Abstract: A disposable anesthesia mask is provided which has a top portion having an aperture, an encompassed side portion and an open bottom portion. Located on the open bottom portion is an inflatable sealing means, which provides a pneumatic seal between the mask and the patients face. The disposable mask is transparent and is located around the nasal bridge. This shape alleviates orbital pressure. Elongated hooks that are attached to the mask by a head strap plate provides the option of affixing a strap to the mask.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring respiration of a patient being ventilated through a flexible gas reservoir of an anesthesia machine. The flexible reservoir is provided with electrical components for generating an electrical signal which varies in response to movement of opposing sides of the reservoir closer to or farther from each other. Sound generating apparatus receives the electrical signal producing an audible sound the pitch and volume of which varies in response to the distance between opposing sides of the reservoir.

Abstract: A respitory assistance apparatus which includes:(a) a plurality of outputs (7.1 to 7.n), each of which can assist one patient;(b) a plurality of links (8.1 to 8.n) which respectively connect a respiratory gas source to one of the outputs of the apparatus;(c) a plurality of links (9.1 to 9.n) which respectively connect controlled valve means (5), fed with respiratory gas, to one of the outputs of the apparatus, so that each of the outputs of the apparatus receives one link of each of the pluralities; and(d) flow regulator means (10.1 to 10.n) which are mounted on at least some of the links.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determination of functional residual capacity (FRC) by introduction of helium or another inert gas mixture. According to the invention, a measurement apparatus measures the density of the gas mixture upon inspiration and upon expiration at the mouthpiece of a tube or at a mask during forced ventilation of a patient over a plurality of respiratory cycles. The FRC is determined from the difference in the gas concentrations.

Abstract: A capnometer includes an airway adaptor for letting a respiratory gas pass therethrough, a light source for holding the airway adaptor and irradiating with infrared radiations the respiratory gas passing through the airway adaptor, a detecting portion having an infrared radiation detector for detecting the infrared radiations that have passed through the respiratory gas, and a monitor body for measuring the concentration of respiratory carbon dioxide gas by receiving a signal from the detecting portion, wherein an angle is defined between the channel of the airway adaptor and a display surface of the monitor body.

Abstract: A respiratory filtration mask that offers protection from hazardous particulate aerosols, vapors, and the like and which is particularly useful for providing respiratory protection from biological warfare agents. The mask provides a military level of protection against biological agents in a half mask configuration, thereby avoiding the disadvantages of a full face mask such as restricted vision, heat buildup, weight, and feeling of enclosure. The mask has a housing enclosing a filter compartment and a gas transfer compartment and an air inlet which allows unfiltered air into the filter compartment. There is a filter medium in the filter compartment which removes contaminants from the unfiltered air and provides filtered air substantially free of contaminants to the gas transfer compartment. A one way air valve regulates air flow between the filter compartment and the gas transfer compartment.

Abstract: A device (10) for improving the breathing of a user includes an upper arch (12) adapted to receive at least some of the user's upper teeth and a lower arch (14) adapted to receive at least some of the user's lower teeth. A hook (104) is coupled to the upper arch (12) and is uncoupled from the lower arch (14) until the device (10) is inserted into the user's mouth. The hook (104) removably engages the lower arch (14) after the device (10) has been inserted into the user's mouth to adjustably position the lower arch (14) forwardly relative to the upper arch (14). At least a portion (102) of an adjustor (100) associated with the upper arch (12) may rotate to adjust the hook (104) forwardly relative to the upper arch (12).

Abstract: A capsule holder for the insertion and fixing of pharmaceutical capsules consists of a plate (2) with a recess (1) in which there are at least three ribs (3) arranged parallel to the central axis and at unequal spacings from one another, between which the capsules can be clamped both by their upper part and by their lower part in such a way that they do not fall out during normal handling but can readily be removed.

