Abstract: The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: A detection device adapted to be attached to the distal end of an endotracheal tube for verifying the proper intubation of the endotracheal tube within the airway of a patient. The detection device includes a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow bore extending through the housing from the proximal end to the distal end. The bore forms a proximal orifice at the proximal end of the housing and a distal orifice at the distal end of the housing. A plunger having a proximal end and a distal end extends through the distal orifice of the housing such that the proximal end of the plunger is located in the bore in sealing engagement with the housing. The plunger is selectively slidable within the bore along a longitudinal axis. A gripping member is attached externally to the housing adjacent to the proximal end of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for enclosing a portion of a patient in need of surgery to define an enclosure in which a positive air pressure is introduced to decrease blood loss during surgery. This apparatus may be used to provide a generally sterile field and to decrease blood loss during surgery.

Abstract: An oral airway which is inserted into the pharynx of a patient through the mouth while the patient is undergoing general anesthesia or is undergoing respiratory treatment such as is carried out with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The oral airway includes a curved hollow, tubular longitudinally extending body member. The body member has a distal end portion for insertion into the patient's mouth and pharynx and a proximal end portion for location at the mouth of the patient. The distal end portion of the body member of the oral airway is extended and shaped so as to be operative to seat deep in the patient's hypo-pharynx and surround the patient's epiglottis and glottis, thereby to hold the patient's soft tissue away from the air channel opening of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of ensuring the fit of a face mask to the face of a patient, the apparatus including a face mask having an inlet through which gas can be inhaled and a sensor for measuring the flow rate of gas drawn through the inlet of the face mask. The fit of the face mask is determined by monitoring the flow rate of gas drawn through the inlet of the face mask upon inhalation by a patient. The face mask is considered to satisfactorily fit the patient when a substantially regular inhalation waveform is achieved.

Abstract: A nasal mask configured to be as unobtrusive as possible while providing an air-tight seal around the nose of a wearer comprises a flexible nasal cup having a nasal opening formed by an inner circumferential edge or rim thereof and opening into a nasal chamber. The cup also includes inner and outer sealing flanges extending around the rim for forming an air-tight seal during use. The nasal cup is sized such that, when the nasal cup is positioned over a wearer's nose, the rim generally extends across the wearer's upper lip, around the alae of the nose, and across the dorsum of the nose. Opposite ends of a malleable strip are secured to the outer sealing flange and the strip extends across the portion of the outer sealing flange adapted to be positioned over the nasal dorsum. The strip is manually adjustable so that a user may selectively adjust the shape of the mask about the nose to improve the seal across the nose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endotracheal intubation device that will allow visualization of the airway of a patient during intubation simultaneous with suctioning ability to remove debris in the airway. The endotracheal intubation device includes a light source disposed to shine proximal to the distal end of an endotracheal tube and means for connection to a suction source. The light source may be built into the endotracheal tube or may consist of a lighted sleeve encasing a suction trocar. The light source may be disposed to shine axially or radially from the proximal end to the distal end of an endotracheal tube and may be fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature. The shape of the endotracheal tube may be adjusted either by use of a malleable suction trocar made out of a malleable material such as aluminum or by inclusion of a malleable wire within the tube.

Abstract: An advanced chemical-biological mask for protecting a wearer from chemical and biological environmental contaminants. The mask provides improvements for the wearer in the areas of weight/bulk, fit/comfort, optical compatibility, breathing resistance, communication, and protection. The mask includes a facepiece, eye lens, filter means, inlet and outlet valves, and a nosecup all of which may be molded or integrally bonded to the facepiece which also has a face seal adapted to engage a person's face and form seal therewith. The mask also has a suspension flange which is connected to the facepiece adjacent the seal. An elastic suspension system includes a crown portion for suspending the mask on a person's head and pulling the seal downwardly and into contact with the person's face. The separate nosecup has integral channels to direct the flow of incoming gas along a path adjacent the lens to prevent fogging of the lens.

Abstract: An improved medical conduit including a heating element for controlling the temperature and humidity of a gas to be delivered to a recipient patient is disclosed. A flexible ribbon spanning the width of a flexible tubing and extending generally the length of the tubing is provided, where the flexible ribbon carries a heating element therein. The heating element, preferably an electrically conductive wire or plurality of wires, is connected to a power supply in order to heat the flow of gas traveling within the tube. The flow is heated as it passes over and around the heating element. The flexible ribbon supporting the heating element can be integral with the tubing or comprise an insertable unit which fits into the tubing.

Abstract: An inhaler carrier holds a plastic actuator enclosing a medical cannister, which inhaler carrier is comprised of three oval loops: the first loop of which supports the upper portion of the plastic actuator having a barrel shape at its upper portion for inserting the medical cannister; the second loop of which contains and supports the lower portion of the plastic actuator; and the third loop of which is affixed to the first and second loops in order to support and carry the medical cannister within the plastic actuator for use by the user transporting the inhaler carrier. The plastic actuator includes a hinged or removable cap which protects and encloses an aerosol chamber with a mechanism for atomizing the material in the medical cannister into the nose or mouth of the user.

