Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for determining the position of an esophageal catheter that is inserted into the esophagus of a patient, the catheter having a number of electrodes, muscular activity of the diaphragm is stimulated by applying a stimulus signal that produces a myoelectrical signal in the diaphragm having a well-defined peak at a specific point in time. The myoelectrical signal is detected by respective pairs of electrodes of said catheter, and the electrode pair or pairs that detected the signal having the highest amplitude at the specific point in time is identified. If this electrode pair or these electrode pairs that detected the signal with highest amplitude are not located approximately at the middle of the catheter, an indication is emitted that the position of the catheter should be adjusted.

Abstract: In a method and device for reducing the carbon dioxide content in a dead volume intended for connection to the respiratory system of a patient, and an anesthesia apparatus embodying such a device, a flow of gas is generated from an outlet associated with the dead volume and the gas is conducted through a carbon dioxide absorber, and the gas after passing through the carbon dioxide absorber is returned to an inlet associated with the dead volume.

Abstract: A medical device has a cuff adapted to be positioned in the trachea of a subject with a patient tube, and a first tube having a distal end coupled to the cuff and a proximal end communicable with the surroundings. More effective and simpler sample taking and/or dosing of medicament is achieved by a second tube that is coupled with a distal end to the cuff and communicable with the surroundings via a proximal end, together with a pumping device that is connected to the proximal end of the first tube and to the proximal end of the second tube in order to circulate a fluid through the cuff. The cuff has a membrane that is permeable to a specific substance, the membrane being disposed to allow transfer of the specific substance between the interior and the exterior of the cuff.

Abstract: In a method and device for preparation of a medicament for the treatment of lungs having a surfactant deficiency, a sample from a patient is quantitatively analyzed with regard to at least one of the proteins SP-A, SP-B, SP-C and SP-D, a determination is made as to whether a deficiency of one of the analyzed protein SP-A, SP-B, SP-C or SP-D exists and if that is the case, a determination is made of a therapeutically effective dose of a replacement substance for the analyzed protein SP-A, SP-B, SP-C or SP-D, and a medicament containing the therapeutically effective dose of the replacement substance is prepared.

Abstract: A gas-dispensing device (2) for dispensing a gas into breathing gas, comprising a membrane (6) through which the gas can diffuse into the breating gas, is described. The gas-dispensing device (2) is simple and reliable because it contains a self-contained chamber (4) in which the gas is held at a predefined overpressure, and the membrane (6) is arranged to form a part of the chamber's (4) wall.

Abstract: In a method and device for reducing the carbon dioxide content in a dead volume intended for connection to the respiratory system of a patient, and an anesthesia apparatus embodying such a device, a flow of gas is generated from an outlet associated with the dead volume and the gas is conducted through a carbon dioxide absorber, and the gas after passing through the carbon dioxide absorber is returned to an inlet associated with the dead volume.

Abstract: A fishing reel (104) and spool (106) can be made as a more versatile kit (102) in that the fishing reel (104) includes a locking system adapted to interact with a circumferential area of the spool (106). changing spool (106) becomes easier with no loose parts and alternating between left and right hand becomes possible.

Abstract: A medical device has a cuff adapted to be positioned in the trachea of a subject with a patient tube, and a first tube having a distal end coupled to the cuff and a proximal end communicable with the surroundings. More effective and simpler sample taking and/or dosing of medicament is achieved by a second tube that is coupled with a distal end to the cuff and communicable with the surroundings via a proximal end, together with a pumping device that is connected to the proximal end of the first tube and to the proximal end of the second tube in order to circulate a fluid through the cuff. The cuff has a membrane that is permeable to a specific substance, the membrane being disposed to allow transfer of the specific substance between the interior and the exterior of the cuff.

Abstract: In a method and device for preparation of a medicament for the treatment of lungs having a surfactant deficiency, a sample from a patient is quantitatively analyzed with regard to at least one of the proteins SP-A, SP-B, SP-C and SP-D, a determination is made as to whether a deficiency of one of the analyzed protein SP-A, SP-B, SP-C or SP-D exists and if that is the case, a determination is made of a therapeutically effective dose of a replacement substance for the analyzed protein SP-A, SP-B, SP-C or SP-D, and a medicament containing the therapeutically effective dose of the replacement substance is prepared.

Abstract: A fishing reel (104) and spool (106) can be made as a more versatile kit (102) in that the fishing reel (104) includes a locking system adapted to interact with a circumferential area of the spool (106). changing spool (106) becomes easier with no loose parts and alternating between left and right hand becomes possible.

Abstract: A gas-dispensing device (2) for dispensing a gas into breathing gas, comprising a membrane (6) through which the gas can diffuse into the breating gas, is described. The gas-dispensing device (2) is simple and reliable because it contains a self-contained chamber (4) in which the gas is held at a predefined overpressure, and the membrane (6) is arranged to form a part of the chamber's (4) wall.

