Abstract: A system for securing an endo-tracheal or other tube in position upon a patient includes a head pad and securing members which can be adjustably attached to the head pad. The head pad is configured to support the head of a patient in a supine position. The head pad includes a number of slits formed in each lateral side of the head pad, such that a securing member can be threaded through any one of the slits. The securing member is configured to be releasably and adjustably attachable to the lateral sides of the head pad by being secured to itself via hook and, loop fastener portions disposed upon the member. The opposite end of the securement member can include an adhesive layer or other mechanism for attachment of the end of the member to the endo-tracheal tube or other medical article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for monitoring the ventilation support provided by a ventilator that is supplying a breathing gas to a patient via a breathing circuit that is in fluid communication with the lungs of the patient. The ventilator has a plurality of selectable ventilator setting controls governing the supply of ventilation support from the ventilator, each setting control selectable to a level setting.

Abstract: An improved manual resuscitation device such as a bag-valve-mask (BVM) device with flow control valve to eliminate the danger of patient distension and aspiration of stomach contents during ventilation. The BVM having the usual patient mask with a gas inlet and flexible patient face sealing edge, flexible manually squeezed bag with a one way intake and output valves in flow communication with a gas source and the mask inlet, and exhaust port for exhausting exhaled gas from the mask when the bag output valve is closed. The flow control valve is interposed between the mask and bag to automatically and variably limit the rate of gas flow from the bag to the mask between a predetermined minimum flow rate and a maximum flow rate. A similar flow control valve can be included in any manual resuscitation device such as a pocket mask or face shield to equal advantage.

Abstract: A respirator includes a hollow body defining therein a fresh air body and an exhaust air body. The fresh air body includes a fresh air inlet and a first breathing pipe. The exhaust air chamber includes an exhaust air pipe and a second breathing pipe. A first piston is reciprocally received in the fresh air chamber and a second piston is reciprocally received in the exhaust air chamber so that fresh air is able to be forced to the mask and exhaust from the mask is able to be drawn from the mask and into the exhaust air chamber. A patient unable to breathe independently is forced to breathe by using the respirator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anesthetizing one or more laboratory animals is provided. An anesthetic component is introduced into a pressurized gas stream for delivery to laboratory animals. In one embodiment of the invention, a solo apparatus is used to administer anesthetic component to a single animal. The apparatus may also contain a host cage providing a group apparatus connected to the pressurized gas stream that permits administration of anesthesia to one or a group of animals simultaneously. One or more solo and/or group apparatuses may be used to administer anesthetic components to different animals at various dosages. The apparatus may also include a thermoregulatory system that transfers heat to animals as they receive anesthesia to control the animals' body temperature. In addition, the apparatus may include an exhaust system to remove contaminants from exhaust gases and to withdraw exhaust gases from the apparatus or apparatuses.

Abstract: An intake valve includes a bladder having a face piece coupled to one end and an opening formed in the other end, a cover attached to the other end of the bladder and having a port coupled to an air reservoir and having a hub coupled to a container, which may be used for pumping air into the bladder when the air in the air reservoir has been consumed. The cover has a check valve for air to flow into the cover when the container is expanded, and for pumping air into the bladder when the container is squeezed. Another check valve may be used for outward flowing of excess air.

Abstract: An oscillatory positive expiratory pressure respiratory therapy device which may be incorporated into the expiratory limb of a ventilator circuit. Accordingly, this device allows a patient on a ventilator to be subjected to positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy combined with airway oscillation and intermittent air flow acceleration while allowing the oscillatory PEP respiratory therapy treatment to be bypassed without interrupting the integrity of the ventilating circuit once the device has been installed in the ventilator circuit. In this manner, all expiratory air in the ventilator circuit is accounted for, the expiratory air volume may be accurately monitored and the ventilator circuit does not have to be broken for insertion or removal of the device.

Abstract: A medical pacifier for delivering anesthesia and other gases into the oral cavity of a patient, such as an infant or child, is provided. The pacifier includes a nipple member adapted to be received within an oral cavity of the patient, the nipple member having a conduit extending therethrough and an outlet opening provided therein. A base is attached to the nipple member and adapted to remain outside the oral cavity. The base includes an inlet opening provided therein and a lumen extending therethrough which is in fluid communication with the conduit of the nipple member. The inlet opening is adapted to be connected to an external gas source such that gas can flow through the base and the nipple member for delivery via the outlet opening into the oral cavity of the patient.

