Abstract: A multi-layered transtracheal catheter. The transtracheal catheter has a multi-layer or double wall construction formed of two materials. One material is resistant to kinking. The other material is resistant to mucous buildup. Together, they form a catheter that can remain within the trachea for an extended period of time without needing to be removed for cleaning. The distal end of the catheter is deflected from the remainder of the catheter so that when the catheter is inside the trachea and held against the wall of the trachea, the distal end of the catheter is deflected from the wall so that the distal end is not in contact with the wall of the trachea. The result is reduced irritation to the trachea wall, reduced occlusion of the distal end by mucous buildup, and a more directed and efficient spray of material from the catheter into the right and left main skin bronchi of the lungs.

Abstract: An outer catheter extending from a point below the first bifurcation of the trachea through the upper respiratory system of the patient is disposed about an inner catheter having a tip secured in the opening at the distal end thereof with an outer lateral periphery larger in diameter than the outer surface of the inner catheter. The proximal surface of the tip between the outer laterial periphery and the outer surface of the inner catheter is capable of sealingly engaging the distal end of the outer catheter. In this condition the pair of catheters can be advanced through the upper respiratory system of the patient without contaminating the outer surface of the inner catheter. Thereafter the inner catheter is advanced relative to the outer catheter into a wedging position in a bronchiole of the patient so as to allow alternative infusing and aspirating a fluid to the bronchiole.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel system, apparatus and methods for securing the longitudinal position of a diagnostic catheter relative to a patient while maintaining established ventilating parameters within a ventilating circuit or when a patient is intubated and non-mechanically ventilated and it is necessary to deflect exhaled gases from the patient. Disclosed is a tubular elbow having nonlinearly aligned first and second ends connectable to the proximal end of an endotracheal tube adapter and a circuit of a ventilating machine. An access vent is formed through the outer wall of the tubular elbow to enable the diagnostic catheter access to the endotracheal tube adapter. Located at the access vent is a gasket having a centrally located aperture capable of making sealing engagement with the outer surface of the diagnostic catheter when the diagnostic catheter is disposed in the access vent, thereby preventing the loss of established ventilating parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus for respiratory therapy, which is particularly useful in a neonatal context, and related methods, the apparatus comprising an adaptor for connection to the exposed fitting of an indwelling endotracheal tube of any one of several types to an aspirating apparatus which may include ventilating capacity. The adaptor includes an appendage by which a lavage solution can be selectively introduced into the lungs of a patient through the indwelling endotracheal tube to loosen secretions without necessarily interrupting the ventilation cycle or requiring that the ventilating circuit be broken. The apparatus also comprises a fitting at one end of an aspirating/ventilating apparatus which has low dead space, alleviating the incidence of inadvertent disconnection and trauma induced by unintended displacement of the end fitting and accommodating not only aspiration and ventilation but also monitoring of certain vital indicators to allow prompt medical response to contraindications.

Abstract: Apparatus for respiratory therapy, which is particularly useful in a neonatal context, and related methods, the apparatus comprising an adaptor for connection to the exposed fitting of an indwelling endotracheal tube of any one of several types to an aspirating apparatus which may include ventilating capacity. The adaptor includes an appendage by which a lavage solution can be selectively introduced into the lungs of a patient through the indwelling endotracheal tube to loosen secretions without necessarily interrupting the ventilation cycle or requiring that the ventilating circuit be broken. The apparatus also comprises a fitting at one end of an aspirating/ventilating apparatus which has low dead space, alleviating the incidence of inadvertent disconnection and trauma induced by unintended displacement of the end fitting and accommodating not only aspiration and ventilation but also monitoring of certain vital indicators to allow prompt medical response to contraindications.

