Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly and method for topically applying a local anesthetic agent into the trachea and/or hypopharynx during intubation with a tracheal tube. The present invention is designed to topically anesthetize the tracheal surfaces that are in contact with the tracheal tube, thereby preventing the patient from experiencing physiological reactions such as coughing, pain or discomfort from the indwelling tracheal tube, as well as post operative or post extubation laryngospasm. Local anesthetic application can be performed by bolus or continuous infusion.

Abstract: A cap assembly for a vessel having a medial portion and a lower end. The vessel is adapted to contain a filtering medium. The cap assembly is provided with a cap having a lower portion, an upper portion, a sidewall extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, and a fluid outlet being formed through a portion of the sidewall. The lower portion is sized so as to be positioned on the medial portion on the vessel to form a fluid-type relationship between the lower portion of the cap and the medial portion of the vessel when the cap is positioned on the medial portion of the vessel and so that fluid communication is established between the cap and the vessel. The fluid outlet is offset laterally from a centrally disposed elongated axis of the cap so as to form a vortex when back washing the filtering medium.

Abstract: A filtration system for filtering particulate matter from a liquid, the filtration system comprises a pre-filtration apparatus and a main filtration apparatus. The pre-filtration apparatus comprises a vessel having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a back-washing outlet, and a filtering medium disposed in the vessel and capable of filtering large particulate matter from the liquid and passing fine particulate matter. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium. The fluid outlet and back-washing outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium. The main filtration apparatus comprises a vessel having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a filtering medium disposed in the vessel and capable of filtering fine particulate matter from the liquid. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering contaminated fluids is provided. In a filtering mode, contaminated fluid is introduced into a vessel housing a bed of positively buoyant particulate material and a bed of negatively buoyant particulate material in a spaced apart relationship. The contaminated fluid is passed through the bed of negatively buoyant particulate and through the bed of positively buoyant particulate. In a backwashing mode, a backwashing fluid is passed through the bed of positively buoyant particulate to flush particulate contaminants therefrom. The backwashing fluid is discharged from the vessel at a location between the bed of negatively buoyant particulate and the bed of positively buoyant particulate.

Abstract: A filtration system having a volume of positively buoyant particulate material and a volume of negatively buoyant particulate material. The system includes a vessel having an upper port, a lower port and an intermediate drain port. As contaminated liquid travels between the upper and lower ports, it is filtered through both volumes of particulate material. The system may be operated with the liquid flowing in either direction between the upper and lower ports. To clean the system, the drain port is opened and cleaning liquid is pumped into the upper port and/or the lower port and flushed out the drain port. An alternate embodiment of the filtration system includes a vessel, two tubular members, a volume of positively buoyant particulate and a volume of negatively buoyant material. The two tubular members extend into the vessel and have slotted areas for travel of liquid into and out of the tubular members.