Abstract: A waterpower machine has a vertical cylinder, the lower end of which is open, a piston which is vertically reciprocable in the cylinder, a water chamber provided at the lower end of the cylinder wherein the water chamber has a water inlet and a water outlet, an inlet valve for controlling water inflow into in the water chamber through the water inlet, and an outlet valve for controlling water outflow from the water chamber through the water outlet. Both the water inlet and the water outlet are opened towards the periphery of the water chamber over the major portion of the water chamber circumference. The water inlet is at a different level from that of the water outlet. The inlet valve and the outlet valve comprise respective ones of a pair of annular valve members which are concentric with one another and with the cylinder and axially moveable between a closed position and an open position.

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.

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.

Abstract: An absorber assembly for use in a biomedical electrode, such as an ECG electrode, comprises a contaminant absorber and a support which is combined with the contaminant absorber to form an assembly. The support has a recess for receiving an electrode member. An electrically insulating portion of the support is provided between the electrode member recess and the contaminant absorber. The contaminant absorber also has a capillary break with respect to the electrode member recess. The absorber assembly may include the electrode member.

Abstract: A biomedical vacuum electrode, such as an ECG electrode, is provided with a sealing element which improves performance. The sealing element includes a body and a sealing lip which extends around the body and terminates in a sealing edge at an application side. An inner surface of the sealing lip defines a vacuum chamber adapted in use of the electrode to communicate with a source of vacuum through a vacuum passageway. The vacuum passageway is connected with the vacuum chamber at the inner side of the sealing lip adjacent the sealing edge and opens into the vacuum chamber by way of an annular opening or gap. A contaminant absorber is placed on the side of the sealing element body facing away from the sealing edge to absorb contaminants carried away from the region of the sealing edge through the passageway.

Abstract: A pump arrangement having a mechanical pump in series with a vacuum compartment on an inlet side of the mechanical pump. The vacuum compartment has a suction line flow connected to the supply of liquid to be pumped and draws that liquid by vacuum to the inlet of the mechanical pump. The mechanical pump includes an outlet for delivering the liquid to be pumped.

Abstract: A fluid valve device for on-off control of fluid flow through a passage extending between two fluid ports (12, 15) and including a valve seat (17A) comprises a hollow valve member (21) which is movable into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat and defines a valve chamber (20). The valve chamber (20) communicates with one of the fluid ports (15) through the valve seat (17A) and is associated with a valve member actuating device (A) which translates the pressure of the fluid received in the valve chamber (20) from an inlet (12/14) for the fluid flow into a force acting on the valve member to displace it relative to the valve seat (17A). The valve member actuating device in one embodiment includes a thrust surface (A) on the valve member (21) which is directed away from the valve seat and forms part of the wall of the valve chamber (20). A second thrust surface (C) on the valve member (21) is directed oppositely and defines a chamber (V) which is isolated from the valve chamber and the flow passage.

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.

Abstract: A fluid valve device for on-off control of fluid flow through a passage extending between two fluid ports (12, 15) and including a valve seat (17A) comprises a hollow valve member (21) which is movable into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat and defines a valve chamber (20). The valve chamber (20) communicates with one of the fluid ports (15) through the valve seat (17A) and is associated with a valve member actuating device (A) which translates the pressure of the fluid received in the valve chamber (20) from an inlet (12/14) for the fluid flow into a force acting on the valve member to displace it relative to the valve seat (17A). The valve member actuating device in one embodiment includes a thrust surface (A) on the valve member (21) which is directed away from the valve seat and forms part of the wall of the valve chamber (20). A second thrust surface (C) on the valve member (21) is directed oppositely and defines a chamber (V) which is isolated from the valve chamber and the flow passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering measured liquid volumes comprising a dosing piston pump having an outlet for the measured liquid volumes, and a liquid accumulating device including an accumulator chamber having an inlet for liquid to be dispensed. The accumulator chamber communicates with the pump chamber of the dosing piston pump through a transfer passage having a valve for controlling the transfer of liquid from the accumulator chamber to the pump chamber. The accumulator chamber is expandable to accommodate constantly inflowing liquid through the inlet when the transfer passage is blocked and is contractible as a result of the displacement of a movable wall member so as when the transfer passage is open to transfer accumulated liquid to the dosing piston pump while inflowing liquid flows direct to the dosing piston pump.

Abstract: A machine for converting pressure energy of a fluid into mechanical work comprises a working chamber (27,28) the volume of which is cyclically variable in response to reciprocatory motion of a wall (20) which defines the working chamber; a reciprocatory power member (15,16) which is displaceable by said wall (20) under action of the pressure fluid on the wall during expansion of the working chamber (27,28); an inlet conduit (12) communicating with the working chamber, an outlet circuit (13) communicating with the working chamber, an outlet valve (22) which is closable to prevent fluid flow in the outlet conduit in the direction away from the working chamber, and a driven member (17) operatively connected with the power member. The outlet conduit comprises a gap-like passage which substantially surrounds the working chamber (27,28) and extends along the periphery thereof and which is open or openable to permit fluid flow therethrough from the working chamber substantially without any pressure drop.

