Abstract: A humidifier for a respiratory apparatus includes a first cover, a second cover engaged with the first cover and a partition plate. The first cover defines an air inlet. The second cover defines a chamber configured to contain at least some amount of water. A heater is configured to heat the water to generate humidified air in the chamber. The partition plate is partly sandwiched between the first cover and the second cover. The partition plate defines an air outlet. Air input via the air inlet is humidified by being mixed with the humidified air and thereafter ejected through the air outlet. The air entering via the air inlet is divided by the partition plate into a plurality of flows having different flow velocities, thereby form a plurality of flow paths.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchanger for both conducting a stream of air produced by a ventilator to a moisturizing medium and internally bypassing the moisturizing medium if aerosolized medication is introduced into the stream includes a housing having a ventilator-side port coupled to an outlet of a ventilator and a source of aerosolized medication. The housing has a patient-side port for coupling to a patient to provide ventilation including either air or air carrying aerosolized medication. A first path conducts air from the ventilator-side port through the moisturizing medium and the patient-side port, and a second path conducts air carrying aerosolized medication from the ventilator-side port directly to the patient-side port. A two-way valve mechanism in the housing selectively couples the ventilator-side port into fluid communication with one or the other of the first and second paths.

Abstract: An HME Filter is provided having with an integral housing having minimal components which eliminating components at the circuit “Y” connector. A closed circuit gas flow is maintained whether an internal filter material is or is not engaged, and with or without a nebulizer aerosolizing medications. The HME SHUTTLE continues to maintain the same closed circuit gas flow during the HME filter materials insertion into the HME SHUTTLE, throughout the course of the HME filter's use in the closed gas flow circuit and during the HME filter materials removal from the HME SHUTTLE. The placement for optimal patient care is to be located between the connection of inhalation and exhalation sides of mechanical ventilator circuit and endotracheal tube of an intubated patient. The HME SHUTTLE also accommodates the docking port for the use of an external nebulizer.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchanger for both conducting a stream of air produced by a ventilator to a moisturizing medium and internally bypassing the moisturizing medium if aerosolized medication is introduced into the stream includes a housing having a ventilator-side port coupled to an outlet of a ventilator and a source of aerosolized medication. The housing has a patient-side port for coupling to a patient to provide ventilation including either air or air carrying aerosolized medication. A first path conducts air from the ventilator-side port through the moisturizing medium and the patient-side port, and a second path conducts air carrying aerosolized medication from the ventilator-side port directly to the patient-side port. A two-way valve mechanism in the housing selectively couples the ventilator-side port into fluid communication with one or the other of the first and second paths.

Abstract: A respirator comprise a breathing tube, such as an endotracheal tube, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal end. The lumen defines at least a portion of the respirator circuit. A ventilator tube is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the breathing tube end and defines a portion of the respirator circuit. One or more light sources capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation irradiates at least a portion of the respirator circuit, thereby sterilizing the respiratory circuit.

Abstract: A sleeved filter apparatus prevents germs from becoming resident on both the interior and exterior of a breathing device. The sleeved filter apparatus includes a filter member and a sleeve member. The filter member is composed of a first and second enclosure half which are sealed on their interior ends. The external ends of the two enclosure halves have connectors for connecting the sleeved filter apparatus to a breathing device and/or a patient airway component. A filter element is disposed inside the filter member enclosure for preventing gases from flowing between the first connector and the second connector of the filter member without passing through the filter element. This filter member prevents germs from passing between the patient and the interior of the breathing device. The sleeve member is made of a flexible material, and has a first open end, a second open end, and a middle portion extending between the first open end and the second open end.

Abstract: Improved nebulizers and aerosol inhalation devices including these nebulizers are provided by this invention. The disclosed nebulizers are suitable for supplying an aerosol mist to a patient and include a liquid inlet for receiving a liquid, a gas inlet for receiving a pressurized gas and an aerosol outlet for providing an aerosol mist. An important aspect of this invention is the addition of gas swirling means or flow controlling means for creating a swirling action or a tangential velocity to the gas forming the aerosol. The nebulizer and other devices of this invention can produce an aerosol mist having an obscuration of at least 10% and a median droplet size of less than 1 .mu.m.

