Abstract: A device for securing a nasal cannula to a patient includes a first adhesive strip configured to be releasably attached to columella of a nasal septum and a second adhesive strip configured to be releasbly attached to upper lip of the patient. The device further includes a clip connected to an elongated base member connecting the first and second adhesive strip, and the clip has an opening configured to secure the device to an oxygen tube of the nasal cannula.

Abstract: A membrane for fluid transfer includes a base membrane and a pattern, that covers a working area of a surface thereof, formed of a compatible material. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer. A method of filtering a component from a solution includes passing the solution comprising the component through a membrane that includes a base membrane. The base membrane and a pattern that covers a working area of a surface thereof are formed of materials compatible with the solution. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer, and reduces mass transfer of surface-accumulative soluble and/or suspended species and particulates from the solution to the membrane while the solution is passed through the membrane. A method of producing a membrane for fluid transfer includes forming a nanoscale pattern over a working area of a polymer membrane.

Abstract: An injected dose detection device including a housing having a joint surface surrounding an injection device, a vibration sensor disposed in an internal part of the housing configured to detect at least one vibration signal of a dose-setting action based on a minimum vibration threshold, an acoustic sensor disposed in the internal part of the housing configured to detect at least one dosage click of the dose-setting action, a vibration transmitting element positioned directly between the vibration sensor and the injection device and configured to transmit the at least one vibration signal and a processing unit configured to process the at least one vibration signal from the dose-setting action and the at least one dosage click from the dose-setting action for generating set dose information corresponding to the injected dose wherein a bottom plate and a side wall of the vibration transmitting element form a shell structure to cover the vibration sensor.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a carbon-dioxide (“CO2”) sequestration system comprising a CO2 source, a process-water source, a membrane module, and a sequestration duct. The membrane module comprises a first section, a second section, and a membrane. The first section can be configured to receive gaseous CO2 at a first pressure from the CO2 source. The second section can be configured to receive process-water at a second pressure from the process-water source, wherein the first pressure is greater than the second pressure. The membrane can be positioned between the first section and the second section and can comprise a plurality of apertures configured such that the gaseous CO2 passes through the plurality of apertures and dissolves into the process-water to form a process-water-CO2-solution. The sequestration duct can be in fluid communication with the second section and configured to transport the process-water-CO2 solution to a sequestration site.

Abstract: The invention provides a system whereby oxygen can be derived from seawater or from thin air at higher altitudes while simultaneously eliminating carbon dioxide from the blood. This allows prolonged underwater liquid breathing at greater depths without suffering from the bends or, alternatively, the ability of workers to breathe underwater or at high altitudes without having to rely upon air tanks or the like. The artificial gill comprises a plurality of concatenated modules each containing a semi-permeable membrane operative to transfer oxygen in a first direction and carbon dioxide in a second direction across the membrane. By providing multiple concatenated interconnected modules, oxygen becomes concentrated to allow breathing thereof. Because the system is connected in series with a person's blood supply, CO2 produced in the body is extracted and disposed of via the artificial gill.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intubation device including a nasal endotracheal tube having a proximal, relative to a person inserting the nasal endotracheal tube, end and a distal end; and an introducer including an elongated member having a proximal open end and a distal blunt end, the introducer proximal open end including a hollow mouth having sidewalls for receiving and holding the distal end of the endotracheal tube. The dilator/introducer is simply a tube, solid or hollow having a hollow proximal end that will hold a distal end of a nasal endotracheal tube in place. It will act as a dilator, and once the distal end of the endotracheal tube is past the nasopharynx and is visualized in the oropharynx, the “dilator” is removed and typically discarded. A method of use of the intubation device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a helmet over which a hood or a toga suspended. Integral with the helmet is a ventilation fan. The helmet also includes a light assembly for illuminating the surgical field. The helmet includes a front nozzle from which air from the ventilation fan is discharged. The light assembly is mounted to the helmet and is located below the front nozzle. Air discharged from the front nozzle blows heat generated by the light assembly away from the light assembly. In some versions of the invention, the light assembly includes a control arm connected to the light assembly for pivoting the light assembly.

Abstract: A conjoined tube within a tube located inside a lower section of a snorkel designed to steer water droplets away from the snorkel diver's breathing path. The lower section of the snorkel has two valves. One is the scupper valve positioned at the lowest point of the inside tube. The scupper valve is a light duty valve or a low resistance one-way watertight passage intended to allow droplets of water to drain into the main reservoir. The outer tube lower section contains a reservoir for holding residual water that travels down to the bottom of the snorkel and is contained therein. During the normal clearing operation, the reservoir can be emptied and water will exit out of the lower section and into the surrounding water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea and/or snoring is provided. The apparatus includes an appliance sized and structured to be placed in the pharyngeal region of a human or animal and being effective in treating sleep apnea and/or snoring, for example in maintaining openness of an oropharyngeal region of a human or animal during natural sleep, advantageously while not interfering with normal functioning of the epiglottis. The appliance may be made of a super elastic material, for example, Nitinol, and may be submucossally implanted in the pharyngeal walls.

