Abstract: A medical device with a valve for autoclavability is disclosed. The medical device may include a cavity. A channel connects the cavity to an autoclave environment. The channel has a distal end and proximal end. The distal end of the channel may open to the autoclave environment and the proximal end may open to the cavity. A valve may be positioned in or near the channel. The valve may permit gas to flow from the cavity when a pressure inside the cavity is greater than a pressure in the autoclave environment outside the cavity. The valve may also prevent gas from flowing into the cavity when the pressure in the autoclave environment outside the cavity is greater than the pressure inside the cavity.

Abstract: A bed includes a mattress set, an adjustable bedframe to adjust a position or orientation of the mattress, and a dryer to dry the mattress set. The dryer includes a fan, a filter, and a heater to discharge filtered hot air toward the dryer. A humidity sensing sheet may be provided to sense a humidity level at different regions or areas of the bed, and the dryer may be controlled to supply hot air to regions of the bed having a higher humidity level than a predetermined humidity level or humidity range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an atmospheric carbon dioxide removal system that includes a plurality of carbon capture containers, a plurality of fans, an air diverter, and a velocity stack. Each of the carbon capture containers has an outwardly facing side and an inwardly facing side with the inwardly facing side facing an enclosed space. The fans are disposed adjacent to the carbon capture containers. The fans are arranged to move air through the carbon capture containers in a first direction from the outwardly facing side into the enclosed space. The air diverter is disposed within the enclosed space and receives the air flowing in the first direction and redirects the air to flow in a second direction that is angled upwardly from the first direction. The velocity stack is disposed on top of the enclosed space and is configured to accelerate the flow of the air in the second direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ventilator with an apparatus input and an apparatus output and with an airway between the apparatus input and the apparatus output. A breathing gas drive, a non-return valve and a switching valve are arranged in the airway. The non-return valve prevents a flow of breathing gas in a direction from the apparatus output to the apparatus input and the switching valve enables at least temporarily a flow of breathing gas in a direction from the apparatus output to the apparatus input.

Abstract: An anesthesia machine includes a gas mixer providing gas for delivery to a ventilated patient and a breathing system. The breathing system includes a reusable ventilation portion and a disposable circle portion. The reusable ventilation portion includes a mechanical ventilation section, a manual ventilation section, a ventilation port, and switch configured to switch between connection of the mechanical ventilation section and the manual ventilation section to drive patient ventilation. The disposable circle portion includes a vent connector that connects to the ventilation port, an inspiratory channel, and a gas intake port providing anesthetic gas from the gas mixer to the inspiratory channel. The disposable circle portion further includes an expiratory channel, a CO2 absorber, and a filter positioned in a flow path between the expiratory port and the vent connector and between the CO2 absorber and the vent connector.

Abstract: A manually actuated, self-inflating bag valve mask provides users with a positive pressure ventilation device that reliably provides a proper tidal volume to the patient and controls the rate of ventilation of the patient. The bag valve mask is lightweight, compact, durable, and quickly deployable in the field. The device is preferably operable with one hand and can be configured for use in low-light environments.

Abstract: An apparatus that simulates a respiratory system for characterizing particle delivery within lungs by an inhaler within lungs is shown and described. The respiratory system simulator comprises a simulated oral cavity to receive an aerosol, a simulated oropharynx cavity, a simulated lung airway system, and a breath simulator. The simulated oral cavity is configured to receive a flow of particles and direct the flow to the simulated oropharynx cavity. The simulated oropharynx cavity is configured to receive a flow from the simulated oral cavity and direct the flow to a simulated trachea cavity. The simulated trachea cavity directs the flow to the simulated lung airway system. The simulated lung airway system comprises a plurality of bronchial airway generations simulating bronchial airway generations of a lung or lungs. The respiratory system simulator may be maintained at or near humidity and temperature levels within a respiratory system.

