Abstract: A critical parameter monitoring system for improving the safety of personnel working in a remotely located hazardous location possibly containing combustible materials include an oxygen and a temperature sensor carried by the personnel. The sensors are connected to a centrally located processor which displays the oxygen level and temperature present at the sensors and issues a warning when the measured parameters exceed preset levels. The monitoring system may be a part of a breathing apparatus which supplies air and voice communications from the centralized location to personnel working in a vessel purged with an inert gas. The measured oxygen level may also be used to conserve the quantity of inert gas used in the purging process while preserving the safety of the workers.

Abstract: An extended term resuscitation system includes a plurality of inflatable cuffs adapted to extend around separate portions of the anatomy of a patient (i.e. the chest, abdomen and legs) for enhancing the circulation when inflated/deflated periodically. A primary low-pressure-high-volume air compressor is in fluid communication with each of the cuffs through individual air handlers. The air handlers are formed with an inflation and a deflation diaphragm valve which, under the control of an electronic timer and a pneumatic circuit, connect the respective cuff to the output of the compressor for inflation or to the atmosphere for deflation. A secondary air compressor provides air under suitable pressure to the pneumatic circuit for the control of the diaphragm valves. As an option the operator may change the cyclical rate and cuff pressure. A ventilator provides oxygen to the patient in selected volumes or on demand.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of rehabilitating a patient's cardiac/pulmonary activity and achieving increased fluid distribution, includes placing one inflatable/deflatable chest cuff over the patient's chest area and another inflatable/deflatable cuff over the patient's abdominal area, the chest cuff, when inflated, being arranged to depress the chest and force air out of the patient's lungs, the abdominal cuff being arranged, when inflated to apply pressure to the underlying vessels to direct blood into the patient's chest area; inflating and deflating the chest cuff and the abdominal cuff; connecting an intravenous (IV) line to one of the patient's blood vessels. In another embodiment, a patient interface kit for a system for providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation or circulatory support to a patient.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of rehabilitating a patient's cardiac/pulmonary activity and achieving increased fluid distribution, includes placing one inflatable/deflatable chest cuff over the patient's chest area and another inflatable/deflatable cuff over the patient's abdominal area, the chest cuff, when inflated, being arranged to depress the chest and force air out of the patient's lungs, the abdominal cuff being arranged, when inflated to apply pressure to the underlying vessels to direct blood into the patient's chest area; inflating and deflating the chest cuff and the abdominal cuff; connecting an intravenous (IV) line to one of the patient's blood vessels. In another embodiment, a patient interface kit for a system for providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation or circulatory support to a patient.

Abstract: A patient interface kit for a system for providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation or circulatory support to a patient, the system including a control unit, the kit including an inflatable abdominal cuff adapted to extend over a patient's abdomen and including an elongated flexible strap, an inflatable bladder and a fastener system to secure the abdominal cuff in position for use on a patient; an inflatable chest cuff adapted to extend over a patient's chest and including an elongated flexible strap, an inflatable bladder and a fastener system to secure the chest cuff in position for use on a patient; a patient platform or backboard configured for disposition against the patient's back during use; and a cuff prepositioning system configured to secure the chest and abdomen compression cuffs to the patient platform in a ready position and to facilitate rapid deployment of the cuffs for use on the patient.