Abstract: Improved aerosol inhalation devices including a nebulizer and a rain-off chamber for returning droplets of liquid medication or diagnostics exhaled by the patient back to the nebulizer for reatomization.

Abstract: An improved filtration device suitable for reducing exhaled particles in an aerosol inhalation device. The filtration device includes a body portion having an interior chamber which communicates with an inlet and outlet opening through the chamber wall. Within the chamber is a substance recovery media designed to capture a portion of the exhaled particles from the patient and for assisting in returning a portion of the captured particles back to the patient, such as by a nebulizer. The filtration device further includes a filter layer located within the interior chamber for filtering out contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, in the gaseous medium prior to releasing the remaining portion of the gaseous medium into the environment. Aerosol inhalation devices containing such filters are also provided by this invention.

Abstract: A package for a catheter which may be connected to a fluid source, the source and catheter having quick disconnect means, the package comprising an elongated envelope of flexible plastic sheet material such as polyethylene. The package converts to a protective sheath when the catheter and its envelope are connected to the fluid source, such connection anchoring the sheath to such source while forming a fluid seal between the quick disconnect means. The sheath/envelope reconverts to a package for disposal of the catheter after use.

Abstract: A canister (10) is provided for use with an anaesthesia and resuscitation machine. The canister (10) includes a canister body (12) defining an interior (41) for holding carbon dioxide absorbent (114). A unidirectional expiratory valve (40) is integrally mounted to the canister body (12) through which a patient gas can pass into the canister body interior (41), and a unidirectional inspiratory valve (42) is provided through which the patient gas can pass out of the canister body interior (41). An overflow orifice (102) extends through the canister body, through which the patient gas can pass. A unidirectinal overflow valve (150) is coupled to the overflow orifice (102) for permitting a controlled flow of patient gas therethrough to maintain the desired patient gas pressure within the interior (41) of the canister body (12).

Abstract: Apparatus for use in checking the fit of a respirator with the face of a wearer. The apparatus may include a generally rectangular envelope having a longitudinal opening to receive the respirator therein. Low adhesive contact surfaces may be formed within the interior of the opening to form a fluid barrier with the periphery of the respirator. One or more passageways, formed within the apparatus, may be opened and closed to test the fit or seal between the periphery of the respirator and the face of the wearer. The envelope may be used to check the fit of a wide variety of types and styles of respirators and face masks. Envelopes with configurations other than rectangular may also be satisfactorily used to check the fit of a respirator.

Abstract: The cardiac pulmonary resuscitator improved patient valve has a top and bottom portion joined together forming a cylindrical housing. A diaphragm is mounted between the housing top and bottom portions through which air passes to and from the patient. A rigid tubular port integral with the top portion has a first opening outside the housing and a second opening inside the top portion. A pair of stops on each side of the second opening prevents the diaphragm from blocking air into the rigid tubular port so that some air to and from the patient flows through the rigid tubular port to an air sampling device for making a reading.

Abstract: The breathing apparatus disclosed includes a first connector structure which provides ports for connection to a supply of fresh breathing gases, to an afferent gas tube and to an afferent gas bag. The first connector structure also provides a port to which a ventilator can be connected, a port to which an efferent gas tube can be connected, and a connection to an efferent gas bag. The afferent gas tube is of larger diameter than the efferent gas tube. The apparatus further includes a second connector construction to which said tubes are connected and which has a port for connection to the patient. The second connector structure causes preferential flow between the patient port and the afferent gas tube port.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating the transfer of an oscillating ventilator apparatus from one patient to the next, without requiring disinfection of the air pulse generating diaphragm and components, by separating the airway of the patient from the air pulse generating apparatus by a patient isolation apparatus comprising a patient isolation connection unit which mounts a flexible, fluid-impervious diaphragm in sealing relation to the ventilator housing and in adjacent relationship to the outer face of the air pulse generating apparatus, whereby no fluids emanating from the patient can contact said air pulse generating apparatus. The patient isolation apparatus may be disposed of after use with one patient, or may be disinfected and reused.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of halogenated hydrocarbons from a gas stream comprises passing the gas stream through a bed of hydrophobic molecular sieve adsorbent, preferably of the high silica zeolite type. Such adsorbent has pore diameters large enough to permit molecules of the halogenated hydrocarbons to pass therethrough and be selectively adsorbed in the large internal cavities of the crystal framework, whereby the halogenated hydrocarbons are removed. The gas is continued to be passed through the bed of adsorbent material until the material is saturated to the extent that breakthrough of the hydrocarbons is determined. The adsorbent material with adsorb phase of halogenated hydrocarbons is removed from the machine and regenerated by exposing the saturated material to an inert purging gas stream under conditions which desorb the halogenated hydrocarbons from the adsorbent material into the purging gas stream.

