Abstract: A basic life support system (BLSS) includes a processing element and an output element, such as a display screen or an audio output element, for providing an individual with real-time instructions on providing emergency medical care to a patient until paramedics or other healthcare professionals arrive to take over care for the patient. The instructions may be provided as graphics, including animations, as text, audibly, or as a combination of visible and audible elements. The BLSS may be configured for providing emergency medical care to individuals who have suffered from ventricular fibrillation. Accordingly, the BLSS may also include a defibrillation apparatus, an air or oxygen supply, a respiratory interface, one or more sensors, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods for noninvasively measuring, or estimating, functional residual capacity or effective lung volume include obtaining carbon dioxide and flow measurements at or near the mouth of a subject. Such measurements are obtained during baseline breathing and during and shortly after inducement of a change in the subject's effective ventilation. The obtained measurements are evaluated to determine the amount of time required for exhaled carbon dioxide levels to return to normal—effectively an evaluation of carbon dioxide “washout” from the subject's lungs. Conversely, carbon dioxide and flow measurements may be evaluated to determine the amount of time it takes carbon dioxide to “wash in,” or reach peak levels within, the lungs of the subject following the change in the subject's effective ventilation. Apparatus for effective such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compressed air respirator with prolonged operating time due to rebreathing. The compressed air reservoir includes a compressed air reserve with a connected demand air supply valve, a reversible breathing gas reservoir (4) with a registering device (5) detecting the filling level of the breathing gas reservoir (4), and with an inspiration and expiration line (7, 8) for the user of the apparatus. A valve (6) is connected with the inspiration and expiration line (7, 8) and, on the inlet side, with the compressed air reserve (1) with a demand air supply valve (2) and with the breathing gas reservoir (4) and, on the outlet side, with the ambient air (11) and with the breathing gas reservoir (4).

Abstract: A stretchable belt (1) provided for medical purposes for use on the body of a patient has at least one sensor (8) for detecting at least one parameter of the patient's body. An adaptation to different body sizes and motions of the patient is provided without separate length adjusting members being necessary or without the need to stock different belt sizes. Furthermore, the belt is able to be manufactured at a low cost and makes possible simple and reliable handling, even for patients. The belt material (1) has at least one material area (2) with a lower spring rate in the longitudinal extension than at least one material area (3) with a higher spring rate of the belt (1).

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: A process is provided for monitoring a patient being anesthetized, as well as a process for determining a combined effect of different anesthetics used. Devices for carrying out the processes are also provided.

Abstract: A device (1) and a corresponding method are provided for determining and/or monitoring the respiration rate based on measurement with more than one sensor (5, 7, 9, 13, 15). The device may be part of a monitor for determining and/or monitoring the respiration rate. The second and/or additional sensors are different form the first sensor and have a different manor of operation from the first sensor.

Abstract: A process for monitoring a patient by a monitoring device is provided in which simplified monitoring of the patient can be carried out on the basis of a suitable selection of the parameter values and/or ranges displayed in a special manner. A suitable device (1) is provided for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A compressed air respirator with prolonged operating time due to rebreathing. The compressed air reservoir includes a compressed air reserve with a connected demand air supply valve, a reversible breathing gas reservoir (4) with a registering device (5) detecting the filling level of the breathing gas reservoir (4), and with an inspiration and expiration line (7, 8) for the user of the apparatus. A valve (6) is connected with the inspiration and expiration line (7, 8) and, on the inlet side, with the compressed air reserve (1) with a demand air supply valve (2) and with the breathing gas reservoir (4) and, on the outlet side, with the ambient air (11) and with the breathing gas reservoir (4).

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: A differential Fick technique including a first phase in which baseline breathing parameters may be established and a second phase in which a change in the effective ventilation of a patient is induced. The durations of the first and second phases may be substantially the same and may be abbreviated relative to the durations of comparable phases of previously known differential Fick techniques. The disclosed differential Fick technique also lacks a recovery period in which the respiratory parameters of a patient are permitted to return to “normal” levels.

Abstract: Methods for estimating the volume of the carbon dioxide stores of an individual's respiratory tract include determining a carbon dioxide store volume at which a correlation between corresponding signals of carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the content of carbon dioxide in blood of the individual is optimized. The estimate of the volume of carbon dioxide stores, which comprises a model of the respiratory tract, or lungs, of the individual, may be used as a transformation to improve the accuracy of one or both of the carbon dioxide elimination and carbon dioxide content signals. Transformation, or filtering, algorithms are also disclosed, as are systems in which the methods and algorithms may be used. The methods, algorithms, and systems may be used to accurately and noninvasively determine one or both of the pulmonary capillary blood flow and cardiac output of the individual.

