Abstract: A combination ventilation apparatus and anesthesia delivery system comprises a circulation loop within which oxygen and air or other clinical gas, or a mixture of air, oxygen, nitrous oxide or other clinical gas and anesthetics, are circulated by a variable speed centrifugal blower to a Y-piece which connects the circulation loop to an endotracheal tube or other airway device communicating with a patient. A proportional flow control valve is operative to actively control the pressure or flow at the Y-piece in response to signals from pressure or flow sensors which are positioned to provide measurements representative of the actual pressure and flow conditions within the patient's lungs. Constant circuit volume is maintained by computer control of gas make-up valves in response to the movement of a weighted bellows located between the proportional flow control valve and centrifugal blower.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of preparing the respiratory air for an oxygen-air mixture wherein extremely pure oxygen gas is added to the air being inhaled. The volumetric amount of oxygen added to the oxygen-air mixture to be prepared depends on the given physical performance to be measured.

Abstract: A pulmonary function filter is disclosed having a housing with an inlet and an outlet and a perimeter edge formed by an upper perimeter element and a lower perimeter element. The filter includes a perimeter element having a perimeter edge positioned between the upper and lower perimeter elements and wherein the filter element perimeter edge follows a path extending at least partially back on itself.

Abstract: Fold-flat personal respiratory protection devices are provided. The devices have a flat central portion having first and second edges, a flat first member joined to the first edge of the central portion through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, said fold, bond, weld or seam of the first member being substantially coextensive with said first edge of said central portion, and a flat second member joined to the second edge of the central portion through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, the fold, bond, weld or seam of the second member being substantially coextensive with said second edge of said central portion. At least one of the central portion and first and second members are formed from filter media.

Abstract: A snorkel which includes a main conduit having an upper opening as well as a lower opening and a branch conduit branched from the main conduit. The branch conduit is formed at its top with a mouthpiece and a proximal end of the branch pipe is introduced into the main conduit, then curved toward the upper opening, and thereby eliminates swimmer physical fatigue due to purge diving use of the snorkel.

Abstract: An adjustable forehead support for a nasal mask. The present invention discloses an adjustable forehead support for a nasal or full-face mask wherein the forehead support may be adjusted for the different shapes and sizes of a facial profile. The forehead support utilizes a dual-arm system which adjusts the position of the forehead support vis-a-vis the mask and/or air flow tube. The angle of the mask to the face may be adjusted with the present invention.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining when a partially or completely collapsed lung has been opened are based on the fact that in the course of opening an alveolus by supplying a gas pressure, the alveolus will generate a crackle sound. By listening to the crackle sounds via microphones, an apparatus can determine when the lung is completely open. The apparatus has a filter for filtering out the relevant frequencies for the crackle sounds and a determination unit for identifying the crackles and for determining when the lung is open based on the filtered out sounds.

Abstract: A coupling to connect a commercially available syringe to a commercially available atomizer. In one embodiment the coupling is generally cylindrical, has a through-bore, and has a length dimension to generally minimize spacing between the syringe and atomizer to enable dexterity and ease of use of the assembly. One end of the coupling has an interference fit interface with an atomizer, and the other end provides a demountable LUER-LOCK connection with a syringe. A second embodiment provides a LUER-LOCK connector at one end of a tube of a convenient length. A second end of the tube is adhesively joined to connecting structure to secure an atomizer nozzle. The tube may contain a deformable wire to define any curvilinear shape in the coupling body between the syringe and nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sound absorber for a respirator comprising a mask, breathing devices, a connecting tube and at least one carbon dioxide outlet. The sound absorber (16) essentially consists of an inner pipe (22) and an outer tube (24) extending at least partially over it. The inner tube (22) is provided with at least one essentially radially extending through channel (38) which runs into the annular channel (40) which extends axially between the inner pipe (22) and the outer pipe (24) and has a constant annular width. (FIG. 3).

Abstract: Breathing equipment including a breathing hood to surround a wearer's head. An inner mask covers at least the wearer's mouth and nose. The equipment includes a breathing gas delivery conduit and structure to permit gas to pass from the hood to the mask. A check valve allows gas to pass from the mask to the surroundings when overpressure in the mask has reached a given value. The breathing gas is delivered to the hood and the gas passing structure permits gas to pass in both directions between the hood and the mask. The gas passing structure requires a lower overpressure in the mask for passage of gas from the mask to the hood than the pressure required for the check valve to release gas to the surroundings.

Abstract: A respiration humidifier has a metering device (3, 10) and an electrically heated evaporator (4), which is in connection with or can be connected to the metering device (3, 10) on its inlet side (E) and with a respiratory gas channel (5), through which respiratory gas can flow, on its outlet side (A). The metering device (3, 10) feeds the amount of water necessary for humidifying the respiratory gas to a predetermined relative humidity of the respiratory gas at a predetermined respiratory gas temperature to the evaporator (4) per unit of time as a function of the amount of respiratory gas flowing through per unit of time. The evaporator (4) provides water vapor with a temperature above 134.degree. C., which heats the respiratory gas to the predetermined respiratory gas temperature on mixing with the respiratory gas to be humidified.