Abstract: A device is set forth defined by an upper angular mouthpiece including diametrically opposed flexible projections positioned on opposed edges of the mouthpiece for grasping by teeth of an administrator of the device. A first conduit is orthogonally oriented relative to the angular mouthpiece directed to a convex abutment skirt for engagement and positioning of a victim's mouth during use. A replaceable filter is removably mounted between the upper conduit and the skirt. A lower conduit in communication with the first conduit and filter and axially aligned therewith is of a generally arcuate "L" shaped configuration tapering downwardly to a lower opening. A modified filter for use with the invention includes a flexible squeeze bulb with a conduit associating the bulb with a filter, wherein the squeeze bulb includes a rupturable diaphragm containing a germicidal fluid therewith for directing the fluid onto the filter prior to use of the device.

Abstract: An anesthesia rebreathing system including a single use structural portion and a reusable structural portion configured so as to be readily latched together to automatically couple respective fresh gas interface ports and patient overflow ports. The single use portion includes a patient bag which is mounted in a closed rigid container in the reusable portion. Gas pressure in the container is controlled by an anesthetist squeezing an outside bag or by a mechanical vertilator, as determined by the setting of a user operable control knob subassembly, which also functions to establish gas pressure and volume in both the patient circuit and the control circuit.

Abstract: A gas delivery apparatus protection device that is used in combination with gas delivery systems. The gas delivery apparatus protection device is permeable to inhalation gases, but reduces the possibility of the transfer of undesirable agents from one user to another. These agents include pathogens, chemicals, cosmetics, drugs, viruses, bacteria and molds.

Abstract: An improved nasal inhalation system is provided for vaporizing a selected medicament or the like and for convenient inhalation of the resultant vapors. In one form, the inhalation system comprises a nozzle mounted at the discharge end of a source of air flow, preferably a heated air flow, wherein the nozzle is shaped to support a medicament-containing inhaler tube for flow-through passage of the air flow to produce medicinal vapors. A conveniently sterilizable vented adapter sleeve may be carried about the inhaler tube and/or mounted on the nozzle to prevent human contact with the inhaler tube and to limit the quantitative air flow to a person's nostrils. In an alternative form, a plurality of inhaler tubes are supported within a turret assembly mounted at the discharge end of the air flow source and rotatable to align a selected one of the inhaler tubes with an open discharge tube thereby permitting flow-through passage of air.

Abstract: An improved nasal inhalation system is provided for vaporizing a selected medicament or the like and for convenient inhalation of the resultant vapors. In one form, the inhalation system comprises a nozzle mounted at the discharge end of a source of air flow, preferably a heated air flow, wherein the nozzle is shaped to support a medicament-containing inhaler tube for flow-through passage of the air flow to produce medicinal vapors. A conveniently sterilizable vented adapter sleeve may be carried about the inhaler tube and/or mounted on the nozzle to prevent human contact with the inhaler tube and to limit the quantitative air flow to a person's nostrils. In an alternative form, a plurality of inhaler tubes are supported within a turret assembly mounted at the discharge end of the air flow source and rotatable to align a selected one of the inhaler tubes with an open discharge tube thereby permitting flow-through passage of air.

Abstract: A disposable cover for an anesthesia mask is herein described as comprising a composite member having a pliable portion surrounding a central relatively rigid portion. The pliable portion may consist of rubber, plastic or paper and is formed with an elastomeric periphery for securing the cover over an anesthesia mask. The relatively rigid central portion may be of a stiff rubber, plastic or paper and be formed with a central cylindrical projection which frictionally engages within the gas inlet of the mask.