Abstract: In order to visually monitor all aspects of a breathing circuit, a visually monitored anesthesia breathing circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes a transparent absorber having a disposable single use cartridge with particulate carbon dioxide absorbent material therein. The disposable single use cartridge is also formed of a transparent material and is removably positioned within the absorber. The circuit also includes a visual indicator associated with the disposable single use cartridge for indicating the extent of depletion of carbon dioxide absorption potential of the carbon dioxide absorbent material. The absorber includes an expiratory valve in communication with the disposable single use cartridge and an inspiratory valve in communication with the absorber. The circuit further includes fittings for delivering an anesthetic and/or oxygen to a patient in a metered flow.

Abstract: A mouth mask includes a unitary member having an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion. The unitary member is adapted to seal about the lips of a patient with the perimeter defined by the intersection of the inner and outer wall portions resting on the perioral area overlying the maxilla and mandible. The mouth mask also includes an opening extending through the unitary member for connecting oxygen and ventilating through a mouthpiece or pharyngeal airway inserted through the opening in the mouth mask. The opening is adapted to receive an airway having a proximal end disposed externally of the patient and a distal end disposed internally of the patient in the region of the lower pharynx. Additionally, the mouth mask may selectively be provided with a nostril occluding balloon or cushion to pneumatically seal and block the nostrils of the patient.

Abstract: A cuffed endotracheal tube and method designed for insertion of the tube through the mouth of a patient to provide a passage for artificial respiration. The device includes an elongated flexible air tube having proximal and distal end portions. A pair of enlargements encircle the tube intermediate the proximal and distal end portions. The lower of the enlargements is sized and shaped to fall short of fully occupying the cavity defined by the wall of the trachea and rests at or below the opening defined by the lower lateral surfaces of the larynx. The upper of the enlargements is sized and shaped to fully occupy the cavity defined by the wall of the pharynx and seals the opening defined by the superglottic structure of the glottis. At least the upper of the enlargements is an inelastic inflatable-deflatable cuff secured to the tube proximal to the lower of the enlargements. The device further includes separate inflation means for each cuff permitting the cuff to be inflated independently of any other cuff.

Abstract: A reciprocal cardiac compressor is provided for cyclically compressing a patient's chest. Preferably a resuscitator is also provided for ventilating the patient's lungs. The compressor includes a reciprocal compressor pad positioned anterior to the patient's heart and a stationary base positioned posterior to the patient's heart. An anterior electrode is disposed on the face of the compressor pad for compression between the compressor pad and the patient's sternum and a posterior electrode is disposed on the base of the compressor for compression between the base and the patient's back. A cardiac defibrillator is connected between anterior and posterior electrodes for establishing a defibrillating electric current therebetween. A monitor is connected to the anterior and posterior electrodes for monitoring the electrical activity of the patient's heart.

Abstract: A cuffed endotracheal tube and method designed for insertion of the tube through the mouth of a patient to provide a passage for artificial respiration. The device includes an elongated flexible air tube having proximal and distal end portions. A pair of enlargements encircle the tube intermediate the proximal and distal end portions. The lower of the enlargements is sized and shaped to fall short of fully occupying the cavity defined by the wall of the trachea and rests at or below the opening defined by the lower lateral surfaces of the larynx. The upper of the enlargements is sized and shaped to fully occupy the cavity defined by the wall of the pharynx and seals the opening defined by the superglottic structure of the glottis. At least the upper of the enlargements is an inelastic inflatable-deflatable cuff secured to the tube proximal to the lower of the enlargements. The device further includes separate inflation means for each cuff permitting the cuff to be inflated independently of any other cuff.

