Abstract: The present invention is in the field of an improved device for assisting entry of a needle into a vein or a shunt using ultra-sound, also referred to as a vascoscope, a kit of parts comprising said vascoscope, and a method of entering a needle in a vein or shunt, comprising use of said vascoscope. The present vascoscope is especially suited for use in dialysis and is aimed at preventing damage such as in repetitive use applications.

Abstract: A liquid handling system and method, e.g., for testing blood samples. The system comprises a cartridge, and a transfer device couplable to a liquid reservoir. The cartridge comprises compartments with an inlet, closed by a seal, and an outlet, closed by a gas-permeable liquid-tight filter. Keying portions define a relative position and orientation of the cartridge and the transfer device. Penetrating elements of the transfer device penetrate the seal of each compartment, the penetrating elements having lumina for fluidly connecting the reservoir and each compartment cavity of the cartridge.

Abstract: Electrode carrier for electrophysiological measurements, including a flexible substrate, a plurality of contact pads attached to a substrate surface, wherein each contact pad includes conductive means for accommodating an electrode for electrophysiological measurement, first connecting means attached to the substrate for communicatively connecting the contact pads to a signal processing device. The first connecting means includes a plurality of conductive tracks on the substrate surface for electrically connecting the plurality of contact pads, wherein each conductive track corresponds to at least one contact pad. The substrate has at least two inextendible sections for accommodating the contact pads, wherein the sections interconnected by an extendible section. Each extendible section comprises at least one warpable member of flexible material. At least one of the warpable members accommodates at least one of the conductive tracks.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of an improved device for assisting entry of a needle into a vein or a shunt using ultra-sound, also referred to as a vascoscope, a kit of parts comprising said vascoscope, and a method of entering a needle in a vein or shunt, comprising use of said vascoscope. The present vascoscope is especially suited for use in dialysis and is aimed at preventing damage such as in repetitive use applications.

Abstract: Electrode carrier for electrophysiological measurements, including a flexible substrate, a plurality of contact pads attached to a substrate surface, wherein each contact pad includes conductive means for accommodating an electrode for electrophysiological measurement, first connecting means attached to the substrate for communicatively connecting the contact pads to a signal processing device. The first connecting means includes a plurality of conductive tracks on the substrate surface for electrically connecting the plurality of contact pads, wherein each conductive track corresponds to at least one contact pad. The substrate has at least two inextendible sections for accommodating the contact pads, wherein the sections interconnected by an extendible section. Each extendible section comprises at least one warpable member of flexible material. At least one of the warpable members accommodates at least one of the conductive tracks.

Abstract: A liquid handling system and method, e.g., for testing blood samples. The system comprises a cartridge, and a transfer device couplable to a liquid reservoir. The cartridge comprises compartments with an inlet, closed by a seal, and an outlet, closed by a gas-permeable liquid-tight filter. Keying portions define a relative position and orientation of the cartridge and the transfer device. Penetrating elements of the transfer device penetrate the seal of each compartment, the penetrating elements having lumina for fluidly connecting the reservoir and each compartment cavity of the cartridge.

Abstract: There is disclosed a capsule for the preparation of a beverage using an extractable and/or dissolvable product and a quantity of hot and/or pressurized liquid. The capsule comprises a circumferential wall having on one end a bottom adapted to allow entrance of the liquid, and on an opposite end a lid closing said end of the circumferential wall. The circumferential wall, bottom and lid enclosing an inner space containing the product. At least one of the lid and/or bottom comprises at least one first portion and at least one second portion separated by at least one slit and having different moving mechanics when under pressure. At least a layer of tearable material covers said slit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, system and dispensing device for assisting a patient in complying with a medical regimen. The system includes an electronic dispensing device to be used by the patient which comprises a device to obtain information about the regimen. A device registers operation of the dispensing device by the patient taking the medicines. A warning device reminds a patient of the regimen. A medicine packing station packs the medicine within a package in portions to be taken according to the regimen. A database stores information about the regimen. A service center is provided to assist when necessary. A communication network is provided for communication between the dispensing device and the service center and/or between the service center and the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rescue arrangement for effecting a rapid descent from a higher level to a lower level. The rescue arrangement comprises guiding means which extend between the higher level and the lower level, as well as carrying means which are connectable to the guiding means for carrying a person or another object from the higher level to the lower level along the guiding means. Magnetic braking means, which comprise a series of permanent magnets, are located on the guiding means or the carrying means for slowing down the carrying means at least near the lower end of the guiding means.

Abstract: There is disclosed a capsule for the preparation of a beverage using an extractable and/or dissolvable product and a quantity of hot and/or pressurized liquid. The capsule comprises a circumferential wall having on one end a bottom adapted to allow entrance of the liquid, and on an opposite end a lid closing said end of the circumferential wall. The circumferential wall, bottom and lid enclosing an inner space containing the product. At least one of the lid and/or bottom comprises at least one first portion and at least one second portion separated by at least one slit and having different moving mechanics when under pressure. At least a layer of tearable material covers said slit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rescue arrangement for effecting a rapid descent from a higher level to a lower level. The rescue arrangement comprises guiding means which extend between the higher level and the lower level, as well as carrying means which are connectable to the guiding means for carrying a person or another object from the higher level to the lower level along the guiding means. Magnetic braking means, which comprise a series of permanent magnets, are located on the guiding means or the carrying means for slowing down the carrying means at least near the lower end of the guiding means.

Abstract: A device for applying a spreadable composition to a part of the human or animal body, wherein the device comprises a container containing the spreadable composition, an applicator for the spreadable composition and means for urging the spreadable composition out of the container and into contact with the applicator, provided with positioning means connected to the container for positioning the applicator in a position in which composition urged out of the container can be brought into contact with the applicator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, system and dispensing device for assisting a patient in complying with a medical regimen. The system includes an electronic dispensing device to be used by the patient which comprises a device to obtain information about the regimen. A device registers operation of the dispensing device by the patient taking the medicines. A warning device reminds a patient of the regimen. A medicine packing station packs the medicine within a package in portions to be taken according to the regimen. A database stores information about the regimen. A service center is provided to assist when necessary. A communication network is provided for communication between the dispensing device and the service center and/or between the service center and the patient.

Abstract: A timer for assisting in the control of various medical regimen is described. The timer is particularly adapted for use in avoiding or assuring conception by providing a graphic representation on the timer to alert a user as to when a medically correct step needs to be taken. The timer is provided with an alarm that alerts one as to when a transition from one particular part of, for example, a contraceptive regimen to another part of the regimen is about to occur and illustrates the transition on the graphic representation. A status of the regimen is also presented to a user. One graphic representation involves an hour-glass filled with granules corresponding in number to the amount of time left before a transition in the medical regimen is to occur.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing pills comprises at least one ring-shaped blister pack, in which cavities containing pills are distributed, such that the openings of the cavities therein are directed outwardly, as well as a flat pocket dispenser. It has a first part for receiving the pack in a ring shape, and a second part fitting onto the first part and encasing the blister pack together with the first part. The first part and/or the second part comprises at least one passage opening with which a pill to be dispensed can be aligned. A push-out means can be positioned in line with the respective pills of the blister pack and with the passage opening and be operated for pushing out the pill to be dispensed through the passage opening. There are provided means for rotatably positioning the blister pack stepwise relative to the part of the apparatus including the push-out means. The blister pack itself and the part containing the push-out means comprise the means for the stepwise positioning of the blister pack.