Abstract: A method is provided for dispensing dry powder antioxidant compounds, preferably consisting of vitamin C, vitamin E, betacarotene and a membrane permeation enhancer such as lactose. The compound is administered via a conventional dry powder inhaler to deliver said the compound into the subject's respiratory tract in order to enhance prophylactic and therapeutic effects of the antioxidant vitamins. Other antioxidant vitamins can also be included within the dry powder compound.

Abstract: Inflatable harness respiratory apparatus (10) is provided having an improved comfort control assembly (16) allowing reduction in the engagement force exerted by the fitting surface (20) of the mask (12) against the face of the user. The mask (12) is equipped with an inflatable harness strap element (26) having terminal ends (28, 30) supported on stationary, tubular mask mounts (36) via housing assemblies (38). In one embodiment, the terminal ends (28, 30) are releasably locked onto the mounts (36) by means of locks (52), but are axially shiftable along the length of the mounts (36) in order to adjust the effective distance between the fitting surface (20) and the terminal ends (28, 30). An adjustment button (78) may be depressed in order to disengage the locks (52) and permit shifting of the associated terminal end (28, 30). Alternately, an intermediate comfort position is pneumatically achieved by controlled pressurization of an internal cavity (128) within the housing assembly (88).

Abstract: An oro/nasopharyngeal airway comprises an arcuately shaped tubular member adapted for insertion into a patient's pharynx, either through the mouth or nasal passage, to prevent obstruction during the administration of anesthesia. According to a preferred embodiment, an inhalant gas, typically oxygen (O.sub.2), is delivered to the airway via a gas line connected to the proximal end of the tubular member, while expired carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) is sampled in the patient's pharynx via a second gas line connected to the tubular member in the vicinity of its distal end. Preferably, the respective inhalant and expired gas lines are positioned within the interior of the tubular member and are integral parts thereof Alternatively, the airway defines two discrete and parallel lumens or conduits, one being adapted to be connected to an inhalant gas supply, and the other being adapted to be connected to a gas level-sensing device.

Abstract: A ventilator for respirator treatment includes a gas delivery unit and a regulating unit arranged to control the gas delivery unit to deliver gas to a patient according to prescribed parameter values to obtain sufficient ventilation of the patient. Sensors are provided for sensing respiration efforts of the patient and to control the regulating unit to adapt an operation cycle of the gas delivery unit to sensed respiration efforts of the patient. The regulating unit controls the gas delivery unit also to deliver a pressure or volume support to the respiration of the patient to a predetermined resulting total pressure or volume level. If an apnea exceeding a predetermined length of time is detected by the sensor, the regulating unit controls the gas delivery unit to deliver gas to the patient according to the aforementioned prescribed parameter.

Abstract: A device for measuring body fluid pressure, such as blood pressure, muscle compartment pressure, and spinal column pressure, is herein described. An invasive implement is inserted into a body area, and a fluid path extends from the body area into a fluid channel in the device. A valve is used to control the flow of fluid through the device and a pressure sensor is placed adjacent to the fluid channel, with the pressure sensor and/or a sealant gel forming a portion of the fluid channel. With the valve closed, pressure builds in the fluid channel and the pressure sensor detects the resulting pressure, and a pressure transducer and supporting electronics converts and communicates the pressure measurement. With this device the pressure sensor can detect pressure without contacting the fluid, so therefore a pressure can be taken with a minimum of fluid extraction. If fluid extraction is desired, the valve is opened and fluid flows from the body area to a fluid port where the fluid may be collected.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a clinically effective dose of an inhalable, pharmaceutically active compound, which system includes a dry powder inhaler device containing a powder containing the pharmaceutically active compound, wherein(a) of the powder particles dispensed by the inhaler device (the "metered DPI dose"), at least 40% are less than about 10 microns in diameter at the point the particles exit the inhaler,(b) the metered DPI dose is sufficient to produce a clinically effective result in a patient; and(c) the amount of the compound in the metered DPI dose is not more than 70% of the minimal amount of the compound which, when dispensed in a pressurized metered dose inhaler, produces an equivalent clinically effective result in the same patient.