Abstract: A reciprocal cardiac compressor is provided for cyclically compressing a patient's chest. The cardiac compressor includes a resuscitator for ventilating the patient's lungs. A first internal electrode is positioned in the esophagus of the patient with an esophageal-pharyngeal airway. The resuscitator ventilates the patient's lungs through the esophageal-pharyngeal airway. The cardiac compressor includes a compressor pad positioned anterior to the patient's heart for compressing the patient's sternum and heart. An external electrode is disposed on the face of the compressor pad for compression between the compressor pad and the patient's sternum. A cardiac defibrillator is connected between external and internal electrodes for establishing a defibrillating electric current therebetween. A monitor is connected to the external and internal electrodes for monitoring the electrical activity of the patient's heart.

Abstract: A monitoring system is comprised of an elastomer balloon housed in a rigid cage having a plurality of windows which is designed to continuously indicate the state of collapse or expansion of the internal cuff or cuffs of an encotracheal tube. This balloon monitor is interconnected in series with the pneumatic channel through which the cuff or cuffs are inflated. The volume of the balloon may be observed visually with reference to its filling the cage enclosure denoting thereby its state of inflation and therefore, also that of the endotracheal cuff. Calibration of the balloon monitor provides means for accurately observing both the volume and pressure of air in the system. Therefore, visual inspection of the balloon monitor indicates by reason of the calibration the prevailing level of pressure in the patient's endotracheal cuff.

Abstract: A double cuff for endotracheal tubes is designed with two inflatable balloons, shaped to fully occupy the spaces above and below the open larynx. The two cuffs have a common inflation channel and therefore after their inflation are in free communication with each other. The lower cuff with its thin non-elastic walls rests in the upper trachea, applying a pressure against the walls of the upper trachea and subglottic structures determined by the behavior of an upper cuff whose walls are elastic. This elastic cuff occupies the space immediately above the larynx and extends slightly into the pharynx. Elastic properties of the upper cuff confer, in effect, a pressure relief system to the lower non-elastic cuff as a result of their interconnection through the common inflation channel.

Abstract: An esophago-pharyngeal airway having at least one inflatable cuff for sealing the nasal passage by urging the soft palate against the posterior nasopharyngeal wall and sometimes another inflatable cuff engageable with the wall of the esophagus to prevent ventilation of the stomach and possible aspiration of the stomach's contents depending upon the selected use. Either or both of the cuffs may be continuously inflated during use of the airway or may automatically inflate and deflate with each respiratory cycle to insure non-traumatic extubation when a tracheal tube is substituted for the esophago-pharyngeal airway. An air tube extends through one of the cuffs and a gastro-esophagus tube extends through both of the cuffs.

Abstract: The lung inflation system specifically designed for use in the resuscitation of human beings. The system includes a manual compression bag which empties and refills through a single outlet opening. The compression bag is connected to a non-rebreathing valve which is specifically built, in accordance with the invention, so that the patient's lungs can be ventilated by means of the compression bag with pure oxygen, pure air, or a known mixture of both gases, as desired. The valve has a gas selector mechanism which makes it very easy for rescue personnel using the device to quickly select the mixture of gases which is needed. When available, oxygen from a pressurized oxygen source is supplied continuously to the valve device. The valve operates so that, when the compression bag is full, any excess oxygen being fed into the system is vented to the atmosphere through the same port as the one through which the breath exhaled by the patient passes.

Abstract: Breathing equipment, for instance a resuscitator, adapted to supply ambient air or alternatively oxygen from a pressurized source, the equipment including non-rebreathing valve mechanism having inspiration and expiration ports, and arranged to assure automatic operation to effect oxygen "blow-by" under conditions of operation tending to close the expiration port, and thereby prevent undesirable build-up of pressure in the patient's lungs.

Abstract: Breathing equipment, for instance a resuscitator, adapted to supply ambient air or alternatively oxygen from a pressurized source, the equipment including non-rebreathing valve mechanism having inspiration and expiration ports, and arranged to assure automatic operation to effect oxygen "blow-by" under conditions of operation tending to close the expiration port, and thereby prevent undesirable build-up of pressure in the patient's lungs.