Abstract: A gas ratio control device for anesthesia apparatus, includes an anesthetic gas feed line, which has, in a series-connected arrangement, a control valve with an inlet chamber, an anesthetic gas-adjusting valve and a first measuring resistance, and an oxygen feed line, which has a second measuring resistance, wherein the dynamic pressure received from the measuring resistances is sent to a proportional element, which controls the control valve. A flow-proportional addition of the anesthetic gas is possible even at low oxygen flow rates. This is achieved by the outlet chamber and the first pressure chamber being connected to one another in one piece in terms of flow. The anesthetic gas-adjusting valve is arranged in front of the inlet chamber of the control valve in terms of flow. A flow resistance is provided between two chambers limited by diaphragms of the proportional element.

Abstract: A pressure breathing mask, particularly an aircrew oxygen mask, includes an exoskeleton (10), a flexible facepiece (11) with an oxygen delivery connection (15), an inflatable bladder (20) positioned between the exoskeleton (10) and a rigid intermediate member (30), the intermediate member (30) bearing on the facepiece (11), and means (21, 23) for automatically inflating the bladder (20) when oxygen is delivered under pressure to the mask.

Abstract: A safety system is provided for anesthetic systems with at least two anesthetic vaporizers, the safety system preventing the simultaneous supply of anesthetic to a breathing circuit by more than one anesthetic vaporizer. The safety system which prevents this includes a setting means for each vaporizer which emits an activation signal when moved from an OFF position to an active position. The activation signal is received by a control unit which then sends a control signal to blocking valves, respectively arranged by the anesthetic vaporizers, and prevents the passage of breathing gas to more than one anesthetic vaporizer for vaporization of an anesthetic.

Abstract: A disposable pressure gauge comprises a pair of bellows members, a returning member that tends to return the bellows members to a base-line position, and a housing member that contains the pair of bellows member and returning member. The pair of bellows members and housing member have apertures disposed in such a way that the gauge measures both positive and "negative" pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, and is pre-calibrated, inexpensive, portable and disposable, thereby avoiding a need for heavy, expensive conventional manometers that must frequently be sterilized and recalibrated. In use, the gauge is attached to an endotracheal tube, and optionally to a resuscitator bag via the endotracheal tube. Color coordination aids in use of the gauge. Attachment of the gauge will not adversely affect the operation of such a resuscitator bag.

Abstract: An inhaler for simulating a cigarette and supplying oxygen to an individual. The inventive device includes a pressurized supply assembly for containing a pressurized gas such as oxygen. A valve assembly extends from the pressurized supply assembly for dispensing the pressurized gas through a mouthpiece in response to inhalation so as to simulate the operation of a cigarette.

Abstract: In the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea a method and apparatus are disclosed for optimizing the controlled positive pressure to minimize the flow of air from a flow generator while still ensuring that flow limitation in the patient's airway does not occur. In particular, the invention relates to a breathing device and method of use to adjust a controlled positive pressure to the airway of a patient by detecting flow limitation from analysis of an inspiratory flow waveform. Once the presence of flow limitation has been analyzed, the system determines an action to take for adjustment of the controlled positive pressure. The pressure setting is raised, lowered or maintained depending on whether flow limitation has been detected and on the previous actions taken by the system. The preferred breathing apparatus consists of a flow generator, a flow sensor, an analog to digital converter, a microprocessor, and a pressure controller, a patient supply hose, a nasal fitting, and, optionally, a pressure transducer.

Abstract: A face mask is provided which is adapted to be mounted an inhalation device, e.g., an inhaler or spacer, having a body. The mask includes an annular adaptor part which is to be connected to one end of the body, and a funnel-shaped face engaging portion having a narrow end that is joined to one end of the adaptor part. The wide end of the face engaging portion has a free edge that is adapted to engage the face of an infant around the infant's mouth and at least a part of the infant's nose, and is resilient so that it is adaptable to the shape of the infant's face. The free edge of the wide end of the face engaging part is provided substantially entirely in a plane which forms an angle of about 10.degree.-25.degree. with a plane perpendicular to the extended longitudinal axis of the adaptor part.

Abstract: This invention relates to a helmet with an air filtering device and in particular to one which utilizes a meter to drive a fan so as to suck in air and transmit the air through a filtering device which divides the air into two streams respectfully supplied to the head and nose of an user on one hand and exhausts the exhaled air out of the helmet through a plurality of check valve, thereby enabling the user to inhale cleaned air.

Abstract: A device and method for the aerosolization of a liquid, includes a liquid reservoir having a three dimensional geometric shape within a hollow cylindrical housing and a gas nozzle in the liquid reservoir. An internal component having a three dimensional geometric shape conforming to the internal walls of the liquid reservoir, having a liquid conduit and a liquid orifice, and minimally spaced from the internal walls of the liquid reservoir and the gas nozzle. The gas nozzle coupled to pressurized gas source, produces a high velocity gas stream which exits through the liquid orifice. A subatmospheric pressure is created within the minimal space between the liquid conduit, and gas nozzle. The liquid is aspirated from the minimal space between the internal component and the internal walls of the liquid reservoir, to the minimal space between the liquid conduit, and gas nozzle and out the liquid orifice.

