Abstract: A selector valve for use with a hospital vacuum on position in pressure module to supply vacuum or pressure to a utilization means. The selector valve has two or more positions and includes a positive stop at each of its positions through the use of molded plastic parts that interact together to eliminate springs or other components that are tedious to assemble. The entire selector valve is comprised of a minimum of parts and costly lapped surfaces are eliminated by molding a gasket material to one of the components of the valve. The overall multiposition selector valve is thus inexpensive to manufacture by utilizing a minimal number of plastic molded parts and that are easy to assemble.

Abstract: A vacuum regulating cartridge (10) having a roller diaphragm (52), a coil spring (54) and a cantilevered spring arm (68) to form a regulation system for regulating vacuum in a medical regulating vacuum controller (26).

Abstract: A medical gas adapter useable for connecting a gas tubing or other end use device to a gas service outlet to supply the gas for its end use. The adapter has a fixed adapter assembly including an elongated nose that fits within the gas service outlet to activate a valve for releasing gas to the adapter. The fixed adapter assembly also includes a connector means at its other end for connection to the end use device. A release knob is rotatably affixed to the fixed adapter assembly and can be rotated between a first position where a locking mechanism retains the adapter held within the service outlet and a second position where the adapter is released from the service outlet. The release knob is spring biased to return to its first position in the preferred embodiment by a pair of molded leaf springs integrally molded with the release knob for inexpensive manufacture and assembly.

Abstract: A counterbalance mechanism is disclosed for offsetting the normal gravitational forces exerted on a rotatable cylindrical hood for an incubator. The mechanism includes a specially shaped cam that is fixed with respect to the rotatable hood. A cam follower, mounted on a slide movable with the rotatable hood, is spring biased against the cam. As the rotatable hood is moved to various positions, the spring loading and cam profile coact to produce a counter-rotational force that is opposite and equal to the force of gravity acting upon the hood at any point in its rotation. One or more detents is provided in the cam at predetermined positions such that the cam follower can be positioned within one of the detents at one or more desired positions of hood rotation such that the hood may be held at that selected position.

Abstract: Improved nebulizing apparatus is disclosed for generating a heated liquid-dispensed-in-gas mist for administration to a patient undergoing aerosol therapy. The apparatus includes a novel fastening means for attaching a heater unit to the underside of a reservoir containing the liquid. The heater unit is easily attached and detached and yet enables good heat conductivity for heating the liquid within the interior of the reservoir. The bottom of the reservoir itself includes a concave heat conducting surface which, in operation, is in direct contact with the surface of the heater unit. The fastening means includes at least two draw clips which extend upwardly from the heater unit and which engage the reservoir to effect the desired fastening. By an adjustment of the draw clips with respect to the heater unit, the heat conducting surface of the reservoir can be forced out of its concavity to a flat, planar shape in good surface contact with the heater to enhance heat conductivity to liquid within the reservoir.