A supply arrangement (100) and a process supply a medical device (50, 90) with a supply gas mixture. The supply gas mixture includes a carrier gas and an anesthetic and is generated by an anesthetic dispenser (3). A carrier gas mixing unit (9) generates the carrier gas from at least two carrier gas components. A carrier gas switch having a regular outlet and a discharge outlet selectively directs carrier gas components to the carrier gas mixing unit or to a discharge line (35). A gas mixture switch (6), having a regular outlet (41) and a discharge outlet (42) selectively directs the supply gas mixture to the medical device or to the discharge line (35). An anesthetic concentration sensor (5.1, 5.2) measures a concentration of anesthetic in the generated gas mixture. A control unit (2) controls the gas mixture switch based on measured concentration within or outside a predefined range.

Methods and systems are provided for anesthetic agent leakage diagnostics. In one embodiment, a method for diagnosing leaks in an anesthetic vaporizer includes calculating a leakage rate based on measurements of an anesthetic agent level in a sump of the anesthetic vaporizer, the measurements received from a fluid level sensor at a first time and a second time, and outputting a maintenance alert responsive to the leakage rate exceeding a threshold.

Methods and systems are provided for anesthetic agent leakage diagnostics. In one embodiment, a method for diagnosing leaks in an anesthetic vaporizer includes calculating a leakage rate based on measurements of an anesthetic agent level in a sump of the anesthetic vaporizer, the measurements received from a fluid level sensor at a first time and a second time, and outputting a maintenance alert responsive to the leakage rate exceeding a threshold.

[Problems] To provide a driving method for a metering pump, a driving apparatus for a metering pump, a vaporizer and an anesthesia apparatus which are capable of suppressing a pulsation in the metering pump, and lowering the costs and reducing the sizes of the vaporizer and the anesthesia apparatus.

[Means for solving the Problems] A metering pump 16 is joined to the stepping motor 15, includes an eccentric mechanism converting a revolving motion of the stepping motor 15 into a reciprocating motion of a plunger 16A, and makes a constant liquid delivery by sucking and discharging an anesthetic agent through variations in the cubic volume of a cylinder 16D caused by the reciprocating motion of the plunger 16A. The control section 12: calculates a suction and discharge cycle T of the metering pump 16 on the basis of a set anesthetic-gas concentration and a fresh-gas flow rate; sets a discharge period T2 of the cycle T to be longer than a suction period T1 of the cycle T; and controls the revolution speed of the stepping motor 15 so that the travelling speed of the plunger 16A is kept constant during the discharge period T2.

[Problems] To provide a driving method for a metering pump, a driving apparatus for a metering pump, a vaporizer and an anesthesia apparatus which are capable of suppressing a pulsation in the metering pump, and lowering the costs and reducing the sizes of the vaporizer and the anesthesia apparatus.

[Means for solving the Problems] A metering pump 16 is joined to the stepping motor 15, includes an eccentric mechanism converting a revolving motion of the stepping motor 15 into a reciprocating motion of a plunger 16A, and makes a constant liquid delivery by sucking and discharging an anesthetic agent through variations in the cubic volume of a cylinder 16D caused by the reciprocating motion of the plunger 16A. The control section 12: calculates a suction and discharge cycle T of the metering pump 16 on the basis of a set anesthetic-gas concentration and a fresh-gas flow rate; sets a discharge period T2 of the cycle T to be longer than a suction period T1 of the cycle T; and controls the revolution speed of the stepping motor 15 so that the travelling speed of the plunger 16A is kept constant during the discharge period T2.

Systems and methods are provided for anesthetic agent level sensing. In one embodiment, a system for a level sensor for an anesthetic vaporizer includes a measurement tube including a float positioned therein, a bottom portion of the measurement tube coupled to a cap having a central opening, a retaining bracket coupled to a top portion of the measurement tube, an optical sensor housed within the retaining bracket, the optical sensor including a light source positioned to emit light toward an interior of the measurement tube and a light detector positioned to receive light from the interior of the measurement tube, and an optical window housed within the retaining bracket and coupled between the optical sensor and the interior of the measurement tube.

Systems and methods are provided for anesthetic agent level sensing. In one embodiment, a system for a level sensor for an anesthetic vaporizer includes a measurement tube including a float positioned therein, a bottom portion of the measurement tube coupled to a cap having a central opening, a retaining bracket coupled to a top portion of the measurement tube, an optical sensor housed within the retaining bracket, the optical sensor including a light source positioned to emit light toward an interior of the measurement tube and a light detector positioned to receive light from the interior of the measurement tube, and an optical window housed within the retaining bracket and coupled between the optical sensor and the interior of the measurement tube.

Examples of a module for housing unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment for use during surgery. The module can include a lower section and a tower-like upper section. The lower section can house unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment. The tower-like upper section can be located on top of the lower section. A water-resistant cowling can enclose at least a portion of the lower section and the tower-like upper section. A cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be protectively housed within the tower-like upper section. The cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be configured to emerge upward from a top of the tower-like upper section to substantially seat itself on the top of the tower-like upper section when activated allowing the ultraviolet-C light to disinfect the patient and staff-contacting upper surfaces of the equipment in the operating room.

Examples of a module for housing unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment for use during surgery. The module can include a lower section and a tower-like upper section. The lower section can house unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment. The tower-like upper section can be located on top of the lower section. A water-resistant cowling can enclose at least a portion of the lower section and the tower-like upper section. A cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be protectively housed within the tower-like upper section. The cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be configured to emerge upward from a top of the tower-like upper section to substantially seat itself on the top of the tower-like upper section when activated allowing the ultraviolet-C light to disinfect the patient and staff-contacting upper surfaces of the equipment in the operating room.

The present invention relates to a device for applying energy to a human body. The device comprises a contact surface which defines an application region in which a human body can be placed in the effective range of the energy. The device further comprises at least one means for outputting the energy directed substantially onto the application region, and at least one means for generating a vapour mixture comprising at least one cannabinoid. The device according to the invention also comprises at least one means for guiding the vapour mixture, which has an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid, into the surroundings of the breathing orifices of a human body. The present invention further relates to a method for operating such a device, and to the use of vapour mixtures comprising at least one cannabinoid in designated devices.