Abstract: A sealing and retaining arrangement for a humidifier with separable top and bottom members and an attaching arrangement for rigidly connecting a ventilator or other respiratory device to the top of the humidifier in a predetermined, fixed position. The sealing and retaining arrangement is designed for use between separable top and bottom members of a humidifier. The top and bottom are made of relatively rigid material and have overlapping or telescoping portions with a flexible, resilient seal extending therebetween. The seal also serves to positively retain the top and bottom together while in use. The attaching arrangement is designed to rigidly connect the ventilator or other respiratory device to the top of the humidifier in a predetermined, fixed position. This is accomplished by rigidly coupling the air outlet of the ventilator directly to the air inlet of the humidifier without any intervening, flexible hose.

Abstract: A valving arrangement primarily designed and intended for use in a negative pressure ventilator system. The valve arrangement has a uniquely designed valve that enables the ventilator to perform a number of operations simply by manipulation of a single, one-piece valve member within a valve housing. The valve housing has multiple inlets and outlets and the valve member can be rotated within it to present a variety of pressure cycles to the patient. In the preferred manner of operation, the present invention selectively applies negative and positive pressures to the patient during different portions of the cycle. In this regard, the valve member is structured so that negative and positive pressures are never at the same time delivered to the patient. The valve arrangement is compact and lightweight. It is also functionally superior to prior designs that can only supply whatever pressure is being created by the blower.