Abstract: State machine interface system, heart state machine analyzer and/or stimulator, comprising state machine algorithms and a graphical user interface, adapted to receive signals from a sensor device that are related to physiological activities of the heart and/or the circulatory system of a living being and the state machine algorithms determine states of heart cycles based upon the signals. The determined heart cycle states are graphically presented at the graphical user interface such that the temporal relation between the different states are illustrated. The graphical user interface may be circular diagrams or bar graphs including parts representing the temporal relation between the different states.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy transforming unit adapted to convert reciprocating forces (Fl) into rotating axle movements on at least one force transmitting axle and/or into electrical power. The unit comprises at least one restriction device (3, 4, 5) which is directly connected to the force and which is arranged to forward the incoming reciprocating forces (Fl) into a movement over at least one conversion module (2a-d, 56, 64, 73, 80, 81, 87, Cm). The energy transforming unit is characterized in that the at least one restriction device (3, 4, 5) is delimiting one, by the energy transforming unit enclosed reciprocating volume which entirely or partly passes through the at least one conversion module (2a-d, 56, 64, 73, 80, 81, 87, Cm).

Abstract: A state space model (SSM), being a computer-calculated model, adapted to represent the pumping and controlling functions of a heart that have been determined by a heart cluster state machine simulating the heart, and optionally the circulatory system, of an individual. The state space model includes two groups of separate interacting state machines, the heart muscle cell state machines and the displacement pump state machines.

Abstract: State machine interface system, comprising state machine algorithms and a graphical user interface, adapted to receive signals from at least one sensor device, that are related to physiological activities of the heart and/or the circulatory system of a living being. The state machine algorithms are adapted to determine phases of heart cycles based upon said signals. The different phases of the heart cycle are determined by said state machine algorithms in a heart cluster state machine simulating the heart, and optionally the circulatory system, achieved by fusions of finite heart muscle cell state machines to form a ?V-pump state machine. The determined heart cycle phases are evaluated by determining their respective local state diagram based upon said signal such that the respective correct time duration is determined for each heart cycle phase, and then determining the most representative global state diagram.

Abstract: During collection of pollutants having a density lower than that of water and carried by a surface layer of a body of water, water of the surface layer is caused to flow into and through a collection vessel having a separation compartment with a top wall, pollutants entrained by the inflowing surface layer water are allowed to collect gravimetrically as a supernatant layer carried beneath the top wall of the separation compartment on water in the separation compartment, and changes of the weight of the collection vessel in the body of water are monitored. Intake and discharge phases may be initiated and terminated to in response to the said weight reaching predetermined values.

Abstract: State machine interface system, heart state machine analyzer and/or stimulator, comprising state machine algorithms and a graphical user interface, adapted to receive signals from a sensor device that are related to physiological activities of the heart and/or the circulatory system of a living being and the state machine algorithms determine states of heart cycles based upon the signals. The determined heart cycle states are graphically presented at the graphical user interface such that the temporal relation between the different states are illustrated. The graphical user interface may be circular diagrams or bar graphs including parts representing the temporal relation between the different states.

Abstract: A state space model (SSM), being a computer-calculated model, adapted to represent the pumping and controlling functions of a heart that have been determined by a heart cluster state machine simulating the heart, and optionally the circulatory system, of an individual. The state space model includes two groups of separate interacting state machines, the heart muscle cell state machines and the displacement pump state machines.

Abstract: During collection of pollutants having a density lower than that of water and carried by a surface layer of a body of water, water of the surface layer is caused to flow into and through a collection vessel having a separation compartment with a top wall, pollutants entrained by the inflowing surface layer water are allowed to collect gravimetrically as a supernatant layer carried beneath the top wall of the separation compartment on water in the separation compartment, and changes of the weight of the collection vessel in the body of water are monitored. Intake and discharge phases may be initiated and terminated to in response to the said weight reaching predetermined values.

