Abstract: A pilot valve permits the delivery of relatively high pressure gas on the order of 30-50 psi directly to the valve. A poppet valve is positioned in the outlet gas delivery tube of the valve housing and has a valve stem which is spring loaded to maintain the valve in the closed position and a high pressure gas is supplied to the poppet valve. A trigger gas in the form of a low pressure gas is supplied to the pilot valve to cause the pilot valve to open. A poppet valve opening mechanism responds to the presence of the trigger gas to move the valve stem of the poppet valve to open the poppet valve and to permit the high pressure gas to pass through the poppet valve and through the pilot valve. A preferred opening mechanism is a diaphragm which moves in response to the trigger gas and causes a backup disk to also move and force a piston against the valve stem of the poppet valve.

Abstract: An intermittent gas-insufflation apparatus insufflates a quantity of the gaseous fluid into an entrance of a respiratory system of a breathing patient during an exhalation interval of an immediate breathing cycle and into a subsequent inhalation interval of a successive breathing cycle. The intermittent gas-insufflation apparatus includes a valve assembly, a sensor and a controller. The valve assembly actuates between a closed state to prevent the gaseous fluid from flowing from a source of gaseous fluid to the patient and an opened state to establish gaseous fluid flow to the patient. The sensor detects changes in breathing pressure of the patient throughout the immediate breathing cycle and to generates sensor signals characteristic of the changes in the breathing pressure thereof.

Abstract: An intermittent gas-insufflation apparatus insufflates a quantity of the gaseous fluid into an entrance of a respiratory system of a breathing patient during an exhalation interval of an immediate breathing cycle and into a subsequent inhalation interval of a successive breathing cycle. The intermittent gas-insufflation apparatus includes a valve assembly, a sensor and a controller. The valve assembly actuates between a closed state to prevent the gaseous fluid from flowing from a source of gaseous fluid to the patient and an opened state to establish gaseous fluid flow to the patient. The sensor detects changes in breathing pressure of the patient throughout the immediate breathing cycle and to generates sensor signals characteristic of the changes in the breathing pressure thereof.

Abstract: An intermittent gas-insufflation apparatus insufflates a quantity of the gaseous fluid into an entrance of a respiratory system of a breathing patient during an exhalation interval of an immediate breathing cycle and into a subsequent inhalation interval of a successive breathing cycle. The intermittent gas-insufflation apparatus includes a valve assembly, a sensor and a controller. The valve assembly actuates between a closed state to prevent the gaseous fluid from flowing from a source of gaseous fluid to the patient and an opened state to establish gaseous fluid flow to the patient. The sensor detects changes in breathing pressure of the patient throughout the immediate breathing cycle and to generates sensor signals characteristic of the changes in the breathing pressure thereof.

Abstract: A breathing circuit apparatus used with a nebulizer device that generates an aerosol is adapted for use by a user for inhaling the aerosol through the user's nose and/or mouth and thereafter exhaling exhalation gas through the breathing circuit apparatus. The breathing circuit apparatus includes a container, an inlet valve, an outlet valve and a user connection port. The container defines an interior chamber therein and is coupled to the nebulizer device. The inlet valve is connected to the container and includes an air inlet port for one-way air flow of ambient air into the interior chamber. The inlet valve moves between a closed condition to prevent the ambient air from entering into the interior chamber and an opened condition to permit the ambient air to enter into the interior chamber. The outlet valve is connected to the container and includes a gas exhalation port for one-way gas flow of the exhalation gas.

Abstract: A breathing circuit for providing conduit from a breathing apparatus or anaesthetic device to a patient, the breathing circuit being generally coaxial and including a first flexible tube and a second flexible tube inside the first flexible tube. The first flexible tube has a smooth inner surface and a reinforcing cord or ribbing along its length and integral around its outer surface. The first flexible tube has a relatively thin wall with the cord, which is preferably in a spiral, providing structural strength or stiffness while retaining flexibility.