Abstract: An oral airway consists of an elongate tubular member having a leading distal end and a proximal end, the leading distal end leading the elongate tubular member as it is inserted into the mouth and pharynx of a patient. An opening at the leading distal end of the elongate tubular member is inclined so that a posterior portion of the distal portion extends beyond an anterior portion of the distal end. A flexible tip portion extends distally beyond the opening to aid in insertion of the oral airway into the mouth and pharynx of a patient. The tip is configured to flex toward the opening as it abuts tissue within the mouth and pharynx of a patient.

Abstract: A nebulizer having a supplemental gas inlet port carried by the nebulizer head at a position removed from the nebulizer chamber so that the supplemental gas introduced does not entrain the liquid medicant effecting the rate of medication application to a user.

Abstract: A humidifier having a heat-generating composition for generating steam is disclosed. The humidifier is permitted to fit the face, keeping the humidity high at a space between the face and the humidifier for many hours. A central non heat-generating belt, which functions as a flexible belt, is provided between inner heat-generating regions containing heat-generating composition. Lateral non heat-generating belts, which function as a flexible belt, are provided between the inner heat-generating regions and outer heat-generating regions. The humidifier fits the face by deforming the flexible belts. Thus, the face is kept moisturized by steam discharged from the inner heat-generating regions and the outer heat-generating regions.

Abstract: An inhaler for producing an inhalable aerosol of a powdered medicament includes an aerosolizing device in the form of a vortex chamber (1). The vortex chamber (1) has a curved wall (12), a tangential inlet port (3) and an axial exit port (2). The radius R of the vortex chamber (1) decreases with angular extend ?. The reduction in effective cross-sectional area of the vortex chamber accelerates the gas flow between the inlet (3) and the outlet (2) to reduce deposition of the medicament.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved breathing assistance device. The breathing assistance device comprises a nasal mask, an upper mouth piece and a frame attached to the upper mouth piece. The frame is coupled to the nasal mask such that orbital movement of the nasal mask is permitted while air under pressure is supplied to the nasal mask through the coupling. A method of using a breathing assistance device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sealed face mask. The face mask may be a common paper face mask or a more technically complex gas mask. The face mask includes a periphery. The periphery includes a seal that surrounds the nostrils and the mouth and that sticks to the skin of the face. The adhesive of the seal may be a skin friendly adhesive or a skin unfriendly adhesive. With the skin unfriendly adhesive, the adhesive includes a strength sufficient to remove a first layer of skin from the face when the seal is pulled from the face. The seal includes a strip that may be elastomeric. The periphery of the face mask may be elastomeric. The face mask includes a neutralizing agent to minimize harmful effects of substances passing through the face mask. Further disclosed is a method for fixing the face mask to the face. Also disclosed are sealing strips for the lower ends of the legs of a pair of pants, sealing strips of the outer ends of the sleeves of a shirt, and sealing strips for other articles of clothing.

Abstract: Hypoxic delivery apparatus producing from ambient air a product gas having a lower levels of oxygen concentration and delivering the product gas to a user of the apparatus in pulse doses. Alternatively, the apparatus may include a selector for alternately delivering either a nitrogen enriched gas or an oxygen enriched gas to the user.

Abstract: An improved crew mask for protection of a user against chemical and biological hazards is provided. The novel crew mask includes the following features: a facepiece that includes a hybrid face seal with both intern and flat seals, and at least one transparent lens positioned at the level of the eyes of the person; at least one inlet hose for delivery of filtered air operably connected to the facepiece; at least one exhaust one-way exhaust port for venting air from the crew mask; and a compact filter unit with a reduced airflow resistance relative to currently employed filter units.

Abstract: A method and portable apparatus for providing low oxygen therapy to an individual. The invention teaches the use of a small portable breathing gas control system to adjust the gas concentrations going to a subject's face mask.

Abstract: A neck seal for use in an emergency breathing apparatus has an interior and an exterior and is formed of an annular sheet of elastomeric material having a substantially central aperture for donning over a person's head. The substantially central aperture is sized appropriately for snug fitting around the person's neck so as to be sufficiently tight to prevent passage between the person's neck and the neck seal of fluid materials without choking the person. The neck seal is coated at least in part with parylene, to thereby prevent passage through the elastomeric material of NBC/CBR materials.

