Abstract: A self-extinguishing pipe is described for use with tobacco or other smoking material. The pipe is made in two parts, a body and an endpiece, and holds a filter internally. The endpiece includes a reservoir for the tobacco or other smoking material at one end which has an adjustable base for changing the depth of the reservoir. The two-part construction and adjustable base facilitate cleaning of the pipe, replacement of the filter, and removal of ash without needing additional tools. The depth of the reservoir is adjusted by rotating an inner component of the endpiece in relation to a surrounding cowl. Various bores through the body of the pipe and the components of the endpiece communicate with each other so as to form an air passage from the smoking material to the mouth end of the pipe, thereby allowing smoke to be drawn into the user's mouth.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of oxygen from an oxygen supply source to a patient. The apparatus includes an oxygen supply inlet, a pressure regulator coupled to the oxygen supply inlet and configured to reduce pressure of oxygen received from the oxygen supply inlet to a selected magnitude, a flow controller coupled to the pressure regulator and configured to meter oxygen received from the pressure regulator at a selected flow rate, and an oxygen distribution assembly including a pneumatic demand oxygen valve and a conduit conducting oxygen discharged from the flow controller through the pressure regulator to the pneumatic demand oxygen valve for delivery to a patient. The flow controller includes a chamber and a rotary valve for splitting oxygen discharged from the chamber into a first stream in an oxygen supply passageway for use by a patient and a second stream in a diaphragm supply passageway for controlling operation of pneumatic demand oxygen valve.

Abstract: Particle entrapment device for the capture of particles in an inhaled, or an exhaled air stream, including a body having a portion adapted to fit within the mouth or at least one nostril of a human, or other mammalian animal, in sealing engagement with the edges of that orifice, and a passage through the body to allow air to be inhaled by, or to be exhaled by the animal through the particle entrapment device. The passage has a non-linear path and includes a collector means so placed in the passage that, during inhalation, air is drawn firstly towards and then secondly around the collector to that particulate matter in the air inhaled by the animal will be caused to impact against the collector due to the non-linearity of the passage and to be retained on the collector such that the particulate matter retained on the collector is prevented from entering the airways of the animal. The collector is removable from the particle entrapment device to allow analysis of the particles impacted thereon.

Abstract: An airway adapter comprising a tubular portion having opposing windows in a predetermined spaced configuration. The windows have at least one surface which interacts with moisture condensed thereon from respiratory gases so as to reduce the interference of such condensation with the measurement of constituent gases by a gas analyzer. The surface of the windows can be hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A cloud chamber for use with a source of pressurized medication in a MDI system wherein the cloud chamber has a unique one-way inspiratory air and one-way expiratory air valving system which utilizes the same valve body to provide both functions through utilization of different parts of the same valve body for performing the different and mutually exclusive functions. The present invention also provides for the storage of the pressurized medication container within the cloud chamber so that the medication can be conveniently and safely stored when the device in not in use.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a cartridge is coupled to a liquid dispenser and includes a substance which is in a dry state. A liquid is dispensed from the dispenser into the cartridge so that the substance may be dissolved into the dispensed liquid to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the cartridge and onto an atomization member which is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: A system for introducing a dose from a metered dose inhaler canister into the inspiratory stream (1B) of a ventilator system including an inspiratory tube (32), a Y connector (3), and an endotracheal tube (7) intubated in a patient, including a valved T connector (30) having a valved port (30A) and first (30B) and second (30C) ports coupled to conduct the inspiratory stream (1B) through the valved T connector, an MDI canister (14), and a nozzle adapter structure (31) having a first port (31A) for insertion into the valved port (31A) to open a valve thereof and a nozzle (31B) receiving a stem (14A) of the MDI canister (14) and ejecting a plume (17) of MDI medication particles upon activation of the MDI canister. A dry gas inlet (31D) receives dry gas which flows through the nozzle adapter structure (31) into the valved port (30A) and into the inspiratory stream (1B), and carries the plume from the nozzle adapter structure (31) through the valved port (30A) into the inspiratory stream (1B).

Abstract: The apparatus is configured to deliver breathable air under continuous positive air pressure to a person who requires such treatment. The apparatus includes a dentally stabilized platform and a nose mask, nose piece or nasal tubes resiliently mounted on the platform and urged toward nasal engagement and rhinal seal. In the case of configurations including nose masks and nose pieces, the force applied from the dentally stabilized platform is through a resilient connection. Various nose masks, nose piece and nostril engaging air tubes carrying nasal pads are disclosed. In each case, the resilient mounting on the dentally stabilized platform provides the necessary air seal. Air which is enhanced by medication or added oxygen may be supplied by the apparatus.

Abstract: A vent valve apparatus (10) for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurised above atmospheric pressure to a human or animal. The apparatus (10) includes a gas washout vent (15), a vent valve (18) adapted to progressively restrict the flow area of the washout vent (15), and a pressure sensitive vent valve control means (20,22,23). The control means is adapted to progressively cause the vent valve (18) to restrict the flow area of the gas washout vent (15) in response to increases in the pressure of the gas supply, thereby substantially regulating the volumetric flow of gas and/or CO.sub.2 gas through the washout vent (15) over a range of gas supply pressures.

Abstract: Smoking articles, cigarettes for example, having a tar delivery of not more than 6 mg a filter ventilation of at least 50% and a ventilation zone located not less than 75% of the length of the filter from the mouth and thereof exhibit enhanced mainstream smoke water-to-tar ratios.

