Abstract: A resuscitation system including a device or kit adapted for connection to a gas outlet of a resuscitation bag with a first gas inlet thereto and upstream of a face mask, the device or kit providing gas flow in a path from the bag to the mask. A check valve is operably connected to the gas outlet of the resuscitation bag and substantially blocking gas flow upstream thereof and allowing gas flow downstream thereof. A first safety release valve operably located downstream of the resuscitation bag and operable to release gas from the gas flow path at a predetermined pressure differential between the path and ambient. The first safety release valve is located downstream of the check valve.

Abstract: A resuscitation system including a device or kit adapted for connection to a gas outlet of a resuscitation bag with a first gas inlet thereto and upstream of a face mask, the device or kit providing gas flow in a path from the bag to the mask. A check valve is operably connected to the gas outlet of the resuscitation bag and substantially blocking gas flow upstream thereof and allowing gas flow downstream thereof. A first safety release valve operably located downstream of the resuscitation bag and operable to release gas from the gas flow path at a predetermined pressure differential between the path and ambient. The first safety release valve is located downstream of the check valve.

Abstract: A valve for use with a compressed breathable gas source having a valve adapted to: (a) be disposed upstream of a patient delivery device and (b) control at least a portion of a breathable gas source upstream of the patient delivery device and the source including both: (i) a compressed breathable gas source and (ii) a second gas source. The valve includes a first rotatable body. The first rotatable body adjusts, upon rotation thereof a cross-sectional area for gas flow through one or more first apertures from the compressed breathable gas source, second gas source, or both. The valve further includes a gear rotatable simultaneously in response to rotation of the first rotatable body and upon rotation of the gear adjusts a second cross-sectional area for flow through one or more second apertures of gas from the compressed breathable gas source, said second gas source, or both.

Abstract: A nebulizer system includes a body having a fluid chamber and an aerosol chamber, and a vibrator assembly positioned at an interface between the fluid chamber and the aerosol chamber. The vibrator assembly may include a diaphragm, having a fluid side and an aerosol side, defining a plurality of perforations between the fluid side and the aerosol side, and one or more vibrator elements operatively associated with the diaphragm to vibrate the diaphragm to produce aerosolized medicament projected into the aerosol chamber from the plurality of perforations. Each perforation of the plurality of perforations projects the aerosolized medicament along a respective projection path relative to a plane defined by the aerosol side of the perforation, the one or more vibrator elements or the diaphragm support substrate further being configured to angularly displace the aerosol side of the diaphragm to sweep the direction of at least one projection path.

Abstract: An electrolarynx includes a motor having a locating diaphragm, a bobbin, and a magnetic assembly. The bobbin includes a striker and coil wires wound about a coil cylinder of an electromagnet. The locating diaphragm maintains the position of the bobbin along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The magnetic assembly includes a magnet and a non-magnetic guide disc that sandwiches the magnet to the housing. The magnet and the coil wires drive the striker and, in turn, a contact diaphragm in the cap of the electrolarynx that makes contact with a patient's throat to produce vibrations similar to those produced by the larynx. To avoid “gravitational wear” of the coil wires against a magnetic cup used to center the coil wires, the walls of the cup are made thinner and the magnetic cup may be replaced with a non-magnetic cup or the magnetic cup is removed altogether.

Abstract: An electrolarynx includes a motor having a locating diaphragm, a bobbin, and a magnetic assembly. The bobbin includes a striker and coil wires wound about a coil cylinder of an electromagnet. The locating diaphragm maintains the position of the bobbin along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The magnetic assembly includes a magnet and a non-magnetic guide disc that sandwiches the magnet to the housing. The magnet and the coil wires drive the striker and, in turn, a contact diaphragm in the cap of the electrolarynx that makes contact with a patient's throat to produce vibrations similar to those produced by the larynx. To avoid “gravitational wear” of the coil wires against a magnetic cup used to center the coil wires, the walls of the cup are made thinner and the magnetic cup may be replaced with a non-magnetic cup or the magnetic cup is removed altogether.