Abstract: A portable anaesthetic machine allows dispensing of a liquid anaesthetic to a patient, which is sometimes desirable and may be hard to achieve, especially with portable equipment. This portable anaesthetic machine has a gas flow generator for generating a flow of gas at an adjustable pressure and/or flow rate, an inspiratory line and an expiratory line. The gas flow generator, inspiratory line and expiratory line constitute the gas flow pathways for the respirator. A membrane is arranged in the gas flow pathways, made of a self-sealing material. The membrane can be punctured by a syringe needle for dispensing the liquid anaesthetic into the gas flow pathways an optional number of times.

Abstract: A ventilator system has at least one ventilator unit and a number of docking stations is described. Each docking station is adapted to receive the ventilator unit and comprises a communication interface adapted to be connected to a matching interface on the ventilator unit when the ventilator unit is docked in the docking station. The docking stations are arranged at different treatment sites, and the ventilator unit can be moved between different docking stations when necessary without interrupting the treatment of a patient connected to the ventilator unit. The same ventilator unit can be used throughout a complete treatment of a patient without any need of disconnecting the patient during transports, etc.

Abstract: An inspiratory tube intended to serve as at least part of an inspiratory line in a ventilator, has a tube wall, a distal end, a proximal end, a gas flow channel for carrying a flow of breathing gas and an opening in the wall at a specific distance from one end of the inspiratory tube, this opening being adapted for connection to an expiratory device (40). The inspiratory tube has a constriction in the gas flow channel between distal end of the inspiratory tube and the opening, a first channel that proceeds within the tube wall, generally parallel to the gas flow channel, and which opens into the gas flow channel between the distal end of the inspiratory tube and the constriction, and a second channel that proceeds within the wall, generally parallel to the gas flow channel, which opens into the gas flow channel between the constriction and the opening. The channels can be connected to a pressure gauge for determining the rate of flow and pressure of gas flowing in the gas flow channel.

Abstract: An anaesthetic delivery system has a ventilation arrangement with an inspiration gas pathway for conducting inspiration gas to a patient and an expiration gas pathway for conducting expiration gas away from the patient, and a filter element serially connected to both the inspiration and the expiration gas pathways. The filter element retains anaesthetic from expiration gas passing therethrough and releases the retained anaesthetic into inspiration gas passing therethrough. A supply of flushing gas is communicable with the filter element to flush the retained anaesthetic from the system without passing to the patient.

Abstract: A portable respiration apparatus is dimensioned to convey a flow of gas, with an upper limit on pressure, from an inlet to an outlet connected to a patient. The inlet of the portable respiration apparatus can be connected to a stationary gas unit when a higher pressure is desired. The stationary gas unit can generate a gas pressure that is applied to the inlet of the portable respiration apparatus, so that a higher gas pressure can be generated and delivered to the patient. Alternatively, the stationary gas unit can be dimensioned so that it is itself capable of generating the desired gas pressure to be supplied to the patient, so there is no additional increase in gas pressure in the portable respiration apparatus.

Abstract: A ventilator includes a gas flow generator for generating a gas with an adjustable pressure and/or flow rate, an inspiratory line with a proximal end, connected to the gas flow generator and a distal end, devised for connection to a patient, an expiratory valve connected to the inspiratory line at a specific distance from the distal end of the inspiratory line to evacuate gas exhaled by the patient, a pressure gauge and/or a flow meter arranged to measure pressure and/or the rate of gas flow in the inspiratory line and a control unit for controlling at least the maintenance of a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).

Abstract: A dosing device for adding small amounts of an additive gas or liquid, such as NO or liquid anaesthetic, to a breathing gas in an inspiratory line in an anaesthetic machine or ventilator, has a constant-volume dosing chamber with an inlet, equipped with a first valve, for connection to a source of gas or liquid supplying the additive gas or liquid at a predetermined, constant, positive pressure, and an outlet, equipped with a second valve, for injecting gas or liquid from the dosing chamber into breathing gas. Control elements are arranged to open and close the valves in a controlled fashion. A control unit is also arranged to cause the operating elements to open the second valve for one or a number of predetermined intervals during the inspiratory phase.

Abstract: In a dosing device and method for controlled dosing of a first gas into a second gas or liquid membrane which is permeable to the first gas separates the first gas from the second gas or liquid. Dosing of the first gas is performed by controlling diffusion through the membrane. The size of the active diffusion area can be regulated by a barrier which is moveable in relation to the membrane. When the barrier is moved in relation to the membrane, a larger or smaller part of the membrane's diffusion area can be exposed to the second gas or liquid. Alternatively, the membrane's permeability can be controlled or the partial pressure of the first gas can be controlled.

Abstract: An anesthetic apparatus has a dosing unit for an anesthetic agent, the dosing unit having a number of containers, each holding a liquid anesthetic agent. The containers are connected by liquid lines to a valve unit, capable of selectively connecting one container at a time to a micropump which dispenses anesthetic in the form of liquid droplets directly to a connection piece in the anesthetic apparatus, to which a patient can be connected. A control unit controls the micropump and the valve unit and regulates both the selection and dispensing of liquid anesthetic.