Abstract: A resuscitation system for the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation of asthma patients, and for teaching the cardiopulmonary resuscitation of asthma patients. The invention includes a deflatable bag and a gas flow channel connected with said bag, for connection with an indwelling endotracheal tube so that gas can flow from the bag into the patient and from said patient through said flow channel, an exhalation port in flow connection with said flow channel and an indicator mounted adjacent said system for detecting expiration flow and/or pressure within at least one of said flow channel and exhalation port to detect inadequacy in the expiratory component of ventilation during CPR and to train healthcare workers in the emergency ventilation of severe asthmatic patients in the field and emergency room.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a patient with sleep apnea includes monitoring a patient to produce at least one timed waveform of at least one physiologic parameter, identifying along the waveform a first waveform variation indicative of an apnea, identifying along the waveform a second waveform variation indicative of another apnea, determining the interval intermediate at least one portion of the first waveform variation and at least one portion of the second waveform, and assessing the severity of sleep apnea based on at least the determining.

Abstract: A system for the sequential and repetitive aspiration and injection of fluid. The system includes a syringe having an internal volume, a piston to vary the internal volume and a chamber divider for separating the internal volume into proximal and distal reservoirs. The chamber divider is moveable along the chamber and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the chamber prior to withdrawal of fluid into the syringe. The proximal reservoir has a maximum displacement volume for receiving fluid. A flow channel provides flow between the proximal and distal reservoirs and a valve disables and enables flow therethrough. A tensile element links the piston and the chamber divider so that after the piston is moved and the proximal reservoir is filled with a first liquid, the chamber divider is pulled away from the distal end of the syringe to enlarge the distal reservoir and draw the blood into the distal reservoir.

Abstract: A syringe for the sequential withdrawal of a first liquid and a second liquid. The syringe has a barrel, a proximal piston moveable along the barrel to define a variable volume chamber intermediate the piston and the end of the barrel, and a distal chamber divider piston for separating the variable volume chamber into primary and secondary reservoirs. A flow channel is defined along the syringe for providing flow connection between the primary and secondary reservoirs. An element links the two pistons so that as the proximal piston is moved away from the distal piston, the first liquid enters the first reservoir and thereafter the second liquid enters the secondary reservoir.

Abstract: A system for the sequential and repetitive aspiration and injection of fluid. The system includes a syringe having an internal volume, a piston to vary the internal volume and a chamber divider for separating the internal volume into proximal and distal reservoirs. The chamber divider is moveable along the chamber and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the chamber prior to withdrawal of fluid into the syringe. The proximal reservoir has a maximum displacement volume for receiving fluid. A flow channel provides flow between the proximal and distal reservoirs and a valve disables and enables flow therethrough. A tensile element links the piston and the chamber divider so that after the piston is moved and the proximal reservoir is filled with a first liquid, the chamber divider is pulled away from the distal end of the syringe to enlarge the distal reservoir and draw the blood into the distal reservoir.

Abstract: A blood aspiration assembly for use as a blood access device inserted in a patient's blood vessel for obtaining undiluted blood samples. The assembly includes, in one embodiment, a first tubular portion defining a first internal volume. A distal end of the first segment is coupled to a blood access device and has a blood receiver at the proximal end thereof. The blood receiver permits a separate blood removal device to repetitively access its chamber. A second tubular portion or segment defining a third internal volume is coupled at its distal end to the blood receiver. A reservoir is coupled to the proximal end of the second segment so as to be in selective flow communication with it. The reservoir has a sufficient internal volume to selectively retrieve a volume X of fluid from the second segment, blood receiver, and first segment to insure that undiluted blood is present in the chamber of the blood aspirator.

Abstract: A blood aspiration assembly and method has proximal, intermediate and distal tubing, an adjustable volume reservoir and an aspirator receiver. The receiver has a housing with a rigid casing and a resilient plug, and a liquid flow chamber. The resilient plug has a slit or perforation to allow passage of a blunt needle therethrough. The plug can have two parts of different compliance, which aligned slits or perforations. The blunt needle tip can be rounded or flat, with a side opening for the needle bore. The contour of the needle tip and the design of the plug are correlated such that the working force required to penetrate the needle tip into the plug perforation is considerably less than the force required for said needle tip to penetrate normal intact human skin of the hands or arms.

Abstract: An aspirator receiver forms part of a blood aspiration system for injecting fluid into a patient and withdrawing undiluted blood. The aspirator receiver has a housing with a passage occluded by a septum and in communication with the blood flow channel through the aspirator system. An aspirator comprises a cannula having a blunt tip surrounded by a shroud, the cannula being in communication with a blood receiving receptacle. The aspirator is applied to the housing with the shroud centering the cannula about and for penetration through the septum of the housing whereby undiluted blood may be withdrawn from the flow channel into the receptacle. Upon removal of the aspirator, the septum occluding the end of a standard vacuum-filled container is penetrated by the cannula whereby blood from the receptacle may be transferred into the container.

Abstract: An aspirator receiver forms part of a blood aspiration system for injecting fluid into a patient and withdrawing undiluted blood. The aspirator receiver has a housing with a passage occluded by a septum and in communication with the blood flow channel through the aspirator system. An aspirator comprises a cannula having a blunt tip surrounded by a shroud, the cannula being in communication with a blood receiving receptacle. The aspirator is applied to the housing with the shroud centering the cannula about and for penetration through the septum of the housing whereby undiluted blood may be withdrawn from the flow channel into the receptacle. Upon removal of the aspirator, the septum occluding the end of a standard vacuum-filled container is penetrated by the cannula whereby blood from the receptacle may be transferred into the container.

Abstract: An universal medical connector for manually connecting a first fluid conveying conduit in fluid connection with a patient's vasculature and having a junction terminal with a septum at an end thereof to a second fluid conduit for administration of fluid to a patient. The connector is formed of two elements. The first element defines an integral needle hub, to which a needle is mounted, a base extending from the hub, and fingers extending from the base. The second locking element includes a collar with a support and bars extending therefrom so as to be manually slidable along the first element in the direction the needle extends between a retracted and a locking position in which the connector locks onto a junction terminal and the septum penetrated by the needle. The fingers flex at a flexing line or joint or in a flexure region covered by the bars in the retracted position. Detents are provided on the base and on a detent carrier formed by slots extending into the collar.