A method for using CO.sub.2 as a contrast material in medical imaging procedures is disclosed. The method includes providing a source of pressurized CO.sub.2. The step of providing includes connecting the source of pressurized CO2 to a compressed gas unit for controlling delivery of the CO.sub.2. The method also includes regulating pressure of the CO.sub.2 delivered by the compressed gas unit, transmitting the pressurized CO.sub.2 from the compressed gas unit to a control valve assembly for delivery to a patient in controlled dosages, and sequentially processing the CO.sub.2 with the control valve assembly and delivering the CO.sub.2 to the patient as a contrast media.

A method of generating a pressurized, sub-cooled mixed-phase cryogen is disclosed, including providing a cryogenic system including a reservoir containing a liquid cryogen; and a heat exchange coil immersed in the liquid cryogen, the heat exchange coil having an input end and an output end not immersed in the liquid cryogen; introducing a pressurized gas cryogen to the input end of the heat exchange coil; cooling the pressurized gas cryogen within the heat exchange coil; and collecting the pressurized gas cryogen at an output end of the heat exchange coil.

A pressurized fluid container having a pressure indicator device, the device having-a piston sensitive to the prevailing pressure in the pressurized fluid container, the piston moving, depending on the value of the pressure in the pressurized fluid container, between at least a retracted position and a deployed position; an indicator component configured to cooperate with the piston, the indicator component moving, depending on the position of the piston, between at least a first position representing a first pressure value and a second position representing a second pressure value.

The present invention relates to a valve assembly configured to be arranged in a cylinder opening of a gas cylinder, comprising a valve housing having a first housing end and a second housing end, a first housing opening arranged at the first housing end and a second housing opening arranged at the second housing end, the first housing opening having an inner diameter, and a bore extending between the first housing opening and the second housing opening, the bore having an inner face, and an inner valve unit arranged in the bore, said inner valve unit having an inner valve housing, and a first end and a second end, the first end having an outer diameter, the outer diameter being larger than the inner diameter of the first housing opening, the first end being configured to abut the inner face at the first opening, whereby a filling valve is provided, the inner face of the first opening being a filling valve seat, the second end comprising an inlet to the inner valve unit, the inner valve unit further comprising a consumption valve arranged at the first end, and a first pressure reduction valve configured to reduce a pressure in the gas cylinder from a first gas pressure to a second gas pressure, wherein the valve assembly further comprises a protection device arranged in connection with and configured to interact with the inner valve unit to hinder unintended gas flow into the gas cylinder. The present invention also relates to a gas cylinder having a gas with a pressure and an opening, to a gas delivering system, to a gas consuming system and to a beverage dispensing system.

Methods, systems, devices and/or apparatuses for a vapor plug. The vapor plug includes a vapor plug cover or lid. The vapor plug cover or lid is configured to cover an opening of a container. The vapor plug includes a neck. The neck has a first end and a second end that is configured to be inserted into the opening of the container. The first end has a first diameter and the second end has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.

A method for making a container for retaining anesthetic agent. The method includes creating two or more parts each having a mating surface, where the container is formed when the mating surfaces of the two or more parts are coupled together, and where a first part of the two or more parts is formed of a material having pores defined within the mating surface thereof. The method further includes processing the mating surface of the first part via friction stir welding to reduce the pores defined therein. The method further includes coupling the two or more parts together such that the mating surfaces contact to create the container configured to retain the anesthetic agent therein.

A valve assembly having a housing and a valve, the valve being disposed within the housing, a first indexed member integral to the housing, the first indexed member adapted to be complementary to a second indexed member, and a radio frequency identification device adapted to communicate with a radio frequency receiver, the valve being configured to align with a canister, seal the canister and open in a single movement. A drug containment device having said valve assembly is also disclosed.

A pressure vessel assembly includes a vessel including a wall defining a chamber and a circumferentially continuous lip projecting into the chamber from the wall. The lip defines a through-bore in fluid communication with the chamber. A nozzle assembly including a tube and a flange projecting radially outward from the tube. The tube includes a first portion projecting from the flange and through the through-bore and an opposite second portion projecting outward from the flange. The flange is in contact with the wall and the first portion includes an outer surface having a contour configured to produce sealing friction between the lip and the outer surface.

A cryogenic gas manifold for use in a cryogenic gas system includes first and second interchangeable tubular headers. Each of the tubular headers has a nipple for receiving cryogenic gas from a source or for providing such cryogenic gas to a user. Each of the tubular headers has opposed branch nipples for threadedly receiving devices that interconnect at least certain of the branch nipples of the pair of tubular headers. This interconnection is by threaded engagement of at least certain devices such as regulators, valves, gauges, sensors, bypass valves, low-temperature shutoff valves, and the like. The interconnection of these various devices with the pair of headers establishes a structural integrity for the manifold. Feet may be clamped to the bottom of each of the headers to allow the manifold to be freestanding. The threaded engagement of all of the various elements makes the manifold cost-effective.

A cryogenic energy storage system comprises at least one cryogenic fluid storage tank having an output; a primary conduit through which a stream of cryogenic fluid may flow from the output of the fluid storage tank to an exhaust; a pump within the primary conduit downstream of the output of the tank for pressurising the cryogenic fluid stream; evaporative means within the primary conduit downstream of the pump for vaporising the pressurised cryogenic fluid stream; at least one expansion stage within the primary conduit downstream of the evaporative means for expanding the vaporised cryogenic fluid stream and for extracting work therefrom; a secondary conduit configured to divert at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid stream from the primary conduit and reintroduce it to the fluid storage tank; and pressure control means within the secondary conduit for controlling the flow of the diverted cryogenic fluid stream and thereby controlling the pressure within the tank. The secondary conduit is coupled to the primary conduit downstream of one or more of the at least one expansion stages.