Abstract: A ventilator manifold and adaptors therefore are disclosed which allow attachment of respiratory system accessory devices to the ventilator manifold without loss of PEEP. The manifold includes an accessory access port which has a normally closed valve therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold. The normally closed valve is positioned in the accessory access port such that placement of an adaptor therein forces the normally closed valve to an open position, and removal of the adaptor allows the normally closed valve to return to its closed position. The adaptors are formed to allow attachment of accessory devices such as an ambulatory resuscitation bag, a metered dose inhaler, and a bronchial scope. The adaptors may also include a locking ring thereon for locking the adaptor in position in the accessory access port.

Abstract: An endotracheal respiration system which includes a respirator manifold with a port for attachment and detachment of an accessory device thereto without interruption of continuous respiratory support of the patient. A particular embodiment includes a suctioning system for removal of fluids from a patient's lungs during respiratory support. The manifold of the respiration system includes an accessory access port which has a normally closed valve therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold. However, the normally closed valve is positioned in the port such that placement of a specially designed male adaptor located on the suctioning device forces the normally closed valve to an open position, thus allowing passage of a suction catheter through the manifold into the patient.

Abstract: A Holter-type recorder unit for use with an ambulatory ECG recording system is described. The recorder features real-time beat differentiation, including ST analysis and paced beat analysis of two or three channel sampled electrocardiogram data. The recorder also features real-time coding of beat morphology and summary information on cassette tape. Further, summary information for an entire analysis can be compiled and reverse recorded onto the cassette tape at the end of the analysis to allow downloading thereof into an ECG scanner while the cassette is being rewound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid container attachment adaptor for an ambulatory fluid delivery system which includes a support device for attachment of a fluid delivery set and a pump. The fluid container attachment adaptor allows simple attachment to the support device of fluid containers which have been designed for attachment to commonly used IV poles. The fluid container attachment adaptor preferably includes a disk-shaped body portion and a hook-shaped attachment member which is positioned centrally thereon, and extends away from the body portion. The disk-shaped body portion is designed to be accepted within the clamping members of the support device and the hook-shaped attachment member is designed to receive a fluid container for suspension from the adaptor in substantially the same manner as the fluid container may have been attached to a standard IV pole.

Abstract: A suction control valve is disclosed which includes a primary suction device access and an ancillary suction device access. The valve includes an actuator which is linearly movable between a first position in which the primary access is closed against suction pressure therethrough, to a second position in which the primary access is open to suction pressure therethrough. The valve also includes a rotatable valve core which can be rotated by the actuator to a third position to disable its linear movement and to open the ancillary access port. When the actuator is in the first position, atmospheric air can pass through the valve and into the suction pressure source in such a manner that a "hissing" auditory signal is generated, indicative of the presence of suction pressure within the valve. When the actuator is in the second or third positions, the "hissing" is prevented.

Abstract: A suction control valve is disclosed which includes a primary suction device access and an ancillary suction device access. The valve includes an actuator which is movable between a first position in which the primary access is closed against suction pressure therethrough, to a second position in which the primary access is open to suction pressure therethrough, or alternatively, to a third position in which the primary access port remains closed to suction pressure therethrough and the actuator becomes locked against movement into the second position. When the actuator is in the first position, atmospheric air can pass through the valve and into the suction pressure source in such a manner that a "hissing" auditory signal is generated, indicative of the presence of suction pressure within the valve. When the actuator is in the second or third positions, the "hissing" is prevented.

Abstract: A ventilator manifold is disclosed which includes a port for attachment and detachment of an accessory device thereto without interruption of continuous respiratory support of the patient. A particular embodiment of an accessory device described herein includes a suctioning device for removal of fluids from a patient's lungs during respiratory support. The manifold includes an accessory access port which has a normally closed valve therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold. The normally closed valve is positioned in the port such that placement of a specially designed adaptor therein located on the suctioning device forces the normally closed valve to an open position, thus allowing passage of a suction catheter through the manifold into the patient.

Abstract: An endotracheal respiration system is disclosed which includes a respirator manifold which includes a port for attachment and detachment of an accessory device thereto without interruption of continuous respiratory support of the patient. A particular embodiment of an accessory device described herein includes a suctioning system for removal of fluids from a patient's lungs during respiratory support. The manifold of the respiration system includes an accessory access port which has a normally closed valve therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold. However, the normally closed valve is positioned in the port such that placement of a specially designed male adaptor located on the suctioning device forces the normally closed valve to an open position, thus allowing passage of a suction catheter through the manifold into the patient.

