Abstract: An intubator includes a housing and a memory cylinder connected for axial movement relative to the housing. A flexible scope tube attached to the housing extends within and through the memory cylinder such that the scope tube can be retracted within or caused to extend beyond the distal end of the memory cylinder by the relative axial movement between the housing and memory cylinder. The scope tube is angularly adjustable and includes a light transmitting fiber optic cable, a visual transmission fiberoptic cable, and a fluid conduit. In use, an endotracheal tube is mounted on the memory cylinder such that the endotracheal tube, memory cylinder and scope tube have their distal ends flush. The intubator is then inserted through the patient's mouth to the larynx opening. Collapsing the memory cylinder within the handle causes the scope tube to be extended from the memory cylinder for positioning within the trachea.

Abstract: An incentive lung exercise apparatus includes an inhalation spirometer, a coupling attached thereto with a unidirectional outlet valve and a source of oxygen. A relatively long flexible hose connects this portion of the structure to a mouthpiece or face mask and medication nebulizer which can be held by a patient. Oxygen and medication can be administered while the patient is using the spirometer structure for lung exercise following surgery or the like. Oxygen is passed through a small hose within the major hose, leaving a substantial volume to retain exhaled gas which is then rebreathed, giving the patient greater incentive to utilize the apparatus for maximum lung inflation. A further small hose can be included and connected to an infrared capnograph for monitoring CO.sub.2 in the hose. Control of the depth of respiration is accomplished by varying the oxygen flow and inspired carbon dioxide content as judged by the analyzed expired endtidal carbon dioxide content.

Abstract: An emergency esophageal ventilating airway includes coaxial tubular members insertable through a patient's mouth and into the esophagus. The coaxial tubes are attached to a coupling which is inserted into a standard face mask. The longer, inner, one of the tubes extends into the lower esophagus and has an inflatable occluding cuff at its inner or lower end while the outer end extends through the coupling and mask to the atmosphere providing a clear venting passage from the stomach. The outer tube has holes lying near the laryngeal region and communicates, through chambers in the coupling, with a ventilating gas supply. A second embodiment includes tubes of equal length in concentric relationship, the cuff being on the outer tube. In the second embodiment, the inner tube is distensible so that, when relaxed, maximum air flow volume is available. The inner tube expands to permit passage of an NG tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for resuscitating, administering anesthesia to, or administering respiratory care to a patient is shown which allows greater rebreathing of mixed expired gases thus improving humidification and heat retention in the inspired gases. The inhalation breathing circuit may include two concentric, non-kinking, corrugated tubes, one visually apparent within the other, for handling both fresh gases and mixed expired gases of the patient or the inhalation breathing circuit may consist of a spiralled inflow tube contained within the wall of the larger exhalation corregated tube. An adjustable exhaust pressure valve maintains a predetermined pressure range for the gas being delivered to-and-fro between a breathing bag and the patient. Expired gases vent through an anesthesia bacterial filter or may be scavenged to prevent environmental pollution. Suctioning of the patient may be performed without interrupting the fresh gas flow or ventilation to the patient.

Abstract: A method of determining arterial carbon dioxide tension from mixed expired gases of a patient utilizing a partial rebreathing anesthesia circuit. An electrode is inserted into expired gases of a patient to measure expired carbon dioxide tension. An output signal from the electrode, which indicates expired carbon dioxide tension, has a very high impedance. By reducing the impedance of the output signal, a more usable signal is obtained. Also, the signal must be converted to a relatively linear function, which is then scaled to give a visual indication proportionate to the arterial carbon dioxide tension. The electrode is pre-calibrated by gases having known percentages of carbon dioxide. The scaling factor is included to compensate for differences between the expired carbon dioxide tension and arterial carbon dioxide tension.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for administering anesthesia to a patient is shown. A control module may be connected through an inhalation breathing circuit to a patient with a portion of the mixed/expired gases being rebreathed by the patient thus improving humidification and heat retention. By use of a CO.sub.2 analyzer in the control module, the CO.sub.2 content of the expired gas is accurately measured with any necessary adjustments being made in the gases delivered to the patient. The control module includes an O.sub.2 analyzer, adjustable pressure warning and control device, pressure gauge, manually controlled scavenger valve, and bacterial filter connected thereto. An anesthesia ventilator or breathing bag may be used in conjunction with the control module for administering anesthesia or transportation of the patient.