Abstract: A ventilator control system controls a ventilator pneumatic system in a medical ventilator. The ventilator control system includes a user interface, a memory and a processor. The user interface receives input values from a user for setting one or more breath parameters within a set of breath parameters. The user interface can include a display for displaying the status of the patient's pulmonary system and the set of breath parameters. The memory stores the set of breath parameters after the user has set one or more breath parameters to desired input values. The processor simultaneously adjusts a plurality of controls within a ventilator pneumatic system in response to the set of breath parameters. The user can change or implement new phases, breaths, modes or therapies in seconds such that the therapy delivered to the patient is essentially uninterrupted. Also, a simulator may be provided for predicting the status of the patient's pulmonary system prior to adjusting the plurality of controls.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a ventilation control system for controlling the ventilation of a patient. The ventilation control system utilizes a user-friendly user interface for the display of patient data and ventilator status, as well as for entering values for ventilation settings to be used to control the ventilator. Values for ventilation settings entered during set up of the ventilator result in the display of only those further ventilation settings that are appropriate in accordance with the earlier entered settings.

Abstract: A flow meter has a body, an inlet operatively connected to a source of gas, and an outlet. A valve for opening and closing the outlet is provided which includes a valve seat, a valve shaft movable axially relative to the valve seat and a valve member on the valve shaft. The valve member movable by axial translation of the valve shaft between a first position in which the valve member engages the valve seat to close the outlet and a second position in which the valve member is spaced from the valve seat to allow gas to pass through said outlet. The flow meter further includes a sensor which senses the position of said valve member relative to said valve seat and generates a signal indicative of said position. In one embodiment, the sensor comprises an infrared light emitter and an infrared photo-detector positioned on opposite sides of the valve member, which is preferably conical. Depending on the axial position of the valve member, the amount of light which reaches the photodetector changes.

Abstract: An endotracheal pressure monitoring and medication system includes an endotracheal tube having a primary lumen and a secondary lumen with a connector having an outside diameter configured to provide a frictional fit with a Y-tube and a tubular conduit with an outside diameter providing a frictional fit with a proximal end of the endotracheal tube. The connector includes a passageway extending from the tubular conduit to a fitting whereby medication can be applied or pressure can be monitored. A sleeve member extends about on a seal to the endotracheal tube with a cantilevered branch tube providing fluid communication with the secondary lumen. The cantilevered branch tube can be connected to a flexible tube member to enable either the application of medication or the monitoring of pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shallow sea-bottom walking experience in which a plurality of guests are permitted to take a walk in the shallow sea-bottom with safety. A diving helmet is connected to a connecting hose which is connected to an air supply unit of an air supply system. A diving instructor is positioned on an auxiliary deck positioned slightly above the sea level in a normal state. The instructor allows each guest to. enter the sea from the auxiliary deck by using a ladder hanging down from the auxiliary deck. The instructor places a diving helmet over the head of each guest as they enter the water. The instructor guides each of the guests down to the shallow sea-bottom by using the ladder extended down to a portion close to the sea-bottom; and the instructor guides the guest to walk on the sea-bottom while holding onto a drawbar. Air is provided by the air supply system while the guests are in the water. An auxiliary air source is provided in case the air supply system malfunctions.

Abstract: An interactive respiratory regulator comprising a recording device recording the respiratory pattern of a user and issuing a corresponding respiratory signal, an instruction signal generator for the generation of an instruction signal that can be perceived by the user in order to influence his respiratory behavior, a control device controlling the instruction signal generator, a processing device which determines by means of a parameter of the respiratory signal received, whether the recorded respiratory pattern during a predetermined time span meets a pre-adjustable standard for this parameter, and which at a certain error percentage sends a starting signal to the control device. The interactive respiratory regulator is characterized in that the processing device processes as parameter the ratio between the in- and exhalation time in a respiratory cycle.