Abstract: A respiratory mask having a flexible, mask seal portion for engagement with the face of a user, a gel forehead cushion and a rotatable elbow coupling having integral exhaust ports. The mask seal portion has a thin section which permits the mask to more easily adapt to the contour of the face of the user. The gel forehead cushion provides increased compliancy and resiliency to better adapt to multiple user physical profiles. The elbow coupling includes tapered through holes in a polycarbonate arc piece to provide a quiet passage of gas through the holes.

Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus and method in a fluid supply system that mixes a secondary fluid flow with a primary fluid flow in such a manner so as to minimize disruption of the fluid flow profile for the primary fluid flow downstream of the mixing point as the secondary fluid flow is introduced to the primary fluid flow. This is accomplished by providing a second conduit carrying the secondary fluid flow that is coupled to a first side of a first conduit carrying the primary fluid flow such that the secondary fluid flow travels around at least a portion of the first conduit. An inlet port arrangement is defined in the first conduit and is arranged such that a size of the inlet port arrangement that introduces the secondary gas flow from the second conduit into the first conduit increases as a distance around the first conduit from the first side increases.

Abstract: A surface breathing vent device for a mask permits the user wearing the mask to breathe ambient air prior to diving under water or entering an oxygen-poor environment and includes a support plate couplable to the mask and provided with an opening in alignment with the com port of the face mask, a bushing provided in the opening, and a vent barrel received in the bushing and movable between an open position in which ambient air can pass into the mask and a closed position where water is prevented from entering the mask. The barrel includes a closed end and two lateral openings which permit air to pass therethrough when the barrel is in the open position. A first O-ring prevents the inadvertent removal of the barrel from the bushing, a second O-ring functions as a detent when the barrel is opened and closed, and a third O-ring provides a water and air tight seal when the barrel is in a closed position.

Abstract: A manually manipulated resuscitation mask, which includes a flexible barrier for providing a sealing contact with a face of a victim in a region adjacent to a victim's mouth. The flexible barrier has an opening therethrough to cooperate with the victim's mouth. The opening in the sheet is comprised of an integrally connected, flexible sleeve, extending away from the flexible sheet and the victim's face. The sleeve has an open end remote from where the sleeve is integrally connected to the flexible barrier sheet. The mask also includes a tubular member that has first and second end portions. The tubular member is positionable within the flexible sleeve and has the first end portion integrally secured to the open end of the flexible sleeve. The second end portion of the tubular member is located adjacent to the flexible barrier sheet when the tubular member is positioned within the sleeve.

Abstract: A directional valve for a breathing apparatus, such as an anaesthetic machine, has a valve seat with a valve port and a valve plate resting loosely on a valve seat. The valve plate has a soft, pliant area on its surface in contact with the valve seat and a relatively rigid area across the valve port.

Abstract: A connector has a main body with a breathing gases passageway extending therethrough. A connection at one end of the passageway is configured to engage with the expiratory tube connection of a ventilator. The other end of the passageway is connected to the expiratory arm of a breathing circuit. A flow restricting valve member is associated with the connection to the ventilator for substantially closing off the breathing gases passageway on disconnection of the connector from the ventilator.

Abstract: A filter mask is provided for use in environments of smoke and toxic gas which includes a filter element having a filling of shiftable bodies coated with a flowable, aloe vera extract having a gel-like viscosity and a retainer for holding the filter element over the mouth and nose of the wearer. The coating has a pH level which is alkaline which aids in the reduction of toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein inhaled by the wearer. The filter element is preferably replacably mounted to the retainer, and may be provided as a bag-like flexible fabric container adapted to shift so as to conform to the face of the wearer. The filter element itself is adaptable to a variety of different uses for removing smoke particulates and toxic gases from air flowing therethrough.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a phonation valve which is cooperatively connectable to a breathing tube connected to a patient's airway, includes a valve body having first and second ends through which gas passes into and out of the valve. The first end is connectable to the breathing tube for passage of gas between the breathing tube and the valve. A valve seat is located within the valve body between the first and second ends. A thin, flexible diaphragm is provided, which is seated against the valve seat when the patient exhales. The diaphragm has a comfort-improving structural feature which can be 1) a shape which is at least partly concave on a side of the diaphragm facing the seat, and/or 2) a web of substantially uniform thickness with a plurality of discrete areas of different thicknesses dispersed around the web, which are capable of damping resonance vibration of the diaphragm during breathing by the patient.

Abstract: A mask for transmitting gases to and from a patient or other user includes a valve which selectively blocks or enables the flow of gases through a port. In one embodiment, the state of the valve is automatically controlled in response to whether the mask is in contact with the patient. In another embodiment, the valve on the mask is manually controlled.