Abstract: A humidifier for use with a pressure support system. The humidifier includes a body having an inlet, a fluid holding chamber, and an outlet. The inlet is positioned upstream and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. The outlet is positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. A back-flow preventing valve is positioned upstream of the fluid chamber. The back-flow preventing valve is movable between an open position, in which the inlet is unblocked, and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked. In the closed position, the back-flow preventing valve prevents fluid, fluid vapor, or both from entering the pressure support via the inlet to the humidifier.

Abstract: A humidifier for use with a pressure support system. The humidifier includes a body having an inlet, a fluid holding chamber, and an outlet. The inlet is positioned upstream and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. The outlet is positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. A back-flow preventing valve is positioned upstream of the fluid chamber. The back-flow preventing valve is movable between an open position, in which the inlet is unblocked, and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked. In the closed position, the back-flow preventing valve prevents fluid, fluid vapor, or both from entering the pressure support via the inlet to the humidifier.

Abstract: A compliance monitoring system and method in which a modular compliance monitor is selectively disposed in-line in a patient circuit of a pressure support system. The monitor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, each of which is selectively connectable to the patient circuit so that the flow of gas in the patient circuit also passes through a passage is provided through the housing. A sensor operatively coupled to the passage detects a parameter indicative of patient breathing. A processor disposed in the housing and receives the output of the sensor and determines, from the output of the sensor, whether the patient is breathing into the patient circuit, and outputs compliance data based on this determination.

Abstract: A humidifier for use with a pressure support system. The humidifier includes a body having an inlet, a fluid holding chamber, and an outlet. The inlet is positioned upstream and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. The outlet is positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. A back-flow preventing valve is positioned upstream of the fluid chamber. The back-flow preventing valve is movable between an open position, in which the inlet is unblocked, and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked. In the closed position, the back-flow preventing valve prevents fluid, fluid vapor, or both from entering the pressure support via the inlet to the humidifier.

Abstract: A humidifier for use with a pressure support system. The humidifier includes a body having an inlet, a fluid holding chamber, and an outlet. The inlet is positioned upstream and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. The outlet is positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. A back-flow preventing valve is positioned upstream of the fluid chamber. The back-flow preventing valve is movable between an open position, in which the inlet is unblocked, and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked. In the closed position, the back-flow preventing valve prevents fluid, fluid vapor, or both from entering the pressure support via the inlet to the humidifier.

Abstract: A needleless injector generally includes a barrel having a proximal and a distal end and a bore therethrough along with an injection head disposed at the barrel distal end in fluid communication with the bore; an energy source is disposed at the barrel proximal end and a bolt may be disposed in said bore for reciprocating movement therein, from a first position to a second position for drawing medicament into the bore, the bolt being fitted in the bore in order to force medicament through the injection head upon movement of the bolt from the second to the first position. A mechanism is provided for activating the energy source in order to operate the bolt.

Abstract: A compliance monitoring system and method in which a modular compliance monitor is selectively disposed in-line in a patient circuit of a pressure support system. The monitor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, each of which is selectively connectable to the patient circuit so that the flow of gas in the patient circuit also passes through a passage is provided through the housing. A sensor operatively coupled to the passage detects a parameter indicative of patient breathing. A processor disposed in the housing and receives the output of the sensor and determines, from the output of the sensor, whether the patient is breathing into the patient circuit, and outputs compliance data based on this determination.

Abstract: A compliance monitoring system and method in which a modular compliance monitor is selectively disposed in-line in a patient circuit of a pressure support system. The monitor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, each of which is selectively connectable to the patient circuit so that the flow of gas in the patient circuit also passes through a passage is provided through the housing. A sensor operatively coupled to the passage detects a parameter indicative of patient breathing. A processor disposed in the housing and receives the output of the sensor and determines, from the output of the sensor, whether the patient is breathing into the patient circuit, and outputs compliance data based on this determination.