Abstract: A method for administering a drug to a patient comprises coupling a valve system to the patient's airway. The valve system is configured to prevent or impede respiratory gases from flowing into the lungs for at least some time such that the intrathoracic pressure is less than atmospheric pressure. A drug is introduced into the patient, and the intrathoracic pressure is lowered using the valve system to cause blood to flow into the thorax and thereby increasing vital organ perfusion to enhance the circulation of the drug.

Abstract: A breathing protector for a laryngectomized or tracheotemized person to be applied over a tracheostoma includes a heat-moisture exchanger body which communicates with the tracheostoma through an inlet (relative to exhaling) and has contact surface turned toward the person. A substantially flat surface layer on the body faces the neck when the breathing protector is applied to the neck covering the stoma and is dimensioned to extend beyond the stoma to cover also a part of the neck surrounding the stoma. A elate covers a flat end surface on the heat-moisture exchanger body which is sandwiched between the surface layer and the plate. An outlet opening extends along the periphery of the heat-moisture exchanger body between the surface layer and the plate to impart to respiration air at least one component which is substantially parallel with the surface layer.

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: A method and apparatus for preventing abrasion on an infant's nose and adjacent areas when used in conjunction with respiratory administration devices.

Abstract: A valve for use in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices includes a valve body that is disposed at or between the patient mask and the source of positive airway pressure. The valve body includes first and second exhaust paths for exhausting gas from the mask. A floating valve seat is disposed in the valve body and is moveable between first and second positions. A moveable spring-biased piston is releasably engaged with the floating valve seat. When the floating valve seat is in the first position, the moveable spring-biased piston is disengaged from the valve seat and gas travels out the first exhaust flowpath. When the floating valve seat is in the second position, the moveable spring-biased piston is engaged with the valve seat and gas travels out the second exhaust flowpath. The valve provides substantially constant positive airway pressure to the patient at pressures above the threshold pressure level of the valve.

Abstract: A care system and associated methods are provided for alleviating patient pain, anxiety and discomfort associated with medical or surgical procedures. The care system facilitates a procedural physician's safely and efficaciously providing conscious sedation to a patient by providing a responsiveness monitoring system which monitors the responsiveness of the patient and generates a value representing the level of patient responsiveness. In further aspects of the invention, the responsiveness monitoring system is an automated system which includes patient query and response devices. 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 a respiration bag (1) which has at least one fold (2, 11) extending annularly over the bag (1). The respiration bag (1) can be bent in along this fold (2, 11). In this way, at least one depression results which leads to a reduced volume of the respiration bag (1). A flip over of the respiration bag from the bent-in position is prevented by sealing lips (10, 12) or additional mechanical holders which are applied from the outside to the at least one fold (2, 11). The respiration bag (1) remains stable in the bent-in position with reduced volume up to an inner pressure of 45 to 50 millibar. In this way, a respiration bag (1) for respiration volumes of different sizes is available in dependence upon, for example, whether respiration is to take place with ambient air or oxygen-enriched air or is dependent upon whether an adult or a child is to be respirated.

Abstract: A high-efficiency liquid oxygen, (LOX) storage/delivery system utilizes a portable LOX/delivery apparatus with a portable LOX container. A portable-unit LOX transfer connector is connected to the portable LOX container and is connectable to a main source of LOX in a primary reservoir LOX container. A portable-unit oxygen gas transfer connector is provided for transferring oxygen gas from the portable LOX container to an oxygen gas delivery device for delivering oxygen gas to a patient. An inter-unit oxygen gas transfer connector also is provided for connecting the portable apparatus to a stationary source of oxygen gas in the primary reservoir container, for transferring oxygen gas to the portable apparatus. A portable-unit primary relief valve is connected to the portable LOX container for venting oxygen gas out of the portable LOX container when pressure in the portable LOX container reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A self-moistening tracheostomy device including a box-like shell having an entry attachment mouth disposed on one side thereof for receiving the end of a tracheostomy cannula, an inlet opening for oxygen administration, and an exchanger element located inside said box-like shell wherein an exchanger element has a plurality of cellulose-type laminar elements.

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

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 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 superglottic position within the hypopharynx of the patient.

Abstract: An intubation device comprises an airway tube (10) a distal end of which is surrounded by an inflatable cuff (12) which is shaped and dimensioned to lie, in use, between the soft palate and the laryngeal inlet posteriorly of the palatopharyngeal folds. When inflated the cuff (12) has roughly the shape of the frustum of a four-sided pyramid with rounded corners and tapers away from its distal end. The distal end of the tube (10) is recessed ID into the distal end of the cuff so that the latter is an annular protrusion (13) adapted to straddle the upper region of but not to surround the elliptical epiglottis (14) and to fill the piriform fossae (15) on either side thereof.