Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining the position of the tongue from the measurement of the vacuum pressure in an oral cavity generated by deglutition, comprising an intraoral shield intended for being arranged in the oral cavity, a conduit connectable at a first end to the intraoral shield and at a second end to a pressure gauge, in turn coupleable to a base, and an electronic module coupleable to the base. The electronic module is in data communication with the pressure gauge and comprises a processing unit, such that in an operating condition of the device, the intraoral shield is configured for blocking interdental spaces in the oral cavity and the conduit establishes fluid communication between the interior of the oral cavity and the pressure gauge, such that the negative pressure generated by deglutition is measured by said pressure gauge.

Abstract: In a device for filtering and separating fluids, a plurality of disc-like spaced flow guide elements are disposed in a stack in spaced relationship with filter elements disposed in the spaces between the flow guide elements to which fluid can be supplied through inlet openings to flow over the surfaces of the filter elements. Each flow guide element defines at one end a flow opening for the passage of fluid and at least one channel formed in the flow guide element so as to extend adjacent the opening in a direction transverse to the flow of the fluid from the opening into the space between the flow guide elements to promote fluid flow distribution over the width of the flow path through the device.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to separate mixtures of materials by use of a stack of spaced membrane elements (11) in the form of membrane cells having bore (112) through which the permeate (130) is discharged. The device (10) includes a feed inlet (14) for the mixture plus discharge outlets (16) for the retentate (17) and permeate (13), and the mixture flowing over the surfaces (110, 11, 180, 181) of the membrane elements (11) in chambers (150) between element (18). Fitted between each pair of membrane elements (11) or between the membrane (11) and deflection (18) elements is an annular support element (19) which surrounds the bore (112) through the membrane element (11) or deflection element (18), the seal between the support element (19) and the membrane (11) or deflection (18) element being formed by a sealing element (191) fitted round the outer circumference (190) of the support element (19).

Abstract: An apparatus for separating fluid mixtures by membrane elements, which are spaced and arranged into a membrane element stack via a supporting frame that comprises outer and inner rings, whereby the membrane elements have a boring for draining a permeating substance. The boring has an inlet port for introducing the mixture into the apparatus and an outer port for the retained substance as well as the permeating substance. In mixture compartments, formed by the membrane elements between said inner and outer rings, the mixture to be separated flows past areas of the membrane elements, having a constant effectiveness, whereby the flow cross-sections of the mixture compartments vary from the introduction port to the exit port of the membrane stack. All inner and outer rings of the membrane element stack have identical dimensions, and the differing cross-sections in the mixture compartments are adjustable at least by varying the width of the membrane elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering and separating flow medium by reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration. A plurality of essentially sheet-like filter elements are disposed next to, and spaced from, one another so a to form flow chambers for the flow medium. Filtrate that is produced is withdrawn at the end face of at least one hole formed in a filter element and disposed at essentially right angles to the planar surface thereof. A plurality of sheet-like, self-supporting filter element carriers that are successively arranged have disposed essentially laminarly thereon the filter elements, with the filter element carriers being spaced from one another at such a distance that there is formed between each two facing filter elements one of the flow chambers. Disposed in each flow chamber, between two facing filter elements, is a disk that imparts turbulence to flow medium in the flow chamber.

Abstract: A fluid treating apparatus has a plurality of chambers arranged in a stack along the apparatus axis; inlet and outlet ports in end plates as well as a central channel for introducing fluid into and removing fluid from the apparatus; and a plurality of fluid-impervious diaphragms situated in a spaced relationship in the chambers in an orientation generally perpendicular to the axis. The fluid is guided along the diaphragms generally radially inwardly. The apparatus further has a plurality of support frames arranged in a stack along the axis. Each support frame includes an inner ring spacedly surrounded by an outer ring. The radially inner face of the outer ring and the radially outer face of the inner ring of each support frame together define radially outer and radially inner boundaries, respectively, of the chambers. The radially outer faces of the outer rings together form an outer wall face of the apparatus, and the radially inner faces of the inner rings surround the central channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of solutions by pervaporation includes a raw solution chamber through which a raw solution is conducted from which a part is to be separated, a permeation chamber disposed adjacent the raw solution chamber but separated therefrom by a membrane which permits evaporation therethrough of part of the solution into the permeation chamber from which the vapors are removed, a heating structure arranged adjacent the raw solution chamber in direct contact with the raw solution therein for replenishing to the solution the heat consumed by pervaporation of part of the solution through the membrane.