Abstract: A container (2) for a liquid anaesthetic agent for supplying the agent to an anaesthetic vaporizer comprises a reservoir for the liquid agent, a valve (6) which, when closed, prevents the flow of the liquid agent from the reservoir, a tubular outlet (10) through which the liquid can leave the reservoir when the valve is open. An O-ring (20) at the free end of the conduit provides a sealing surface for forming a seal with a corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporizer to which the anaesthetic agent is to be supplied. A flange (22) engages a guide on the vaporizer, to retain the container in contact with the vaporizer.

Abstract: A container (2) for a liquid anaesthetic agent for supplying the agent to an anaesthetic vaporiser comprises a reservoir for the liquid agent, a valve (6) which, when closed, prevents the flow of the liquid agent from the reservoir, a tubular outlet (10) through which the liquid can leave the reservoir when the valve is open. An O-ring (20) at the free end of the conduit provides a sealing surface for forming a seal with a corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporiser to which the anaesthetic agent is to be supplied. A flange (22) engages a guide on the vaporiser, to retain the container in contact with the vaporiser.

Abstract: A system for delivery of volatile liquid drugs as supplied to a patient by an anaesthetic vaporizer comprises a supply container (2) and a vaporizer (32) which includes a sump. Each of the supply container and the vaporizer is provided with a valve assembly (6, 34) which, when closed, prevent passage of fluid from the supply container into the sump. The supply container and the sump are connected to one another by means of a bayonet connection, which is made when indexing elements on the containers correspond. The valve assemblies in the containers are opened when the containers are connected to one another by means of an insert (40) located within an inlet conduit (10) linking the two containers.The inlet conduit (10) is rotatable between lowered and raised positions, to open a valve (37) by which flow of fluid into and out of a reservoir for fluid in the sump can be controlled.

Abstract: A sump for an anaesthetic vaporiser comprises a vaporising chamber for liquid anaesthetic agent, a heater for liquid anaesthetic agent contained within the chamber, and a partition member of which at least a portion extends into the chamber to entrap a portion of liquid anaesthetic agent at a location in close proximity to the heater, the member having a partition outlet for anaesthetic agent vapor through the partition member at a position above the maximum level of anaesthetic agent within the partition member. The partition member allows a portion only of liquid anaesthetic agent within the vaporizing chamber to be heated, so that the temperature required of the liquid agent for operation of the vaporiser can be reached rapidly. The sump finds particular application in connection with the use of low boiling point anaesthetic agents such as 2 -(difluoromethoxy) 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for mixing first and second gases includes first and second valves 2, 3 each having a stem 14 the axial movement of which controls the flow of the gases through their respective valves. Each valve stem has one end engaging a control surface 16 of a thrust plate 18 mounted for axial and pivotal movement on a shaft 20. Means including a plunger 26 is provided for pivoting the thrust 18 so that one valve stem is moved axially relative to the other thereby increasing the rate of flow of one gas through its respective valve while concomitantly decreasing the rate of flow of the other gas through its respective valve to vary the relative proportion of the gases without varying the total flow rate. Total flow adjuster 34 bears on the plunger 26 for moving the thrust plate 18 axially towards and away from the valve stems 14 thereby to vary the total rate of flow of the gases without varying the relative proportions of each gas flowing through its respective valve.