Abstract: The piston ventilators include a double acting reciprocating piston, in which the piston motion delivering breathing gas to a patient receiving assistance from the ventilator simultaneously draws in breathing gas from a source of breathing gas, and a single acting piston ventilator, in which only the delivery end of the cylinder is provided with inlet and exhaust valves. In the double acting piston ventilator, breathing gas is supplied to both ends of the piston cylinder through two intake valves, and exhausting breathing gas through two exhaust valves. Both intake valves of the cylinder are ducted to the breathing gas supply, and the two exhaust valves of the cylinder are ducted to a gas delivery limb of the ventilator connected to the patient's airway.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a snorkel having a breathing tube with an upper end, the apparatus being constructed and arranged to prevent splash water from entering the snorkel tube, and including a tubular housing portion defining a Z-axis and a cylindrical interior volume, having a splash opening, defining a slot opposite the splash opening, and having an open bottom end for disposition upon the upper end of the snorkel tube, an arcuate channel defined by a hood portion of the housing and being in fluid communication with the cylindrical volume through the slot, the channel being disposed relative to the tubular portion to receive splash water entering the opening and eject it from the housing, and a substantially planar first baffle secured to the tubular portion and extending into the tubular volume at an incline to intercept splash water and direct it externally of the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in-line silencer for a clean room breathing apparatus which reduces noise transmitted to a user from an attached air blower. The clean room breathing apparatus includes a headgear assembly worn by the user and an air blower that supplies air to or exhausts air from the headgear assembly through a connecting air hose. The in-line silencer is installed in the air duct between the air blower and the headgear assembly. The silencer has a shell housing with couplings at opposite ends for attaching the silencer in-line with the air blower and the connecting air hose. Within the shell housing of the silencer is a sound-absorbing material that absorbs sound energy from the air flowing through the silencer.

Abstract: A unique adaptor and improved incentive spirometer for delivering medication to patients from metered dose inhaler canisters. The improved apparatus is comprised of a unique universal adaptor has an inlet configured to receive a variety of incentive devices, an outlet to connect a mouthpiece and a socket for receiving a metered dose medication canister. The socket is constructed to accept a wide variety of metered dose inhaler spray tips and includes a nozzle spray tip constructed to provide optimum misting. The inlet of the unique, universal adaptor is constructed to receive a variety of incentive devices to improve medication penetration. An improved incentive spirometer for connection to the inlet of the unique universal adaptor is also disclosed. The improved incentive spirometer may also be used for efficient inspiratory and expiratory volume exercising.

Abstract: A device is provided which creates aerosolized particles by forcing a formulation of drug in a carrier through a nozzle (which nozzle may be in the form of a porous membrane) into a channel to a patient for inhalation. While in the channel energy is added to the particles in an amount sufficient to evaporate carrier and thereby reduce particle size. The amount of energy added can be adjusted depending on factors such as the particle size, the amount of the carrier to be evaporated, the water vapor content of the surrounding air and the composition of the carrier. Energy may be added in an amount sufficient to evaporate all carrier and thereby provide particles of dry powdered drug to patient which particles are uniform in size regardless of the surrounding humidity and smaller due to the evaporation of the carrier.

Abstract: An automatic resuscitation apparatus for administering a breathable gas to a patient that can be held in one hand, and containing the necessary valves and controls, and operable in automatic mode, demand mode, and manual mode, and having, a flow chamber for a breathable gas, a patient mask connector at an outlet of said flow chamber, a chamber valve within the flow chamber for permitting passage of breathable gas from the chamber to the mask connector, a exhaust for exhausting exhaled breath exteriorly of the flow chamber, a breathable gas supply to the flow chamber, a supply valve operable to provide an on-off control of the breathable gas supply, and, a timing valve responsive to flow of gas to the flow chamber, to move at predetermined intervals between on/off positions, the timing valve being connected to the supply valve, so as to procure on-off operation of the supply valve in timed relation to the timing valve.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an anesthesia arrangement having a pump device for returning preselected gaseous components from an expiration line 2 of the anesthesia apparatus 1 into a first pressure vessel 17. The anesthesia arrangement is so improved that the rinsing losses are minimized and the anesthetic agent is available at constant concentration. The arrangement includes a second pressure vessel 19 connected downstream of the first pressure vessel 17 and a compressor 18 for pumping the gaseous components from the first pressure vessel into the second pressure vessel. The compressor 18 and a cooling unit 20 adjust the operating parameters of pressure and temperature so that at least the anesthetic agent is present in the liquid phase in the second pressure vessel.

Abstract: An anesthetic machine, in particular for use as ventilation part of an anesthetic system which has an inspiratory and an expiratory branch. In order to reuse, e.g. in a half-closed anesthetic system, part of the exhaled gas, the expiratory branch is connected via an additional line to the inspiratory branch. In addition, a controllable inspiration valve is used to control the respiratory gas removed from a gas store.

Abstract: An apparatus (14) for detecting carbon dioxide in exhaled gas is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an indicating element (10) for changing color when exposed to carbon dioxide and a carbon dioxide shield (12) for absorbing a predetermined level of carbon dioxide from the exhaled gas before exposing the indicating element (10) to the exhaled gas.

Abstract: A plate cylinder for a sleeve-type printform, particularly an aluminum offset printform, with a ramp-like transition piece as a guide surface for the mechanical expansion of the sleeve-type printform onto the larger cylinder diameter. At least the surface area of the plate cylinder that is covered by the ramp-like transition piece has a highly wear-resistant and pressure-resistant slide surface of a material different from the remaining surface material of the plate cylinder to prevent abrasion when the printform is slipped onto the plate cylinder.

Abstract: A nasal cannula anchor that includes a body engaging portion that is adapted to adhere to the nose of a subject; and two cannula engaging portions extending from the body engaging portion that are adapted to anchor a cannula. A method for anchoring a length of cannula in the nose of a subject that involves adhering a structure comprising a body engaging portion to the nose of a subject; and wrapping two cannula engaging portions extending from the body engaging portion of the structure around a section of length of a cannula to anchor said cannula.