Abstract: A device for recovering or dampening vibratory energy from a mechanical resonator, comprising: an electrical generator comprising an element for converting mechanical vibration energy into electrical charges coupled to the resonator, the electrical generator periodically transferring a portion of the electrical charges from one terminal of the conversion element to the other; a frequency variation to phase variation conversion device, comprising an injection-locked oscillator of which the free-running oscillation frequency is equal to the resonance frequency of the resonator, and supplying to the electrical generator a control signal of frequency equal to that of the signal outputted by the conversion element and of which the phase shift depends on the difference between the frequency of the signal outputted by the conversion element and the resonance frequency of the resonator.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a reference voltage circuit and a circuit for checking the starting operation of the reference voltage circuit. The reference voltage circuit includes a first stack of a first transistor and second transistor receiving first and second control signals, respectively. The start check circuit includes a first elementary test circuit including a second stack of a third transistor and fourth transistor receiving the first and second control signals, respectively. An output of the first elementary test circuit delivers a first binary signal indicative of proper starting operation of the reference voltage circuit.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a reference voltage circuit and a circuit for checking the starting operation of the reference voltage circuit. The reference voltage circuit includes a first stack of a first transistor and second transistor receiving first and second control signals, respectively. The start check circuit includes a first elementary test circuit including a second stack of a third transistor and fourth transistor receiving the first and second control signals, respectively. An output of the first elementary test circuit delivers a first binary signal indicative of proper starting operation of the reference voltage circuit.

Abstract: A bandpass filter configured to receive a temporally modulated periodic input signal Vin(t), and to deliver an output signal Vout(t), and includes, in combination: a phase comparator configured to receive, on a first input, the temporally modulated periodic input signal Vin(t) as first signal, and to generate an output signal with a variable duty cycle; coupled to an injection-locked oscillator configured to receive as input, the output signal from the phase comparator, and to generate a signal Vr(t) that is phase-offset with respect to the output signal from the phase comparator; the phase-offset signal being applied to a second input of the phase comparator as second input signal; and the output signal from the phase comparator being the output signal Vout(t) from the bandpass filter and being representative of the phase difference between the two input signals Vin(t) and Vr(t).

Abstract: A device for recovering or dampening vibratory energy from a mechanical resonator, comprising: an electrical generator comprising an element for converting mechanical vibration energy into electrical charges coupled to the resonator, the electrical generator periodically transferring a portion of the electrical charges from one terminal of the conversion element to the other; a frequency variation to phase variation conversion device, comprising an injection-locked oscillator of which the free-running oscillation frequency is equal to the resonance frequency of the resonator, and supplying to the electrical generator a control signal of frequency equal to that of the signal outputted by the conversion element and of which the phase shift depends on the difference between the frequency of the signal outputted by the conversion element and the resonance frequency of the resonator.

