Abstract: The present invention relates to a wine aerating device comprising a body member (10), adapted to hold a container (12) containing pressurized gas and a lance member (14) for diffusing pressurized gas into a wine to be aerated, the body member (10) being provided with a passage (102, 103, 121, 105, 104) for passing a flow of pressurized gas from the container (12) to the lance member (14), comprising a comprising a control mechanism (23) for providing a flow of pressurized gas from the body member (10) to the lance member (14) over a variable length of time, the duration of which can be manually set by a user, wherein the control mechanism (23) comprises a valve (24), the valve being adapted to be manually actuated by rotary movement of a collar (20) provided on body member (10).

Abstract: Wine aerating device having a container containing pressurized gas, a body member and a lance member for inserting into wine to be aerated, the container, the body member and the lance member being engageable to provide a passage for passing pressurized gas in a downstream direction from the container through the body member into the lance member, the lance member being engageable with the body member by means of insertion into the body member, the body member being provided with a valve, the valve being arranged such that in case the lance member is disengaged from the body member, it defines a closed position preventing flow of gas through the body member, and in case the lance member engages the body member, it is pushed into an open position, the open position allowing flow of gas through the body member into the lance member.

Abstract: A gas pressure control valve having a valve body with a gas inlet and a gas outlet is described. An inner cap is provided bounding in part a chamber within the valve body in communication with the gas inlet. The valve body contains a spring loaded piston comprising a piston head and a piston rod. The piston rod includes a conduit providing communication between the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap and a chamber adjacent the piston head and the gas outlet. The piston is operable to move between a closed configuration in which the piston rod prevents communication between the gas inlet and the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap and an open configuration in which the piston rod permits communication between the gas inlet and the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap.

Abstract: A device 10, typically hand-held, provides a flow of partially ionized gaseous plasma for treatment of a treatment region. The device comprises an applicator head 52 housing a miniature plasma cell 16 in which gas flowing through the cell from a gas source 22 can be energized to form a non-thermal gaseous plasma, and a plurality of electrodes 26, 28 for receiving electrical energy from a source of electrical energy for energizing gas in a plasma forming region 18 in the cell to form said plasma. The applicator head 52 is detachable from the device and may be of a size and configuration to enable it to be inserted into the oral cavity of a human or animal.

Abstract: A gas pressure control valve having a valve body with a gas inlet and a gas outlet is described. An inner cap is provided bounding in part a chamber within the valve body in communication with the gas inlet. The valve body contains a spring loaded piston. comprising a piston head and a piston rod. The piston rod includes a conduit providing communication between the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap and a chamber adjacent the piston head and the gas outlet. The piston is operable to move between a closed configuration in which the piston rod prevents communication between the gas inlet and the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap and an open configuration in which the piston rod permits communication between the gas inlet and the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring the relative flow rates of first and second gases that are to be mixed comprises a first flow-monitoring, laminar flow element in a first gas flow path for detecting a differential first gas pressure thereacross and a second flow-monitoring, laminar flow element in a second gas flow path for detecting a differential second gas pressure thereacross. A comparator device compares the differential pressures and is operable to generate a response in dependence on said comparison.

Abstract: A gas storage apparatus comprises a pressure vessel in the form of a cylinder, closed by a valve, containing a non-permanent gas having under its storage conditions a gas phase and a liquid phase. A jacket formed of plastics sachets surrounds and is in heat transfer relationship with the outer surface of the cylinder. The sachets define closed compartments containing a heat release substance which is liquid at 20° C. On opening the valve, the non-permanent gas is delivered from the cylinder. The liquid phase of the non-permanent gas absorbs heat from the heat release substance which undergoes fusion. The heat release substance may be water.

Abstract: A gas pressure control valve having a valve body with a gas inlet and a gas outlet is described. An inner cap is provided bounding in part a chamber within the valve body in communication with the gas inlet. The valve body contains a spring loaded piston comprising a piston head and a piston rod. The piston rod includes a conduit providing communication between the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap and a chamber adjacent the piston head and the gas outlet. The piston is operable to move between a closed configuration in which the piston rod prevents communication between the gas inlet and the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap and an open configuration in which the piston rod permits communication between the gas inlet and the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap.

Abstract: A vacuum demand valve for controlling flow of exhalation gases from a patient to a vacuum line. The demand valve comprises: a housing having a housing inlet that allows exhalation gases to flow into the housing from a patient, and a housing outlet that allows gases to flow from the housing into the vacuum line; a diaphragm having a flexible skirt and a rigid portion moveable in response to gas pressure in the housing; a sealing member connected to the rigid portion to engage the housing outlet to resist the flow of gases from the housing to the vacuum line. In a first condition, the vacuum line pressure causes the sealing member to engage the housing outlet and in a second condition a predetermined pressure of exhalation gases in the housing causes the sealing member to disengage from the housing outlet.

Abstract: A medical breathing apparatus incorporating a regulator for supplying breathing gas to a patient from an air hose (11). The regulator supplies breathing gas on demand to the patient via a mouthpiece or similar attached to an output connector (55). The connector forms part of a removable output unit (4) incorporating a filter (53) and an exhale flap valve (57/58) on the patient side of the filter. When the patient exhales, exhaled gas entering the connector (55) exits to atmosphere via the exhale valve without passing through the filter into the interior of the regulator, thus reducing cross-contamination between patients. Also described is an improved valve seat (16)/valve member (18) assembly in which multiple spaced pivot points (22, 23) are defined to cause the mechanical advantage for operating the valve member to reduce as the valve opens, thus reducing the force needed to operate the valve at lower flow rates.

