Abstract: Provided is a powder delivery system which uses mechanical or electrical means to individually release covers that cover powder at a variety of powder aliquot locations on a rigid substrate.

Abstract: An adjustable gas flow regulator device primarily for use in medical care, said device comprising a two-part body (8/25) having a high pressure gas inlet connector (1) and a gas outlet connector (16) mounted thereon. Mounted within the body is a conventional regulator comprising a piston (9) axially movable in a stepped bore (46/47). Mounted between the output of the regulator and the outer connector (16) is a flow selector device comprising a flow selecting member (13) rotatable by means of a knob (31). The flow selecting member (13) is formed with a plurality of radially extending bores (54) in the outer part of each of which is fitted a setting plug which may be externally adjustable by a tool (not shown).

Abstract: An atomizer for dispensing a powder or liquid product which is atomized by a stream of compressed air and further has either (1) means to prevent or stop the product from atomizing in response to a positive pressure in the atomizer or (2) a secondary reservoir located between the product reservoir and a product outlet from which the product is atomized, said secondary reservoir is in fluid connection with a second chamber, the second chamber being operable in response to a positive pressure in the atomizer to drive fluid from the secondary reservoir.

Abstract: An anesthetic applicator with a temperature/moisture regulating capability is provided. The anesthetic applicator includes: means for supplying anesthetic; an inner duct, connected to the anesthetic supplying means, for conducting the anesthetic to the patient; means for recycling the exhaled breath from the patent so that the recycled anesthetic can be resupplied via the inner duct to the patient; an outer duct sleeving the inner duct in such a manner that a passage is formed between the outer duct and the inner duct; and means for supplying a stream of heated fluid such as heated air or water to flow through the passage between the outer duct and the inner duct.

Abstract: A device is provided for emptying a metering chamber of a powder dispenser. The dispenser includes an expulsion channel passing through the metering chamber and a device for delivering an air flow which is intended to pass along the expulsion channel to empty the metering chamber when the dispenser is actuated. A flow device is adapted to configure the air flow in such a manner that it empties the metering chamber completely. The flow device is disposed in the expulsion channel upstream from the metering chamber in the flow direction of the air flow.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive mask which is generally not bulky, and quite easy to handle, and is applicable to a limited portion of the face. The mask is configured to accommodate various sizes and shapes of nostril openings. The mask includes an air filter having an area which is capable of covering nostril openings, a pair of adhesive sheets which project outwardly from non-parallel side edges of the air filter, and an adhesive layer which is provided on respective upper surfaces of the adhesive sheet and is capable of being adhered to both side portions of a nose. Removable papers are provided, fitted on the adhesive layer. The air filter includes a flexible flap for adjusting a size between an arc-shaped line of the air filter and a facial skin surface below the nose.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler (10) for use with a pressurized aerosol canister (18) includes a housing (12) defining a conduit (16) with a mouthpiece (56), and an actuator (26) with a nozzle discharge orifice (30) arranged to discharge aerosol into the conduit. An air tube (34) is arranged within the conduit with an inlet (38) of the air tube formed in the conduit wall (74) and an outlet (36) of the air tube in opposing relationship with the nozzle orifice. Inhalation through the mouthpiece causes air to be drawn into the inlet and flow out of the outlet of the air tube to form an air jet which impinges on an oppositely moving aerosol plume from the orifice. Automatic actuation of the canister responsive to the patient's inhalation is achieved by a canister trigger (154) connected to a movable piston assembly (132) forming a wall of a variable-volume chamber (162) in fluid communication with a venturi (184) in the air tube.

Abstract: An indicating device for indicating the number of metered doses of medicaments that have been dispensed from or remain in a container having a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and moveable between an open and closed position. The indicating device includes a base member adapted to be mounted to the container, a cap member moveably connected to the base member, an indicator member rotatably mounted to the cap member and an indicating mechanism adapted to rotate the counter member an incremental amount upon a predetermined number of axial movements of the cap member relative to the base member. A preferred embodiment of the indicating device includes a ratchet wheel, a drive member selectively engaging the indicating member, a pawl selectively engaging the ratchet wheel, and a non-return member adapted to selectively engage the ratchet wheel so as to maintain a unidirectional rotation of the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: A flexible diver's snorkel is disclosed having a mouthpiece fluidly connected to a plurality of flexible interconnected linked passages having plural joints for orientation of the linked passages in X Y and Z directions with respect to the passages of the multiple links. The snorkel can be configured to conform to the side of a user's face and has an arcuate upright section with an extension for extending behind a user's head.

Abstract: A gas storage and dispensing system, including a gas storage and dispensing vessel, holding a physical adsorbent medium having sorptive affinity for the gas, and desorptive thereof under dispensing conditions. The gas may be an organoleptic gas, a gaseous therapeutic agent, or the like. The gas storage and dispensing system may be constructed with the gas storage and dispensing vessel in gas flow communication with a bladder that is actually manually or mechanically actuated to effect compression and release thereof, to achieve pressure differential-mediated desorption of the gas from the physical adsorbent medium, and discharge of desorbed gas from the vessel.

Abstract: A suction control valve is disclosed which includes a primary suction device access and an ancillary suction device access. The valve includes a valve core which is linearly movable between a first position in which the primary access is closed against suction pressure therethrough, to a second position in which the primary access is open to suction pressure therethrough. The valve also is rotatable from the first position to a third position to disable its linear movement and to open the ancillary access port. When the core is in the first position, atmospheric air can pass through the valve and into the suction pressure source in such a manner that a "hissing" auditory signal is generated, indicative of the presence of suction pressure within the valve. When the actuator is in the second or third positions, the "hissing" is prevented. The valve is easily assembled and adapted for gas sterilization.