Abstract: Methods for estimating the volume of the carbon dioxide stores of an individual's respiratory tract include determining a carbon dioxide store volume at which a correlation between corresponding signals of carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the content of carbon dioxide in blood of the individual is optimized. The estimate of the volume of carbon dioxide stores, which comprises a model of the respiratory tract, or lungs, of the individual, may be used as a transformation to improve the accuracy of one or both of the carbon dioxide elimination and carbon dioxide content signals. Transformation, or filtering, algorithms are also disclosed, as are systems in which the methods and algorithms may be used. The methods, algorithms, and systems may be used to accurately and noninvasively determine one or both of the pulmonary capillary blood flow and cardiac output of the individual.

Abstract: Methods for noninvasively determining a pulmonary capillary blood flow or a cardiac output of a subject include determining data of the amount of gas exchanged between blood and gas in lungs of the subject, as well as data of an indicator of the content of the gas in blood of the subject. Such a determination may be made during two or more different states of ventilation. A geometric relationship is identified between data points, with any data points outlying the geometric relationship being disregarded. The remaining data points may be used to estimate or calculate a measure of pulmonary capillary blood flow or cardiac output. Systems that include elements that are configured to effect such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A basic life support system (BLSS) includes a processing element and an output element, such as a display screen or an audio output element, for providing an individual with real-time instructions on providing emergency medical care to a patient until paramedics or other healthcare professionals arrive to take over care for the patient. The instructions may be provided as graphics, including animations, as text, audibly, or as a combination of visible and audible elements. The BLSS may be configured for providing emergency medical care to individuals who have suffered from ventricular fibrillation. Accordingly, the BLSS may also include a defibrillation apparatus, an air or oxygen supply, a respiratory interface, one or more sensors, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for noninvasively determining the pulmonary capillary blood flow or cardiac output of a patient includes measurement of respiratory flow and carbon dioxide pressure of the patient's breathing. These measurements are used to calculate carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the carbon dioxide content of the patient's blood. A geometric relationship between the carbon dioxide elimination data and the data of the indicator of carbon dioxide content is determined. At least one set of the data is modified and at least one other determination of a geometric relationship between the data is made to find the most accurate data set. The data may be modified by filtering or clustering. A slope of at least a portion of the geometric relationship is then used to determine the pulmonary capillary blood flow or cardiac output of the patient.

Abstract: Methods for noninvasively evaluating indicators of cardio-pulmonary performance of a subject, such as cardiac output, pulmonary capillary blood flow, and blood carbon dioxide content, include obtaining data of an expiratory carbon dioxide signal and comparing data generated by an algorithmic lung model to the data of the expiratory carbon dioxide signal of a subject. The variables that are input into the algorithmic lung model are adjusted until the data generated thereby reflects that of the measured expiratory carbon dioxide signal with a desired degree of accuracy. Once the algorithmic lung model replicates the data of the measured expiratory carbon dioxide signal with the desired degree of accuracy, one or more of the input values may be used to determine one or more of the cardiac output, pulmonary capillary blood flow, or a blood gas content of the subject from which the expiratory carbon dioxide signal was obtained.

Abstract: Methods for estimating the volume of the carbon dioxide stores of an individual's respiratory tract include determining a carbon dioxide store volume at which a correlation between corresponding signals of carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the content of carbon dioxide in blood of the individual is optimized. The estimate of the volume of carbon dioxide stores, which comprises a model of the respiratory tract, or lungs, of the individual, may be used as a transformation to improve the accuracy of one or both of the carbon dioxide elimination and carbon dioxide content signals. Transformation, or filtering, algorithms are also disclosed, as are systems in which the methods and algorithms may be used. The methods, algorithms, and systems may be used to accurately and noninvasively determine one or both of the pulmonary capillary blood flow and cardiac output of the individual.

Abstract: Methods for estimating the volume of the carbon dioxide stores of an individual's respiratory tract include determining a carbon dioxide store volume at which a correlation between corresponding signals of carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the content of carbon dioxide in blood of the individual is optimized. The estimate of the volume of carbon dioxide stores, which comprises a model of the respiratory tract, or lungs, of the individual, may be used as a transformation to improve the accuracy of one or both of the carbon dioxide elimination and carbon dioxide content signals. Transformation, or filtering, algorithms are also disclosed, as are systems in which the methods and algorithms may be used. The methods, algorithms, and systems may be used to accurately and noninvasively determine one or both of the pulmonary capillary blood flow and cardiac output of the individual.

Abstract: Methods for noninvasively measuring, or estimating, functional residual capacity or effective lung volume include obtaining carbon dioxide and flow measurements at or near the mouth of a subject. Such measurements are obtained during baseline breathing and during and shortly after inducement of a change in the subject's effective ventilation. The obtained measurements are evaluated to determine the amount of time required for exhaled carbon dioxide levels to return to normal—effectively an evaluation of carbon dioxide “washout” from the subject's lungs. Conversely, carbon dioxide and flow measurements may be evaluated to determine the amount of time it takes carbon dioxide to “wash in,” or reach peak levels within, the lungs of the subject following the change in the subject's effective ventilation. Apparatus for effective such methods are also disclosed.