Abstract: A humidifier for pulmonary assistance systems which includes a transparent housing with an air passage extending therethrough and water reservoir. The passage includes a convergent-divergent section separated by a narrow throat. A narrow channel connecting the reservoir to the throat so that with the divergent section being open to the reservoir, the differential pressure between the reservoir and the throat causes water to flow into the air passage. A collection surface is provided in the divergent section for extracting water droplets from the air flowing through the passage, and a heating panel is provided for heating the water in the reservoir.

Abstract: A valve having no friction producing components includes a flexible and resilient tube for carrying a fluid, an electrically energizable coil for producing an electromagnetic force when energized, a magnetically attractable element, and an elongate leaf spring attached near one end to the coil and looped outwardly, upwardly and back toward the coil, with the magnetically attractable element attached to the leaf spring near the other end. The leaf spring normally holds the magnetically attractable element out of contact with the coil, but when the coil is energized, the element is attracted towards the coil. The one end of the leaf spring attached to the coil is also formed to extend upwardly and over the magnetically attractable element to act as an anvil, and the other end of the leaf spring attached to the element extends upwardly towards the anvil to form a pinching tab.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for assisting a person's respiration by means of application of a series of high pressure air pulses to the person. The frequency of the pulses is varied over some range of frequencies to ensure that at least during some portion of the time, air pulses are applied to the person at the natural or resonant frequency of the person's respiratory system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for delivering medication into the respiratory system of a person. The medication to be delivered is nebulized and supplied, with a series of gas pulses, to a person's respiratory system. The frequency rate of the pulses varies over a range which is broad enough to encompass the natural or resonant frequencies of the person's respiratory system.