Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for simulating a pneumatic system. The method can include dividing a pneumatic system into logical component sections. Each of the logical component sections can be visually rendered in a graphical user interface. Also, user modification of control element settings in the logical component sections can be permitted. Subsequently, gas flows within the logical component sections can be animated using individually rendered gas molecule icons coupled to corresponding animation scripts. Each of the scripts can determine an animation direction and animation rate for a corresponding one of the gas molecule icons. In particular, the actual pneumatic system can be an anesthesia machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for titrating the oxygen content delivered to a patient via an open delivery system and reduce fire risk. The apparatus may include a nasal cannula or face mask and an anesthesia machine having an air flowmeter. The cannula may be in fluid connection with one or more gas outlets on the anesthesia machine. The cannula may provide a user-adjustable reduced O2 content gas flow to the patient. By providing an O2 gas mixture having a lower concentration of O2, the present invention significantly mitigates the risk of surgical fires. The apparatus may also include an anesthesia machine having an electronic flowmeter, either alone or in conjunction with the cannula, for maintaining oxygen saturation at a selected level. The apparatus may also include an anesthesia machine having an additional operating mode for use with an open delivery system.

Abstract: A self-inflating resuscitation system formed from a self-inflating resuscitation bag and an exhalation indicator. In particular, the self-inflating resuscitation bag provides an exhalation indicator, which may be an audio or visual indicator, or both. The exhalation indicator enables a caregiver to more accurately determine whether a patient is being ventilated, unlike prior art self-inflating resuscitation bags, and helps to detect esophageal intubation in intubated patients or gastric trapping of gas in non-intubated patients undergoing positive pressure ventilation. In general, the device may be interposed between any source of positive pressure ventilation and any airway device to monitor exhalation as an indicator of adequacy of ventilation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a ventilator in a primary electronic mode or in a back-up pneumatic mode during primary electronic mode failure. A method and apparatus for operating a ventilator in an advanced mode, having a number of ventilatory modes, or in a basic mode, having a limited number of ventilatory modes is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering an O2 comprising gas mixture by nasal cannula or face mask to a patient includes at least one jet pump having an inlet for receiving a high pressure O2 rich flow and an outlet for emitting a reduced O2 content flow as compared to the O2 rich flow at its inlet. The jet pump includes at least one air entrainment aperture for entraining room air and provides the reduced O2 content gas flow at its outlet, thus providing O2 dilution. A nasal cannula or face mask is in fluid connection with the outlet of the jet pump. The nasal cannula or face mask includes a fluid conduit terminating at a pair of apertured nostril outlet prongs or face facemask, respectively, for providing the reduced O2 content gas flow to the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is an intubation imaging stylet for intubating a patient by use in a tube/imaging stylet combination, said imaging stylet comprising: a malleable stylet having a longitudinal axis and a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible image guide having a longitudinal axis and a proximal end and a distal end, said image guide being connected to said stylet such that a portion of said image guide runs parallel to a portion of said stylet along the longitudinal axis of said stylet and such that the distal end of said image guide is co-extensive with the distal end of said stylet; and at least one flexible illumination fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said illumination fiber being connected to said stylet such that a portion of said illumination fiber runs parallel to a portion of said stylet along the longitudinal axis of said stylet and such that the distal end of said illumination fiber is co-extensive with the distal end of said stylet; such that in use, said imaging stylet is disposed within

Abstract: Disclosed is an intubation imaging stylet for intubating a patient by use in a tube/imaging stylet combination, said imaging stylet comprising: a malleable stylet having a longitudinal axis and a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible image guide having a longitudinal axis and a proximal end and a distal end, said image guide being connected to said stylet such that a portion of said image guide runs parallel to a portion of said stylet along the longitudinal axis of said stylet and such that the distal end of said image guide is co-extensive with the distal end of said stylet; and at least one flexible illumination fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said illumination fiber being connected to said stylet such that a portion of said illumination fiber runs parallel to a portion of said stylet along the longitudinal axis of said stylet and such that the distal end of said illumination fiber is co-extensive with the distal end of said stylet; such that in use, said imaging stylet is disposed within

Abstract: A gas supply and monitoring system is provided for use in many medical system which can include, but is not limited to, a sedation and analgesia system, anesthesia machines, dental gas systems, and veterinary systems which deliver gasses. The gas supply and monitoring system can include a gas source; a variable size orifice system connected to the gas source wherein the variable size orifice system has a gas output supply opposite of the gas source; and a sensor system connected to the gas output supply wherein the sensor system can be used to verify a patient receives the appropriate gas output supply.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for monitoring drug compliance by detecting markers, such as odors, upon exhalation by a patient after medication is taken, wherein such markers result either directly from the medication itself or from an additive combined with the medication. In the case of olfactory markers, the invention preferably utilizes electronic sensor technology, such as the commercial devices referred to as “artificial noses” or “electronic noses,” to non-invasively monitor compliance. The invention further includes a reporting system capable of tracking compliance (remote or proximate) and providing the necessary alerts.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for simulating a pneumatic system. The method can include dividing a pneumatic system into logical component sections. Each of the logical component sections can be visually rendered in a graphical user interface. Also, user modification of control element settings in the logical component sections can be permitted. Subsequently, gas flows within the logical component sections can be animated using individually rendered gas molecule icons coupled to corresponding animation scripts. Each of the scripts can determine an animation direction and animation rate for a corresponding one of the gas molecule icons. In particular, the actual pneumatic system can be an anesthesia machine.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a novel method and apparatus for improving the efficacy of a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure by coordinating such treatment or procedure with at least one physiological cycle of a patient. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention pertains to a novel method of coordinating a chest x-ray with a patient's ventilatory cycle. In a specific example, this invention concerns a novel device for interfacing a ventilator and an x-ray machine to ensure that an x-ray chest image can be taken at peak insufflation of the patient. The subject invention also relates to other medical procedures including, but not limited to, cardiac output measurement, chest imaging, inhalation therapy, oxygen delivery, blood pressure measurement, extracorporel shock wave lithotripsy, and pulse oximeter optoplethysmograms.