Abstract: A system for extracting carbon dioxide from a mixture of gases that include at least carbon dioxide, wherein a reservoir is provided that contains a material capable of adsorbing the carbon dioxide, the reservoir having an inlet for the mixture and an outlet for a mixture that is at least partially purified of carbon dioxide, where the system also includes at least one element for heating the reservoir, at least one electronic control circuit that causes a heating of the reservoir when at least one condition is fulfilled, so as to give rise to the desorption of the carbon dioxide adsorbed on the material contained in the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling the atmosphere in the cabin (1) of a vehicle. The system comprises a carbon dioxide removal conduit (2) comprising a regenerable carbon dioxide removal chamber (5,6) containing a carbon dioxide sorbent material and a regeneration circuit (7) arranged to expel the desorbed carbon dioxide at a location exterior (8) of the cabin (1) The system is operable to maintain a carbon dioxide level below 1000 ppm in the passenger cabin for a period of at least 5 minutes while restricting the flow of air from outside the vehicle into the passenger cabin to 10 L/s or less.

Abstract: A system to regulate breathing air of a plurality of sealing and locking helmets and a plurality of supplied air respirators producing a plurality of lower pressure air supply of a plurality of people simultaneously using air regulators, valves, pressure sensors and a temperature sensor that measures temperature in the air module. The system includes a plurality of temperature sensors of measuring temperature of environment around each person of one of the sealing and locking helmets or supplied air respirators, a gas analyzer, an air module processor to control the valves, receiving data from the pressure sensors, controlling lower pressure air supply and presenting data on a display with real time updates that are presented in less than a few milliseconds providing a continuously imported status that achieves safe entry in a hazardous area with fewer accidents by operators, cleaning crew, inspectors, welders, installers, and loaders.

Abstract: An input assembly, adapted to receive a quantity of material to be fed, includes a single input opening above and first and second spaced outlet openings below. An output assembly is operatively coupled to and fixedly positioned beneath the input assembly and is adapted to receive material from the input assembly for feeding through dual discharge tubes. A reciprocating assembly, located between the input and output assemblies, includes first and second chambers. A drive mechanism is adapted to reciprocate the chambers between a first orientation where the first chamber is being filled while the second chamber is being discharged and a second orientation where the second chamber is being filled while the first chamber is being discharged.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for forming carbon allotropes. An exemplary method includes forming a feedstock that includes at least about 10 mol % oxygen, at least about 10 mol % carbon, and at least about 20 mol % hydrogen. Carbon allotropes are formed from the feedstock in a reactor in a Bosch reaction at a temperature of at least about 500° C., and the carbon allotropes are separated from a reactor effluent stream.

Abstract: A flexible patient cassette that can be optimized for different types of breathing circuits, different drive circuits and different patient categories has a first inlet arranged to be connected to a drive circuit, and at least a second inlet arranged to be connected to a patient connector, the first and second inlets being pneumatically connected with each other through a gas conducting passage constituting a patient circuit having a certain volume. The patient cassette has a volume-varying arrangement for varying the patient circuit volume to allow that volume to be varied in dependence of at least one of the type of breathing circuit in which the patient cassette is used, the type of drive circuit to which the patient cassette is connected, and the tidal volume of a patient connected to the patient connector.

Abstract: Provided is a hollow fiber degassing module which includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle obtained by bundling a plurality of hollow fiber membranes in a cylindrical shape and a cylindrical body receiving the hollow fiber membrane bundle and extending in an axial direction and degasses a liquid by supplying the liquid to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane and depressurizing the inside of the hollow fiber membrane, in which a hollow fiber membrane packing ratio which is a ratio of a sum of an apparent cross-sectional area of the hollow fiber membrane with respect to an apparent cross-sectional area of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is in a range of 43% or less.

Abstract: A device for replacing an air filter of an air filtration mask in which the air filter has an inlet side adapted to be exposed to the environment and an outlet side adapted for connection to the air filtration mask. The device includes a housing having an airflow passageway with an outlet on one side of the housing and an inlet on a different outer portion of the housing. A connector detachably connects the housing to the filter so that the one side of the housing overlies at least a portion of the inlet side of the filter. An airflow mechanism, such as an impeller or source of compressed air, then creates an airflow through the airflow passageway from the housing inlet and to the housing outlet.

