Abstract: An infant incubator humidifier having a heater within a heater tower which, in turn, is in heat transfer disposition with a metal sleeve mounted within a water reservoir through which air which is to be humidified is passed. The metal sleeve has a wick disposed on its outside surface and water in the reservoir is wicked along the wick, whereby air introduced into the reservoir is humidified upon contact with the wick.

Abstract: An incentive spirometer that indicates the volume of air drawn therethrough is disclosed. The spirometer comprises a housing with a turbine rotatably mounted therein. The turbine is provided with a take-off shaft with which is operably associated a signal device responsive to the rotation of the shaft. Air drawn through the spirometer by a patient rotates the turbine and the signal device indicates the volume of air that has passed through the spirometer.

Abstract: A nebulizer system for producing a humidified and heated breathing gas to be inhaled by a patient undergoing inhalation therapy. The nebulizer system includes a nebulizer module and a heater module affixed to one another and optionally detachably connected to each other. The nebulizer module is connectable to an oxygen source, a liquid water supply, and, through an outlet, to a breathing apparatus. A throat in the system serves to direct an aerosol spray produced in the nebulizer module to a heat transfer element in a conical flow pattern. The heat transfer element is disposed substantially normal to the flow path of the generated aerosol and is in a direct heat transfer relationship with an outer peripheral portion of the conical flow pattern exhausted from the throat. In this manner, a self-regulating heat input is provided by the present nebulizer system.

Abstract: A humidifier assembly is disclosed. The humidifier assembly includes a housing, a heater in the housing, a hollow shell on the housing, a partition wall within the shell, and a liquid water inlet that is unitary with the hollow shell. The heater provides an exposed heated surface for contacting liquid water in a direct heat transfer relationship. The hollow shell and the partition wall together define a humidification chamber. The hollow shell also defines a breathable gas inlet and a humidified, breathable gas outlet, both of which communicate with the humidification chamber. The partition wall includes a hydrophobic filter that permits water vapor but not liquid water to pass therethrough. The hollow shell, the partition, wall and the housing together define a liquid water-tight but water vapor permeable water reservoir between the partition wall and the heater.

Abstract: A humidifier assembly is disclosed. Parts of the humidifier assembly may be disposable. The assembly comprises a housing, heater means on the housing, a liquid water supply means that communicates with the heater means, a hollow shell on the housing that defines a humidification chamber, and a filter means in the humidification chamber and positioned in juxtaposition with the surface of the heater means for passing water vapor into breathable gas. Preferably the filter means is hydrophobic.

Abstract: A humidifier assembly is disclosed. Parts of the humidifier assembly may be disposable. The assembly comprises a housing, heater means on the housing, a liquid water supply means that communicates with the heater means, a hollow shell on the housing that defines a humidification chamber, and a filter means in the humidification chamber and positioned in juxtaposition with the surface of the heater means for passing water vapor into breathable gas. Preferably the filter means is hydrophobic.

Abstract: A portable reservoir container storing liquid, mounts on its inflow port section a heater and a vortex mixing device in series. Liquid from the bottom of the container is fed to the vortex mixing device in response to the inflow of oxygen gas thereto producing an outflow of liquid and oxygen gas in a vortical flow pattern that is delivered to the inflow port section of the container. A flow of conditioned oxygen gas is discharged from the gas space of the container through an outflow portion section.

Abstract: A linear, annular flow nebulizer for use in inhalation therapy comprising a shell having walls with an ambient air intake in one of the walls; a nebulizer conduit having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal fluid passageway, the proximal end communicating with a gas source and the distal end inwardly tapering to define a nozzle which penetrates a wall of the shell; and, a nebulizer cup having a bottom end mounted within the interior space of the shell, the bottom of the cup having a well surrounding a dispensing port spaced from and in alignment with the nozzle, the well permitting the angular confluence of a liquid stream into a gas stream to produce an aerosol.

Abstract: A multiple aspirator has a disk with an axial hole and a plurality of radial bores, providing liquid feeding channels, which end at the axial hole. A round rod is disposed coaxially in the axial hole. Gas flow parallel to the axis, through the hole past said disk, is forced by the rod into an annular pattern, thereby aspirating fluid from the radial bores and nebulizing it in said annular pattern.

Abstract: A cylindrical cartridge having a housing containing a replenishable water supply is employed as a water supply source for producing an aerosol with an oxygen stream for inhalation therapy through the agency of a nebulizer adapter which couples pressurized oxygen to the water cartridge. A primary venturi-type insert member is disposed uprightly within a vertical tubular portion of the cartridge. The venturi draws water from the water supply and directs atomized droplets of water and oxygen into a mixing chamber. The aerosol flows out of the cartridge through an outlet nozzle. The cartridge is an elongated housing having a capillary active cylindrical absorption surface means internally whereby water is drawn up along the cartridge's cylindrical body wall which serves as an evaporating surface. The aerosol containing oxygen is humidified by being further charged with evaporated water from the capillary absorption means. Suitable egress port means is provided to which a flexible tube is connected.

Abstract: A cylindrical cartridge having a housing containing a replenishable water supply is employed as a water supply source for producing an aerosol with an oxygen stream for inhalation therapy through the agency of a nebulizer adapter which couples pressurized oxygen to the water cartridge. A venturi-type insert member is disposed vertically with the cartridge. The venturi draws water from the water supply and directs atomized droplets of water and oxygen into a mixing chamber located above the water level in the cartridge. The cartridge has a vertical tubular portion with a connection to a source of oxygen or air and terminates above the level of the water in the cartridge. The aerosol flows out of the cartridge through an outlet nozzle. The cartridge is an elongated housing having a capillary active cylindrical absorption surface means internally whereby water is drawn up along the cartridge's cylindrical body wall which serves as an evaporating surface.

Abstract: A previously disclosed cartridge type humidifier apparatus including a separate heater module with a cylindrical opening for replaceably receiving therein disposable cylindrical humidifier cartridge modules, having a housing containing a replenishable water supply, is employed as a water supply source for producing an aerosol with an oxygen supply for pediatric inhalation therapy. The cartridge modules each have a tubular metal main body adapted for a sliding fit within a complimentary tubular walled heater. The metal tubular body has rigid plastic top and bottom end portions. The plastic top end portion is a cap with a center axial gas inlet tube, and a separate transverse gas delivery pipe, the cap forming a closed air space over a pool of humidifying liquid.

Abstract: A cartridge-type humidifier apparatus embodying a separate heater module with a cylindrical opening for replaceably receiving therein disposable cylindrical humidifier cartridge modules. Certain upgraded embodiments of the cartridge modules are sterilizable and reusable several times before being disposed of, or portions thereof recycled. The cartridge modules each have a tubular metal main body adapted for a sliding fit within a complementary tubular walled heater. The metal tubular body has rigid plastic top and bottom end portions. The plastic top end portion is a cap with a center axial gas inlet tube, and a separate transverse gas delivery pipe, the cap forming a closed air space over a pool of humidifying liquid. Each cartridge includes an absorption column preferably of the cylindrical tube form which is adapted to lay closely adjacent and draw water up along the cartridge's cylindrical metal body wall which serves the evaporating surface when heated by the heater modules.