Abstract: An infusate cassette is described for use with an IV infusion system which controls the process of administering a drug to a patient. The cassette and other aspects of the infusion system may include disposable components, external redundant volume tracking, air removal and automated purge and prime capabilities, component removal lockout mechanisms, and/or redundant automated anti-free flow devices. An IV manifold comprising an imbedded high cracking pressure anti-free flow valve is also described for use with the infusion system. The cassette, IV manifold, and other aspects of the infusion system may be provided with quality assurance mechanisms for use with integrated IV infusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to capital equipment units, such as systems for providing medical treatment, that are associated with smart supplies. The smart supplies are tagged with data carriers which may encode such information as a unique ID for the supply or component, the identification of the supply or component, the identification of the source of the supply or component, the status of whether said supply or component has been previously used, the expiration date of the supply or component, and in the case where the supply or component contains drug, the purity levels of the drug and the concentration levels of the drug. The capital equipment units or their users then utilize the information to assure quality of any procedure run with the units, by way of improved pre-use checks, certification of the supplies for use, record keeping, inventory control, and charge capture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a ventilator in a primary electronic mode or in a back-up pneumatic mode during primary electronic mode failure. A method and apparatus for operating a ventilator in an advanced mode, having a number of ventilatory modes, or in a basic mode, having a limited number of ventilatory modes is also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a system for imaging the human airway having highly advantageous optical, mechanical, ergonomical and physical characteristics. In a specific embodiment, the human airway can be imaged during the intubation procedure. The subject imaging scopes can incorporate a malleable stylet which its shape when bent, in order to facilitate intubation of a patient. In a preferred embodiment, a solid metal stylet, for example, a conventional endotracheal tube stylet, can be utilized. In a specific embodiment the subject intubation scope allows for a user to utilize conventional techniques for the insertion of an endotracheal tube, reducing the training needed for use of the subject intubation scope. Preferably, the subject imaging scopes also incorporate at least one illumination fiber to convey light to the distal tip of the subject imaging scopes, for illumination of the objects to be imaged.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a novel method and apparatus for improving the efficacy of a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure by coordinating such treatment or procedure with a patient's breathing cycle. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention pertains to a novel method of coordinating a chest x-ray with a patient's ventilatory cycle. In a specific example, this invention concerns a novel device for interfacing a ventilator and an x-ray machine to ensure that an x-ray chest image can be taken at peak insufflation of the patient. The subject invention also relates to other medical procedures including, but not limited to, cardiac output measurement, chest imaging, inhalation therapy, oxygen delivery, blood pressure measurement, and pulse oximeter optoplethysmograms. By coordinating certain medical treatments and diagnostic procedures with a patient's breathing cycle, the subject invention improves the quality of medical care received by the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the delivery of inspired gas, e.g., supplemental O2, to a person combined with gas sampling, including for the purpose of monitoring of the ventilation of the person. In the invention, the delivery of inspired gas and gas sampling are accomplished without the use of a sealed face mask. The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention comprises an oxygen delivery device, nasal airway pressure sampling devices, optionally an oral airway pressure sampling device and at least one pressure analyzer connected to the sampling devices which determine the phase of the person's respiration cycle and the person's primary airway. The oxygen delivery device is connected to a controller such that it delivers a higher flow of oxygen to the person during the inhalation phase of the person's respiratory cycle. The invention thus increases end tidal oxygen concentrations.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a system for imaging the human airway having highly advantageous optical, mechanical, ergonomical and physical characteristics. In a specific embodiment, the human airway can be imaged during the intubation procedure. The subject imaging scopes can incorporate a malleable stylet which retains its shape when bent, in order to facilitate intubation of a patient. In a preferred embodiment, a solid metal stylet, for example, a conventional endotracheal tube stylet, can be utilized. In a specific embodiment the subject intubation scope allows for a user to utilize conventional techniques for the insertion of an endotracheal tube, reducing the training needed for use of the subject intubation scope. Preferably, the subject imaging scopes also incorporate at least one illumination fiber to convey light to the distal tip of the subject imaging scopes, for illumination of the objects to be imaged.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a novel method and apparatus for improving the efficacy of a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure by coordinating such treatment or procedure with a patient's breathing cycle. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention pertains to a novel method of coordinating a chest x-ray with a patient's ventilatory cycle. In a specific example, this invention concerns a novel device for interfacing a ventilator and an x-ray machine to ensure that an x-ray chest image can be taken at peak insufflation of the patient. The subject invention also relates to other medical procedures including, but not limited to, cardiac output measurement, chest imaging, inhalation therapy, oxygen delivery, blood pressure measurement, and pulse oximeter optoplethysmograms. By coordinating certain medical treatments and diagnostic procedures with a patient's breathing cycle, the subject invention improves the quality of medical care received by the patient.

Abstract: Method and apparatuses for simulating life support procedures in real-time using a mannequin. The apparatuses and methods are operable for a number of therapeutic interventions and provide for a number of appropriate simulated physiological and pharmacological responses. Included interventions are chest displacement, the application of gas pressure to the upper airway, inspiratory gas composition, administration of a fluid, or administration of intravenous drugs. These interventions provide a variety of appropriate responses (and misapplication of an intervention by a trainee provides a corresponding appropriate response).