Abstract: The exhalation valve includes a valve housing with a valve seat having an annular shoulder, and a valve poppet having a face with a corresponding annular groove. A soft flexible diaphragm seal disposed between the face of the valve poppet and the valve seat provides a suspended soft seal, ensuring perpendicularity in the valve seal for improved accuracy of valve operation. An annular permanent magnet and an annular magnetic ring are disposed around and spaced apart from a magnetic body to define an air gap in which an electromagnetic coil is disposed. The electromagnetic coil is connected to a control mechanism by a flexible circuit connector that is sufficiently slack that provides minimal force transverse to the longitudinal axis of the valve.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for the treatment of asthmatic patients suitable for performing the double function of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) meter and device for delivering drugs used in the treatment of asthma. The PEFR meter and the devices for delivering the drug are disposed in the same container, which comprises a sole rotating mouthpiece which allows the patient to select each time the function (measurement of PEFR or delivery of the drug) he means to use.

Abstract: An anesthetic system has an external gas reservoir and three gas bellows arranged in the external gas reservoir to alternatingly collect or deliver breathing gas from and to a ventilator unit. In this manner a completely closed system is achieved with minimal consumption of, primarily, anesthetic. The bellows are regulated by a regulatory unit which, via a valve system, can selectively connect a source of drive gas to one or more of the containers in order to compress the gas bellows respectively contained therein. When no drive gas is supplied, each bellows passively expands.

Abstract: A device for fixing and sealing a container having an open frontal side against a cover which permits detaching the container from the cover, in particular an absorber container for carbon dioxide in a respiration apparatus, allows the absorber container to be quickly detached so that it can be rapidly emptied or filled, and the absorber container can then be quickly reaffixed and sealed gas tight. For this purpose, a sealing and fixing arrangement is disposed along the longitudinal side of the container against the open frontal side thereof so as to be displaceable into two end positions, whereby in the first end position the arrangement has a shorter distance to the open frontal side of the container than in the second end position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inhaler device for inhaling an aerosol in a desired dosage, comprising a housing in which is received a reservoir of powder or liquid, an inhaling piece placed on the housing and a mechanism for transporting the powder or liquid from the reservoir to the inhaling piece in a dosage required for the aerosol. A spring biased piston is incorporated into the housing to compress the inhalable medium in the reservoir. The inhalable medium transporting mechanism includes a recess within a reciprocating plunger. The inhaling piece includes two separate air intake openings extending to an exterior of the inhaling piece. The two air intake openings generate separate colliding streams of air which transport and mix the inhalable medium.

Abstract: A medication introducing device for airtight connection between a bag-valve mask apparatus, or other similar pre-hospital emergency respiratory device, and an endo-tracheal tube installed in a patient, the device comprising a central housing having a top opening, a bottom opening, and a minimum of two medication administering ports, at least one of the ports being an injection port for emergency administering of medications through pre-filled syringes into patients for which an intravenous line cannot be established, medications such as cardiac medications including atropine, epinephrine, lidocaine, and narcan, and at least one port being a nebulizer port for administering asthma medications to an intubated patient undergoing pre-hospital emergency CPR. It is contemplated for the present invention to be made from chemically inert materials, to have a sufficiently low manufacturing cost so that it can be disposable, and for each port to have an airtight end cap.

Abstract: A continuous-flow oxygen valve for oxygen rebreathers employs the use of reversible rotary motors to control continuously variable valves in order to provide more constant gas flow to oxygen rebreathers. The motor is connected by gears to a valve which can be adjusted over the appropriate control range necessary to maintain the optimum gas balance. Once the valve is adjusted, the amount of gas flowing through it remains constant until a subsequent adjustment is performed. The gas levels are measured by sensors and conditioning circuitry. Once the appropriate gas flow is computed by the unit control elements, the controller will cause continuous or pulsed current to flow through the valve motor until the flow is set at the appropriate level. Current will then cease to flow. When conditions cause the balance of the gasses to vary from the optimum level, the controller will again make an adjustment in the valve position.

Abstract: An arrangement in connection with an anaesthetic vaporizer, said arrangement comprising a filling head to be connected to a liquid container of the anaesthetic vaporizer, said filling head being provided with a connection point for an anaesthetic supply container or the like. The filling head comprises a filling conduit adapted to form a flow connection between the connection point for an anaesthetic supply container or the like and the liquid container of the anaesthetic vaporizer for filling the liquid container with an anaesthetic, and a discharge conduit adapted to form a passage through which the anaesthetic in the liquid container of the anaesthetic vaporizer can be discharged to an anaesthetic supply container or the like.

Abstract: An inhaling device for use in inhaling an active powdered or liquid substance from a reservoir comprising a housing defining a dispersing chamber into which the active substance may be sucked in a dispersed condition, the dispersing chamber being defined by at least one wall part that is movable between first and second positions in which the chamber attains a minimum volume and a maximum volume, respectively, means for biasing the movable wall part toward the second position so as to suck active substance into the dispersing chamber from the reservoir, and a mouthpiece that enables a patient to inhale a dispersed active substance from the dispersing chamber.

Abstract: A tracheostomy mask for delivering gaseous therapeutics to a patient fitted with an tracheostomy tube includes a mask body and an alignment stabilizer. The mask body has an opening to receive oxygen and humidification to be delivered to a patient. The alignment stabilizer is supported by the mask body and maintains alignment between the mask body and the tracheostomy tube inserted within the neck of a patient. By maintaining this alignment, the tracheostomy mask with alignment stabilizer insures reliable therapeutic delivery to the patient.

