Abstract: A ventilator system has an inspiratory line, an inspiratory pressure meter arranged to sense pressure in the inspiratory line, and expiratory line, an expiratory pressure meter arranged to sense pressure in the expiratory line, and a connector device for connecting a patient to the ventilator system. The connector device includes a first gas line connected to the inspiratory line, and a second gas line connected to the expiratory line so that gas will only be able to flow in one direction through the lines. Pressure in the lungs can accordingly be directly measured by the expiratory pressure meter during inspiration and by the inspiratory pressure meter during expiration.

Abstract: An oxygen respirator with safety and simple handling, comprising a body, a small portable-type oxygen cylinder or oxygen generator mounted on the body, a mask, a first hose transferring oxygen from the body to the mask, a tank member mounted on the body for receiving exhalation, a second hose transferring exhalation from the mask to the body, and a carbon dioxide absorbing material charged in the body for removing carbon dioxide from exhalation sent back from the mask to the body. During emergency and evacuation for example in fire, thus, oxygen is transferred to the mask by removing a trigger or the like. The respirator also enables the reuse of exhalation for respiration. Despite of the small size, therefore, the respirator can protect a user from risks such as suffocation for a relatively long period of time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the occurrence of an apnea, patency and/or partial obstruction of the airway are disclosed. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by calculating the variance of the air flow signal over a moving time window and comparing the variance with a threshold value. One determination of partial obstruction of the airway is performed by detecting the inspiratory part of the air flow signal, scaling it to unity duration and area and calculating an index value of the amplitude of the scaled signal over a mid-portion. Alternatively, the index value is a measure of the flatness of the air flow signal over the mid-portion.

Abstract: Mineral phase eitelite ?Na.sub.2 Mg(CO.sub.3).sub.2 !, either alone or in combination with other filters, significantly reduces the amount of sidestream smoke produced by the burning smoking article while providing the smoking article with good ashing characteristics.

Abstract: A real-time cast sheet weight monitoring and control system in which the weight of a cast base sheet of wet laid tobacco slurry as well as the weight of a composite tobacco cast sheet formed by applying dry granular tobacco to the wet laid cast sheet prior to drying is disclosed in which two beta gauge sheet weight sensing devices are used to provide input signals to a controller which alternately uses those signals to monitor and control the weight of the cast base sheet by means of controlling the servo drive motors of a casting blade in a head box which is casting the wet laid sheet onto a stainless steel belt and which also uses those same signals to control the variable speed drive of a top loader for controlling the amount of dry granular tobacco which is uniformally applied to the wet laid cast base sheet prior to the drying of the composite tobacco cast sheet material formed thereby.

Abstract: A protective jacket, comprises an inner layer and an outer layer composed of an air-impermeable fabric, a layer of a resilient porous material located between the inner and outer layers, and filtering means, the layers being formed so that when the jacket is fitted on a user's chest and upper part of stomach, during inhaling a pressure in an interior increases and air is pressed through the filtering means to be inhaled by the user.

Abstract: A valving arrangement for use with or for a blower-based ventilator system, such as a pressure support ventilator, and a pressure support ventilator having such a valving arrangement, in which blower output can be controlled in such a manner that desired levels of pressure are able to be provided without excessive waste of blower output flow. In one preferred embodiment, a first valve is provided that serves to restrict blower flow, without venting the same from the system, along with a second valve for relieving pressure as needed. Also contemplated herein are methods for controlling such a valving arrangement.

Abstract: A breathing bag arm assembly that is affixed to a medical apparatus such as an anesthesia machine or component thereof. The breathing bag arm assembly comprises three moving parts, a base connector that rotatable attaches to the medical apparatus, a bent tube that is affixed to the base connector and can be rotated to a plurality of discrete locked positions with respect to the base connector and a port connector that is rotatable affixed to the other end of the bent tube. The port connector has a port for connecting to the flexible bag. By manipulation of the assembly, the clinician can locate the flexible bag in a variety of positions for convenient use, and retain the flexible bag in the desired position depending vertically downwardly. The overall assembly is readily disassembled and reassembled for cleaning or the like.

Abstract: A portable air purifier device for emergency use by an individual in an atmosphere that contains air which has been contaminated with one or more combustion products, said combustion products comprising at least in part a mixture of particulate matter, carbon monoxide and other toxic chemical entities, said device comprising an elongated hollow body having an atmosphere inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet end terminating in a mouthpiece so that said atmosphere can be inhaled by way of a human user's mouth sequentially through said inlet end, body and mouthpiece, said body comprising a plurality of zones for treating said contaminated air as it passes therethrough, one of said plurality of zones is a carbon monoxide removal and fixation zone being adapted to remove and fix said carbon monoxide and another one of said plurality of zones is a toxic chemical reaction and fixation zone adapted to chemically react with said other toxic chemical entities having a porous support material impregnated with reactio

Abstract: A nasal positive airway pressure device is provided having a plenum chamber, a pair of nasal delivery members, and a variable orifice venting aperture member. The variable orifice venting aperture member preferably is mounted to the plenum chamber, but may be mounted at other locations in communication with the nasal delivery members. The variable orifice vent aperture member expands under increased pressure, e.g., during exhalation, and contracts to its original diameter at lower pressures, e.g., during inhalation, to provide variable venting capacity during positive airway pressure treatment.

