Abstract: An implantable medical device system having at least two implantable medical devices coupled together with a connector while implanted at a common anatomical region. The connector allows the implantable medical devices to anchor one another in place at respective deployment sites. Moreover, the connector may function as a safety device by causing one implantable medical device to migrate upon migration of another implantable medical device. For instance, if migration of an implantable medical device causes a structural change in the common anatomical region, such change may be generally reversible upon migration of the other implantable medical device as a result of the implantable medical devices being coupled via the connector.

Abstract: A powered air purifying respirator and method for directing a forced flow of air to a wearer. A battery operatively powers a fan fluidly coupled with the air flow path which exhibits, in some circumstances, a passivation. A voltage delay sensing circuit, operatively coupled to the battery, provides an indication related to the passivation. A signal may provide an indication to a user of the passivation of the power source. A correction circuit may correct such passivation.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a supplied air respirator that uses an adjustable length hose as a conduit between the respirator facepiece and the clean air supply source.

Abstract: A personal respiratory protection device that comprises a mask body and an exhalation valve that is secured to the mask body. The mask body includes (i) a flat central panel; (ii) a flat first panel joined to the central panel through a fold-line, seam weld, or bond, the fold-line, seam, weld or bond of the first panel being substantially coextensive with an edge of the central panel; (iii) a flat second panel joined to the central panel through a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, the fold-line, seam, weld or bond of the second panel being substantially coextensive with an edge of the central panel. At least one of the center, first and second panels includes filter media. The device is capable of being folded for storage with the first and second panels in at least partial face-to-face contact with a common surface of the central panel and, during use, is capable of forming, over the nose and mouth of the wearer, a cup-shaped air chamber having a face-contacting periphery.

Abstract: A supplied air helmet 10 that has a visor 14 and a face seal 16. The face seal 16 is secured to the visor 14 and includes a sealing member 18 that comprises a knitted fabric. The knitted fabric is disposed on the face seal 16 in a location where the face seal 16 makes contact with a wearer's face. The use of a knitted fabric for the face seal 16 makes the supplied air helmet 10 more comfortable to wear and makes it more likely that helmet wearers will consistently use the face seal 16 while donning the supplied air helmet 10.

Abstract: A supplied air helmet 10 comprises a visor 14 and a face seal 12 that is secured to the visor. The face seal 12 includes a sealing member 18 and a frame member 16. The sealing member 18 extends radially inward from the frame member 16 and has first and second regions of permeability 20 and 22. The second region 22 has greater permeability than the first region 20. The use of a face seal 12 that has differentiated permeability allows for a controlled flow of air through the interior of the supplied air helmet 10.

Abstract: A supplied air helmet 10 that has a visor 14, and a face seal 12 that includes a frame member 16 and a sealing member 18. The frame member 116 can be secured to the visor 14 by frictional engagement. The use of frictional engagement as opposed to pegs, adhesives, and hook and look type fasteners, may reduce the number of parts, may permit face seal installation and/or removal in a less onerous manner, and may reduce the opportunity for fastener failure.

Abstract: A method for making a filtering face mask that comprises providing a fluid-permeable multi-layered mask body comprising a structural supporting layer and a filtration layer, the multi-layered mask body being configured to fit over the nose and mouth of a person and having an aperture disposed therein; providing an exhalation valve comprising a base portion and a deformable hollow plastic extension member that extends from the base portion to a tip; inserting the tip through the aperture; and deforming the extension member so as to make an effective seal between the exhalation valve and the mask body.

Abstract: Method for making a filter cartridge that is suitable for attachment to a respiratory mask. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing a mass of filter material; (b) providing a filter cartridge housing that has an inlet and outlet and a sidewall that includes sheet material; and (c) thermoforming the sheet material of the housing sidewall around at least part of the mass of filter material to place the housing sidewall in direct contact with the mass of filter material to encapsulate the filter material so that fluid is prevented from passing through the filter cartridge from the inlet to the outlet without being filtered by the mass of filter material.

Abstract: A respiratory component mounting assembly includes a first respiratory component, a second respiratory component and a mounting clip for mounting the second respiratory component to the first respiratory component. Each of the first and second respiratory components includes at least two spaced apart clip openings. The mounting clip has an intermediate portion and two spaced apart free ends connected to the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion of the mounting clip is received within both of the clip openings of the first respiratory component and the free ends of the mounting clip are received in the clip openings of the second respiratory component for releasably securing the first and second respiratory components together.

Abstract: A personal respiratory protection device that comprises a mask body and an exhalation valve that is secured to the mask body. The mask body includes (i) a flat central panel; (ii) a flat first panel joined to the central panel through a fold-line, seam weld, or bond, the fold-line, seam, weld or bond of the first panel being substantially coextensive with an edge of the central panel; (iii) a flat second panel joined to the central panel through a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, the fold-line, seam, weld or bond of the second panel being substantially coextensive with an edge of the central panel. At least one of the center, first and second panels includes filter media. The device is capable of being folded for storage with the first and second panels in at least partial face-to-face contact with a common surface of the central panel and, during use, is capable of forming, over the nose and mouth of the wearer, a cup-shaped air chamber having a face-contacting periphery.