Diagnostic Products Corporation

Enhancer R & D

Gerald M Timpe

Terry W Deville

Terry Deville

Inhalation methods and apparatus are provided for performing xenon-enhanced studies or tests. The present invention is useful during computed tomography studies to provide neurologists with accurate yet relatively inexpensive measurements of cerebral blood flow. The apparatus includes a variable volume xenon/oxygen chamber for obtaining a closed-loop arrangement with the patient, thereby minimizing xenon gas usage during the study. According to the method of the invention, the volume of the xenon/oxygen chamber is reduced during a first phase of the study, while the patient's lung xenon concentration increases. The second phase is initiated when the variable chamber obtains a selected minimum value, after which exhalation returns to the chamber. During the second phase, oxygen and xenon are added to the closed loop system to maintain the desired concentrations, carbon dioxide is removed, and the chamber volume slowly increases. Apart from xenon inhalation studies, the method and apparatus have utility for a wide range of inhalation procedures, especially those involving relatively expensive inhalation gases.

Method and apparatus for conducting xenon inhalation studies

Improved apparatus is provided for examining large quantities of documents and, particularly, x-rays, positioned in front of a viewing station. The present invention utilizes an elongate sheet of plastic which can be power controlled to move in a generally horizontal direction across the viewing station. In the area of the viewing station, the plastic sheet is tilted backward, so that gravity assists in retaining the documents on the plastic sheet. Novel means are provided for retaining the film on the plastic sheet between the idler rollers and drums. Improved methods are disclosed herein for viewing large quantities of documents such as x-rays.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Gerald M Timpe