Abstract: The ventilator airway fluid collection system permits the maintenance of PEEP in a patient breathing circuit when a fluid collector vial is removed. A fluid collection vial is connected to the airway from which fluid is to be collected by connection to an arm of a tee connector, and a disc assembly is provided in the arm of the tee connector that closes the opening to the vial when the vial is removed. The disc assembly includes a first disc fixedly mounted in the connector arm, and a second disc rotatably mounted to the first disc. The first disc includes at least one aperture, and the second disc includes at least one corresponding aperture. The second, rotatable disc includes at least one tab for indexing the second disc's aperture to open the passageway to the vial when the vial is attached, and to close the passageway when the vial is removed.

Abstract: A respiratory apparatus (10) operable for delivering a breathable gas to the airway of a patient includes a status monitor (24,26) for determining the status of usage of the unit by the patient and a timer (32) for determining the accumulated time of usage of the unit by the patient.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll member and an orbiting scroll. The orbiting scroll member is operatively connected to a motor to be driven in an orbiting motion by the motor. The scroll members each include a plate having an inboard surface and an outboard surface. A spiral involute or wrap is formed on the inboard surface of each scroll member plate. The involutes mate to define suction zones at outer ends of the involutes and fluid pockets. The fixed scroll member defines a fluid outlet at the center of the involutes and two inlets positioned proximate the suction zones. At least two idler crank assemblies are provided to maintain the phase relationship and running clearance between the scroll members. The idler crank assemblies each include two operatively connected cranks, one being in the fixed scroll and one being in the orbiting scroll. The fixed scroll crank is externally accessible so that its rotational motion may be harnessed to drive a fan or another compressor stage, for example.

Abstract: An ultasonic gas measuring device including a housing, walls for the housing, the walls having a gas inlet and a gas outlet provided therethrough, ultrasonic detecting means provided within the housing, the ultrasonic means having a transmitter, operatively associated with one wall of the housing, and a receiver, operatively mounted on another wall of the housing, and arranged at spaced locations within the housing, the housing incorporating gas processing device, electronic circuitry associated with the gas processing device and functioning to detect and generate a signal in cooperation with the ultrasonic detecting means representative of the concentration of the gas passing through the housing, a display operatively associated with the electronic means for displaying data relative to the concentration of gas passing through the measuring device, timer means electrically connected to the electronic means and the display means for first detecting for a short period of time the gas being measured, and then di

Abstract: Apparatus for accurately and reliably measuring fluid flow under turbulent or pulsating conditions with high signal-to-noise ratio and using a symmetrical design which works with flow in either direction. The apparatus is particularly well-suited for measuring airflow in a bi-level respiratory system. The apparatus includes a flow conduit, an upstream sense tube protruding into the flow conduit with a notch opening facing into the flow stream, a downstream sense tube protruding into the flow conduit with a notch opening facing away from the flow stream, and a flow or pressure sensor/transducer disposed in connecting lines between the upstream and downstream sense tubes. The notched opening has a semi-cylindrical shape. The flow conduit is either straight or angled.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for controlling the pressure of a respiratory gas delivered to a patient includes a phase detection circuit (24) for determining the inhalation and exhalation phases of the patient's respiratory cycle. More particularly, a flow signal representative of the respiratory flow is compared to second signal, offset in time and scaled in magnitude relative to the flow signal, in order to determine the transition from one phase to the next.

Abstract: The invention is a compact multi-camera closed circuit video television system for use in commercial aircraft. The arrangement of the cameras and the construction of the system are arranged to allow installation within either the pressurized or unpressurized portions of the aircraft, and the video cameras are arranged to provide multiple views of the exterior of the aircraft under the control of the flight crew.

Abstract: The computer gated positive expiratory pressure method alters pressure in a patient breathing pathway in a respiratory ventilator during specified periods of a patient's heart cycle. Heartbeats of a patient are detected in patient cardiac cycles, and an electrical heartbeat signal is generated in response to the heartbeats. In a presently preferred embodiment, the electrical heartbeat signal is squared to amplify the signal. A variable moment following a detected heartbeat is determined, and positive ventilation pressure in the patient breathing pathway is altered commencing at the variable moment following a detected heartbeat, for a variable time interval during selected cardiac cycles.

Abstract: A rectilinear motion proportional solenoid assembly includes a cylindrical housing containing an electromagnetic coil having a longitudinal coaxial bore. The housing contains magnetic material for providing a flux path for the magnetic field produced by the coil. A generally cylindrical magnetic pole piece element is inserted into the bore and a movable armature assembly of magnetic material is supported within the bore for movement along the longitudinal axis of the coil by a pair of thin, flexible suspension springs. One of the springs is located within the bore adjacent to one end of the magnetic pole piece whereat an axial gap between the pole piece and the armature is formed. A second spring is located within the housing within the vicinity of a radial air gap between the armature and the housing.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a housing and a lamp support assembly that is normally retained in but removable from the housing. The lamp support assembly includes coaxial inner and outer sleeves, and a lamp socket mounted on one of the sleeves. The inner sleeve is movable relative to the outer sleeve between a braced position in which the lamp support assembly is retained in the housing, and a released position in which the lamp support assembly is released for removal from the housing. A lamp is received in the socket, and the inner sleeve is biased toward the braced position when the lamp support assembly is positioned in the housing so that the lamp support assembly is retained in the housing.

