Abstract: A device for delivering a ventilation gas including a T-connector including a cross member adapted to carry a ventilation gas and a tubular stem extending substantially perpendicularly from the cross member; and a plurality of tubes each having a cross section smaller than a cross section of the tubular stem extending transversely through the cross member, and extending through and within the tubular stem, wherein remote ends of the plurality of tubes terminate beyond the tubular stem; and further wherein at least two of the plurality of tubes carry pulsating pressure gases of different frequencies.

Abstract: A substance delivery apparatus (10) for use with a system (12) for supplying breathable gas to a human or animal. The apparatus includes a mechanism (22) to measure the pressure of the supplied breathable gas (22) to detect inhalation by the human or animal; and elements (54, 56, 58, 60) to deliver the substance (52) to the human or animal during inhalation at a pressure higher than the supplied pressure of the breathable gas. A method of delivering a substance (52) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A face seal assembly for respirators comprising a generally U-shaped frame having a bottom portion and first and second side portions spaced from each other and extending in a generally upward direction from the bottom portion. The assembly further includes a first face seal segment attached to the bottom portion at a point closer to the second side portion than the first side portion and to the first side portion at a point above the bottom portion, and a second face seal segment attached to the bottom portion at a point closer to the first side portion than the second side portion and to the second side portion at a point above the bottom portion. The first and second face seal segments may each include an elastic piece.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable protective system for protecting a wearer, and for protecting the environment about the wearer. The protective system includes a face shield coupled with a head cradle for supporting the face shield on the wearer's head. The face shield and a wearer's face substantially define a breathing zone charged by a battery-powered blower carried on the head cradle. An bag-like inlet filter element encompasses the blower to provided filtered air to the breathing zone, and an outlet filter element is operably associated with the face shield.

Abstract: A nebulizer for entraining liquid in a flow of carrier gas from a carrier gas source at a select pressure includes a nozzle defining a passage which is circular in cross section and includes a converging section, a throat and a uniformly diverging section, all of which are coaxial and serially connected. The nozzle has an inlet at the mouth of the converging section and an outlet defining a primary orifice at the mouth of the diverging section. The inlet is connectable in fluid communication with the pressurized carrier gas source. The nebulizer further includes a reservoir for the liquid to be entrained and a conduit for conveying a liquid in the reservoir between the reservoir and the primary orifice. The conduit further includes a jacket spaced from and enveloping the primary orifice defining a liquid chamber about the primary orifice. The jacket has a secondary orifice spaced from and coaxial with the primary orifice.

Abstract: Methods and related equipment for measuring components of exhaled breath of a subject are provided which involve causing the subject to exhale into an appropriate apparatus for receiving exhaled breath; increasing the pressure in the mouth of the subject to a level sufficient to close the vellum and isolate the nasopharynx during exhalation; a means of monitoring nasal CO.sub.2 to conrirm vellum closure; and measuring the level of one or more components of the collected exhaled breath. Endogenous nitric oxide is a preferred component of exhaled breath for monitoring and analysis.

Abstract: A method for providing assisted ventilation which avoids hypoxia and hypocapnia is disclosed, in which a predetermined dead space in an assisted ventilation system is provided external to the patient. The method may also be used to create normocapnia or moderate hypercapnia without causing hypoxia during assisted ventilation. Preferably, hypoxia can be avoided while inducing and/or maintaining the arterial carbon dioxide tension between about 35 and 95 mmHg. Dead space volumes as small as 10 ml and exceeding 150 ml are utilized in the method. An improved proximal terminal, tubular attachments, and coaxial filter are disclosed, which are safer the less expensive to use than prior art unilimb assisted ventilation systems; the devices of the present invention also reduce medical wastes in comparison to prior art assisted ventilation systems.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood circulation system for treating inflammatory diseases includes a blood collection device for collecting blood from a patient suffering from an inflammatory disease, an anticoagulant mixing device for mixing an anticoagulant into the collected blood, blood transportation device for transporting the anticoagulant-containing blood at a flow rate in the range of from 20 to 200 ml/minute, a blood treating device having a blood inlet and a blood outlet and containing a platelet activating device, and a blood returning device for returning the treated blood to the patient, each being liquid-tightly connected in this order through a tubing so that when extracorporeal blood circulation is conducted using the system with respect to blood from the patient, the system is capable of providing treated blood satisfying at least one requirement selected from requirement (1) of having a .beta.

Abstract: A medicine administering apparatus, suitable for administering granular medicine to a patient, comprises a main body which has a medicine passage and a medicine accommodating chamber. The apparatus further includes a location changing member formed with a medicine loading chamber. The location of the medicine loading chamber is changed between a first position, where the medicine loading chamber is separate from the medicine passage, and a second position, where the medicine loading chamber is in the medicine passage. Movement of the location changing member changes the position of the medicine loading chamber. A medicine loading member compresses a predetermined amount of the medicine into the medicine loading chamber at the first position, the predetermined amount corresponding to one dose. Medicine within the medicine loading chamber may be inhaled through the medicine passage by a patient when the patient breathes in.