Abstract: The filter medium of the present invention includes a pleated filter layer and a flat filter layer adjacent to the pleated filter layer. Both the pleated filter layer and the flat filter layer may contain a thermoplastic material allowing the filter layers to be joined using ultrasonic welding or heat sealing and facilitating manufacturing. The filter medium has a small height which makes it appropriate for use in flat fold respirators and flat filters.

Abstract: The equipment has a helmet, a full face-cover fitted with fastenings for fixing it to the helmet, and with a coupling for connection to a breathable gas feed hose. It also has a flexible envelope extending the helmet and the face-cover downwards. For leakproof junction between the helmet, the face-cover and the envelope, a hoop is sealingly connected to the helmet. It has a lower branch which constitutes a closed bottom loop for receiving the envelope and a transverse branch having one side designed to sealingly receive the shell of the helmet and an opposite side which sealingly receives the face-cover. A plug rigidly fixed to the face-cover and placed in a vertical midplane of the face-cover, at the bottom thereof, engages a socket pivotally connected to the hoop. Lateral fasteners complete the connection.

Abstract: The invention features an exhalation assist device for adjusting the airway resistance in an exhalation circuit of a medical ventilator. The device includes a set of pressure, airflow and airway sensors, a controlling processor, a user interface, and a ventilatory unit in communication with a medical ventilator. Data relating to pressure within the ventilatory unit and data relating to exhalation airflow, exhalation circuit pressure and exhalation circuit resistance are provided to the controlling processor by the sensors. The controlling processor compares measured and calculated values for airway pressure, airflow, airway resistance and applied negative pressure with desired values that have been entered by a clinician. Based on these calculations, the controlling processor transmits a signal that will change the applied negative pressure applied to the exhalation circuit by the ventilatory unit.

Abstract: In a fresh gas system and a method for vaporizing a liquid anaesthetic in an anaesthetic machine, a gas preparation unit prepares a flow of fresh gas having a gas mixture from at least two sources of gas, the gas mixture is passed through a vaporizer where it picks up a quantity of anaesthetic related to the viscosity of the gas mixture. A control device controls the gas preparation unit. An arrangement is connected upstream from the vaporizer and is connected to the control device, for determining the composition of the gas mixture. The control device compensates the fresh gas system for the gas mixture's composition so that a specific amount of anaesthetic is always picked up by the gas mixture, regardless of the mixture's composition.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for ventilating a patient in association with cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures. In one exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a ventilator to periodically supply respiratory gases to a patient's lungs. A sensor is provided to detect chest compressions by sensing changes in intrathoracic pressure. A controller is coupled to the sensor and controls actuation of the ventilator after a predetermined number of chest compressions have been detected by the sensor.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube has an inflatable cuff at its patient end enclosing a plate of generally triangular shape projecting forwardly of the patient end of the tube. When deflated, the cuff conforms to the external shape of the plate.

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: An arrangement in an anesthesia vaporizer comprising a liquid container including a vapor generator; a filling device; and conduits for supplying anesthetic from a transport and storage container to the liquid container and/or for removing anesthetic from the liquid container, and for conveying an amount of replenishment gas corresponding to the amount of anesthetic liquid from the liquid container to the transport and storage container upon filling the container and/or inversely upon emptying. For improved operating safety, the filling device is provided with a closing means, adapted to close a filling conduit which opens to the inside of the liquid container and a replenishment gas conduit between the liquid container and the transport and storage container through an overpressure generated in the transport and storage container, and thus prevent anesthetic liquid from flowing to the liquid container.

Abstract: A respiratory gas analyzer for measuring the metabolic activity and the cardiac output of a subject includes a bi-directional flow meter and a capnometer sensor interconnected by conduits and valving between a mouthpiece and a source of respiratory gasses which may be a controlled source or the atmosphere. A pass-through carbon dioxide scrubber may be plugged into the conduits and the valving controlled so that upon inhalation by the subject gasses are passed through the flow meter to the mouthpiece and upon exhalation the exhaled gasses are passed first through the scrubber and then through the flow meter in a direction opposite to the inhaled gasses. A computer connected to receive the signals from the flow meter and the capnometer can then calculate the subject's metabolic activity. When the valving is shifted a portion of the exhaled gasses are stored in the conduit so that upon inhalation the subject inhales a substantial portion of rebreathed gasses.

Abstract: A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus for treatment of sleep apnea stores data indicating patient compliance with the prescribed mode of use. The apparatus includes a tubular probe positioned transversely in the conduit between the blower and nose mask. The probe tip is configured for creating a varying pressure across in the probe in response to varying air flow thereacross indicative of patient respiration. A pressure sensor connected to the probe produces signals representative of the varying air pressure. Compliance data, derived from the pressure sensor signals and representative of the patient's use of the apparatus, are stored for subsequent analysis.