Abstract: A lighting device configured to deactivate dangerous pathogens (e.g., MRSA bacteria) in an environment. The lighting device includes at least one lighting element configured to provide light. At least a first component of the light comprising light having a wavelength of between 400 nm and 420 nm, and at least a second component of the light comprising light having a wavelength of greater than 420 nm. The first component of light has a minimum integrated irradiance of 0.05 mW/cm2 measured from any unshielded point in the environment that is 1.5 m from any point on any external-most luminous surface of the lighting device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to radiation reactors for sanitizing fluids. In particular the present invention concerns a radiation reactor for a fluid, whereby the radiation reactor comprises a tubular casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and, the radiation reactor also comprises a radiating element, with the radiation element being arranged within the tubular casing. As a fluid is passed into the tubular casing through the fluid inlet, a first direction of rotation is imparted to the fluid. The fluid is discharged from the tubular casing through the fluid outlet, after the fluid has been irradiated by the radiating element.

Abstract: A personal safety system in the form of a refuge chamber includes at least one main room and a cooling device provided for cooling the ambient air of the main room in the form of a CO2 cooling system (10). The CO2 cooling system (10) has a heat exchanger (28) and a first and a second pressure reducer (20, 32) upstream and downstream of heat exchanger (28), respectively. The heat exchanger (28) has a plurality of alternatingly or cyclically usable cooling coils. A process is provided for the operation of such a refuge chamber.

Abstract: A CO2 absorber bypass for an anesthesia machine includes a diverter for diverting exhaled gas to bypass the CO2 absorber of the anesthesia machine when the diverter is activated. The CO2 absorber bypass further includes a shunt for conveying the diverted exhaled gas, a coupler for connecting the shunt to the inhalation limb of the anesthesia machine, a shunt one way valve, a shunt adjustable pressure limiting valve, and a shunt reservoir. The CO2 absorber bypass allows the CO2 absorber to be changed while the exhalation limb conveys exhaled gas from a patient and the inhalation limb conveys gas to the patient.

Abstract: A housing for a substance removing an undesired component of a respiratory gas is disclosed herein. The housing includes a first space for the substance and a first wall surrounding part of the first space. The housing also includes a first end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a first opening for the gas communication with the first space, and a second end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a second opening for the gas communication with the first space. The housing further includes a first channel between the first and the second end for the gas flow, the first channel comprising a first orifice at the first end and a second orifice at the second end. The first orifice, the first opening, the second orifice and the second opening are in flow communication with outside the housing.

Abstract: A portable, compact closed circuit ventilation device for manual ventilation of a patient undergoing a surgical or medical procedure that requires sedation as well as emergency management of respiratory failure. One example embodiment includes a closed breathing circuit having a manually squeezable bag, a carbon dioxide absorption canister, a plurality of valves, a gas port and a plurality of sensors for measuring Tidal Volume (TV), Peak Airway Pressure (PAP) and End Tidal CO2 (ETCO2). Another example embodiment includes an open breathing circuit having a bag, valves and sensors. A monitor displays the sensor measurements during the respiratory phases. In a spontaneously breathing patient the device may be used to assess the adequacy of patient's respiratory efforts. During manual or assisted ventilation, the monitor assures safe and efficacious ventilation by the closed breathing circuit.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus is operable in self-contained and filtered modes of operation. In the self-contained mode of operation, a breathable gas is delivered to a user from a self-contained source of breathing gas. In a second, filtered mode of operation, a suction source draws ambient air through a filter removing contaminants and delivers filtered ambient air to the user. A method of delivering air to a subject is also provided.

Abstract: An inflatable face seal (1?; 30?) for a respiratory mask, the inflatable face seal comprising an annular air-tight hollow portion (12?; 40?) where a cross section through one section of the annular hollow portion (12; 40) comprises a bonded joint (11; 41) which joins two overlapping flanges (6,7; 35,36). The two flanges are bonded together such that an inwardly facing surface (10; 39) of a first flange (6; 35) of the two overlapping flanges is in contact with an outwardly facing surface (9; 38) of a second flange (7; 36) of the two overlapping flanges. In this way, the bond is strong and only exposed to shear stresses when the annular air-tight hollow portion is exposed to increased pressure.