Abstract: An extension that is attachable to metered dose inhalers for more effective and efficient delivery of the medication to the lungs of the user. The extension comprises a member having a bore therethrough that is sized and configured at a first end to match the size and shape of the inhaler nozzle, tapers to a reduced cross-section and extends with a generally uniform cross-section for at least one inch to the second end so as to force the user to slowly inhale the medication into the lungs. An adaptor attached to the first end of the member receives the nozzle therein so that the nozzle is in fluid flow communication with the bore of the member. A portion of the member, including the second end, defines a mouthpiece at least one and one half inches long that is receivable in the mouth of a user.

Abstract: A movable valve member is disposed within a first stage regulator within a regulator body for receipt of pressurized gas. The movable valve member is formed of a metal having an enlarged head and an attached stem with a shoulder integral with the stem adjacent the enlarged head. Surrounding the head and extending peripherally is an elastomeric or plastic material. A support washer is pressed over the shoulder against the plastic molded surface and is frictionally engaged to support the elastomeric or plastic material. A process for making the movable valve member is also provided.

Abstract: A securing device for an introducer of the kind for introducing an oral tube or laryngeal mask into a patient takes the form of a V-shape plate with a ribbed collar at its apex within which the tube or mask extends. A compressible gap extends from the collar to the edge of the plate and this is compressed, so that the collar grips the tube or mask, by fastening openings in the plate onto projections from the introducer. Alternatively, the securing device has a clip with two spaced engagement members so that the gap is squeezed closed by clipping the engagement members between two arms of the introducer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter with a predeterminably adjustable porosity. The filter can be manufactured by forming a three-dimensional framework made of the filter material around particles, which serve as space retainers for the porosity, and subsequently removing the particles. The filter according to the invention consists of biologically inert material which does not harm the mucous membrane. When used as a nose filter, the filter keeps the breathing air free of particles and harmful gases.

Abstract: A blind intubation guide (10) including a tube-receiving space (46) with a tube-supporting spout (50) which effectively overhangs the epiglottis (90) so as to prevent an orotracheal tube (60) from catching thereon as such tube (60) is advanced through the guide (10). A guide wall (42), which aims the tube (60) into the laryngeal opening (82) and has an upper edge below the level of the junction of the spout (50) and an aft member (16) and a support member (30) of the guide, cooperates with a free edge (52) of the spout (50) to rotate the tube (60) into position for advancement into the laryngeal opening (82) and the trachea (96).

Abstract: A method for aerosolizing a powdered medicament comprises coupling a powder inlet end of a feed tube with a penetration in a receptacle containing the powder. Powder is drawn upward through the tube and dispersed in a high pressure gas stream flowing past a portion of the feed tube. Apparatus comprise the feed tube mounted within a base enclosure proximate a holder for one or more receptacles, which may be in the form of a cartridge containing a plurality of receptacles formed in a continuous web. The cartridge may be reciprocated relative to the feed tube and a separate piercing mechanism in order to sequentially piercing the receptacle and thereafter couple the feed tube through the resulting penetration for extracting the powder. Alternatively, penetration(s) through the receptacle may be formed as the feed tube is coupled, or some penetrations formed prior to coupling with other penetrations formed at the time of coupling.

Abstract: A powder dispenser includes a powder housing for holding a supply of powdered material to be dispensed, the powder housing including an inhalation conduit provided displaced relation to the powdered material supply; a metering plate including a metered dose hole for holding a metered amount of the powdered material, and positioned below the powdered material supply, the metering plate and the powder housing being relatively rotatable with respect to each other about a common central axis; a counter providing a visual count of the number of doses of the powdered material that have been dispensed or remain to be dispensed in response to the relative rotation, the counter including counter rings providing the visual count, the counter rings being rotatable about the common central axis and having indicia thereon which display the visual count, and an actuating mechanism rotatable about the central axis for incrementally rotating the counter rings in response to the relative rotation; a nozzle for breaking up agg

Abstract: A dry powder inhalation device comprising a housing defining a chamber in communication with a patient port in the form of a mouthpiece or nasal adaptor, and an elongate carrier bearing a powdered medicament, the device being constructed and arranged such that areas of predetermined size of the elongate carrier may sequentially be exposed within the chamber, the device comprising one or more air inlets such that when a patient inhales through the patient port an air flow is established from the air inlet(s) to the patient port through the chamber such that particles of the powdered medicament of respirable size from said exposed area of the elongate carrier are entrained within the air flow.

Abstract: A monitoring device for portable breathing apparatuses having a manometer by means of which the pressure in the pressure container of the breathing apparatus is detected, and having a transmitter by means of which a signal corresponding to the pressure is transmitted at regular intervals. The transmitter also has a signal generating device which generates an identification signal which is characteristic of the transmitter. The pressure signal and identification signal are received and tested by a receiver. If the identification signal matches an identification comparison signal stored in the receiving device, the measured pressure value is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A method of installing an anti-siphon flow restricter into a gas flow lumen of a nebulizer includes providing an anti-siphon flow restricter having a side wall conforming to a cross section of the gas flow lumen, first and second ends at opposite ends of the side wall and an elastomeric diaphragm closing the first end of the side wall. The anti-siphon flow restricter is axially inserted into the gas flow lumen with the diaphragm leading. The diaphragm is slit and allowed to self-bias closed.