Abstract: A compliance monitoring system and method in which a modular compliance monitor is selectively disposed in-line in a patient circuit of a pressure support system. The monitor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, each of which is selectively connectable to the patient circuit so that the flow of gas in the patient circuit also passes through a passage is provided through the housing. A sensor operatively coupled to the passage detects a parameter indicative of patient breathing. A processor disposed in the housing and receives the output of the sensor and determines, from the output of the sensor, whether the patient is breathing into the patient circuit, and outputs compliance data based on this determination.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering pressurized gas to the airway of a patient including: a gas flow generator for providing a flow of gas, a breathing appliance for sealingly communicating with the airway of the patient, and a conduit for delivery of the gas flow to the airway of the patient, the conduit having a first end connected to the gas flow generator and a second end connected to the breathing appliance. The apparatus further includes at least one sensor in fluid communication with the conduit and located substantially at the gas flow generator for detecting conditions corresponding to breathing patterns of the patient and generating signals corresponding to the conditions, and an information processor for receiving the signals and for controlling the output of the gas flow generator responsive to the signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering pressurized gas to the airway of a patient including: a gas flow generator for providing a flow of gas, a breathing appliance for sealingly communicating with the airway of the patient, and a conduit for delivery of the gas flow to the airway of the patient, the conduit having a first end connected to the gas flow generator and a second end connected to the breathing appliance. The apparatus further includes at least one sensor in fluid communication with the conduit and located substantially at the gas flow generator for detecting conditions corresponding to breathing patterns of the patient and generating signals corresponding to the conditions, and an information processor for receiving the signals and for controlling the output of the gas flow generator responsive to the signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering pressurized gas to the airway of a patient including: a gas flow generator for providing a flow of gas, a breathing appliance for sealingly communicating with the airway of the patient, and a conduit for delivery of the gas flow to the airway of the patient, the conduit having a first end connected to the gas flow generator and a second end connected to the breathing appliance. The apparatus further includes at least one sensor in fluid communication with the conduit and located substantially at the gas flow generator for detecting conditions corresponding to breathing patterns of the patient and generating signals corresponding to the conditions, and an information processor for receiving the signals and for controlling the output of the gas flow generator responsive to the signals.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprising a frame, a cooking chamber carried by the frame, a heating unit carried by the frame and being adapted to be actuated to heat clean the chamber, a switch for permitting the heating unit to heat clean the chamber only when the switch is actuated, a movable door carried by the frame for opening and closing the cooking chamber, a movable latch member carried by the frame and being movable between a non-latching position thereof that permits the door to be opened and closed and a latching position thereof that locks the door in its closed position if the door is in its closed position at the time the latch member is moved to the latching position thereof, and a drive unit carried by the frame and being operatively interconnected to the latch member to move the latch member between the positions thereof, the latch member being movable from the non-latching position thereof to a third position thereof by the drive unit when the drive unit tends to move the latch member from the non-la

Abstract: A fuel control system, throttle valve unit therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the system comprising a burner, a source of fuel for the burner, and a throttle valve unit for interconnecting the source to the burner, the throttle valve unit having a movable valve member and a valve seat controlled by the valve member, the throttle associated with the valve member to control the position of the valve member relative to the valve seat so as to control the flame height at the burner, the electrically operated unit comprising a fixed magnet unit and a movable magnet unit each of which is adapted to provide a magnetic field that will react with the other magnetic field, one of the magnet units having an electrical conductor that is adapted to vary the force of its magnetic field in relation to the magnitude of an electrical current passing therethrough whereby the valve member is adapted to be positioned relative to the valve seat in relation to the effect created between the magnetic fields.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus, a door latching construction therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the cooking apparatus including a frame, a cooking chamber carried by the frame, a heating unit carried by the frame and being adapted to be actuated to heat clean the chamber, a switch for permitting the heating unit to heat clean the chamber only when the switch is actuated, a movable door carried by the frame for opening and closing the cooking chamber, a movable latch member carried by the frame and being movable between a non-latching position thereof that permits the door to be opened and closed and a latching position thereof that locks the door in its closed position if the door is in its closed position at the time the latch member is moved to the latching position thereof, and a drive unit carried by the frame and being operatively interconnected to the latch member to move the latch member between the positions thereof, the latch member being movable from the non-latching position thereof to a th

Abstract: A fuel control system, throttle valve unit therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the system comprising a burner, a source of fuel for the burner, and a throttle valve unit for interconnecting the source to the burner, the throttle valve unit having a movable valve member and a valve seat controlled by the valve member, the throttle valve unit having an electrically operated unit operatively associated with the valve member to control the position of the valve member relative to the valve seat so as to control the flame height at the burner, the electrically operated unit comprising a fixed magnet unit and a movable magnet unit each of which is adapted to provide a magnetic field that will react with the other magnetic field, one of the magnet units having an electrical conductor that is adapted to vary the force of its magnetic field in relation to the magnitude of an electrical current passing therethrough whereby the valve member is adapted to be positioned relative to the valve seat in rela

Abstract: An electrical circuit for a cooking apparatus and a method of making the same are provided, the circuit being adapted to cause sparking at a first igniter for a top burner by causing current flow through the primary of a first transformer and to cause sparking at a second igniter for an oven burner by causing current flow through the primary of a second transformer. The circuit has a main circuit branch having opposed ends and being adapted to be interconnected to an electrical power source at the opposed ends thereof so as to charge a main capacitor that causes the current flow through the primaries when a gate of an SCR of the main branch is activated, the circuit having two activating circuit branches each being adapted to activate the gate.