Abstract: A novel aspirating catheter tube inserter, and related methods, which provides for incremental, facile, safe, and efficient unidirectional delivery of an aspirating catheter to the lung of a patient. The disclosed inserter comprises a movable housing which is non-compressibly reciprocally moved relative to a stationary housing to urge the catheter tube to move incrementally into the patient. The inserter comprises resiliently compressible, seizing and releasing washers which accommodate distal displacement of the catheter tube into the patient when the movable housing is linearly moved toward the patient, but seizes and holds the catheter tube from movement when the movable housing is retracted. The catheter seizing and releasing washers also release the catheter from further progress into the lung, when there is an impeding force of a predetermined magnitude which is caused by tissue engagement, to prevent injury.

Abstract: An aspirating/ventilating or aspirating apparatus comprising multi-lumen catheter tubes, for evacuation of lung secretions and for other functions as well. Two and three lumen catheter tubes which comprise three unique distal catheter end structures are disclosed. Material comprising oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the lungs under positive pressure through a first lumen of the catheter tube at a predetermined rate while secretions (and gas) are simultaneously aspirated from the lung into a second lumen by force of negative pressure. Oxygen gas inflow is controlled to equal gas outflow to maintain the partial pressure of oxygen into the lung at a high respiratory level. In a first distal catheter end structure, an oxygen-containing gas is introduced through the first lumen as a circumscribing jet around the second lumen to provide fluid flow turbulence external to a second lumen to improve homogenization of localized secretions resulting in more efficient aspiration.

Abstract: A novel hyperbaric oxygenation apparatus, and related methods, the apparatus comprising a chamber in the form of a disposable inflatable bag of impervious inexpensive synthetic resinous material which can be used at any desired location, such as a hospital, a home or other site where oxygen can be appropriately made available. The pressure of the oxygen in the collapsible bag is pulsated between maximum and minimum positive values. The patient cyclically experiences first a medicinal increase in the blood gas levels in the limb under treatment with a corresponding restricted bloow flow and, thereafter, a progressive return to normal blood flow rates in the limb of the patient as the pressure in the chamber changes from maximum to minimum positive pressure. A respirator, normally used for intubated respiratory patients, in conjunction with a single oxygen influent/effluent port in hyperbaric oxygenation apparatus is efficacious to provide the oxygen and generate the desired pressure variations.

Abstract: Ventilating/aspirating apparatus, and related methods, the apparatus comprising novel medication effluent structure forming a part of a ventilating/aspirating fitting immediately adjacent the patient by which a metered predetermined dosage of respirating medication is introduced as an atomized spray using one hand.

Abstract: Apparatus for respiratory therapy, which is particularly useful in a neonatal context, and related methods, the apparatus comprising an adaptor for connection to the exposed fitting of an indwelling endotracheal tube of any one of several types to an aspirating apparatus which may include ventilating capacity. The adaptor includes an appendage by which a lavage solution can be selectively introduced into the lungs of a patient through the indwelling endotracheal tube to loosen secretions without necessarily interrupting the ventilation cycle or requiring that the ventilating circuit be broken. The apparatus also comprises a fitting at one end of an aspirating/ventilating apparatus which has low dead space, alleviating the incidence of inadvertent disconnection and trauma induced by unintended displacement of the end fitting and accommodating not only aspiration and ventilation but also monitoring of certain vital indicators to allow prompt medical response to contraindications.

Abstract: An adapter, and related method, by which a specialized commercially available pipetter heretofore requiring an expensive custom pipette tip may be used with a standard pipette tip which is ejected from the pipetter by actuation of the adapter.

Abstract: A foamer, and related method, wherein the foamer comprises a container in which a large supply of foamable liquid is disposed. A predetermined amount of foamable liquid is displaced from time to time from the large container to a relatively small capacity pump chamber, under force of manually-created negative pressure. Manually-created positive air pressure displaces a fixed quantity of foamable liquid from the pump chamber as a stream to a foam-creating mixing chamber where a controlled amount of the air under positive pressure is introduced into the stream of foamable liquid to produce effluent foam.