Abstract: An inflatable resuscitation face mask comprising a top sheet joined to a bottom sheet to form an inflatable pocket which when inflated forms a raised body having an apex and a lower perimeter, wherein inflation means is provided on the mask and an opening at the apex allows air to be administered through the opening to an area underneath the inflated mask.

Abstract: The demand regulator has a duct communicating a pressurized breathing gas admission with a tube connected to the inside of a breathing mask. Dilution air may be added to the breathing gas. A breathe-out valve opens from the tube to atmosphere. A manual control member has a normal position causing operation without an over pressure above atmosphere and with dilution and an emergency position causing the tube to be fed with pure breathing gas (typically oxygen) at high pressure. Operation with over pressure gas feed is prevented mechanically or pneumatically so long as the mask is being stored.

Abstract: A nebulizer for efficiently and reliably delivering aerosolized fluid to an inhaling patient is disclosed. The nebulizer includes a fluid channel air inlet and fluid channel air inlet valve responsive to either a manual force external of the nebulizer, or a patient's breathing, to begin the nebulization process. Also provided is a method of providing nebulization including the steps of moving a fluid channel air inlet valve against a fluid channel air inlet so that a negative pressure may build up over the fluid in the fluid channel to draw fluid from the fluid reservoir and begin nebulization during inhalation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the vaporization of materials that releases active constituents for inhalation without the creation of harmful byproducts such as carcinogens associated with combustion and inhalation of substances.

Abstract: CPAP treatment apparatus is disclosed having a controllable flow generator (34, 38, 40) operable to produce breathable gas at a treatment pressure elevated above atmosphere to a patient by a delivery tube (32) coupled to a mask (30) having connection with a patient's airway. A sensor (44, 50, 56, 58) generates a signal representative of patient respiratory flow, that is provided to a controller (54, 62, 64). The controller (54, 62, 64) is operable to determine the occurrence of an apnea from a reduction in respiratory airflow below a threshold, and if an apnea has occurred, to determine the duration of the apnea and to cause the flow generator (34, 38) to increase the treatment pressure. In one preferred form the increase in pressure is zero if the treatment pressure before the apnea exceeds a pressure threshold.

Abstract: A care system and associated methods are provided for alleviating patient pain, anxiety and discomfort associated with medical or surgical procedures. The system comprises: at least one patient health monitor device generating a signal reflecting at least one physiological condition of a patient; a drug delivery controller supplying one or more drugs to the patient; a memory device storing a safety data set reflecting parameters of at least one patient physiological condition; and an electronic controller interconnected between the patient health monitor, the drug delivery controller and the safety data set. A method of electronically tracking recurring revenues generated by the use of the care system where the system is at the location of its user is also provided. Additional embodiments of the system and methods are directed to alleviating patient pain or discomfort while enabling safe patient controlled drug delivery in correlation with the monitoring of patient health conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus comprising a closure-cap and a container in the form of a two-chamber cartridge in which an active ingredient and a solvent can be stored separately until the apparatus is used in a nebuliser, as well as an active substance concentrate in which the active substance is present as a solution or suspension for storage purposes.

Abstract: A nasal cannula system includes a nasal cannula for the delivery of and collection of gases, wherein the nasal cannula is coupled to a pair of extension tubes which are slidingly received within right and left earpieces respectively for retaining and securing the extension tubes to fix the cannula in a desired position for use by a patient. Each nasal cannula includes an open recessed channel disposed between a pair of bridges for retaining the extension tube within the earpiece and an locking exit hole at its distal end for helping to secure therein the extension tube to provide a fixed distance adjustment between the nasal cannula and the ears of the patient.

Abstract: An oral airway (510) includes an elongate tubular member (512) having a distal (510) and a proximal end (514), the oral airway being configured to place the distal end in a supraglottic position and prevent insertion of the distal end into the patient's larynx when operatively placed within the hypopharynx of a patient. A temperature sensor (554) is operatively associated with the elongate tubular member to detect a core temperature of a patient with the distal end of the oral airway operatively placed in a supraglottic position within the hypopharynx of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to corrosion resistant stainless steel canisters for propellant-containing aerosol formulations for use in propellant gas-operated inhalers.