Abstract: A nitric oxide delivery device is provided that can be formed as a module that is insertable in a mating equipment bay in a gas delivery system found in one location, removed and used in conjunction with a transport gas delivery system when the patient is transported, and thereafter inserted in the equipment bay of a gas delivery system located at a second location. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a housing having an NO supply port, an NO delivery port, a flow sensor port, and a conduit pneumatically connected to the NO supply port and the NO delivery port. A selector valve is positioned in the conduit and selectively moves between a first position wherein the NO supply port is pneumatically connected to the NO delivery port and a second position wherein the NO delivery port is pneumatically connected to a temporary supply of NO.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the NO.sub.2 concentration in the gas provided to a patient. The therapy of using nitric oxide to threat the lungs of a patient includes administering that gas along with a gas containing oxygen. Since the mixing of NO and oxygen cause a reaction leading to the formation of NO.sub.2 and which is toxic, the method and system determine the concentration of oxygen in the oxygen containing gas, the concentration of NO in the NO containing gas and the residence time between the time those gasses are mixed together to the time that mixture is administered to the patient. Those values are then used, preferably in a microprocessor to access a look up table in the memory of the processor, to thereby provide an estimation of the NO.sub.2 concentration of the gas administered to the patient.

Abstract: A rotation-sensing device for providing output signals that correspond to rotary hand movement made about the device by an operator is disclosed. The device comprises a cover member including an outer surface having a generally cylindrical, longitudinally elongate, non-rotatable protusion carried thereon. The protrusion projects outwardly from the outer surface and is provided with an outer periphery thereon. The device further includes a plurality of generally longitudinally elongate, circumferentially spaced, sensing means which are positioned adjacent the outer periphery of the protrusion and are responsive to the rotary hand movement of the operator for providing output signals corresponding to such movement. In addition, the device includes means coupled to the sensing means for leading the signals generated in the sensing means away from the switch device.

Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus is provided with setting elements such as knobs for inputting set values for various parameters. A digital display is provided for showing measured values of operational variables. The set point for each parameter is displayed on the display apparatus along with the measured values only when the knob or setting element for the particular parameter is engaged by the operator's hand.