Abstract: A strain relief device for use at a tube/hub junction of a tubular device such as a catheter. The strain relief device forms a lumen which may have a reduced diameter at a distal section thereof which can cooperate with the outer diameter of a catheter tube to form a wicking surface. The wicking cavity is formed to allow bonding material to be added thereto which, through capillary action, forms a uniform and controlled bond pattern between the strain relief device and the catheter tube. A catheter including the strain relief device of the invention is manufactured by inserting the strain relief device over a catheter tube/hub junction and permanently bonding the proximal end of the strain relief device to the hub in a conventional manner. The distal end of the strain relief device is then bonded to the catheter tube. The stain relief device of the present invention resists axial pulling forces, as well as bending forces, which may be applied to the catheter.

Abstract: A suction catheter device usable with a respiratory support system which includes a catheter enveloped in a sleeve having a proximal end connector for connection to a suction source through a suction control device such as a suction control valve, and a distal end connector for attachment to a manifold of the respiratory support system. The proximal end connector includes a normally closed valve therein which prevents air flow through the catheter until a suction control device is attached thereto. The proximal end connector may also be adapted for use on a dual lumen catheter and thereby include a fluid injection passage having a one-way check valve therein. The distal end connector of the suction catheter device includes a magnifying window through which a portion of the catheter within the connector can be viewed.

Abstract: An ECG analysis system for use in conjunction with an ambulatory ECG recorder. The invention includes a playback deck which is capable of receiving and downloading information from a cassette tape to a dedicated digital analysis unit. The playback deck is capable of receiving information from the cassette tape during rewind of the tape therein as well as during playback of the tape. The dedicated digital analysis unit includes a superimposition template and a minute-by-minute ECG template which allow interaction between the dedicated digital analysis unit and the operator for simplification of analysis, manipulation, editing, and report generation. The system is capable of processing information from a cassette tape while it is being rewound in the playback deck and producing preliminary summary report information related to ECG data on the tape for use by a system operator before the tape completes its rewind operation.

Abstract: A closed ventilation and suction catheter system for aspirating or suctioning the bronchial tree or trachea of a patient including a dual lumen catheter, the proximal end of the catheter is connected to a dual valve assembly which is connected to separate irrigation fluid and suction pressure sources and the distal end of the catheter is adapted to be slidably positioned in communication with the bronchial tree of a patient. A transparent and flexible envelope surrounds the catheter to protect the catheter from direct exposure to the atmosphere. The catheter is slidable from the inside of the envelope through an adaptor and a tracheal tube to communicate with the bronchial tree or trachea of the patient. A ventilator is connected to the adaptor near the distal end of the catheter to provide for the artificial ventilation of the patient.

Abstract: A double lumen gastric tube including a valve to prevent gastric reflux or leakage through the vent lumen thereof. The gastric tube also includes an adaptor which allows fluid injection through the tube without removing the valve. The valve allows the passage of air into the vent lumen when atmospheric pressure exceeds stomach pressure. When stomach pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure the valve prevents flow of fluid through the tube. The adaptor allows fluid to be injected into the vent lumen through the valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensed member and sensing member for use on a medical fluid infusion device and support device wherein the fluid infusion device is usable in a conventional manner such as on an IV pole and in an ambulatory manner such as in a support device for use in an ambulatory backpack. The sensing member of the present invention detects when the fluid infusion device is to be used in an ambulatory manner to adjust the operation of the infusion control member to account for the difference in fluid flow rates caused by the different fluid pressures within the fluid delivery set when the fluid infusion device is used in a conventional manner and an ambulatory manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support device for use with a fluid delivery system which includes a fluid delivery set and an infusion pump. The support device allows simple attachment of various types of fluid delivery sets and infusion pumps thereto and is adapted for use with bed ridden patients in a traditional manner, or for ambulatory patient use. The support device includes a compartment for securely holding an infusion pump and a separate compartment for securely holding a fluid container of the fluid delivery set. The device further includes an elongate channel into which the tubing of the fluid delivery set can be inserted and subsequently protected from kinking or inadvertent occlusion, and is adapted for use with rigid bottle, flexible bag, burette, spike sets, or other standard types of fluid delivery sets. The device may be used on an infusion pole in a standard manner, placed on a horizontal surface such as a table, or enclosed in a carrying case for ambulatory use.

Abstract: A ventilation cap for a flashback chamber is formed of a hollow elongate cylindrical body of polymeric material and includes a proximal opening which is blocked by a venting material such as a hydrophobic filter, and a distal opening which is sized to allow an extension of the flashback chamber to be inserted therein for airtight connection therewith. The elongate body of the ventilation cap has a tear strip formed therein by a pair of generally parallel score lines. The cap is affixed to the flashback chamber so as to allow air to pass from the flashback chamber through the vent as blood fills the flashback chamber, while preventing blood from passing through the vent. When it is desired to attach other apparatus to the extension of the flashback chamber, the tear strip, which may have a pull tab integrally formed therewith, is torn away from the elongate body to destroy the airtight seal between the flashback extension and the cap.