Abstract: A device for removal of at least a portion of carbon dioxide from an aqueous fluid includes at least one membrane through which carbon dioxide can pass to be removed from the fluid and immobilized carbonic anhydrase on or in the vicinity of a first surface of the membrane to be contacted with the fluid such that the immobilized carbonic anhydrase comes into contact with the fluid. The first surface exhibits carbonic anhydrase activity of at least 20% of maximum theoretical activity of the first surface of the membrane based on monolayer surface coverage of carbonic anhydrase in the case that the carbonic anhydrase is immobilize on the first surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a system whereby oxygen can be derived from seawater or from thin air at higher altitudes while simultaneously eliminating carbon dioxide from the blood. This allows prolonged underwater liquid breathing at greater depths without suffering from the bends or, alternatively, the ability of workers to breathe underwater or at high altitudes without having to rely upon air tanks or the like. The artificial gill comprises a plurality of concatenated modules each containing a semi-permeable membrane operative to transfer oxygen in a first direction and carbon dioxide in a second direction across the membrane. By providing multiple concatenated interconnected modules, oxygen becomes concentrated to allow breathing thereof. Because the system is connected in series with a person's blood supply, CO2 produced in the body is extracted and disposed of via the artificial gill.

Abstract: Inflator regulator having a threaded sleeve and a plurality of different size adapters for connection to a plurality of different size BC hoses. Connecting the inflator regulator to a selected BC hose is accommodated by selecting the corresponding size adapter. The selected adapter is inserted concentrically through the threaded sleeve and then mechanically affixed, such as by a plastic cable tie, to the end of the BC hose. The sleeve is then threaded onto the inflator regulator. In the event that it is desired to connect to a different size BC hose, the above process is simply reversed and repeated using an appropriately selected different adapter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of beta-blockers through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing atenolol, pindolol, esmolol, propranolol, or metoprolol that are used in inhalation therapy. In a composition aspect of the present invention, the aerosol comprises particles comprising at least 5 percent by weight of atenolol, pindolol, esmolol, propranolol, or metoprolol. In a method aspect of the present invention, one of atenolol, pindolol, esmolol, propranolol, or metoprolol is delivered to a mammal through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a composition, wherein the composition comprises at least 5 percent by weight of atenolol, pindolol, esmolol, propranolol, or metoprolol, to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles, which is inhaled by the mammal.

Abstract: An air guide tube 62 is mounted within a tubular portion 42 formed in a housing 13 of a regulator 1 for diving. One end of the tube 62 is formed with a valve seal 63A against which a valve 72 is pressed and another end opposite to this end is formed on its inner surface with threads 67.

Abstract: A water supply device for divers includes a cylinder connected to a mouthpiece and a piston member is movably received in the cylinder so that when the piston member is moved by pushing a push rod connected to the piston member, water in the cylinder flows out from the cylinder and enters into the mouthpiece. The piston member has a central passage defined longitudinally therethrough and has a threaded portion defined in a periphery defining the central passage. The push rod extends through the central passage of the piston member and has a threaded section engaged with the threaded portion of the piston member. The push rod is disengaged from the threaded portion of the piston member and received in the cylinder when the push rod is not in use.

Abstract: A nasal cannula retainer has a flexible member and cannula grips. The flexible member has a central nose portion with an adhesive backing for adhering to a patient's nose and two cheek portions connected to the nose portion, each of the cheek portions having an adhesive backing for adhering to a patient's cheek. The adhesive layers are covered with a peel layer which is removed prior to applying the retainer. The cannula grips are attached to the cheek portions to secure a nasal cannula on each of the patient's cheeks. The grips are releasable and reusable, allowing the cannula to be repositioned or temporarily removed without the need for the retainer to be discarded and replaced, and without the use of tape to secure the cannula to the retainer after the cannula is repositioned.

Abstract: An inhaler device for administration of a dry powder to a patient includes a package containing a dose of the dry powder and a magnetic field generator, which produces a magnetic field in a vicinity of the package. The magnetic field causes motion of particles of the powder so as to deaggregate the powder in the package, whereby the powder is inhaled by the patient. Preferably, the package includes walls made of a flexible material, which vibrate under the influence of the magnetic field so as to impart the motion to the particles.

Abstract: A fish resuscitating apparatus includes a container of pressurized oxygen-rich fluid medium such as a gas or liquid. A valve controllably couples the fluid medium to a dispensing tip which is dimensioned to fit within the mouth of the fish. The dispensing tip is porous or perforated to allow the fluid to enter the mouth of the fish for aiding the fish in recovering from being caught. A kit of parts includes a container, a valve, and a plurality of tips of different dimensions, for use with different types of fish.