Abstract: An accessory cap for a respiratory cartridge includes a housing having a front wall and a side wall which cooperate to define an interior cavity. The side wall includes a retaining formation configured and arranged to releasably engage and hold the housing on the respiratory cartridge. The housing includes a downwardly facing air passage configured to allow air to pass from an exterior environment to the interior cavity. The accessory cap further includes a pre-filter support web removably received within the interior cavity and spaced inwardly from the front wall. The housing and the pre-filter support web form a pre-filter cavity within the interior cavity adjacent to the front wall. The accessory cap can function as a standalone shower cap, or a pre-filter media can be optionally inserted into the pre-filter cavity so that the accessory cap functions as a combination pre-filter and a shower cap.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable life support system with a component for removal of at least one selected gas. In an embodiment, the system includes a supported liquid membrane having a first side and a second side in opposition to one another, the first side configured for disposition toward an astronaut and the second side configured for disposition toward a vacuum atmosphere. The system further includes an ionic liquid disposed between the first side and the second side of the supported liquid membrane, the ionic liquid configured for removal of at least one selected gas from a region housing the astronaut adjacent the first side of the supported liquid membrane to the vacuum atmosphere adjacent the second side of the supported liquid membrane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mouth piece supply valve control system which may be used in connection with mouth piece supply valve with a rebreather. An exemplary mouth piece supply valve control system may include a sensor operative to produce a sensor signal upon sensing a condition, a computer connected to the sensor that may produce a computer signal associated with sensor signal, a logic device operatively connected to the computer for receiving the computer signal, and an automatic actuator operatively connected to the logic device. The automatic actuator may be operatively coupled to a mouth piece supply valve that may be selectable between a first mode and a second mode and the automatic actuator may shift the mouth piece supply valve from the second mode to the first mode upon receipt of a logic device signal from the logic device.

Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator designed for medical use where the usable life of the sieve beds, adsorbers, is monitored and communicated to the user or service provider through a user interface or a transmitted signal. The concentrator is designed so that the beds are easily replaced by the user or a field technician. Preferably PSA cycle operating parameters appropriate to the replaced beds can be easily reset if needed by the user or service provider.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adsorbent system, adsorbent cartridge, and external canister for removing gaseous contaminants from air or another gas.

Abstract: A rebreathing apparatus has a clothing article wearable on a person. The clothing article defines a channel configured to be fluidly connected to at least one tube. The tube is configured to be fluidly connected to a mouthpiece. When the person exhales, the exhaled breath enters one end of the channel and passes through the channel while being scrubbed of CO2. When the user inhales, the scrubbed air is drawn from the channel.

Abstract: Internal nose filter mounting devices, methods and kits are provided. The nose filter mounting device includes first and second septum magnets, each septum magnet having two opposing faces and being configured to be inserted into a nostril of a user such that one face is adjacent the nasal septum therein and the first and second septum magnets may magnetically engage across the septum. The nose filter mounting device also includes first and second filter magnets connected to the first and second septum magnets, respectively, each filter magnet being configured to mate with filter elements in the nostrils of the user.

Abstract: A system and method of providing bi-level CPAP therapy is provided that incorporates an infrared carbon-dioxide sensor to determine whether a patient is inhaling or exhaling. Patient exhalation causes the infrared light to be absorbed, while patient inhalation reduces the presence of carbon-dioxide causes little or no absorption of carbon-dioxide. The level of carbon-dioxide in an associated patient breathing interface is monitored for thresholds that trigger higher CPAP pressure upon inhalation and lower CPAP pressure upon exhalation.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for guiding expired gas flow in a breathing circuit through a housing assembly for removing an undesired gas component is disclosed herein, The housing assembly includes a first port and a second port, one of the ports receiving the flow and another discharging the flow. The arrangement includes a gas routing device in flow communication with the breathing circuit and the housing assembly. The routing device is provided with at least two different route options. According to a first option the gas is guided to the first port and through the housing assembly to the second port and to the gas routing device for guiding for the inspiration. According to a second option the gas is guided to the second port and through the housing assembly to the first port and to the gas routing device for guiding for the inspiration.