Abstract: During collection of pollutants having a density lower than that of water and carried by a surface layer of a body of water, water of the surface layer is caused to flow into and through a collection vessel having a separation compartment with a top wall, pollutants entrained by the inflowing surface layer water are allowed to collect gravimetrically as a supernatant layer carried beneath the top wall of the separation compartment on water in the separation compartment, and changes of the weight of the collection vessel in the body of water are monitored. Intake and discharge phases may be initiated and terminated to in response to the said weight reaching predetermined values.

Abstract: Heart cluster state machine simulating the heart and the circulatory system of an individual, achieved by fusions of finite heart muscle cell state machines to form a ?V-pump state machine defined by boundary conditions of the heart muscle cell state machines and of the ?V-pump state machine. The cluster state machine works in accordance with the boundary conditions of the surrounding tissue and inlet and outlet vessels to the heart. The state machine is realized by a system including input elements (2) for receiving a set of input values (4) related to the heart and the circulatory system, and for applying the set of values to a processing unit (6) adapted to determine, by using the set of input values, a relational database system being such that it both satisfies the working regimen of the heart muscle cell state machine and the working regimen of the ?V-pump state machine of the heart cluster state machine.

Abstract: Computer-based system adapted to create a representation of mechanical and flow-mechanical function of a ?V-pump. A mathematical modeling algorithm is used based upon a transforming element adapted to connect different physical domains via a transforming value. The system comprises an upper transforming element (TF1) and a lower transforming element (TF2) each having a flow domain (fd1, fd2) and a mechanical domain (md1, md2), the upper transforming element is provided with a transforming value A1 and the lower transforming element is provided with a transforming value A1+A2, wherein A1 and A2>0. The upper and lower transforming elements are interconnected such that their mechanical domains are connected, said mechanical domains are provided with a control value representing a directional measure (F) arranged to intermittently and simultaneously activate said mechanical domains of the transforming elements. By interconnecting two ?V-pump representations the pumping action of a heart may be simulated.

Abstract: During collection of pollutants having a density lower than that of water and carried by a surface layer of a body of water, water of the surface layer is caused to flow into and through a collection vessel having a separation compartment with a top wall, pollutants entrained by the inflowing surface layer water are allowed to collect gravimetrically as a supernatant layer carried beneath the top wall of the separation compartment on water in the separation compartment, and changes of the weight of the collection vessel in the body of water are monitored. Intake and discharge phases may be initiated and terminated to in response to the said weight reaching predetermined values.

Abstract: A skimmer apparatus for collecting material, particularly oil, floating on the surface of a body of water, comprises collecting vessel with a collection compartment. The collection compartment includes an upper subcompartment delimited laterally by an inner wall having a skimming weir forming an inlet to the collection compartment and a lower subcompartment which is delimited laterally by an outer wall and communicates with a bottom outlet. Connected with the collection compartment is means for discharging water therefrom through the bottom outlet. The inner wall and the outer wall delimit a separation compartment for the floating material. This compartment is in open communication with the upper subcompartment of the collection compartment. A valve is provided at the top of the separation compartment and when in an open position connects the separation compartment with the upper subcompartment of the collection compartment.

Abstract: Computer-based system adapted to create a representation of mechanical and flow-mechanical function of a &dgr;V-pump. A mathematical modeling algorithm is used based upon a transforming element adapted to connect different physical domains via a transforming value. The system comprises an upper transforming element (TF1) and a lower transforming element (TF2) each having a flow domain (fd1, fd2) and a mechanical domain (md1, md2), the upper transforming element is provided with a transforming value A1 and the lower transforming element is provided with a transforming value A1+A2, wherein A1 and A2>0. The upper and lower transforming elements are interconnected such that their mechanical domains are connected, said mechanical domains are provided with a control value representing a directional measure (F) arranged to intermittently and simultaneously activate said mechanical domains of the transforming elements.