Abstract: A patient resuscitation/respiratory system includes a system control unit with a timer module controlling a plurality of air pressure modules. In an exemplary embodiment, the air pressure modules include a first air pressure module for controlling a first flow of pressurized gas from a first pressurized gas supply to an inflatable abdominal cuff, a second air pressure module for controlling a second flow of pressurized gas from the first gas supply to an inflatable chest cuff, and a third air pressure module for controlling a third flow of pressurized gas from the first gas supply to an inflatable leg cuff. The control unit in this embodiment includes a ventilator supply module for controlling a flow of breathable gas from a second pressurized gas supply to a patient ventilator module to periodically connect the patient ventilator module and the patient's lungs to the breathable gas supply.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of rehabilitating a patient's cardiac/pulmonary activity and achieving increased fluid distribution, includes placing one inflatable/deflatable chest cuff over the patient's chest area and another inflatable/deflatable cuff over the patient's abdominal area, the chest cuff, when inflated, being arranged to depress the chest and force air out of the patient's lungs, the abdominal cuff being arranged, when inflated to apply pressure to the underlying vessels to direct blood into the patient's chest area; inflating and deflating the chest cuff and the abdominal cuff; connecting an intravenous (IV) line to one of the patient's blood vessels, the IV line connected to a fluid source, to facilitate the distribution of medications, by enhancing IV medication and fluid infusion rates, the chest and abdominal cuff inflation and deflation serving as multiple external circulatory pumps to increase the fluid infusion rate.

Abstract: A patient resuscitation/respiratory system includes a system control unit with a timer module controlling a plurality of air pressure modules. In an exemplary embodiment, the air pressure modules include a first air pressure module for controlling a first flow of pressurized gas from a first pressurized gas supply to an inflatable abdominal cuff, a second air pressure module for controlling a second flow of pressurized gas from the first gas supply to an inflatable chest cuff, and a third air pressure module for controlling a third flow of pressurized gas from the first gas supply to an inflatable leg cuff. The control unit in this embodiment includes a ventilator supply module for controlling a flow of breathable gas from a second pressurized gas supply to a patient ventilator module to periodically connect the patient ventilator module and the patient's lungs to the breathable gas supply.

Abstract: An anti-g pressure regulator functions, in conjunction with a pressurized anti-g suit during high g loads, to supply O2 to a pilot's face mask during the inhalation phase with the O2 pressure rising from a predetermined minimum to a predetermined maximum as determined by the g load to increase the volume of O2 supplied to the pilot's lungs. During the exhalation phase the pressure is allowed to fall from the maximum to the minimum to reduce the stress experienced by the pilot during exhalation thereby enabling the pilot to tolerate high g loads. Optionally, the pressure of gas supplied to the anti-g suit may be controlled in a nonlinear manner with respect to the anticipated range of g-loads to improve the pilot's performance during exposure to intermediate g-loads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resuscitating the cardiac/pulmonary activity of a patient includes the use of pneumatically controlled inflatable/deflatable cuffs secured over the patient's legs and abdomen and optionally the chest. The cuffs are preferably inflated and deflated at a cyclical rate of 10-40 cycles/min. with the inflation/deflation mode of the chest cuff, if used, being out-of-phase with the operation of the abdominal cuff. A ventilator and face mask may be used to supply breathable air to the patient's airway in conjunction with the cyclical operation of the cuffs.

Abstract: The self-contained breathing apparatus for use in a noxious or oxygen-deficient atmosphere with redundant first stage pressure reducers and redundant second stage demand regulators which together serve as an automatic by-pass control in the event of a failure in the closed position of a first stage pressure reducer or a second stage demand regulator. A helmet with a face mask and inflatable helmet adjusting device for sizing the helmet to the user's head, provided impact protection and applying pressure to the back of the head causing the face to come into contact with the face mask resulting in the air-tight enclosure of the user's face in the oral-nasal area of the helmet. An integral pump and valve mechanism located in the helmet and operated by pushing on a bulb with the thumb or forefinger compresses air into a bladder thereby sizing the helmet and forming the air-tight seal of the face mask to the user's face.

Abstract: A portable breathing apparatus for use in a noxious atmosphere includes a helmet that is closed except for a bottom opening that is provided with a neck seal to permit the helmet to be slipped over the head of the wearer while sealing the open bottom of the helmet to provide an airtight enclosure about the wearer's head. A backpack includes a high pressure oxygen cylinder, that is connected to a regulator valve through a pressure reducer; and a carbon dioxide scrubber, that receives expiration gas from the helmet through an exhaust breathing line which connects to a flexible reservoir which collects the majority of expired gases and which is provided with a relief valve to protect the bag and limit expiration resistance.