Abstract: A flap valve arrangement for one-way control of the flow of fluid in between an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber, and particularly an inlet valve in a piston-type positive-displacement pump, having wall parts which define between them a fluid-flow passage which connects both of the chambers, and a valve flap which is mounted on a first wall part and which is movable across the passage under the influence of fluid forces acting on the flap, into and out of engagement with the second wall part to close and open the passage respectively. The second wall part is provided with openings which form part of the fluid passage and which are open on one side of the wall part directed towards the upstream chamber and on a side of the wall part directed towards the downstream chamber. A plurality of valve flaps supporting elements are disposed between the openings on the side of the second wall part which is directed toward the downstream chamber.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump, particularly a liquid metering or batching pump, includes a fluid inlet, a pump chamber of variable volume, an outlet through which fluid leaves the pump chamber, a driven injection member for repetitive displacement of fluid from the pump chamber, and a valve which functions to open and close a flow passage connecting the inlet with the pump chamber. The flow passage is formed by a gap which extends around at least the major part of the circumference of the pump chamber and which can be open to a height which varies from a smallest value at the ends of the gap to a largest value at a location between the circumferential ends of the gap. The valve includes a valve member which extends along the flow passage and which is pivotally mounted on a pivot adjacent the circumferential ends of the passage.

Abstract: A pump with a continuous inflow and a pulsating outflow comprises a first chamber and a second chamber with a passage between them and made at least partly from a flexible material. There is an inlet to the first chamber and an outlet from the second chamber. The passage between the chambers has a one-way valve permitting flow only in a direction from the first to the second chamber. A second one-way valve located at the outlet permits flow only in a direction out of the second chamber. The chambers are movably supported in a pump casing having a first and a second opening. The inlet is connected to and penetrates the first opening, and the outlet is connected to and penetrates the second opening. A drive arrangement reduces the volume of the second chamber to expel the pumped medium while simultaneously enabling the walls of the first chamber to increase the volume and permit the pumped medium to flow through the inlet into the first chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holder for diagnostic and therapeutic devices fixed by vacuum. Vacuum is supplied by a hose or tube (8), in which one or several electrical conductors (7) for electrical power supply or signal transmission are drawn. The holder comprises a rigid backpiece (3), an intermediate elastomeric element (2), and the diagnostic or therapeutic device (1). The intermediate element (2) comprises a comparatively stiff sealing ring (9), which in a working state is supported against the skin by a sealing lip (13) and with its opposite side against the backpiece (3). The device (1) is rigidly connected to the backpiece (3), but the sealing ring of the intermediate element (2) is movable and, outwardly from the backpiece, slightly resilient (via resilient means 17).

Abstract: A holder for industrial use attachable by vacuum comprises a rigid backpiece (3), a flexible intermediate element (2), and a central distance-maintaining element (1). The intermediate element (2) comprises a comparatively rigid sealing ring (9) with a sealing lip (13), which in use abuts against the element held fixed and with its opposite side against the backpiece (3). The central distance-maintaining element (1) is rigidly connected to the backpiece (3). The sealing ring (9) of the intermediate element (2) is movably and outwardly resiliently biassed in a direction away from the back piece. When the side of the sealing ring with the lip is unloaded and the ring is pressed outwardly, a vacuum valve (14) is automatically closed by the intermediate element, which valve opens when the holder is pressed against the object held fixed whereby the holder becomes attached by the sucking action.

Abstract: A double pump adapted for use as an artificial heart includes two ventricle-simulating chambers that are provided with respective inlets and outlets having valves incorporated therein and that are separated by a common partitioning wall structure. The wall structure has sections that are driven away from each other to reduce the volumes of respective ventricle chambers and expel liquid from the chambers through the outlets. The wall structure can also move laterally in response to differences in pressure between the chambers and hence change the volumetric ratio between them. This ensures a balanced action between the two halves of the heart-simulating pump during a systole phase and a diastole phase. The link mechanism is actuated by a cord through a motor, although only in one direction in the pressure phase, and hence the aforementioned changed volumes are readjusted primarily through the pressure exerted by the inflowing fluid.

Abstract: A blood pump comprises an atrium chamber defined by flexible walls and having an inlet and an outlet, a ventricle chamber defined by flexible walls and having an inlet and an outlet, a passage communicating the outlet of the atrium chamber with the inlet of the ventricle chamber, a first one-way valve in the passage adapted to permit blood flow only from the atrium chamber to the ventricle chamber, and a second one-way valve in the outlet from the ventricle chamber adapted to permit blood to flow through the outlet only out of the ventricle chamber. The chambers are movably supported in a casing having first and second openings, the atrium chamber inlet being fastened to the first opening and the ventricle chamber outlet to the second opening. A drive device cyclically moves the walls of the ventricle chamber to decrease its volume and expel blood from it while simultaneously moving the walls of the atrium chamber such that its volume may increase upon inflow of blood into the inlet to it.

Abstract: An electrode for electrocardiographic examinations comprises a substantially rigid back piece, an electrode plate joined substantially non-movably to the back piece and a resiliently deformable sealing component interposed between the electrode plate and the back piece. When the electrode is not applied to the patient, flow of ambient air to a vacuum chamber in the back piece is blocked or restricted. Upon applying the electrode to the patient's skin, an outer sealing rim in engagement with the patient's skin forms a seal between the patient's skin and the back piece, thereby to define a vacuum chamber between the back piece and the patient's skin. The vacuum holds the electrode plate firmly in engagement with the patient's skin.