Abstract: A positive-displacement pump (lifting pump) comprises a pump housing with a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet passage controlled by an outlet check valve; a displacement member which delimits the pump chamber in one direction of movement of the displacement member and which is reciprocable in the pump chamber within a stroke region and includes a second check valve opening into the pump chamber within a stroke region and includes a second check valve opening into the pump chamber and disposed in a passage between the inlet and the pump chamber; and an actuating mechanism for repetitively reciprocating the displacement member in the pump housing within the stoke region.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning an open surface of a body liquid, especially for recovering oil spills or other floating pollutants. A surface portion of the water carrying pollutants is caused to flow across a skimming weir (12, K) forming an inlet to a collecting vessel (11) and to proceed downwardly within the collecting vessel. At least the main portion of the downwardly flowing polluted water is then diverted laterally outwardly into a separation zone (B) in which the pollutants are allowed to separate from the water and collect on a confined surface of the water. The separation zone (B) may be integrated in the collecting vessel (11) and provided around a central collection compartment (A) provided with an annular skimming weir (12, K). Alternatively, the skimming zone may be provided in a separate vessel connected with the collection vessel through a conduit.

Abstract: To collect oil or other matter floating on the surface of a body of water a collection vessel (11) having a collection compartment (A) is immersed in the water. A surface layer carrying the matter to be collected is caused to flow from the area around the collection vessel into the collection compartment (A) over a vertically movable skimming weir (15A) on the collection vessel. Water is discharged from the lower portion of the collection compartment such that a liquid level lower than that of the surrounding water is maintained in the collection compartment (A). Floating matter accumulated on the liquid surface in the collection compartment is removed; if the matter to be collected is low-viscosity oil, an oil-absorbing body (22) made of a hydrophobic material is used to absorb the accumulated oil from the liquid surface in the collection compartment. A dashpot damping device (28-30) dampens vertical oscillations of the skimming weir (15).

Abstract: In a method for recovering a floatable surface layer from a body of water, particularly a surface layer comprising a buoyant pollutant, such as oil, a collection compartment (A) having a skiming weir (K) at its top is provided in the body of water and filled with water. With the skimming weir held in an overflow position relative to the surface of the body of water, water is discharged from the collection compartment (A) so that the collection compartment can be replenished from the surface of the body of water with water flowing over the skimming weir (K). Apparatus for carrying out the recovery comprises a collection vessel (11, 31). which is immersible in a body of water and defines the collection compartment (A) and which has a skimming weir (K) which forms an inlet into the upper end of the collection compartment (A), and means (17, 18, 35, 36), such as a reversible pump, for discharging water from the collection compartment.

Abstract: Biomedical measurements such as ECG or EEG measurements are frequently performed using a suction electrode. An electrolyte is applied to the skin of the patient and a suction electrode is placed thereon to form an electrically conducting connection between the skin and the electrode. In accordance with the present invention and hygienic improvement is provided by introducing an interface element between the skin of the patient and the reusable electrode. The interface element is preferably provided in the form of a lamellar substrate for an electrolyte having a skin contact surface and an opposed electrode contact surface. The substrate further includes a central portion, a peripheral margin portion and an intermediate portion disposed between the central portion and the peripheral margin portion. The peripheral margin portion is adapted to form a vacuum seal against the skin of the patient with a seal portion of an applied biomedical electrode.

Abstract: A reusable electrode holder and associated disposable electrode unit are provided. The holder retains the electrode therein and is connectable to a vacuum source for holding the electrode against a patient's skin with vacuum suction. The holder is also connectable to an electrical lead for connection to the electrode unit. The holder has a resilient cap which is moveable to actuate a valve to open communication through the holder from the vacuum source to a chamber adjacent the skin. To prevent the transfer of contaminants from the skin to reusable parts of the holder, a first contaminant absorber is provided within a housing of the holder and a second contaminant absorber is provided as part of the electrode unit. A second valve can be provided which is actuatable to close vacuum communication when second absorber expands to a threshold contamination condition.