Abstract: A device for exercising the lungs by forced inhaling or exhaling comprises a mouthpiece and a valve assembly incorporating a valve housing unit having a gas inlet port and a gas outlet port both communicating with a cavity in which a movable valve body is received and which valve body has a first passageway for directing gas between the inlet and outlet ports and a second passageway for directing gas between a by-pass port and the gas outlet port. The relative amount of gas passing through the gas inlet port and through the gas by-pass port is determined by the position of the valve body and can be regulated by moving the valve body. The device also includes means for monitoring the flow of gas passing through the gas inlet port and preferably the length of time of that gas passage, and means for counting sequential inspirations or expirations of the user during the exercise.

Abstract: An assembly for diffusing gas in a humidifier comprises a base plate having a wall extending around its periphery, a diffuser sheet comprising a substantially gas impermeable membrane having a plurality of perforations and a member for directing gas to be humidified into a gas receiving chamber defined between the diffuser sheet and base plate. In a humidifier, the assembly is submerged in water and gas travels through the gas directing member, into the gas receiving chamber and outwardly through the perforations in the diffuser sheet into the water where it is humidified and exits from the humidifier.