Abstract: A modular coupling system allows a combined gas canister and integral regulator to be used with a wide range of different utilizer devices such as flow meter, conservor or delivery apparatus. A first coupling part is secured to the pressurized gas canister permanently, and carries a combined main delivery valve and venting valve to allow connection of the gas utilizer to the canister by means of a second coupling part formed integrally with or attached to the gas utilizer device by a simple push and twist action which, upon fitting, closes the venting valve; and opens the main delivery valve in sequence.

Abstract: A pneumatic oxygen conserving device for supplying oxygen to a user via a single-tube cannula is described. Inhalation is sensed by negative pressure in an output line 11 which causes a sensing valve 21 to open, thus venting a main control volume 14 via vent line 22. This fall in pressure causes a main control valve 2 to open to supply a pulse of gas. This pressurizes the output line 11 which in turn causes the sensing valve 21 to close, thus preventing further venting. Volume 14 now re-pressurizes via line 15 and restrictor 16 and eventually reaches a level at which valve 2 closes and terminates the pulse of gas supplied to the user. A sensing delay valve 35 is incorporated in the vent line 22 from volume 14 to prevent the volume from venting after the first pulse has been delivered, until after the user has finished inhaling.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring the relative flow rates of first and second gases that are to be mixed comprises a first flow-monitoring, laminar flow element in a first gas flow path for detecting a differential first gas pressure thereacross and a second flow-monitoring, laminar flow element in a second gas flow path for detecting a differential second gas pressure thereacross. A comparator device compares the differential pressures and is operable to generate a response in dependence on said comparison.

Abstract: A gas storage apparatus comprises a pressure vessel in the form of a cylinder, closed by a valve, containing a non-permanent gas having under its storage conditions a gas phase and a liquid phase. A jacket formed of plastics sachets surrounds and is in heat transfer relationship with the outer surface of the cylinder. The sachets define closed compartments containing a heat release substance which is liquid at 20° C. On opening the valve, the non-permanent gas is delivered from the cylinder. The liquid phase of the non-permanent gas absorbs heat from the heat release substance which undergoes fusion. The heat release substance may be water.

Abstract: A gas pressure control valve having a valve body with a gas inlet and a gas outlet is described. An inner cap is provided bounding in part a chamber within the valve body in communication with the gas inlet. The valve body contains a spring loaded piston comprising a piston head and a piston rod. The piston rod includes a conduit providing communication between the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap and a chamber adjacent the piston head and the gas outlet. The piston is operable to move between a closed configuration in which the piston rod prevents communication between the gas inlet and the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap and an open configuration in which the piston rod permits communication between the gas inlet and the chamber bounded in part by the inner cap.

Abstract: A gas supply system is described comprising: a gas capsule enclosed at one end by a pierceable diaphragm; a spacer element adjacent the pierceable diaphragm, the spacer element having a channel providing access to the pierceable diaphragm; a shaft with a piercing tip; and a seal. The shaft, spacer element and seal are arranged so that when the shaft accesses the pierceable diaphragm via the channel, the shaft is caused to enter into a sealing engagement with the spacer element via the seal before the piercing tip pierces the pierceable diaphragm. In an alternative embodiment, no spacer element is provided and instead a seal is provided in a groove in a wall defining a recess at a position so that when a gas capsule is inserted into the recess, the seal enters into a sealing engagement with the gas capsule before the piercing tip of the shaft pierces the pierceable diaphragm enclosing the gas capsule.

Abstract: A device 10, typically hand-held, provides a flow of partially ionised gaseous plasma for treatment of a treatment region. The device comprises an applicator head 52 housing a miniature plasma cell 16 in which gas flowing through the cell from a gas source 22 can be energised to form a non-thermal gaseous plasma, and a plurality of electrodes 26, 28 for receiving electrical energy from a source of electrical energy for energising gas in a plasma forming region 18 in the cell to form said plasma. The applicator head 52 is detachable from the device and may be of a size and configuration to enable it to be inserted into the oral cavity of a human or animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum demand valve 50 for use on the exhalation side of a breathing apparatus 32 for controlling the flow of exhalation gases from a patient 34 to a vacuum line 36.

Abstract: A medical gas coupling comprises an inlet operable to couple with a pressurized therapeutic gas supply and an outlet operable to supply therapeutic apparatus, or an anallary unit associated therewith, with therapeutic gas. The coupling further comprises a conduit that extends between the inlet and the outlet and provides for the passage of pressurized gas therethrough. A safety valve is located in the region of the inlet and is operable to close the flow of gas through the conduit in the event that the pressure differential across the safety value exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A medical breathing apparatus incorporating a regulator for supplying breathing gas to a patient from an air hose (11). The regulator supplies breathing gas on demand to the patient via a mouthpiece or similar attached to an output connector (55). The connector forms part of a removable output unit (4) incorporating a filter (53) and an exhale flap valve (57/58) on the patient side of the filter. When the patient exhales, exhaled gas entering the connector (55) exits to atmosphere via the exhale valve without passing through the filter into the interior of the regulator, thus reducing cross-contamination between patients. Also described is an improved valve seat (16)/valve member (18) assembly in which multiple spaced pivot points (22, 23) are defined to cause the mechanical advantage for operating the valve member to reduce as the valve opens, thus reducing the force needed to operate the valve at lower flow rates.