Abstract: A bandpass filter configured to receive a temporally modulated periodic input signal Vin(t), and to deliver an output signal Vout(t), and includes, in combination: a phase comparator configured to receive, on a first input, the temporally modulated periodic input signal Vin(t) as first signal, and to generate an output signal with a variable duty cycle; coupled to an injection-locked oscillator configured to receive as input, the output signal from the phase comparator, and to generate a signal Vr(t) that is phase-offset with respect to the output signal from the phase comparator; the phase-offset signal being applied to a second input of the phase comparator as second input signal; and the output signal from the phase comparator being the output signal Vout(t) from the bandpass filter and being representative of the phase difference between the two input signals Vin(t) and Vr(t).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting up a fluid treatment apparatus using a single, and always accessible, reader of information relating to replaceable components which are to be mounted on the apparatus to perform the fluid treatment. It is also disclosed a fluid treatment apparatus having the always accessible reader. The reader can also be relied on to enter information other that those relating to the replaceable components, such as commands for the apparatus, patients' related information, etcetera.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting up a fluid treatment apparatus using a single, and always accessible, reader of information relating to replaceable components which are to be mounted on the apparatus to perform the fluid treatment. It is also disclosed a fluid treatment apparatus having the always accessible reader. The reader can also be relied on to enter information other that those relating to the replaceable components, such as commands for the apparatus, patients' related information, etcetera.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting up a fluid treatment apparatus using a single, and always accessible, reader of information relating to replaceable components which are to be mounted on the apparatus to perform the fluid treatment. It is also disclosed a fluid treatment apparatus having the always accessible reader. The reader can also be relied on to enter information other that those relating to the replaceable components, such as commands for the apparatus, patients' related information, etcetera.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting up a fluid treatment apparatus using a single, and always accessible, reader of information relating to replaceable components which are to be mounted on the apparatus to perform the fluid treatment. It is also disclosed a fluid treatment apparatus having the always accessible reader. The reader can also be relied on to enter information other that those relating to the replaceable components, such as commands for the apparatus, patients' related information, etcetera.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting up a fluid treatment apparatus using a single, and always accessible, reader of information relating to replaceable components which are to be mounted on the apparatus to perform the fluid treatment. It is also disclosed a fluid treatment apparatus having the always accessible reader. The reader can also be relied on to enter information other that those relating to the replaceable components, such as commands for the apparatus, patients' related information, etcetera.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a fluid flow rate blood access having an upstream position and a downstream position using a dialysis system. The dialysis system includes a dialyzer having a semi permeable membrane delimiting a first chamber through which blood removed from said blood access passes, and a second chamber through which dialysis liquid passes. In addition, an arterial line and a venous line are connected to an inlet and an outlet of the first chamber, respectively.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a parameter (D, K, Kt/v, Cbin) indicative of the effectiveness of an extracorporeal blood treatment carried out using a membrane exchanger. The method includes the steps of flowing through the exchanger a treatment liquid having a concentration characteristic (Cd) and of varying the value of the characteristic (Cd) upstream of the exchanger for a time at the end of which the characteristic (Cd) is returned to a nominal value. A plurality of values adopted by the characteristic (Cd) downstream of the exchanger in response to the upstream variation is measured and stored in memory. The area (Sout) of a downstream perturbation region is determined, which is bounded by a baseline and a curve representing the variation of the measured values with respect to time. Then, the parameter (D, K, Kt/v, Cbin) indicative of the effectiveness of the treatment is calculated using the area (Sin) beneath the upstream curve and an area beneath an upstream curve.

Abstract: A method for determining a significant parameter (Cb, D, K, Kt/V) of the progress of an extracorporeal blood treatment carried-out using a membrane exchanger, includes the steps of successively circulating three treatment fluids through the exchanger. Each fluid has a characteristic Cd linked to at least one of the significant parameters of the treatment (Cb, D, K, Kt/V). The value of the characteristic in the first fluid upstream of the exchanger is different from the value of the characteristic in the second fluid upstream of the exchanger, the latter being itself different from the value of the characteristic in the third fluid upstream of the exchanger. Two values for each of the three treatment fluids are measured, respectively upstream and downstream of the exchanger, and at least one value of at least one significant parameter of the progress of the treatment (Cb, D, K, Kt/V) is calculated from the measured values.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for controlling the balance of fluids during an extracorporeal blood treatment session, according to which treatment, a certain quantity of liquid is withdrawn from the blood which is compensated for by the injection of a substitute liquid into the extracorporeal circuit. A recirculation circuit is provided and pressure is monitored. A pressure deviation within the recirculation circuit reflects a change in the balance between the quantity of liquid withdrawn from the blood and the quantity of liquid injected into the blood, and injection and/or withdrawal rates are altered to obtain a desired balance. The device and method are especially applicable to haemofiltration, haemodiafiltration and plasmapheresis.

Abstract: The invention is a method for checking the operation of at least one sensor situated in a dialysis liquid circuit of an artificial kidney. The method includes causing a reference liquid of known characteristics to circulate in the extracorporeal blood circuit, taking a measurement to check at least one characteristic of the dialysis liquid by means of the sensor, calculating the theoretical value of at least one characteristic of the reference liquid on the basis of the measurement, comparing the calculated theoretical value with the known value of the said characteristic of the reference liquid, concluding that the sensor is working properly after the measurement has been taken when the calculated theoretical value is substantially equal to the known value. A device for the application of this method is also disclosed.