Abstract: A portable anesthetic machine comprises a chassis having a cradle which removably receives a vaporizer, a control panel and a support member. The control panel and support member are pivotal relative to each other to selectively change the machine between carrying and use configurations. The control panel includes a gas flow path having gas inputs connectable to sources of carrier gases, a manifold which combines the gases, a carrier gas outlet and inlet connectable to the vaporizer input and outlet, respectively, a common gas port, and flow control devices to control the carrier gas flow rate and to control the anesthetic and carrier gas mixture. A controller is also provided which controls the flow of gas into and around the vaporizer to maintain a substantially constant concentration of anesthetic agent in the gas stream delivered to the patient without the need to adjust the flow of gases from the gas supply sources.

Abstract: A pressurized gas supply system includes a pressurized container which expands and contracts. The container includes a one-piece liner molded from a polymer which is reinforced by a high tensile fiber such as KEVLAR®. A valve is molded into the liner, and a regulator is connected to the valve. A hose, having a conserver positioned therealong, extends between the regulator and a fitting allowing a user to inhale gas from the container. The container is carried in a carrying bag, which can be in the form of a carrying case, a purse, or a back-pack.

Abstract: A pressurized gas supply system includes a pressurized container which expands and contracts. The container includes a one-piece liner molded from a polymer which is reinforced by a high tensile fiber such as KEVLAR®. A valve is molded into the liner, and a regulator is connected to the valve. A hose, having a conserver positioned therealong, extends between the regulator and a fitting allowing a user to inhale gas from the container. The container is carried in a carrying bag, which can be in the form of a carrying case, a purse, or a back-pack.

Abstract: A pressurized gas supply system includes a pressurized container which expands and contracts. The container includes a one-piece liner molded from a polymer which is reinforced by a high tensile fiber such as KEVLAR®. A valve is molded into the liner, and a regulator is connected to the valve. A hose, having a conserver positioned therealong, extends between the regulator and a fitting allowing a user to inhale gas from the container. The container is carried in a carrying bag, which can be in the form of a carrying case, a purse, or a back-pack.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a polymeric pressure vessel includes two, coaxial plastic extruders separated by a hole-forming laser and connected to a variable die, a vacuum/blow molding apparatus, a fusing device, a braiding mechanism, and an overcoat applicator. The first extruder forms a tubular core, and the laser forms axially-spaced apertures in the core. The second extruder forms an outer tube coaxially over the tubular core and the variable die is alternately opened and closed to form parisons of increased material at axially-spaced locations along the outer tube. The parisons are moved into the molding apparatus and are expanded in a vacuum/blow molding process into hollow chambers of preferably ellipsoidal shape. The fusing device fuses the outer tube to the tubular core at locations between the spaced-apart hollow chambers, the braiding mechanism then applies a layer of interwoven reinforcing filament fiber, and the overcoat applicator applies a protective polymeric coating over the fiber layer.

Abstract: A litter for carrying a patient in a supine position, such as a stretcher or trauma board, includes a support panel and a pressure pack for providing a portable supply of medicinal gas, such as oxygen, that can be administered to a patient on the liter. The pressure pack includes a gas storage vessel formed from a plurality of polymeric hollow chamber having either en ellipsoidal or spherical shape and interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The storage vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure.

Abstract: A utility belt includes a gas storage vessel for providing a portable and ambulatory supply of oxygen for the person wearing the belt or a person being attended to by the person wearing the belt. In particular, the utility belt provides a portable supply of pressurized gas while it is suspended from the body of a user, with a plurality of item holders, such as implement holsters and utility pouches, suspended from the utility belt. The supply of pressurized gas is provided by a gas storage vessel carried on the utility belt. The gas storage vessel is formed from a plurality of polymeric hollow chamber having either an ellipsoidal or spherical shape and interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The gas storage vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a storage pack for storing gas under pressure for providing an onboard supply of the pressurized gas. The pressurized gas may be used as a medicinal gas, e.g. oxygen, on emergency medical vehicles, or the gas may be used as a fuel source for a motorized vehicle having a motor that runs on combustible gas. The gas storage pack includes a pressure vessel formed from a plurality of hollow chambers, which have either an ellipsoidal or spherical shape, interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The pressure vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The gas storage pack further includes a gas transfer control system attached to the pressure vessel for controlling gas flow into and out of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A wearable belt includes two or more pressure packs, each including a pressure vessel for storing therein a fluid under pressure for providing a portable, and ambulatory, source of the compressed fluid. The pressure vessel is formed from a plurality of hollow chamber having either en ellipsoidal or spherical shape and interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The pressure vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The container system further includes a fluid transfer control system attached to the pressure vessel for controlling fluid flow into and out of the pressure vessel and a gas delivery mechanism for delivering gas from the pressure vessel to a user in a breathable manner.

Abstract: A wearable storage system for pressurized fluid includes a pressure vessel formed from a plurality of polymeric hollow chamber having either en ellipsoidal or spherical shape and interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The pressure vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The container system further includes a fluid transfer control system attached to the pressure vessel for controlling fluid flow into and out of the pressure vessel. A gas delivery mechanism for delivering gas stored in the pressure vessel to the patient in a controlled manner is connected to the fluid transfer control system. The pressure vessel and the fluid transfer control system are incorporated into a wearable garment to provide an ambulatory supply of gas for the patient.

