Abstract: The present specification discloses a ventilator system that can be manufactured quickly with minimal skill requirements and rapidly deployed in response to epidemic respiratory disease conditions. In one embodiment, the ventilator, having a minimal number of controls, is used to give ventilation or mechanical breathing to a patient suffering ARDS. The mechanical ventilation is based on pressure control and has variable pressure, breathing rate, and oxygenation. Preferably, the ventilator is rapidly deployable, easy and intuitive to operate, and capable of sustaining at least 75% of epidemic respiratory distress victims who require assisted ventilation until resuming normal breathing.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a ventilator system that can be manufactured quickly with minimal skill requirements and rapidly deployed in response to epidemic respiratory disease conditions. In one embodiment, the ventilator, having a minimal number of controls, is used to give ventilation or mechanical breathing to a patient suffering ARDS. The mechanical ventilation is based on pressure control and has variable pressure, breathing rate, and oxygenation. Preferably, the ventilator is rapidly deployable, easy and intuitive to operate, and capable of sustaining at least 75% of epidemic respiratory distress victims who require assisted ventilation until resuming normal breathing.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a flexible elongate member, e.g. pile weatherstrip, into a groove in an elongated member, the apparatus being capable of being driven by an electric motor or drill and including a pair of rollers defining a nip through which the pile is driven into an outlet guide with which the groove in the elongated member is aligned at the downstream end thereof. It is preferred that two sets of roller nips are provided, there being a common roller for each nip and there being an inlet guide to direct the pile weatherstrip into a first nip, and an intermediate guide to direct the weatherstrip from the first nip to the second nip and hence into the outlet guide. Preferably, the roller common to each pair is driven via a toothed belt, and the other two rollers can be moved towards or away from said common roller. Preferably, this roller has a grooved periphery to receive the pile of the weatherstrip and all the rollers are knurled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waterstop for providing a water-tight seal between layers of concrete. Flexible waterstops are known and are usually attached to a convenient structure such as steel reinforcing bars by individual loops of wire which pass through eyelets in the edge of the waterstop. The present invention provides a waterstop which has integral transverse loops of wire or similar strong material embedded in the waterstop material but projecting outwardly from it so that they can be used directly to attach waterstop to structure such as reinforcing rods or scaffolding. To provide strength, longitudinal stiffening members in the form of strands of cotton, wire or synthetic plastics material are knitted or woven into the inner portions of the loops embedded in the plastic or rubber waterstop material. These strands stiffen the waterstop and also help firmly to anchor the loops.