Abstract: A dry powder delivery system having an elongated tube containing a matrix having a measured mount of dry particles of therapeutic compound and a porous element having a desiccant therein is disclosed. The porous element with the desiccant can be combined with the powder-containing matrix or it can be two separate elements. The pressure drop induced by inhalation of the user causes air to flow through the tube and into contact with the particles of dry powder for discharging the particles for inhalation by the user.

Abstract: A modular flow control system for a hyperbaric oxygen chamber which receives oxygen gas from a pressurized source and vents a mixture of oxygen and other gases from the chamber to atmosphere. The control system is comprised of a control panel which is mounted to the exterior of the hyperbaric chamber. The control panel consists of an oxygen inlet which is connected to a source of pressurized oxygen and provides access to a system supply line contained within the control panel. The system supply line contains a series of control and gauges which monitor and control the pressure of oxygen within the chamber and the flow rate of oxygen into the chamber. The system supply line terminates at an oxygen outlet which is connected directly to the hyperbaric chamber. Vent gas flows from the hyperbaric chamber back to the control panel through a vent gas inlet. The vent gas inlet is connected to a system vent line.

Abstract: A freeze resistant first stage pressure regulator for use with a high pressure source of breathable gas includes a housing and a yoke, for attaching said housing to a high pressure source of breathable gas along with a pressure regulated outlet, a valve seat and a piston. A spring is provided for biasing the piston in order to effect a regulated valve opening between the piston and the valve seat and provide a pressure regulated supply of breathable gas to the pressure regulated outlet. The spring, piston and valve seat are all sealed within the housing. An antifreeze liquid is sealed within the housing for excluding contact of said spring and piston with ambient water; and a pressure transfer device, disposed in a wall of the housing and in fluid communication with the antifreeze liquid is provided for equalizing pressure between the ambient water and said antifreeze liquid.

Abstract: A medication nebulizer adapter system for administering aerosol treatments for newborn and pediatric patients. The nebulizer adapter system of the invention includes an adapter for positioning in the mouth of the infant. The adapter serves to depress the tongue of the infant and to deliver nebulized medication to the rearward area of the infant's throat, where the medication may be subsequently inhaled into the lungs of the infant. By directing the medication to the infant's throat, as opposed to through the nose of the patient, the filtering effect of the nasal passageways may be avoided, thereby more efficiently delivering nebulized medication to the lungs of the patient.

Abstract: An artificial respirator apparatus periodically activates intercostal muscles in an organism by applying a first stimulation signal while simultaneously activating the diaphragm of the organism by applying a second stimulation signal. The intercostal muscles are stimulated according to a first set of stimulation parameters while the diaphragm is stimulated using a second set of stimulus parameters. The coordinated stimulation of the intercostal muscles and diaphragm effects artificial ventilation in the organism. The stimulation steps are substantially simultaneous and repeated between periods of non-stimulation.

Abstract: A respirator is provided with a gas-metering device for respiration gases, a control unit influencing and monitoring the metering of the gas, an input unit connected to the control unit for introducing commands into the control unit, a display unit outputting parameters, a rotary knob changing preselected parameters, and with an acknowledge switch, which takes over the changed parameter as a new set value into the control unit and is actuated by the rotary knob. The display unit is designed as an interactive flat screen with a contact-sensitive surface. Data entry sectors with setting segments and output sectors for parameters to be displayed are provided within the flat screen. The input unit is designed as a keypad arranged on the side of the flat screen. At least preselected data entry sectors on the flat screen can be switched by means of the keypad.

Abstract: A respiratory gas container has a flexible bag having an opening with a valve housing arranged in the opening area housing having an upper part and a lower part as well as at least one gas discharge and one gas inlet valve and a connection piece. In order to be able to decontaminate the respiratory gas container reliably and to be able to recognize and eliminate functional disturbances easily, the lower part is mounted substantially within the bag, whereby the lower part has at least one gas discharge valve within the opening. The upper part is mounted substantially outside the bag, whereby it has at least one gas inlet valve and a connection opening as well a fixing element with gas outlet openings mounted in the area of the bag opening. The lower part is detachably joined with the upper part, whereby at lease one connection opening is connected with a gas inlet opening of the lower part through a hollow space of the upper part.

Abstract: A piston based ventilator for delivering breathing gas to the lungs of a patient, and more particularly a piston based ventilator that delivers breathing gas to a patient upon longitudinal movement of a piston rod and associated piston head within a piston cylinder. The piston rod is centrally located within the cylinder and moves along the cylinder in response to direct drive from a motor to move the piston head within the cylinder and displace a volume of gas to be delivered to the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regulating the rate of air fed into a gas mask, as well as to a gas mask. The power of the gas mask blower is regulated on the basis of the current and rotation speed of the blower. The invention can be applied in any facial parts of breathing masks.

Abstract: A monodose disposable inhaling device is disclosed which is suitable for delivery, via the respiratory tract, therapeutic medication, which includes among its objects and advantages increased convenience in medication with dry medicaments in powder form, especially with respect to accuracy of dosage and accurate placement of the drug. In one embodiment the inhaler device generally consists of a body member having a delivery portion constructed integral with a housing portion, a button member, a spring member and a spring and capsule support member. Additionally, a screen member can be disposed within the body member at the intersection of the delivery portion and the housing portion.