Abstract: A ventilating/aspirating apparatus, and related methods, the apparatus comprising a catheter tube for evacuation of lung secretions wherein the distal end portion of the catheter tube is disposed at a substantial angle in respect to the remainder of the catheter tube whereby entry into the left lung of a patient may be predictably and accurately tended to without appreciable trauma to the patient. A removable angle retainer is provided for maintaining the configuration of the distal end portion of the catheter tube during storage, prior to use. Radiopaque indicia, selectively located within the wall of the catheter tube, is provided by which the entry of the distal end portion of the catheter tube into the lungs and particularly the left lung of the medical patient can be insured through accurate monitoring visually or by using available radiological techniques.

Abstract: A ventilating and aspirating assembly comprising an aspirating catheter tube internally disposed within and coextensive with a surrounding flexible collapsible sterility preserving film envelope, a connector by which ventilating air is involuntarily delivered to and exhausted from the lungs of a medical patient, said connector comprising structure which accommodates the manual insertion of the catheter tube into and manual removal from the trachea/bronchi patient through the connector. This facilitates aspiration of undesired respiratory fluids.

Abstract: A gravity drainage system for manual removal of liquid accumulated in ventilating tubing which does not require interruption of ventilation or manual disassembly of drainage of the tubing. Periodic evacuation of accumulated liquid from the drainage system without interruption of ventilation is also facilitated.

Abstract: A nonaerosol foamer comprised of an outer container or bottle and novel internal labyrinth structure comprising a slotted body covered along one face with a film of durable synthetic resinous material whereby separate air and liquid influent channels, a foaming site, and a separate foam effluent channel are defined. The liquid influent channel is constructed such that it allows controlled movement of the foamable liquid from the liquid reservoir to the foaming site during application of positive pressure within the outer container, while preventing siphoning of the foam. A novel film flap valve controls flow of influent air into the container to replenish air earlier used to produce foam.

Abstract: Apparatus for respiratory therapy, which is particularly useful in a neonatal context, and related methods, the apparatus comprising an adaptor for connection to the exposed fitting of an indwelling endotracheal tube of any one of several types to an aspirating apparatus which may include ventilating capacity. The adaptor includes an appendage by which a lavage solution can be selectively introduced into the lungs of a patient through the indwelling endotracheal tube to loosen secretions without necessarily interrupting the ventilation cycle or requiring that the ventilating circuit be broken. The apparatus also comprises a fitting at one end of an aspirating/ventilating apparatus which has low dead space, alleviating the incidence of inadvertent disconnection and trauma induced by unintended displacement of the end fitting and accommodating not only aspiration and ventilation but also monitoring of certain vital indicator to allow prompt medical response to contraindications.

Abstract: A ventilating and aspirating assembly comprising an aspirating catheter tube internally disposed within and coextensive with a surrounding flexible collapsible sterility preserving film envelope, a connector by which ventilating air is involuntarily delivered to and exhausted from the lungs of a medical patient, said connector comprising structure which accommodates the manual insertion of the catheter tube into and manual removal from the trachea/bronchi patient through the connector. This facilitates aspiration of undesired respiratory fluids.

Abstract: A ventilating/aspirating apparatus, and related methods, the apparatus comprising a catheter tube for evacuation of lung secretions wherein the distal end portion of the catheter tube is disposed at a substantial angle in respect to the remainder of the catheter tube whereby entry into the left lung of a patient may be predictably and accurately tended to without appreciable trauma to the patient. A removable angle retainer is provided for maintaining the configuration of the distal end portion of the catheter tube during storage, prior to use. Radiopaque indicia, selectively located within the wall of the catheter tube, is provided by which the entry of the distal end portion of the catheter tube into the lungs and paraticularly the left lung of the medical patient can be insured through accurate monitoring visually or by using available radiological techniques.

Abstract: This foam dispensing device includes an outer container for holding foamable liquid, and a foam producing unit mounted in the discharge port of the outer container. The foam producing unit includes an inner container of substantial smaller cross section than the outer container, and a closure cap having a pressurized an inlet and foam outlet. A one-way valve is provided between the inner and outer containers which opens to replenish the foamable liquid supply in the inner container but remains closed during the foam forming process.