen the spinal and abdominal muscles. The device includes a telescoping stanchion which is tension loaded with resilient bands which can be used in multiples to increase the tension and resistance needed. The height of the stanchion can be adjusted as well as its angularly position relative to a base having a seat thereon.

Abstract: An angioplasty and stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which or over which there is included on a catheter shaft at least one axially movable or enlargeable body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon.

Abstract: A rotator cuff stretching machine with pivoting members provides for simultaneously stretching of the rotator cuff, shoulder and elbow in selective upper arm positions of yaw and pitch angles and selective elbow positions of flexion or extension. The apparatus adjusts to allow internal and external rotation stretching of the shoulder at levels of abduction from 45 degrees to 100 degrees and allows that stretch to be accomplished at various levels of horizontal adduction and abduction. The apparatus comprises an arm assembly which includes a forearm assembly for receiving a forearm of the user pivotably joined to an upper arm assembly for receiving the corresponding upper arm of the user. The arm assembly is attached to a rotating assembly so that rotation of the rotating assembly causes the arm assembly to rotate. The rotation assembly and attached arm assembly is attached to a vertical support that rotates in horizontal yaw on a vertical yaw pivot pin.

Abstract: A stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which there is included on the catheter shaft at least one body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon and further including axially slidable sleeves over the stent in the unexpanded condition.

Abstract: A stereotactic auxiliary attachment for a tomography apparatus for conducting a tomogram-guided biopsy of an examination subject has two compression plates for fixing the examination subject therebetween, with through-holes arranged in each compression plate enabling a guided access of a biopsy needle. An optical marking system is provided which optically marks the through bore most suitable inserting and guiding the biopsy needle for the biopsy, after the location of the lesion has been identified in a tomogram.