Abstract: A device for trimming the thickness of a mechanical body is disclosed. The trimming is performed by screwing a screw through a threaded hole and having the end of the screw pressing against the center of a disk element, which, by deformation, acts as a lever against an adjacent body.

Abstract: A method and device for handling transient pressures and flow processes in a breathing system is disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for controlling a gas flow, e.g., from a breathing system connected to a patient at exhalation. The flow control is conducted by means of a flexible conduit with flexible circular segments being compressed along the length of the conduit, whereupon the flexible elements are collapsed towards a circular wall. The device comprises autoclavable parts and/or disposable parts, which can be separated from the breathing system without exposing staff handling the system to contaminated surfaces in the breathing system when changing patients.

Abstract: A method is described for measuring a flow of gas passing a flow meter device. The device causes a pressure drop when a gas flows through it. The pressure drop across the device is a measure of the gas flow. The device is configured as a gas permeable tube that has a flow channel on the upstream side along the tube configured so as to decrease the cross-section of the channel downstream of the gas permeable tube. This provides for a minimum volume in the channel upstream of the device's pressure-drop-generating component.

Abstract: A system and a method are described for converting a small motion from a piezoelectric actuator to a larger motion in a valve mechanism. A piezoelectric actuator is connected in series to a mechanical amplifier, and, optionally, a mechanical temperature compensation element and a mechanical fine tuning element, all acting in the same effective direction as the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a device and a method for compensating for heat expansion effects in solid materials, as well as a method for manufacturing the device.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a method of charging or discharging a capacitive element, such as a piezoelectric crystal. The disclosure also pertains to a device that implements charging of a capacitive element according to said method. The device comprises a bipolar buck-boost converter, whereby a capacitive element can be charged with both positive and negative voltages. The discharge of the capacitive element is provided with energy recovery and feedback to the device's power supply.

Abstract: A ventilator includes a sensor to monitor a characteristic associated with the delivery of gas to the patient, such as pressure. A sensor power supply (100, 130) is feeding a sensor in the form of a Wheatstone bridge. A first end (104) of the bridge is coupled to a first positive voltage source (112, 142) and a second end (116) is coupled to a second positive voltage source (118, 156, 180). A capacitor (120) is coupled to the second end of the bridge.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a ventilator that delivers a flow of gas to an airway of a user, and to communicate a flow of gas from the airway of the user in a controlled manner. The ventilator includes a conduit (1, 3) that carries a flow of gas from the airway of a patient, a first valve (7) coupled to the conduit and adapted to control a pressure or rate of the flow of gas exhausted from the conduit, a first sensor (10) coupled to the conduit and adapted to monitor a pressure of the gas in the conduit, and a controller (12) adapted to control the first valve based on an output of the first sensor. A restrictor (8) is provided in the conduit between the pressure sensor and the patient such that a first volume is defined in the conduit between the first valve and the restrictor and a second volume is defined in the conduit between the patient and the restrictor.

Abstract: A ventilator includes a sensor to monitor a characteristic associated with the delivery of gas to the patient, such as pressure. A sensor power supply (100, 130) is feeding a sensor in the form of a Wheatstone bridge. A first end (104) of the bridge is coupled to a first positive voltage source (112, 142) and a second end (116) is coupled to a second positive voltage source (118, 156, 180). A capacitor (120) is coupled to the second end of the bridge.

Abstract: A ventilator or fluid delivery system that provides a flow of gas to an airway of a user. The ventilator includes a source of gas (30, 32), a conduit (63, 65, 42) that carries the flow of gas to the airway of a patient, a first valve (38, 40) that controls a pressure, flow, or volume, of the flow of gas, a pressure sensor (46) operatively coupled to the conduit between the valve and the patient and adapted to monitor a pressure of the gas in the conduit, and a controller (50) adapted to control the valve based on an output of the pressure sensor The ventilator further includes a restrictor (62) provided in the conduit between the pressure sensor and the patient. The restrictor, in essence, divides the fluid delivery system such that a first volume is defined in the conduit between the valve and the restrictor and a second volume is defined in the conduit between the patient and the restrictor, wherein the first volume is less than the second volume.

Abstract: A directional valve for respiratory devices has a valve body and a valve seat whose contact surface with the valve body is primarily horizontal. In order to enhance and reinforce the directional valve's operation, the valve body contains a ferromagnetic material, preferably permanently magnetized, a coil is magnetically couplable to the valve body, a source of current is connected to the coil, and a control unit controls the source of current in order to regulate current through the coil to magnetically couple the coil to the valve body, in one or both of the closing and opening directions.

Abstract: A heating device has a microwave source and a radiating antenna for coupling microwaves from the source into respiration gas in a gas flow-path of a patient breathing circuit, such as in an expiration gas-flow section internally located in a mechanical breathing aid. The microwave source and antenna are arranged to couple microwave energy sufficient to heat respiration gas in the flow path at a location at or upstream of a measuring device, such as a flow meter, to prevent condensation at the device. A detector and signal processor also are provided to calculate a moisture content from the microwave interaction with the respiration gas.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A fluid flow meter has a semi-conducting substrate and a number of integral flexible tines orientated across an aperture in the substrate to deflect in the direction of the fluid flow by an amount dependent on that fluid flow. Piezo-resistive regions are included on the respective tines to provide them with electrical characteristics which vary dependent on the degree of deflection. A monitor, operably coupled to the regions of the tines, is provided to monitor the changes in their electrical characteristics and to calculate the flow therefrom.

Abstract: A safety system prevents inadvertent mixing of different anaesthetic agents, during replenishment wherein a new anaesthetic is replenished from a container to an anaesthesia machine containing a flow channel for the delivery of liquid anaesthetic, with a first anaesthetic being present downstream from the flow channel. Inadvertent mixing of different anaesthetics is avoided because the safety system has a measurement unit for identifying the new anaesthetic before the new anaesthetic comes into contact with the first anaesthetic. The measurement unit is arranged upstream from the first anaesthetic.

Abstract: In a method for seeking and setting a resonant frequency for a load impedance and a tuner for carrying out the method, a first frequency sweep is performed over a predetermined frequency interval in order to identify the resonant frequency within the predetermined frequency interval. To maintain the correct resonant frequency, regardless of signal drift and other interference, repeated sweeps are automatically performed within the predetermined frequency interval to identify the resonant frequency repeatedly. Alternating semi-sweeps can be performed to reduce the sweep duration.

Abstract: A fluid pressure release valve includes an aperture through which fluid can flow. An element is movable to unseal the aperture and to open the valve when a force exerted by the fluid in the valve exceeds a predetermined force. An electromagnetic biasing arrangement biases the element to seal the aperture and hold the valve closed against the escape of fluid with the predetermined force. The applied bias is variable according to changes in the sensed position of the element and a monitoring arrangement, cooperable with the solenoid, monitors the changes in its electrical properties as a shaft moves in the monitoring arrangement, indicating a change in position of the element. The monitoring arrangement also varies the bias to reduce the predetermined force responsive to the sensed change in position of the element indicating an opening of the valve.