Abstract: An assembly (10) for removing carbon dioxide from patient expired gas during anesthesia is described. The assembly (10) comprises a chamber (12) configured to contain an adsorbent (14) for treating the patient expired gas during a capture mode of operation and return treated patient expired gas to an anesthesia machine; integral regeneration equipment (28, 30, 44) configured to regenerate the adsorbent (14) during a release mode of operation; and a control device for switching from the capture mode of operation to the release mode of operation.

Abstract: The breathing bag has an upper region; a lower region; a conduit for delivering exhaled air to the lower region and a conduit for withdrawing breathable air from the upper region. The device also has a baffle mounted therein for entrapping exhaled air in the lower region and for causing the exhaled air to remain in a low turbulence mode, for promoting a separation of oxygen and carbon dioxide from the exhaust air by stratification and for causing carbon dioxide to accumulate in the lower region of the bag. Consequently, the breathable air rising from the lower region of the bag has a higher oxygen content. In another aspect of the invention, a method for separating carbon dioxide and oxygen by stratification from exhaled air is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) and method for depleting acidic gases, in particular CO2, from gas mixtures (3), in particular respiratory gas, using hydroxide compounds (6) and moisture absorbing substances in the form of super-absorbing polymer or vermiculite (7).

Abstract: A self-rescuer comprising a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); and a smart light; wherein the smart light comprises a battery; a light bulb; circuitry connecting the battery to the light bulb; a detector for detecting the presence of a hazardous atmospheric condition; and alert apparatus connected to the detector for alerting a user when a hazardous atmospheric condition is detected by the detector, and further wherein the alert apparatus is connected to the circuitry and configured so as to flash the light bulb when a hazardous atmospheric condition is detected.

Abstract: An adsorbent is described. The adsorbent may include a membrane and an adsorbent material encapsulated within the membrane. An inhalation device is also described. The inhalation device may include a housing and a membrane within the housing. The membrane may encapsulate an adsorbent material. The membrane may be positioned such that airflow through the housing passes across but not through the membrane.

Abstract: A pressure reducing valve for use in a system adapted to deliver a breathing gas to a patient. The pressure reducing valve is structured to communicate a flow of breathing gas to such a patient's airway during an inspiratory phase. The pressure reducing valve is structured to discharge the flow of breathing gas and a flow of exhaled gas to atmosphere during the expiratory phase. The flow of breathing gas and flow of exhaled gas are discharged to atmosphere through a number of exhaust ports. Because the flow of breathing gas and flow of exhalation gas are discharged through the exhaust ports, less effort is required by a patient during the expiratory phase.

Abstract: A housing for a substance removing an undesired component of a respiratory gas is disclosed herein. The housing includes a first space for the substance and a first wall surrounding part of the first space. The housing also includes a first end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a first opening for the gas communication with the first space, and a second end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a second opening for the gas communication with the first space. The housing further includes a first channel between the first and the second end for the gas flow, the first channel comprising a first orifice at the first end and a second orifice at the second end. The first orifice, the first opening, the second orifice and the second opening are in flow communication with outside the housing.

Abstract: A rebreather system for aircrew that includes a double counter lung having a void between inner and outer bladders that allows selective pressurization of the inner bladder.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorber for a rebreathing system can be connected to a connection head of the rebreathing system in a simple manner. A centering device (43, 44, 45, 46), provided in the area of a guide plate (40) of the absorber (4), can be caused to mesh with centering pins pointing in the direction of the absorber from the connection head.