Abstract: A powder inhalation device comprising a housing containing a pharmacologically active compound, a conduit (8) with an outlet extending into the housing through which a user can inhale to create an airflow through the conduit, a dosing unit (6,7) for delivering a dose of the compound to the conduit and baffles (9) arranged within the said conduit to aid disintegration of powder agglomerates entrained in said airflow. The baffles (9) comprise a plurality of staggered plates extending into the conduit from opposite sides of the conduit at an angle of less than 90.degree. to the sides of the conduit and are inclined towards the outlet to create a plurality of constrictions within the conduit and a plurality of changes in the direction of the said airflow through the conduit.

Abstract: A resuscitator having a collapsible bag with an inlet for attachment to a source of oxygen. The collapsible bag has a major outlet and a minor outlet. The major outlet is connected to a first arm of a three-armed connector. The minor outlet is attached to a flexible tube which, in turn, may either be connected to an adapter that is connected to a second arm of the three-armed connector or to a nebulizer or aerosolizer that is attached to the second arm of the three-armed connector. The third arm of the three-armed connector is connected to a housing containing a one-way valve to permit the flow of oxygen away from the collapsible bag and to preclude the flow of liquids and gases toward the collapsible bag. Preferably, the housing also contains, between the one-way valve and the second end of the housing, an exhaust aperture; and the exhaust aperture is preferably covered by a filter.

Abstract: According to the invention, methods and devices for increasing cardiopulmonary circulation induced by chest compression and decompression when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation are provided. Cardiopulmonary circulation is increased according to the invention by impeding airflow into a patient's lungs to enhance the extent and duration of negative intrathoracic pressure during decompression of the patient's chest. Enhanced extent and duration of negative of intrathoracic pressure thus promotes venous blood flow into the heart and lungs from the peripheral venous vasculature. In one embodiment, impeding the airflow into the patient's lungs is accomplished by placing a ventilation tube in the patient's airway. The ventilation tube contains either a flow restrictive orifice disposed within or connected in series with a lumen of the ventilation tube, or a pressure-responsive valve within a lumen of the tube to impede the inflow of air.

Abstract: An intubating assembly used to position an intubation tube having a distal end, a proximal end and a generally resilient tubular configuration, into a trachea of a patient, the intubating assembly having a guide assembly that receives the intubation tube therein and conforms the intubation tube to its configuration. The guide assembly includes first and second introduction segments hingedly coupled to one another and positionable between a closed orientation, which defines a generally curved configuration of the guide assembly, and an open orientation, which defines a generally straight configuration of the guide assembly.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask assembly has a laryngeal mask device with a tube opening into a mask. The assembly includes an obturator inserted along the tube during insertion, with the patient end of the obturator lying adjacent the patient end of the tube so as to prevent the epiglottis entering the tube. The obturator has an air passage extending along its length and a handle projecting rearwardly from a stop, which limits how far the obturator can be inserted in the tube.

Abstract: A unidirectional fluid valve for use with a respirator includes a flexible flap initially formed as a flat resilient member. A valve body has a flat valve seat to support the flexible flap. The flexible flap is contoured to make contact with the valve seat when a fluid is not passing through the valve body, and free to lift from the valve seat when a fluid passes through the valve body. The valve body additionally includes an arm located off center relative to the flap and the arm extends inwardly in the valve body to contact the flexible flap off center to push the flexible flap at a position to deform the flexible flap to contour a concave configuration for the flexible flap and provide a secured end and a free end for the flap. In this way the flexible flap is normally pushed into sealing engagement with the flat valve seat when fluid is not passing through the valve body and is free to move away from the valve seat when fluid passes through the valve body.

Abstract: A ventilator and trach holder device includes a main attachment body and at least one and, preferably, a pair of spaced apart attachment tab members. The main attachment body includes a central panel, a pair of spaced apart first connection members, a pair of spaced apart second connection members and a plurality of patches of complementary mateable hook and loop fastener material. The first and second connection members and central panel provide the main attachment body with a H-shaped configuration and the patches are complementary to and mateable with one another such that the main attachment body may be wrapped around a ventilator circuit component and held in place by fastening the patches to one another. Each attachment tab member includes opposite first and second ends and a pair of patches of complementary and mateable hook and loop fastener material. The first end of the attachment tab member is mounted to the central panel of the main attachment body.

Abstract: A medication inhalation apparatus for use with an MDI inhaler includes an elongated housing for receiving a plume of medication particles ejected by the MDI inhaler, a mouthpiece, and an inhalation valve disposed between the mouthpiece and the housing. An exhalation valve in the mouthpiece allows exhalation through the mouthpiece, presenting very little resistance to the exhalation effort of the patient. An adapter receives and stabilizes a mouthpiece of the MDI inhaler. The inhalation valve includes an inhalation membrane hanging adjacent to a valve seat. Exhalation into the mouthpiece presses the inhalation membrane against the valve seat, forcing exhaled gas through the exhalation valve. Inhalation causes the inhalation membrane to swing away from the valve seat and mostly out of a path of the medication plume. Impaction of medication particles against the inhalation membrane is avoided, and very little resistance is presented to the inhalation effort of the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for treating a patient suffering from heart failure. According to one exemplary method, a facial mask is sealed around the patient's mouth and nose, with the mask including a one-way expiration valve and an inspiratory threshold valve. The threshold valve is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the mask is in the range from about -3 cm H.sub.2 O to about -25 cm H.sub.2 O. With this arrangement, the patient breathes while the mask is sealed to the face, with the respiratory gasses being prevented from entering the patient's lungs during inhalation until the patient produces a pressure within the mask that is within the range from about -3 cm H.sub.2 O to about -25 cm H.sub.2 O. At this point, the inspiratory valve opens to allow respiratory gasses into the lungs.