Abstract: A tracheal assembly comprises an endotracheal tube and a tracheal shield. The tracheal shield has a stiff rod extending along the endotracheal tube, and a stop at the machine end of the shield which limits the extent of insertion of the shield into the tube. At its patient end, the shield has a plate or similar shield member that expands when the shield member is inserted beyond the patient end of the tube, to protect the posterior wall of the trachea during a tracheostomy procedure. The shield member can be rolled up or otherwise contracted for insertion and removal along the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and humidifying respiratory gases comprise a housing, a gas permeable member and generating material. The housing includes an inlet adapted for connection to a tracheal tube and an outlet adapted for connection to a tube for passing respiratory gases. The inlet and the outlet are positioned so that respiratory gases passing through the housing pass therebetween. The gas permeable member, for example, a conventional heat and moisture exchanger member, is positioned in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and is adapted to exchange heat and moisture with respiratory gases passing through the housing. The generating material, for example, a carbon dioxide absorbing component, is located in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and is adapted to generate water, and preferably heat, available to humidify, and preferably heat, respiratory gases passing through the housing.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator is utilized in combination with a compressor to provide a highly enriched and compressed oxygen gas in a mobile container such as a gas cylinder. The combination and method of production provides for the facile preparation of an enriched source of oxygen for use by an ambulatory or wheelchair-confined patient. The oxygen concentrator utilizes two or more molecular sieves to provide a breathable gas of from approximately 80 to about 98 percent oxygen from atmospheric air. The oxygen-enriched gas is stored in a concentrator product tank and can be prioritized so as to supply a patient with a proper amount and concentration of oxygen and secondarily to supply any surplus or excess enriched oxygen to a compressor. The compressor utilizes multiple stages to produce the highly compressed oxygen-enriched gas and utilizes a two-part piston at low rpm to enhance low wear and low noise.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask assembly has a mask portion formed by a mount with a plate to which inflatable cuffs are attached on both sides. The plate projects beyond the cuffs to form a non-inflatable leading tip to aid insertion of the assembly into the patient.

Abstract: A method for providing assisted ventilation which avoids hypoxia and hypocapnia is disclosed, in which a predetermined dead space in an assisted ventilation system is provided external to the patient. The method may also be used to create normocapnia or moderate hypercapnia without causing hypoxia during assisted ventilation. Preferably, hypoxia can be avoided while inducing and/or maintaining the arterial carbon dioxide tension between about 35 and 95 mmHg. Dead space volumes as small as 10 ml and exceeding 150 ml are utilized in the method. An improved proximal terminal, tubular attachments, and coaxial filter are disclosed, which are safer and less expensive to use than prior art unilimb assisted ventilation systems; the devices of the present invention also reduce medical wastes in comparison to prior art assisted ventilation systems.

Abstract: A method for providing assisted ventilation which avoids hypoxia and hypocapnia is disclosed, in which a predetermined dead space in an assisted ventilation system is provided external to the patient. The method may also be used to create normocapnia or moderate hypercapnia without causing hypoxia during assisted ventilation. Preferably, hypoxia can be avoided while inducing and/or maintaining the arterial carbon dioxide tension between about 35 and 95 mmHg. Dead space volumes as small as 10 ml and exceeding 150 ml are utilized in the method. An improved proximal terminal, tubular attachments, and coaxial filter are disclosed, which are safer and less expensive to use than prior art unilimb assisted ventilation systems; the devices of the present invention also reduce medical wastes in comparison to prior art assisted ventilation systems.

Abstract: A method for providing assisted ventilation which avoids hypoxia and hypocapnia is disclosed, in which a predetermined dead space in an assisted ventilation system is provided external to the patient. The method may also be used to create normocapnia or moderate hypercapnia without causing hypoxia during assisted ventilation. Preferably, hypoxia can be avoided while inducing and/or maintaining the arterial carbon dioxide tension between about 35 and 95 mmHg. Dead space volumes as small as 10 ml and exceeding 150 ml are utilized in the method. An improved proximal terminal, tubular attachments, and coaxial filter are disclosed, which are safer and less expensive to use than prior art unilimb assisted ventilation systems; the devices of the present invention also reduce medical wastes in comparison to prior art assisted ventilation systems.

Abstract: An inhalation apparatus, which supplies appropriate volumes of oxygen to a closed breathing system, to replace the oxygen used by a patient. A variable volume enclosure is situated within a container, which has an inlet connected to a ventilator for the supply of oxygen into the container. The interior of the variable volume enclosure is in communication with the breathing system, and the interior of the container is also in communication with the breathing system, via a one-way valve, which opens to replenish the oxygen in the breathing system, when the pressure in the breathing system is lower than that within the container.

Abstract: An emergency breathing apparatus which is adapted to be located in a wide variety of settings, comprising a container for storing air or oxygen under pressure; a mouthpiece which operatively attaches to the container opening; an actuator which is connected to the air container and the mouthpiece so that activation thereof provides fluid communication therebetween, thereby discharging the pressurized air from the container to the mouthpiece; and a picture frame member integrally connected to the mouthpiece and the actuator such that the mouthpiece, air container, and actuator are substantially unobservable from a front elevational view of the apparatus.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler is provided which comprises a reservoir of medicament powder, a dispensing chamber for receiving a charge of powder to be dispensed having a floor upon which the powder charge lies prior to inhalation, an inlet passage having at its outlet end a nozzle protruding into the dispensing chamber directed toward the floor thereof and an inhalation passage exiting from the chamber through which the powder may be inhaled entrained in air drawn into the inhaler through the air inlet passage. The inhalation passage has an inlet at the dispensing chamber and an outlet through which the powder may be inhaled and comprises a first upstream portion having a roof and a floor both of which rise progressively with respect to a straight line drawn form the center of the inlet to the center of the outlet ad a second portion having a roof and a floor both of which fall progressively with respect to the line in the downstream direction.

Abstract: This invention provides cellulose ester fibers having an intermediate degree of substitution per anhydroglucose unit (DS/AGU) along with pigments which act as photooxidation catalysts. The fibers are useful as filter materials for tobacco products. The filter materials thus provided are easily dispersible and biodegradable and do not persist in the environment.