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.

Abstract: An inhalation valve is provided for testing the breathing capacity of a person. The valve is constructed of two plastic moldings which snap together and trap a flexible elastomeric valve diaphragm between them. The valve is provided with a mouthpipe. Exhalation through the mouthpipe deflects the diaphragm to permit substantially unrestricted exhalation. Inhalation is through a laterally displaced passageway having a transverse wall therein to produce a pressure drop. Tubular fittings are provided in the pressure drop area behind the wall and exteriorally of the flow path to provide an input to an electronic apparatus to indicate the efficiency of breathing.

Abstract: A cylindrical cartridge having a housing containing a replinishable water supply is employed as a water supply source for producing an aerosol with an oxygen stream for inhalation therapy to the agency of a nebulizer adapter which couples pressurized oxygen to the cartridge module. The cartridge module is separated in two compartments by means of a metallic disc positioned horizontally in the approximate center thereof and having a tube extending above and below the disc. Water is drawn from the water supply through the tube and into the mixing chamber located above the disc in the cartridge module. The cartridge has a vertical tubular portion with connections to a source of oxygen or air which terminates above the top of the tubing extending through the disc. The aerosol flows out of the cartridge through an outlet nozzle. The cartridge is an elongated housing having a temporary active cylindrical absorption surface means internally above the disc which serves as an evaporating surface.

Abstract: An aseptic urethral catheterization unit including an elongated initially sealed flexible plastic container sealed at all edges and including a restricted medially disposed opening spaced from one end of the container. An imperforate rupturable means positioned between the restricted opening and the one end of the container to permit ready access to a small chamber formed in said container adjacent the restricted opening. A urethral catheter positioned initially within a second chamber in the container and rigid tubular catheter guide means positioned within said restricted opening. The guide means includes means permitting intermittent grasping of the catheter as it is fed out of the container after breakage of the frangibly connected sealed end portion of the container.

Abstract: A disposable urethral catheter assembly includes a flexible bag in which are defined a number of chambers. In an upper chamber, a catheter is contained in a sterile environment. When the catheter is inserted into the urethra, the fluid flows into the bag and into a lower sample chamber, excess fluid being collected in the upper chamber. After catheter use, a cannula plug seals a first barrier between the upper and lower chamber and thus isolates the sample in the lower chamber. The upper chamber, its contents and the catheter are discarded, and the lower sample chamber and its contents are sent to a laboratory for analysis and culture.