Abstract: A medical ventilator includes a pressure generator for increasing a pressure of gas that produces heat during the operation thereof. A heat sink spaced from the pressure generator is provided for absorbing heat from the pressure generator. A bacteria filter requiring heating in excess of an ambient temperature for the effective operation thereof is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink. A heat pipe is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink and the pressure generator for conveying at least part of heat produced by the pressure generator to the bacteria filter via the heat sink.

Abstract: A pressure/flow control valve that includes a first valve member and a second valve member moveable relative to one another and cooperating with one another so as to define a valve opening having a size that varies with a relative position between these members. The first magnet is operatively coupled to the first valve member and a second magnet is operatively coupled to the second valve member and magnetically coupled to the first magnet. The first and second magnets are disposed such that a repulsive force between them increases asymptotically as the magnets move together, thereby providing a dampening force between the first and second valve members that allows these valve members to be moved rapidly from one position to the next in a highly controlled fashion.

Abstract: A medical ventilator includes a pressure generator for increasing a pressure of gas that produces heat during the operation thereof. A heat sink spaced from the pressure generator is provided for absorbing heat from the pressure generator. A bacteria filter requiring heating in excess of an ambient temperature for the effective operation thereof is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink. A heat pipe is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink and the pressure generator for conveying at least part of heat produced by the pressure generator to the bacteria filter via the heat sink.

Abstract: A medical ventilator includes a pressure generator for increasing a pressure of gas that produces heat during the operation thereof. A heat sink spaced from the pressure generator is provided for absorbing heat from the pressure generator. A bacteria filter requiring heating in excess of an ambient temperature for the effective operation thereof is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink. A heat pipe is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink and the pressure generator for conveying at least part of heat produced by the pressure generator to the bacteria filter via the heat sink.

Abstract: A pressure/flow control valve that includes a first valve member and a second valve member moveable relative to one another and cooperating with one another so as to define a valve opening having a size that varies with a relative position between these members. The first magnet is operatively coupled to the first valve member and a second magnet is operatively coupled to the second valve member and magnetically coupled to the first magnet. The first and second magnets are disposed such that a repulsive force between them increases asymptotically as the magnets move together, thereby providing a dampening force between the first and second valve members that allows these valve members to be moved rapidly from one position to the next in a highly controlled fashion.