Abstract: A remote control and tactile feedback system for a medical apparatus, such as a patient ventilator. The ventilator provides a signal having a property indicative of a desired parameter, such as airway pressure or tidal volume. The system has a member suitable for being received in the hand of a user, such as a clinician. A movable trigger is suitable for being engaged by the fingers of the user. An electrical-mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic force applying element is coupled to the trigger for applying a force to the fingers of the user responsive to the parameter signal. A tactile sensation of the desired parameter is thus provided to the user. The trigger is coupled to a signal generator for providing a control signal to the ventilator.

Abstract: A remote control and tactile feedback system for a medical apparatus, such as a patient ventilator. The ventilator provides a signal having a property indicative of a desired parameter, such as airway pressure or tidal volume. The system has a member suitable for being received in the hand of a user, such as a clinician. A movable trigger is suitable for being engaged by the fingers of the user. An electrical-mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic force applying element is coupled to the trigger for applying a force to the fingers of the user responsive to the parameter signal. A tactile sensation of the desired parameter is thus provided to the user. The trigger is coupled to a signal generator for providing a control signal to the ventilator.

Abstract: A container (2) for a liquid anaesthetic agent for supplying the agent to an anaesthetic vaporizer comprises a reservoir for the liquid agent, a valve (6) which, when closed, prevents the flow of the liquid agent from the reservoir, a tubular outlet (10) through which the liquid can leave the reservoir when the valve is open. An O-ring (20) at the free end of the conduit provides a sealing surface for forming a seal with a corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporizer to which the anaesthetic agent is to be supplied. A flange (22) engages a guide on the vaporizer, to retain the container in contact with the vaporizer.

Abstract: A system of making a connection between the yoke of an anesthetic delivery apparatus and a gas cylinder for supplying a gas to that apparatus. The system includes an adaptor block that has a keying system, such as pegs, that keys the adapter block into a specific gas cylinder, such as by indentations. The adapter block has machine readable indicia and is affixed to the anaesthesia delivery apparatus such that the apparatus can read the indicia to determine the position of the adaptor block and thus identify the particular gas cylinder that is connected to the adapter block. By this system, a plurality of gas cylinders having differing gases can be used to supply a single inlet of an anesthetic delivery apparatus rather than have a separate inlet for each gas. In each instance, the particular gas thus provided is identified by the anaesthetic delivery apparatus to make the necessary adjustments to that apparatus to administer the gas to a patient.

Abstract: A container (2) for a liquid anaesthetic agent for supplying the agent to an anaesthetic vaporiser comprises a reservoir for the liquid agent, a valve (6) which, when closed, prevents the flow of the liquid agent from the reservoir, a tubular outlet (10) through which the liquid can leave the reservoir when the valve is open. An O-ring (20) at the free end of the conduit provides a sealing surface for forming a seal with a corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporiser to which the anaesthetic agent is to be supplied. A flange (22) engages a guide on the vaporiser, to retain the container in contact with the vaporiser.

Abstract: A system for delivery of volatile liquid drugs as supplied to a patient by an anaesthetic vaporizer comprises a supply container (2) and a vaporizer (32) which includes a sump. Each of the supply container and the vaporizer is provided with a valve assembly (6, 34) which, when closed, prevent passage of fluid from the supply container into the sump. The supply container and the sump are connected to one another by means of a bayonet connection, which is made when indexing elements on the containers correspond. The valve assemblies in the containers are opened when the containers are connected to one another by means of an insert (40) located within an inlet conduit (10) linking the two containers.The inlet conduit (10) is rotatable between lowered and raised positions, to open a valve (37) by which flow of fluid into and out of a reservoir for fluid in the sump can be controlled.

Abstract: A switching mechanism and valve using the same wherein a two remote valve or switch positions are provided. The switching mechanism includes a valve operator having of outwardly extending port closures that move above a central pivot point. As the valve operator shifts between its two remote positions, each port closure closes or opens respectively a port associated with such port closure. A flat bearing surface is formed as part of the valve operator and is in a plane generally perpendicular to a line bisecting the angle between the two port closures. A roller, biased against that flat bearing surface is on a pivot arm also moveable about its remote pivotable end. The biased roller normally holds the valve or switch in one of its remote positions.

Abstract: A needle valve having improved accuracy and wear characteristics is disclosed in which the valve stem is subjected to a constant force to prevent backlash throughout its entire movement with respect to the valve seat. In addition, the needle contained within the valve stem has a tapered end which moves within the cylindrical bore in a valve seat to control fluid passing through the valve and such needle is affixed to the valve stem only at its other end remote from its tapered end. The needle thus floats for a substantial portion of its length and its tapered end is relatively flexible and free of movement. The needle is, however, angled with respect to its valve seat such that the needle physically makes contact with the internal surface of the valve seat and maintains that contact throughout its lateral movement within the valve seat.

Abstract: An anesthesia machine is disclosed wherein flowmeters used to denote flow of O.sub.2 and other gases are in the form of precalibrated modules. The modules each contain a flowtube, float and scale and are precalibrated and the modules sealed to prevent tampering or affecting the calibration. The flowmeter modules are thus readily inserted into or removed from the anesthesia machine by a single plug-in maneuver to a common manifold without further calibration or leak testing. A key index system prevents the mislocation of any particular flowmeter module in a machine.The flowmeter module has a lower manifold at its bottom where all plug-in connections are located. A flowtube containing the float extends upwardly from the manifold and has an easily visible scale for accurate readings. Internal tubing within the flowmeter module returns gas from the flowtube back to the outlet connection in the lower manifold.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing an interconnection between two needle valves such that movement of either needle valve, in opening or closing thereof, is affected or limited by movement of the other valve. The invention is particularly suited to an anesthesia machine wherein separate supplies of oxygen (O.sub.2) and nitrous oxide (N.sub.2 O) are fed to individual needle valves which are then individually adjusted to provide a desired mixture of N.sub.2 O and O.sub.2 for administration to a patient to anesthetize the same. The system herein disclosed interconnects the individual needle valves such that the O.sub.2 needle valve may be opened fully without restriction, however, when the N.sub.2 O valve is open, the interconnection provides that closing of the O.sub.2 valve will, at a predetermined point, also correspondingly close the N.sub.2 O valve, thus preventing the percentage of N.sub.2 O in the mixed gas from raising above a set value, i.e.