Abstract: A needle protector device includes a mount, to which a needle subassembly is fixed, and a protective cover for the needle telescopically coupled to the mount against the biassing of a compression spring. The protective cover is coupled to the mount by a pair of protruding lugs which engage a pair of channels in the mount. The channels each include an entrance portion adjacent the lower end of the mount and an elongated portion extending at an angle toward the upper end of the mount. When the lug is in the entrance portion, the cover is in a locked needle protection position in which the needle tip is covered. To operate the device, the device is placed against a needle-receiving surface and the mount is simultaneously pushed toward the surface and rotated with respect to the cover, causing the lug to move out of the entrance portion to unlock the cover and travel along the elongated portion of the channel. Upon removal of the needle, the compression spring biases to move the cover back over the needle.

Abstract: This invention provides a smoking article having reduced sidestream smoke in the inter-puff period. A smoking article according to the invention may comprise a lengthwise, axially extending, tobacco-containing or non-tobacco fuse portion which sustains smoulder in the inter-puff period when surrounding tobacco material is substantially extinguished and which re-ignites the extinguished material on puffing of the smoking articles.

Abstract: The method of connecting flexible first band structure to a tracheostomy neck plate, the neck plate having a first wing projecting laterally, the includes providing first clip structure configured to embrace the wing, the band structure attached to the clip structure; displacing the clip structure relative to the wing, to embrace the wing; and providing a detent connection on at least one of the clip structure and wing to releasably interconnect the clip structure and wing in response to said relative displacing of the clip structure to embrace the wing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic atomizer device (2) for a fluid (60), in particular a bronchospasmolytic agent, in which a propelling element (10) operable by an electronic circuit (6) to deliver the fluid to an atomization surface (28) that is also supplied with ultrasound waves from the electronic circuit (6) is provided in a housing (4), the propelling element (10) having a coupling member (32) which is meshing with a further coupling member (34) of a replaceable dosating unit (14) for transferring propelling power to the dosating unit (14) to effect a linear movement (68) of a piston (66) arranged in an ampoule (28) within the dosating unit (14). The invention also relates to a system comprising a device (2) as described and a dosating unit (14) inserted into that device (2).

Abstract: A humidor for retaining and preserving cigars includes a housing having a housing bottom wall and a housing top wall, and at least one housing side wall interconnecting the housing bottom wall and housing top wall, an access structure for opening the housing to admit cigars and for closing the housing to retain humidified air, a humidity generating structure, and a venting structure having elements for retaining several of the cigars within the housing spaced apart from the housing side wall to define at least one air circulation passageway between the cigars and the housing side wall. The humidor additionally includes at least one cigar separation sheet in the form of a sheet of resilient material with at least one sheet air passing vent opening for placing between horizontal layers of the cigars to define air circulation passageways between the cigars constituting each layer of cigars. The housing and vent structure are both preferably made of cedar.

Abstract: Predetermined pressure changes in the oral and throat cavity is achieved by inducing at least a partial vacuum in the mouth and throat area of a mammal in temporal coordination with the mammal's breathing pattern. The partial vacuum is selectively applied to the mouth and throat cavity only during inhalation cycles of the breathing pattern. A further aspect of the invention provides for additionally inducing a positive or atmospheric pressure in the mouth and throat cavity only during exhalation cycles of the breathing pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to objectively measure sensory discrimination thresholds at a test site in the upper aero digestive tract of a patient. A time and pressure controlled puff of air is delivered to the input of a Y-shaped tube; one output branch of the Y-shaped tube delivers the puff of air to the patient and the other output branch delivers the puff of air to a pressure transducer, for measurement and display of the pressure.

Abstract: A valve diaphragm 14 is connected to a valve base 11 by locating the diaphragm on upstanding posts 18 which are formed integrally with the valve base, and then cutting and simultaneously deforming the posts to secure the diaphragm in position. The cutting/deforming operation involves: forming two longitudinal cuts in each post, defining a central section 21 and two outer deformable sections 22, 23; and bending the deformable sections outwards, away from the central section.

Abstract: A shredded tobacco supplying apparatus for a cigarette manufacturing machine has a supply passage extending toward a conveyor belt, the supply passage is provided with a plurality of air blowing openings arranged at intervals in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor, and a straightening plate having a plurality of straightening fins is mounted at the air blowing opening. The straightening fin extends at a predetermined angle toward the front side of the conveyor with respect-to the axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor. The air injected from the air blowing opening is blown into the supply passage at a predetermined angle with respect to the aforementioned axis. The shredded tobacco reaching the supply passage is discharged toward the belt surface of conveyor belt by using an air flow produced by the air blown from the air blowing openings.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube can be inserted into a patient's trachea during resuscitation by using a face mask and a curved guide. The guide is inserted through a flexible port in the face mask and has a curved distal portion that extends into the patient's mouth and hypopharynx. The patient is initially resuscitated by supplying a flow of air/oxygen through the mask. An endotracheal tube is inserted over the distal end of a fiber optic probe. Resuscitation, oxygenation, or artificial ventilation continue without interruption while the fiber optic probe and endotracheal tube are inserted through a flexible port at the proximal end of the curve guide and then advanced along the guide into the patient's airway. The direction of the distal tip of the fiber optic probe can be controlled by the physician. This allows the physician to carefully guide the fiber optic probe and endotracheal tube to a position past the larynx while resuscitation continues.