Abstract: A pressure gauge for use in combination with an airway lumen having an inflatable cuff, the pressure gauge including a housing and a flexible diaphragm within the housing defining a fluid tight chamber with the chamber in fluid communication with the cuff. In use a surface of the diaphragm moves along an axis in response to a fluid pressure change in the cuff. The pressure gauge also includes a radial indicator attached to the housing extending transverse the surface of the diaphragm and a linear to radial linkage operatively associated between the surface of the diaphragm and the radial indicator to cause radial movement of the indicator. In one embodiment the linear to radial linkage includes a gear tooth rack associated with the surface of the diaphragm and a pinion gear mating with the rack. In such an embodiment the radial indicator may further include a pointer operatively associated with the pinion gear.

Abstract: A clip for receiving a post. The clip includes a body defining a hole having a diameter less than a select cross-section of the post. The body of the clip is made of a material which is sufficiently pliant to provide for the deformation of the hole to receive the post upon attachment of the clip to the post. Another aspect of the present invention is a gas transmission mask including a post and a clip as described above for attaching a strap to the mask. The post may have a shaft and a head with a cross-sectional dimension of the head being greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the shaft. In addition, the hole may be substantially cylindrical. In this embodiment, the lengthwise axis of the cylindrical hole may be substantially equal in length to the length of the shaft. The pliant body of the clip of the present invention may be made of a pliant thermoplastic such as synthetic rubber, silicone, thermoplastic resin, natural rubber or polyvinylchloride.

Abstract: A pressure gauge for use in combination with an airway lumen having an inflatable cuff, the pressure gauge including a housing and a flexible diaphragm within the housing defining a fluid tight chamber with the chamber in fluid communication with the cuff. In use a surface of the diaphragm moves along an axis in response to a fluid pressure change in the cuff. The pressure gauge also includes a radial indicator attached to the housing extending transverse the surface of the diaphragm and a linear to radial linkage operatively associated between the surface of the diaphragm and the radial indicator to cause radial movement of the indicator. In one embodiment the linear to radial linkage includes a gear tooth rack associated with the surface of the diaphragm and a pinion gear mating with the rack. In such an embodiment the radial indicator may further include a pointer operatively associated with the pinion gear.

Abstract: An oral airway consists of an elongate tubular member having a leading distal end and a proximal end, the leading distal end leading the elongate tubular member as it is inserted into the mouth and pharynx of a patient. An opening at the leading distal end of the elongate tubular member is inclined so that a posterior portion of the distal portion extends beyond an anterior portion of the distal end. A flexible tip portion extends distally beyond the opening to aid in insertion of the oral airway into the mouth and pharynx of a patient. The tip is configured to flex toward the opening as it abuts tissue within the mouth and pharynx of a patient.

Abstract: A tubular assembly having a plurality of lumens is configured for insertion into the mouth and throat of a patient with a proximal end of the tubular assembly extending from the patient's mouth and a distal end of the tubular assembly extending into the patient's esophagus. The tubular assembly further includes a transition portion near the tubular assembly. The transition portion is configured to transition from a relatively radially large proximal end to a relatively radially small distal end, with the relatively radially small distal end being in communication with at least one of the lumens. The relatively radially large proximal end is configured to abut the aryepiglottic folds of the patient to arrest insertion of the tubular assembly with the relatively radially small distal end of the transition portion extending into the patient's esophagus.

Abstract: A tubular assembly having a plurality of lumens is configured for insertion into the mouth and throat of a patient with a proximal end of the tubular assembly extending from the patient's mouth and a distal end of the tubular assembly extending into the patient's esophagus. The tubular assembly further includes a transition portion near the tubular assembly. The transition portion is configured to transition from a relatively radially large proximal end to a relatively radially small distal end, with the relatively radially small distal end being in communication with at least one of the lumens. The relatively radially large proximal end is configured to abut the aryepiglottic folds of the patient to arrest insertion of the tubular assembly with the relatively radially small distal end of the transition portion extending into the patient's esophagus.

Abstract: An integral stand and fluid conduit for maintaining a housing of a fluid delivery device in a select orientation relative to a support surface. The fluid delivery device has a carrier fluid connector fixedly attached to its housing. The carrier fluid connector extends along an axis away from the housing for axial engagement in fluid communication with a carrier fluid supply. The stand includes a base having a support surface engaging portion. A conduit having an inlet and an outlet is attached to the base. The inlet is connectable in fluid communication with a carrier fluid supply and the outlet extends from the base such that with the support surface engaging portion of the base engaging a support surface, the conduit outlet is axially engagable with the carrier fluid connector of the fluid delivery device to thereby bias the fluid delivery device to the select orientation relative to the support surface.