Abstract: A nose clip is provided having a clip portion including two curved elongated arms and a curved bridge portion therebetween. The arms and bridge portion advantageously form a substantially C-shaped structure. Each of the arms includes a flexible joint region and a pad connected thereto. The joint region is structured so as to enable a wide degree of movement of the pad relative to another portion of the arm. The pads preferably have non-circular nose contact surfaces, for example, the nose contact surfaces of the pads may be substantially oval in shape. The nose clip includes two lever portions projecting from the clip portion which are structured such that moving the two lever portions toward one another causes the pads to be drawn apart from one another, for example, by a distance sufficient to facilitate placement of the nose clip on a nose of a human or animal. In one embodiment, nose clip is substantially entirely molded from a single material as a unitary structure and requires no assembly of parts.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating respiratory gases include a housing having a patient side port adapted for connection to a tracheal tube device and a machine side port adapted for connection to a tube for passing respiratory gases; and one or more liquid trap chambers positioned between the patient side and machine side ports and adapted to receive and hold liquid passed from outside the housing through the patient side and machine side ports.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and humidifying respiratory gases include a housing, a filter element located in the housing, and a gas permeable member positioned in the housing to exchange heat and moisture with respiratory gases passing through the housing. In one embodiment, the inlet portion of the housing is detachably secured to the remainder of the housing and is adapted to be replaced, together with the filter element, while the outlet portion of the housing remains connected to the tube for passing respiratory gases. Additional materials, such as generating material useful to produce moisture and heat and heat generating materials useful to generate heat may be included within the housing. The present apparatus are particularly structured and adapted to reduce the risk of causing trauma to the patient and to increase the safety and comfort of the patient using such apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating respiratory gases include a housing having an inlet adapted for connection to a tracheal tube device and an outlet adapted for connection to a tube for passing respiratory gases; and a liquid trap chamber positioned between the inlet and the outlet and adapted to receive and hold liquid passed from outside the housing through the inlet or through the outlet. For example, saline or other aqueous liquid which is passed to the patient from outside the housing to loosen and/or remove mucous secretions in the patient can inadvertently slosh back toward the housing. The liquid trap chamber is positioned and adapted to collect and hold such liquid and prevent such liquid from passing further into the housing, for example, to contact and block a filter element located in the housing. An outlet liquid trap chamber is effective to prevent condensed water from a humidifier in a respiratory gas circuit from contacting and detrimentally affecting a filter in the circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and humidifying respiratory gases include a housing, a gas permeable member positioned in the housing to exchange heat and moisture with respiratory gases passing through the housing, a fitting joined to both the housing and a tracheal tube device, and a fitting closure assembly movable to open and close a second end opening of the fitting. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a bypass line positioned to pass inspiratory gases to the fitting and tracheal tube device without passing through the housing. This bypass line embodiment is very effective in providing an additional treatment, for example, a nebulizer treatment, to the patient. The present apparatus are particularly structured and adapted to reduce the risk of causing trauma to the patient and to reduce clinician anxiety.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and humidifying respiratory gases comprise a housing, a gas permeable member and generating material. The housing includes an inlet adapted for connection to a tracheal tube and an outlet adapted for connection to a tube for passing respiratory gases. The inlet and the outlet are positioned so that respiratory gases passing through the housing pass therebetween. The gas permeable member, for example, a conventional heat and moisture exchanger member, is positioned in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and is adapted to exchange heat and moisture with respiratory gases passing through the housing. The generating material, for example, a carbon dioxide absorbing component, is located in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and is adapted to generate water, and preferably heat, available to humidify, and preferably heat, respiratory gases passing through the housing.