Abstract: A member has a solid carrier and a thin oxide layer which is arranged thereon and consists of iridium oxide and/or possibly at least one oxide of at least one other metal belonging to the fifth or sixth period and to one of the subgroups 5b, 6b, 7b and 8 of the Periodic Table of chemical elements and/or zirconium oxide. The oxide layer is monocrystalline and therefore very stable. The member can serve, for example, for the formation of at least one electrode which serves as a proton donor and/or proton acceptor and/or for the measurement and/or change of the pH value and/or for a coulometric measurement or for holding biologically active molecules and at the same time as an electrode and/or optical sensor.

Abstract: A device for analyzing the metabolism of cells includes a supporting base which carries a pH measuring electrode, a control electrode designed for proton exchange with the liquid, a reference electrode, and a counterelectrode, and which, together with at least one other part, confines a hollow space containing the cells and a liquid. The electrodes are connected to electronic circuit elements. In the course of an analysis the pH value of the liquid is determined by means of the pH measuring electrode and the reference electrode. Between the control electrode and the counterelectrode an electric current is passed through the liquid and controlled such that the pH of the liquid is maintained at a constant preset value beneficial to the cells, by proton exchange with the control electrode. In addition, the amount of charge required for generating the current during the measuring period is determined to obtain a measure for the intensity of the metabolic process and thus for the vitality of the cells.

Abstract: A device for measuring blood pressure includes a sensor arrangement which is releasably attached to the exterior of a body and which is electrically conductively connected with electronic circuit. The sensor arrangement and the circuit are configured to determine, in at least one measuring region of the body, a valve which is a measure for a variable that changes periodically over time in the rhythm of the pulse beat and which is correlated with the blood pressure. This variable may, for example, be the flow velocity and/or flow quantity and/or the volume of the arterial blood and/or a cross-sectional dimension and/or the flow cross section area of an arterial blood vessel. The sensor and circuit further determine a value which is a measure for the pulse wave velocity. By linking the two values together and including at least one calibration value, at least one value that is characteristic for of the blood pressure (preferably including at least the systolic blood. pressure) can be determined.

Abstract: A system for measuring the saturation of at least one gas in blood has a sensor which is, intended to be placed on a living body. Light is emitted from the sensor and into the body at a light radiating zone. The sensor has a plurality of light receiving zones, serving to receive light backscattered in the body, which zones are at various distances from the light radiating zone. Light receiving means are also present, in order to measure the intensities of the light backscattered from the body and reaching the sensor in the various light receiving zones. The measuring system also has electronic circuitry, which upon measurement, based on a predetermined criterion, selects one evaluation zone from among the light receiving zones and evaluate the portion of the light detected in the evaluation range that varies periodically over time at the rate of the pulse frequency in order to detect at least one gas saturation of blood, in particular the oxygen saturation of blood.

Abstract: The system comprises a mounting device and two holding members detachably fastened to the mounting device, each holding member comprising a measuring head. Each measuring head comprises a light receiver and light sources adapted to emit light signals at various wave lengths and at least one heat radiator adapted to heat the bodily region, and particularly the skin region in which the oxygen saturation of the blood is measured, by the irradiation of waves. If the two measuring heads are positioned during measurement on opposite sides of the bodily part to be examined, then each light receiver will be able to receive reflection light dispersed back from the bodily part as well as transmission light permeating through the bodily part, thus yielding a good measurement accuracy.

Abstract: An inhaler is described for introducing a solid substance in particulate form into the inhaled air of a user. The inhaler comprises a body in which is provided an endless orbital path 3 for one or more balls 4. Air enters the path via an air inlet optionally through an intake conduit. Air leaves the orbital path 3 in a centripetal direction through an air discharge system and an air outlet. The solid substance to be inhaled is provided, preferably in the form of a film, on the surface of the orbital path or on the surface of the ball. A user inhales through the air outlet 8, and this causes air to be drawn into the orbital path through the air inlet. This causes the ball to circulate around the orbital path, in which process solid substance is dislodged and caused to flow with the air out through the outlet.

Abstract: The sphygmomanometer comprises an arm band having an inflatable cuff and a microphone, and an instrument connected to the arm band, which contains the necessary pneumatic and electronic elements. By means of the microphone and an amplifier, electrical signals corresponding to the Korotkoff sounds are generated during the decompression phase, and are applied to a discriminator. At the appearance of the first and the last signals, corresponding to the Korotkoff sounds, and each having an amplitude at least equal to a threshold value U.sub.R, the pressure in the cuff is measured and stored in memory as the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure respectively. During the decompression phase, the threshold value U.sub.R is first decreasing like a value proportional to the pressure in the cuff; then it increases at appearance of each signal corresponding to a Korotkoff sound and exceeding the instananeous value of the threshold level U.sub.R, after which it decreases again.

Abstract: There is disclosed blood pressure measuring equipment comprising a sleeve with an inflatable chamber and a microphone, and an appliance connected by a line with the sleeve. The appliance comprises a pressure sensor and a differentiator connected to the sensor output. The differentiator is connected with a regulator which in operation regulates a vent valve in such a manner that the pressure in the chamber during the measurement phase, in which the systolic and diastolic pressures are measured, reduces at a constant rate. A Korotkoff tone identifier, which is connected through further elements with the microphone and the differentiator, ensures that only those signals from the microphone which occur simultaneously with a heartbeat-induced pressure fluctuation are delivered as Korotkoff tones and evaluated for determination of the systolic and diastolic pressure.

Abstract: There is disclosed blood pressure measuring equipment comprising a sleeve with a chamber inflatable by fluid and a measurement transducer for determining the circumference of an arm to which the sleeve is attached. A pressure sensor is provided to detect pressure in the chamber and is electrically connected through electronic components with two analog stores for storage of measured pressure values representing systolic and diastolic blood pressure. An indicating control device is connected between the stores and a digital display unit and comprises a pressure value correcting device by means of which the pressure values can be corrected, in dependence on the circumference of the arm as determined by the transducer, during readout of the stores. As a result, errors in the pressure values due to different arm circumferences can be eliminated.