Abstract: A ventilation air valve assembly (10) for use in aircraft or similar contexts is provided which may be selectively opened and oriented for directing desired quantities of ventilation air in desired directions. The valve assembly (10) includes a tubular valve body (12) presenting an apertured, flattened lowermost end wall (40) together with an internal valve member (14) in the form of an elongated shank having a bottom surface (46) and a marginal sealing surface (48). In the valve-closed position of the assembly (10), the sealing surface (48) engages a correspondingly configured internal surface of the body (12) in order to prevent air flow through the body (12). Moreover, in the valve-closed position, the lower surface of the valve assembly (10) is flat, essentially flush, and presents no dirt-collecting recesses.

Abstract: The method for flow triggering breath supported ventilation is accomplished by providing a system comprising a source of a predetermined, preinspiratory, constant flow of breathing gas and connecting such to a patient breathing attachment. One or more flow sensors measure the gas flow rate in a flow path communicating with the patient breathing attachment, determining when inhalation from the flow path has occurred. Breath support is generated in the delivered gas flow in response to inhalation by the patient, and the predetermined, preinspiratory, continuous flow of breathing gas is reestablished prior to the patient's next inspiratory effort. In combination with various types of breath support, the flow triggering strategy of the invention offers significant improvements in providing breath support to patients having weakened respiratory capabilities.

Abstract: A mount for a compressor or the like which sits on a base includes a top surface which is securable to the base. The top surface defines a well having a floor. An opening is formed in the bottom of the floor and a shaft extends from beneath the well floor to above the upper surface. The shaft includes a lower flange positioned below the well floor and an upper flange positioned above the top surface. A spring is positioned between said well floor and the top flange to absorb vibrations and any resulting shock produced by the compressor. A pair of upwardly extending generally perpendicular walls are provided on the upper surface to prevent the spring from engaging the upper surface or deflecting excessively. The walls and the upper flange are sized such that when the shaft moves with respect to the well, the upper flange will contact the wall before the spring contacts the upper surface or deflects excessively.

Abstract: The ventilator control system for delivery respiratory gas to a patient involves an apparatus which includes a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure within a gas containment vessel, the control of the flow of respiratory gas into the containment vessel responsive to pressure within the containment vessel, and the control of the outflow of respiratory gas responsive to changes in pressure in the containment vessel. Both the inflow of gas to a receiver tank and outflow of respiratory gas are responsive to modes of breathing being provided to a patient.

Abstract: The optical fiber pH microsensor includes an optical fiber having a portion of the surface of a light conducting core covered with a layer of a pH sensitive dye material. The dye material is covalently bonded to a polymeric matrix which is in turn covalently bonded to the optical fiber core to prevent leaching of the indicator dye material during extended use.

Abstract: An ultrasonic gas measuring device including a housing, walls for the housing, the walls having a gas inlet and a gas outlet provided therethrough, ultrasonic detecting means provided within the housing, the ultrasonic means having a transmitter, operatively associated with one wall of the housing, and a receiver, operatively mounted on another wall of the housing, and arranged at spaced locations within the housing, the housing incorporating gas processing device, electronic circuitry associated with the gas processing device and functioning to detect and generate a signal in cooperation with the ultrasonic detecting means representative of the concentration of the gas passing through the housing, a display operatively associated with the electronic means for displaying data relative to the concentration of gas passing through the measuring device, timer means electrically connected to the electronic means and the display means for first detecting for a short period of time the gas being measured, and then d

Abstract: The system and method for operating an AC respirator compressor system at substantially subnormal line voltages includes a compressor, an accumulator, a solenoid unload or dump valve used to reduce the pressure at the outlet of the compressor, a check valve located downstream from the solenoid, a relief valve, a pressure sensor, and an AC voltage sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the compressor constantly supplies compressed air to the ventilator system, monitoring the accumulator pressure and activating the solenoid unload valve as required to maintain an acceptable range of pressure in the accumulator. In another preferred embodiment the compressor system can also be operated in an intermittent, or standby mode, to supply compressed air as needed.

Abstract: A compact, simplified, totally pneumatic demand valve designed for coupling between a source of pressurized gas and a recipient user is provided which achieves a high degree of sensitivity and flow control without expensive, bulky valving arrangements characteristic of prior demand valves. Preferably, the demand valve includes a valve body presenting a gas flow passageway, together with pneumatically coupled sensing and slave diaphragms; the slave diaphragm is interposed in the flow passageway and prevents gas flow during the exhalation phases of the patient's breathing cycle. During inhalation sensed by the sensing diaphragm, the slave diaphragm is shifted to open the gas flow passageway in the valve, thus permitting passage of gas to the patient. The valve is designed for coupling to a fixed orifice flow controller, which may be positioned either downstream or upstream of the valve as desired.

Abstract: The reinforced catheter sensor probe for intravascular use includes an aramid strand that extends along the length of the electromagnetic conduits and is bonded thereto. A greater than ten fold increase in tensile strength is thereby achieved. Additionally, the inherent strength of flexibility of the reinforcing strand ensures that a positive interconnection with the distal end of the sensor probe is maintained in the event the sensor probe is subjected to loads that cause its relatively more fragile components to sever. A protective, strain relieving introducer catheter is also provided to substantially prevent kinking and breakage of the sensor probe where the introducer catheter bends.

Abstract: A calibration method and apparatus capable of being calibrated according to the method that allows a remote sensor to be transferred from analyzing instrument to analyzing instrument within a group of analyzing instruments without the need to recalibrate. The device includes a separate memory capability associated with the sensor as well as each instrument while the method requires the use of an arbitrarily selected sensor to initially be transferred from instrument to instrument, while being subjected to the same calibration standards in order to generate calibration data for entry into each instrument's memory. With such data entered in the instruments' memories, any remote sensor, calibrated on any one instrument and having such calibration data stored in its own memory, can then readily be interconnected to any instrument of the group to immediately yield accurate results.