Abstract: An airway valve for re-breathing, a ventilator circuit including same and a method of operating the airway valve. The airway valve includes a housing having first and second primary passages extending through the wall thereof and mutually directly communicating within the housing through a spring-biased valve assembly in the form of first and second diaphragms respectively and simultaneously movable in tandem within the housing into and out of contact with first and second valve seats on a valve body with which the first primary passage communicates. The valve assembly also controls diversion of air flow between the first primary passage and the second primary passage into and through an enlarged volume defined by a re-breathing loop external to the housing via first and second diversion passages, which also extend through the wall of the housing.

Abstract: A device adapted for use with a conventional oral or nasopharyngeal airway for delivering an inhalant gas to a proximal end of said airway, and for sampling exhalant gas at a distal end of said airway, comprises a pair of conduits which are adapted to slide into an internal passage of the airway to provide an inhalant gas at the proximal end therof and/or to sample expired gas at the distal end thereof when the airway is being used.

Abstract: A pressure-limiting valve for use in a gas system for manual ventilation of patients, has a valve seat with an opening, a valve plate and a force-generating element, the force-generating element being arranged to press the valve plate against the valve seat in order to close the opening. In order to reduce the risk of annoying noise from the valve, the valve is devised so the valve plate is asymmetrically shaped, so as to cause a gas flowing through the opening in the valve seat, when the valve is in the open position, to apply an asymmetrical force against the valve plate.

Abstract: A device for triggering the inspiratory phase of a ventilator having a three-way connector with an inspiratory conduit and an expiratory conduit, each communicating with the ventilator and with a patient communicating conduit. A valve arrangement associated with both the expiratory and inspiratory conduits are automatically operated by a patient attempting to breathe, such that the patient is only exposed to the air volume in the three-way connector and not to the greater air volume of the ventilator and its connected tubing.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and humidifying respiratory gases include a housing, a gas permeable member positioned in the housing to exchange heat and moisture with respiratory gases passing through the housing, a fitting joined to both the housing and a tracheal tube device, and a fitting closure assembly movable to open and close a second end opening of the fitting. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a bypass line positioned to pass inspiratory gases to the fitting and tracheal tube device without passing through the housing. This bypass line embodiment is very effective in providing an additional treatment, for example, a nebulizer treatment, to the patient. The present apparatus are particularly structured and adapted to reduce the risk of causing trauma to the patient and to reduce clinician anxiety.

Abstract: A face mask (10) covers the nose and mouth of the wearer and includes a band (24) to retain the mask member (12) in position. The band attaches at the sides (20) of the mask and extends around the ears of the wearer and loops through orifices (32). The band (24) extends around the back of the neck and provides for retaining the mask (10) at the front of the wearer when not worn. Ends (26) of the band (24) are elastic to provide a snug fit for the mask (10).

Abstract: An inhaler for administering powder by inhalation and a method of constructing the same, the inhaler including a member which defines a chamber for containing desiccant, the member including first and second parts which when fitted together define the chamber for containing desiccant and include cooperating detent means for holding the same together on fitting, wherein the first part has an outer surface provided with at least one of an internal or external spline and the second part has an inner surface provided with at least one of the other of an internal or external spline, the splines being dimensioned and spaced relative to the cooperating detent means such that, when the first and second parts are fitted together, the at least one external spline is engaged within the at least one internal spline before any resistance to further insertion is caused by the cooperating detent means.

Abstract: An oxygen delivery unit (20) having a housing (22), a release plate (24), an oxygen generator (26), a respirator assembly (28), a release lanyard assembly (30), and an activation lanyard assembly (32) allows the use of generators (26) having longer operational times. The release plate (24) is flexible and has curled and uncurled positions, and the generator (26) is attached to the release plate (24) which is biased toward its uncurled position. The release lanyard assembly (30) engages the generator (26) to hold it in a stored position inside the housing (22). The release lanyard assembly (30) and the activation lanyard assembly (32) extend between the generator (26) and the respirator assembly (28), so that when an individual pulls the respirator assembly (28), the generator (26) is ignited and shifted to an activated position spaced apart from the housing wall (38). Bumper pads (52) engage the release plate (24) to dampen vibrations and inhibit noise when the generator (26) is in the activated position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for atomising fluids and having a bottom part (1) and a top part (2) disposed so as to be axially symmetrical with the bottom part, and comprising an intake air arrangement (3) and an outlet nozzle (4). The atomiser according to the invention also has an insert (5) for receiving a fluid (23) and a nozzle arrangement (6) disposed so as to be axially symmetrical with the intake air arrangement (3). The intake air arrangement (3) has a hollow cylindrical duct (7) with a conical widening (8) towards the incoming air end. As a result of being constructed according to the invention, the atormiser is particularly suitable for local inhalation anaesthesia, e g. in preparation for examination of the bronchi.