Abstract: A respiration humidifier (1), including a humidifying chamber (21), an inlet (10) for feeding breathing air (5) to be humidified into the humidifying chamber (21), an outlet (11) for releasing the humidified breathing air (9) from the humidifying chamber (21), a bottom (19) limiting the humidifying chamber (21) for receiving water (18) to be evaporated, water (4), which is received by the bottom (19) in the humidifying chamber (21) and is to be evaporated for humidifying the breathing air (5) and at least one distributor (2) with capillary and/or suction action, which is arranged in the humidifying chamber (21) such that this is in contact with the water (4) to take up water (4) in the distributor (2) and is in contact with the breathing air in the humidifying chamber (21) for evaporating the water (4) taken up on the surface of the distributor (2) into the breathing air (5). The respiration humidifier allows a high evaporating capacity to be reached with homogeneous air-vapor mixture at a low design effort.

Abstract: To stabilize the air flow forming an air curtain, a thermotherapy device (1) is provided with air outlet ducts (3) extending at the edge of the reclining surface (2) and with two opposite limiting walls (6, 6?). Each of the two opposite limiting walls (6, 6?) is arranged corresponding to the duct width for outflowing air. At least one limiting wall (6, 6?) of at least one air outlet duct (3) is provided with a cylinder (5, 5?) extending in the direction of flow of the air outlet duct (3) and in parallel to the reclining surface (2) at the discharge-side end, wherein the cylinder (5, 5?) has a diameter corresponding to 0.005 to 0.2 times the duct width of the air outlet duct (3). According to a variant, at least one limiting wall (6, 6?) of at least one air outlet duct (3) is provided with at least one inner wall (81, 82, 83, 84) forming a nozzle at the discharge-side end. The distance between the limiting wall (6, 6?) and the inner wall (81, 82, 83, 84) forming a nozzle with the limiting wall (6, 6?) is 0.

Abstract: A thermotherapy device with a reclining surface and with an inflatable hood for covering the reclining surface. The inflatable hood (1) is provided with a plurality of inflatable, tubular support elements (3) with plastic films (2) arranged between them, which tenter one or more surfaces between the support elements (3) in the inflated state.

Abstract: A process is provided for operating a thermotherapy device with a bed surface (10) and with discharge channels for conditioned air in the longitudinal direction of the bed surface (10) and on the foot side (3) thereof as well as with an exhaust unit (11) above the bed surface (10). The air being discharged from the discharge channels is directed towards the exhaust unit (11) such that the discharge angle ? changes continuously as a function of the distance between the exhaust unit (11) and the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels, the elevation angle ? changes continuously as a function of the distance between the exhaust unit (11) and the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels, and the value of the velocity of the discharge flow changes continuously as a function of the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels.

Abstract: A respiration humidifier (1), including a humidifying chamber (21), an inlet (10) for feeding breathing air (5) to be humidified into the humidifying chamber (21), an outlet (11) for releasing the humidified breathing air (9) from the humidifying chamber (21), a bottom (19) liming the humidifying chamber (21) for receiving water (18) to be evaporated, water (4), which is received by the bottom (19) in the humidifying chamber (21) and is to be evaporated for humidifying the breathing air (5) and at least one distributor (2) with capillary and/or suction action, which is arranged in the humidifying chamber (21) such that this is in contact with the water (4) to take up water (4) in the distributor (2) and is in contact with the breathing air in the humidifying chamber (21) for evaporating the water (4) taken up on the surface of the distributor (2) into the breathing air (5). The respiration humidifier allows a high evaporating capacity to be reached with homogeneous air-vapor mixture at a low design effort.

Abstract: A thermotherapy device with a reclining surface and with an inflatable hood for covering the reclining surface. The inflatable hood (1) is provided with a plurality of inflatable, tubular support elements (3) with plastic films (2) arranged between them, which tenter one or more surfaces between the support elements (3) in the inflated state.

Abstract: To stabilize the air flow forming an air curtain, a thermotherapy device (1) is provided with air outlet ducts (3) extending at the edge of the reclining surface (2) and with two opposite limiting walls (6, 6?). Each of the two opposite limiting walls (6, 6?) is arranged corresponding to the duct width for outflowing air. At least one limiting wall (6, 6?) of at least one air outlet duct (3) is provided with a cylinder (5, 5?) extending in the direction of flow of the air outlet duct (3) and in parallel to the reclining surface (2) at the discharge-side end, wherein the cylinder (5, 5?) has a diameter corresponding to 0.005 to 0.2 times the duct width of the air outlet duct (3). According to a variant, at least one limiting wall (6, 6?) of at least one air outlet duct (3) is provided with at least one inner wall (81, 82, 83, 84) forming a nozzle at the discharge-side end. The distance between the limiting wall (6, 6?) and the inner wall (81, 82, 83, 84) forming a nozzle with the limiting wall (6, 6?) is 0.

Abstract: A process is provided for operating a thermotherapy device with a bed surface (10) and with discharge channels for conditioned air in the longitudinal direction of the bed surface (10) and on the foot side (3) thereof as well as with an exhaust unit (11) above the bed surface (10). The air being discharged from the discharge channels is directed towards the exhaust unit (11) such that the discharge angle ? changes continuously as a function of the distance between the exhaust unit (11) and the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels, the elevation angle ? changes continuously as a function of the distance between the exhaust unit (11) and the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels, and the value of the velocity of the discharge flow changes continuously as a function of the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to prosthetic devices. In particular, the present invention describes intelligent (e.g., microprocessor controlled) foot prostheses configured to actively store and release energy associated with walking. The foot prostheses of the present invention reduce the energy required during ambulation for amputees requiring foot prostheses.