Abstract: An emergency breathing apparatus includes a hood, a gas storage pack, and a supply conduit connecting the hood and the gas storage pack. The gas storage pack includes a pressure vessel formed from a plurality of hollow chambers, which have either an ellipsoidal or spherical shape, interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The pressure vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The gas storage pack further includes a fluid transfer control system attached to the pressure vessel for controlling fluid flow into and out of the pressure vessel and a housing for containing the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A container system for pressurized fluid includes a pressure vessel formed from a plurality of polymeric hollow chamber having either en ellipsoidal or spherical shape and interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The pressure vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The container system further includes a fluid transfer control system attached to the pressure vessel for controlling fluid flow into and out of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A pressurized gas supply system includes a pressurized container which expands and contracts. The container includes a one-piece liner molded from a polymer which is reinforced by a high tensile fiber such as KEVLAR®. A valve is molded into the liner, and a regulator is connected to the valve. A hose, having a conserver positioned therealong, extends between the regulator and a fitting allowing a user to inhale gas from the container. The container is carried in a carrying bag, which can be in the form of a carrying case, a purse, or a back-pack.

Abstract: A fitting with a dual locking swaging mechanism includes a projection to be inserted into the open end of an elastomeric tube. A ferrule is connected at one end thereof to a body portion of the fitting and is swaged over the tube to hold the tube onto the projection inserted into the tube. The tube is thereby held to the fitting by both frictional engagement of the tube with the projection and the ferrule and by the connection of the ferrule with the main body of the fitting.

Abstract: A walking assistance device, for example, a walking cane, a walking crutch, or walker includes a gas storage vessel for providing an ambulatory supply of medicinal gas for a user of the device. The gas storage vessel is formed from a plurality of polymeric hollow chamber having either an ellipsoidal or spherical shape and interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The gas storage vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The container system further includes a fluid transfer control system attached to the gas storage vessel for controlling fluid flow into and out of the gas storage vessel and a gas delivery mechanism for delivering gas from the gas storage vessel to a user in a breathable manner.

Abstract: A wheeled personal transport device, for example, a wheelchair, includes a pressure vessel for providing a portable supply of medicinal gas for a user of the transport device. The pressure vessel is formed from a plurality of polymeric hollow chamber having either en ellipsoidal or spherical shape and interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The pressure vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The container system further includes a fluid transfer control system attached to the pressure vessel for controlling fluid flow into and out of the pressure vessel and a gas delivery mechanism for delivering gas from the pressure vessel to a user in a breathable manner.

Abstract: A fluid transfer control valve is connected to a pressure vessel formed from a plurality of hollow, polymeric chambers interconnected by polymeric conduit sections disposed between adjacent ones of the chambers. The valve includes a valve body and a pressure relief mechanism attached to the body. The pressure relief mechanism is operative to release pressure from the pressure vessel when the pressure within the vessel exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the relief mechanism comprises a rupture disk. The pressure relief valve may also include a filter element disposed along a fluid flow path defined within the valve body and/or a restrictive flow path for reducing the pressure of fluid flowing through the valve body.

Abstract: A first strand of interconnected hollow polymeric chambers is connected to a second strand of interconnected hollow polymeric chambers. A connecting portion of the first strand has an outer surface contour conforming to a portion of the inner surface of a chamber. A partial chamber is formed on the end of the second strand, the partial chamber having an inner surface that conforms to the outer surface of the connecting portion. The connecting portion is inserted into the partial chamber and the two strands are held together by adhesive.

Abstract: An improved surgical stapler which allows for the multi-directional release of staples includes a stapler body and a driver contained therein. A magazine is connected to the stapler body and includes a plurality of staples. The magazine also includes an anvil having a staple forming surface at a distal end thereof for forming a staple thereon. The anvil is movable from a staple forming position to a staple release position. A feeder element which is spring biased against the staples is used for feeding each staple to the staple forming surface. A trigger is operatively connected to the driver and is movable from a pre-fire position to a firing position for advancing the driver against the anvil for forming the staple against the staple forming surface of the anvil. The trigger is operatively connected to the anvil for moving the anvil from the staple forming position to the staple release position for releasing the staple from the stapler.

Abstract: An improved surgical stapler includes a stapler body having a driver and a magazine connected to the stapler body. The magazine includes a staple track for carrying a plurality of staples and an anvil associated with the staple track. The anvil has a staple forming surface for forming each of the staples thereon. A trigger is operatively connected to the driver for advancing the driver against the anvil so as to form the staple against the staple forming surface of the anvil. A feeder for feeding each of the staples from the staple track to the anvil is movably mounted in the magazine. A pinion is operatively connected to the trigger and is movably engaged with the feeder. An indexing member is movably engaged with the pinion such that the indexing member and the pinion advance the feeder and the staples toward the anvil upon an actuation of the trigger.