Abstract: A breathing system (10) is provided for supplying physiologically acceptable breathing gas (oxygen partial pressure greater than that required to prevent hypoxia) to a pilot of an aircraft. The system (10) includes a breathing mask (12) connected to a pressure regulator (14). The pressure regulator (14) is connected to a selector valve (32). Connected to the selector valve (32) is an onboard oxygen generating system (22) and a standby oxygen supply (24). The selector valve (32) selects breathing gas from one of these two sources. Also included in the system is an emergency oxygen bottle (26) connected to the regulator (14). Ambient air is supplied to the mask (12) by an ambient airflow duct (20) if for some reason none of the breathing gas sources (22, 24, 26) provide breathing gas to the regulator (14).

Abstract: The invention is a smoke mask for use by passengers in an aircraft, the aircraft having a source of pressurized fresh air. The improvement comprises a container of pressurized air, incorporating a flow control valve 40 mounted to the mask 26. A first conduit 42 is coupled to the valve 40 and is adapted to deliver the flow of gas to the interior thereof upon the opening of the valve 40. The mask 26 is provided with a vent valve 76 mounted thereon which is adapted to vent exhaled air from the interior thereof. A second conduit 44 is coupled to the source of pressurized air. A disconnect valve 46 is provided for coupling the conduit 44 to the interior of the mask 26 and which is further adapted where actuated to disconnect the conduit 44 from the mask 26 and to seal off the interior of the mask. A lanyard assembly 50 is coupled to both the valve 40 and the valve 46 and is adapted to open the valve 40 and to separate the second conduit 44 from the mask when actuated.

Abstract: An instrument for attacking calculi of a patient by hydraulic impacts formed by electrical discharges in a liquid medium surrounding the calculi by detecting if the discharge end of the lithotrite of the instrument is adjacent to tissue of the patient and detecting by measuring the conductivity of the liquid medium and determining whether the measured conductivity falls within predetermined levels.

Abstract: An infrared fluid analyzer with an improved sensitivity and signal to noise ratio is provided. The device includes a capacitor microphone for detecting absorption of characteristic infrared wavelength lines by the sample and utilizes an electret material to electrically polarize the capacitive element in the microphone. The device is used to detect a stoppage of respiration in a person and thereby warn of the presence of an APNEA condition. The capacitor microphone generates a signal each time it detects an exhaled breath. When a timer senses an extended delay between signals, an alarm sounds indicating the presence of an APNEA condition.

Abstract: An improvement in noise susceptibility is realized in auditory stimulation of the deaf by electrical signals. At least one analog electrical signal is applied to implanted electrodes in a patient, and at least one pulsatile signal is applied to implanted electrodes. The analog signal represents a speech signal, and the pulsatile signal provides specific speech features such as formant frequency and pitch frequency.

Abstract: An aerosol dispensing device for discharging a metered amount of medication-containing aerosol into the mouth of a patient by manual compression thereof, which effectively times the release of the medication containing aerosol to coincide with the onset of inhalation of the patient to more effectively introduce the medication deeply into the patient's lungs.

Abstract: A holder for endotracheal or nasotracheal tubes comprises a plastic face guard, a plastic tube-grasping section with an adhesive foam pad, and a flexible section connecting the plastic face guard with the plastic tube-grasping section, the face guard, the tube-grasping section, and the flexible connecting section being a unitary sheet of plastic which, when flattened consists of two elongated parallel elements with a narrow flexible element connecting them and meeting each of them at an intermediate point of a long edge thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus of the endotracheal type to facilitate rapid intubation of the trachea with an endotracheal tube, with or without a laryngoscope in an operating room or under emergency field conditions where the insert end of an endotracheal tube may be selectively curled to accommodate varying physical conditions of the person to be intubated. The amount of curl imparted to the leading insert end of the endotracheal tube is controlled externally by the person intubating the patient by pulling on a ring attached to a cord within a tunnel on the outside of the tube, the end of the cord remote from the ring being attached to the tube in area above the balloon on the insert end of the tube.

Abstract: A variable flow reciprocating piston respirator system which is capable of providing a substantially constant oxygen enrichment over an entire inspiration stroke of a variable flow respirator output. A proportional control valve is used to deliver oxygen from an oxygen supply tank to the output of a reciprocation piston pump. A microprocessor controls the magnitude of opening of the proportional valve to insure that a proper overall volume of the output is produced with the proper percentage of enrichment of oxygen.

Abstract: The eye movement detector detects events occurring during the electro-oculogram (EOG) signal in which components of the signal having a predetermined rise time, are coincident with components of the same signal having a predetermined amplitude.

Abstract: An upright support is provided including a base at its lower end for stationary support relative to a stationary support surface. The upright includes a rear side rearwardly from which a collapsible chin rest projects at an elevation spaced slightly below the upper end of the upright and the front side of the upright mounts an upstanding blade therefrom deflectable both rearwardly and forwardly of the upright. The blade projects above the upper end of the upright and is engageable by the tongue of a patient whose chin is disposed on the chin rest rearward of the upright and an abutment member is slidable along the upright and the blade and is engageable by the latter with the abutment member serving as an adjustment member to vary the amount of forward thrust of a tongue on the blade required to forwardly deflect the blade upper end portion relative to the upright.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus for underwater swimming or diving comprising a ventilating pipe formed with a cylindrical chamber, a buoyancy block disposed into the cylindrical chamber, a plug force-fitted on the top of the cylindrical chamber, a sleeve force-fitted with the center hole of the plug, a rubber tubing connected with the lower end of the sleeve, a movable member having a notch, a cap threadedly engaged with the top of the ventilating pipe, a float body on which is mounted the ventilating pipe, a hose threadedly engaged with the ventilating pipe, and a mouthpiece threadedly engaged with the hose.

Abstract: The cardiac mapping probe has a soft lead body with a distal end portion containing a pliable, moldable and formable core rod therein. The rod is received within a tubular sheath of the lead body which also includes four insulated wire conductors within the sheath. A head is formed at the distal end of the sheath and has a pad with a flat surface on the underside thereof. Four electrodes are mounted on the flat surface and connected to the wire conductors. Such probe will facilitate placement of the pad flat surface against a section of a heart wall to be mapped and will hold that shape until reconfigured to another shape. Part of the configured, molded shape can provide a handle formation for facilitating gripping and manipulation of the mapping probe.

Abstract: The disclosed emergency mask has an air-purifying canister containing a combination of a smoke-filter, a desiccant, an adsorbent, and hopkalite catalyzer, so as to remove noxious gas generated during fire.

Abstract: A disposable smoke mask and apparatus comprising breathable gas or air contained under pressure in the canister and connected by a hose to the mask, and wherein breathable gas contained in the canister is released to the hose by means of a valve actuated by removal of a snap ring section to allow a spring under compression to actuate a plunger unit tube, to allow breathable gas to flow through a suitable orifice into the plunger unit tube and through another orifice in the top of the plunger unit tube, and the hose and into the mask.

Abstract: An eyeglass frame and nasal cannula assembly for inconspicuously administering oxygen or other gases into the nostrils of a patient having respiratory ailments. An eyeglass frame has a pair of grooves in the rear surface of its front piece and a groove in the interior surface of each of its hinged temples. A nasal cannula assembly comprising a pair of cannula tubes is fitted in the grooves. One end of each of the cannula tubes is adapted for insertion in one nostril of the patient's nose and the opposite end of each of the cannula tubes is connected to a portable source of supply of oxygen or another gas to be administered to the patient. The overall appearance of the eyeglass frame is substantially identical to that of a conventional eyeglass frame and all but a small portion of the cannula tubes are hidden from view.