Abstract: A closed circuit rebreather including a breathing hose assembly, head assembly and internal counterlung assembly having axial and radial gas flow passageways therethrough, wherein the assembly is housed within a tank and includes a scrubber substantially enclosed along its longitudinal length within a water impervious counterlung bladder, the scrubber including foraminous inner and outer tubes having a carbon dioxide absorbent material filling the space therebetween.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use in sidestream gas sampling assembly. The filter assembly of the present invention includes a hydrophilic. The filter further includes a Hydrophobic member positioned downstream of the hydrophilic liner. The hydrophobic disk acts as a second line of defense against moisture reaching the sensing mechanism member that is constructed from a porous material and is situated such that gas entering the filter assembly passes through at least a portion the hydrophilic member. In a further embodiment, the filter includes a hydrophobic member positioned downstream of the hydrophilic member. The hydrophobic member acts as a second line of defense against moisture reaching the sensing mechanism in the gas sampling assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a respiration valve (401) for performing respiration tests on e.g. humans, consisting of at least three ports, a first mouth port (402) and two breathing ports (403, 404). The breathing ports (403, 404) comprise pneumatic pinch valves consisting of a channel (101) with a flexible wall (201) to be used for the flow of material and molded as an integrated part of a surrounding chamber (102). The flexible wall (201) comprises two opposing angularly interconnected wall segments (202) which are angularly connected at interconnection points (203) and which flexible wall (201) is pinched by a pressure from fluid, such as air, introduced into the chamber (102). The cross sectional shape corresponds in one embodiment approximately to a elongated hexagon. The construction of the respiration valve (401) comprising these pneumatic pinch is valves enables a very small, light, hygienic, and safe yet inexpensive construction with a long life expectancy.

Abstract: The chemical cartridge of a breathing apparatus, through which respiratory air flows to generate oxygen is divided into a plurality of air treatment chambers by retaining grids. An impact-damping member including a multilayer fine wire mesh, which abuts flat against the relevant cover is located in the external air treatment chambers while provided in the middle air treatment chambers is a damping element including a multilayer fine-wire mesh folded in a zigzag fashion, having folded edges running parallel and at a distance from the outer wall of the chemical cartridge, one edge thereof running in a zigzag fashion is fixed to a wire grid. The damping elements of the adjacent air treatment chambers are not in alignment. Potassium hyperoxide granules for oxygen generation are located in the air treatment chambers. One air treatment chamber can be filled with lithium hydroxide tablets for binding excess carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A modular respiration system is provided for the mechanical respiration of a patient. The respirator system has a modular respiration module (1) for connection to the patient (20), wherein the respiration module (1) contains a respiration system (30) with a respiration drive (3), an electric energy unit (5) and a memory with a control unit (ES II). One or more stationary parts (2) are provided for detachably accommodating the complementary modular respiration module (1). At least one detachable connection interface (8) is provided for data, electric energy and breathing gas exchange between the respiration module (1) and the stationary part or parts (2) accommodating the respiration module (1).

Abstract: A respirator shall be improved concerning better utilization of the carbon dioxide absorber (3). To accomplish the object, a transponder (5), which contains data on the type of absorber, the period of use and the current state of consumption, is arranged at the carbon dioxide absorber (3). A transponder polling device (8) at the respirator (1) reads the data from the memory chip (6) and an updated state of consumption is calculated from data on the operation of the respirator and stored again in the memory chip (6).

Abstract: A smart light comprising: a battery; a light bulb; circuitry connecting the battery to the light bulb; a detector for detecting the presence of a hazardous atmospheric condition; and alert apparatus connected to the detector for alerting a user when a hazardous atmospheric condition is detected by the detector. A self-rescuer comprising: a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); and a smart light; wherein the smart light comprises: a battery; a light bulb; circuitry connecting the battery to the light bulb; a detector for detecting the presence of a hazardous atmospheric condition; and alert apparatus connected to the detector for alerting a user when a hazardous atmospheric condition is detected by the detector, and further wherein the alert apparatus is connected to the circuitry and configured so as to flash the light bulb when a hazardous atmospheric condition is detected.

Abstract: A patient breathing system includes a ventilator that provides a driving gas flow to generate patient inspiration. The ventilator further includes a gas inlet for driving gas, the patient breathing system being connectable to a circle which includes an inspiratory hose and an expiratory hose connected to patient, through which circle expired gases can be circulated back to the patient. The circle further includes a fresh gas inlet, an arrangement for enabling the gas flow in a desired direction, a unit for removal of the exhaled carbon dioxide, and a ventilator port for the ventilator connection. The patient breathing system further includes an arrangement by which driving gas of the ventilator has been separated from the patient gases flowing in the circle.

Abstract: Closed system breathable gas regeneration systems comprising temperature swing adsorption (“TSA”) using metabolic regeneration, such systems being useful for EVA in extraterrestrial environments having hostile atmospheres.