Abstract: A throw-away plastic mouthpiece of low cost and producing a pressure differential upon inhalation is substituted for the rotary turbine and electronics mouthpiece of a known Spirocare respiratory therapy apparatus. The pressure differential is converted to a voltage by a pressure-to-voltage transducer, which voltage is highly amplified by a drift free amplifier. The amplifield voltage is applied to an adapter electronic circuit which produces a succession of negative going pairs of pulses exactly simulating the pulses from the Spirocare mouthpiece. The amplifier and adapter circuitry fit within the cavity provided in the Spirocare apparatus for storage of the mouthpiece, thereby adapting the Spirocare apparatus for use with an inexpensive, throw-away mouthpiece which need not be sterilized, and which is cheap to replace in the event of breakage.

Abstract: Improved connectors are disclosed for a Bain anesthesiology circuit. At the end remote from the patient, positive connections are made to the anesthesiology gas supply tube. The construction of the fitting for the exhaust is such as to apply a crank action, facilitating tight insertion of the fitting into an exhaust connector. At the patient end a positive locking connection is made to the endotracheal tube or the like, and a secure connection permitting a certain degree of turning without twisting of the inner tube is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for the non-invasive disintegration of kidney stones and the like. An ellipsoidal reflector open at one end is positionable against the body, and may have a diaphragm across the opened end to prevent leakage of water contained in the reflector. A spark gap is located at the first focal point of the ellipsoid, and sonic aiming means is physically interconnected with the ellipsoid for aiming the ellipsoid at the kidney stone or the like to locate the kidney stone at the second focal point of the ellipsoid. A series of sparks discharged across the spark gap generates a succession of shock waves that travel through water in the reflector, and through the body to impinge on the kidney stone or the like and thereby to disintegrate the same.

Abstract: An inhalation transducer circuit is provided for use with a transducer having a variable electrical output. Early amplifier stages provide very high gain, and are subsequently a.c. coupled to stages of lesser gain leading to a microprocessor and an output. An electronic switch is connected to the a.c. coupling circuit, and when no breathing is being measured and there is no output to the amplification circuit this switch is periodically closed to connect a reference voltage to the a.c. coupling, and thus to compensate for any DC drift in the transducer and early amplification stages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing an eye lens having a cataract therein. An electric spark is discharged in a hydraulic medium to cause an electro-hydraulic shock which is focused on or directly conducted to the lens, thereby to liquify the lens, which is then readily flushed from position.

Abstract: A pressure monitor is provided for gas pressure supplied to a patient. The monitor includes a pair of spaced contacts in the form of crank arms. A spring member is fixed at one end and is deflectable by a pneumatic cushion supplied with air from the gas supplied to a patient. The pneumatic cushion interacts with the resiliency of the spring member to urge the spring member to an intermediate position between a pair of fixed contacts. Too low a gas pressure will permit the spring member to engage one contact, while too high a gas pressure will cause the spring member to engage the other contact. Closure of the spring member against either contact energizes a respective alarm. In addition, there is provided a preset pneumatic-electrical switch connected to an oxygen supply line to indicate low oxygen pressure.

Abstract: An inhalation valve for respiratory diagnosis and/or therapy is provided. A single rubber or the like diaphragm is mounted in a free floating fashion so that one portion would open upon inhalation, while the other portion opens upon exhalation. The valve body is of molded plastic construction and contains a tube of restricted area through which air flows upon inhalation with reduction in lateral pressure being measured to indicate the volume of inhaled air.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler is provided for inhalation of asthmatic medication. An upright cylindrical air chamber has structure at the top for receiving a pressurized canister of asthmatic medication and for conducting metered doses thereof into the air chamber. A one way valve is provided at the bottom of the air chamber to admit air but to preclude escape of mist. A mouthpipe is provided at the top of the chamber on one side thereof for insertion in a patient's mouth. A deflectable diaphragm is provided in cooperation with the mouthpipe so that when a patient inhales the diaphragm deflects to permit the mist in the air chamber to be inhaled, air entering the one way valve of the bottom of the air chamber to supplant the mist. When the patient exhales the diaphragm closes, and the exhaled air is bypassed to the outside.

Abstract: An inhalation valve is presented for use with a known antiasthmatic medication cartridge and mouthpiece to simplify patient inhalation and to improve mist formation. A cylindrical passageway receives the known mouthpiece and is provided with an elastomeric diaphragm having a slit therein. An upstream spider backs up the diaphragm. Upon inhalation the diaphragm flexes and stretches to open the slit, and the diaphragm seals off exhaust passages. On exhalation the diaphragm backs against the spider which seals the slit, the diaphragm moving away from and opening the exhaust passages.