Abstract: To provide a process and an apparatus for treating a waste anesthetic gas containing a volatile anesthetic and nitrous oxide discharged from an operating room by introducing the gas into an adsorbing cylinder filled with an adsorbent, where the volatile anesthetic contained in the waste anesthetic gas is adsorbed and thereby removed, and successively introducing the gas into a catalyst layer filled with a nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst, where nitrous oxide is decomposed into nitrogen and oxygen. By using the process and the apparatus for treating a waste anesthetic gas of the present invention, a volatile anesthetic having a possibility of destroying the ozone layer or nitrous oxide as a global warming gas can be made harmless while preventing the release into atmosphere.

Abstract: Aerosol delivery systems and methods for delivering an agent to a patient are described herein. The present invention includes embodiments comprising an insulated receptacle connected to a body to hold a vial of an agent to be delivered to a patient. The vial is located in an inverted position within the receptacle and connected to the housing. One or more reusable thermal packs can be located on the inner sides of the receptacle, to maintain a selected temperature surrounding the vial. The agent is administered to a patient by placing a prong into one of the patient's orifices and then activating an aerosol delivery system. Such systems comprise jet aerosolization and pneumatic and ultrasonic nebulizers and preferably are portable.

Abstract: A nebulizer uses air or preferably oxygen to aerate and transport an anesthetic for providing topical anesthesia to the airway passages of a patient undergoing analysis or treatment by any of several medical instruments used to traverse the airway passages. The nebulizer is preferably applied in connection with fiberoptical diagnostic and therapeutic instruments, such as bronchoscopes, endoscopes and laryngoscopes, and many variations of these instruments. Other liquid, aerosol, and gaseous drugs may also be administered with the nebulizer.

Abstract: An oxygen separator for separating oxygen from ambient air utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption process has a mass of less than 2.3 kg. A carrier is mountable on a person to support the oxygen separator for ambulatory use.

Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve. A metering device in an inhaler includes a pressurized source of medicated fluid and a metering chamber configured to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid to a heated flow passage in the inhaler.

Abstract: A device for metering anesthetic is provided such that a new anesthetic is immediately available for the metering when the anesthetic is changed. The metering device has an assembly unit that can be removed from the medical apparatus as a module with a reservoir (4) for a liquid anesthetic, an intermediate container (9) arranged downstream of the reservoir (4), a metering gas source (11) connected to the intermediate container (9) and a metering element (14) for anesthetic on the discharge side of the intermediate container (9). An evaporator chamber (15) may be provided for evaporating the metered anesthetic. A connecting device lets through at least anesthetic vapor as an interface between the assembly unit (1) and the medical apparatus (2).

Abstract: A method of determining ventilation inhomogeneity in the lungs is provided. During the first step of the method, a lung volume series is calculated from a series of measured lung inert gas concentrations and lung inert gas volumetric change measured data series. As a second step, the series of lung volumes is completed with a series of value representing the total gas exchange efficiency in the lungs. A global inert gas dilution ratio may be used for this purpose. The gas exchange efficiency values are such that less ventilation is represented by lower numbers. As the third step, the gas exchange efficiency series is plotted as an ordinate and lung volume series as an abscissa to form a graph. From this graph both the lung volume and homogeneity of ventilation become directly apparent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the metered administration of a therapeutically effective gas to a patient, comprising a step to remove harmful or undesired substances from the gas-carrying system or from parts of the gas-carrying system. According to the invention, the step consists of purging with one or more other gases or gas mixtures and/or it consists of evacuation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing breathing gases to a subject employs an exchanger taking up a quantity of a given component, such as CO2, from expiratory breathing gases passing through the exchanger and thereafter releasing the given component in inspiratory breathing gases subsequently passing through the exchanger. The exchanger may be selectively inserted in a flow path for the breathing gases for this purpose. Or, the breathing gases may be selectively passed through and bypassed around the exchanger. The apparatus and method may be used for non-invasive determination of the functional cardiac output of a patient using the differential form of the Fick equation.

Abstract: The present invention includes a non-rebreathing circuit coupled with computer-controlled gas adjustments. Ambient air is diluted with nitrogen on a breath-by-breath basis to provide precise control over the inspired concentration of oxygen/nitrogen mixture, thereby simulating selected altitudes on an almost instantaneous basis. Carbon dioxide and water vapor exhaled by the subject are released into the environment and absorption is not necessary. In addition, the mixed gas can be administered through a standard aviator's oxygen mask, increasing the realism of the simulation and removing obvious external cues on the nature of the experiment. Maintenance on the mixing loop is low when compared to re-breathing units, since no consumable items are necessary to absorb water vapor or carbon dioxide. A mixing device provides a homogenized mixture of nitrogen/oxygen fluid to the subject.

Abstract: A device for exchanging gas volumes in an anesthetic system has an inlet, an outlet, a first chamber arranged between the inlet and the outlet, a second chamber arranged between the inlet and the outlet, a switching valve for selective connection to the first chamber or the second chamber for forming a flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and a controller for controlling the switching valve.

Abstract: For automatic supply of an active substance to a patient's body (14) the supply rate (R) of an infusion pump (13) is evaluated. The supply rate is processed in a patient model (11) which receives the corresponding active substance data from a drug data bank (12). The patient model (11) calculates the concentration (CNactual) in the patient's body from the former values of the active substance supply. Said actual concentration value is fed to a concentration controller (17) which also receives a desired concentration value (CNdesired). The infusion pump (13) is controlled as a function of the difference obtained. The desired concentration value can be manually set on an input device (19) or is supplied by another control portion which generates e. g. a BIS level or an adequate signal from the patient's EEG, the BIS level being a measure of the depth of anaesthesia.

Abstract: A method to maintain isocapnia for a subject. A fresh gas is provided to the subject when the subject breathes at a rate less than or equal to the fresh gas flowing to the subject. The fresh gas flow equal to a baseline minute ventilation minus a dead space gas ventilation of the subject contains a physiological insignificant amount of CO2. An additional reserve gas is provided to the subject when the subject breathes at a rate more than the fresh gas flowing to the subject. The reserve gas has a partial pressure of carbon dioxide equal to an arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide of the subject. A breathing circuit is applied to the method to maintain isocapnia for a subject. The breathing circuit has an exit port, a non-rebreathing valve, a source of fresh gas, a fresh gas reservoir and a reserve gas supply.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing breathing gases to a subject employs an exchanger taking up a quantity of a given component, such as CO2, from expiratory breathing gases passing through the exchanger and thereafter releasing the given component in inspiratory breathing gases subsequently passing through the exchanger. The exchanger may be selectively inserted in a flow path for the breathing gases for this purpose. Or, the breathing gases may be selectively passed through and bypassed around the exchanger. The apparatus and method may be used for non-invasive determination of the functional cardiac output of a patient using the differential form of the Fick equation.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for supplying low pressure oxygen-enriched gas to a patient and at a moderate pressure to a radial compressor, whereupon it is compressed and fed to a high pressure storage tank. The oxygen-enriched gas is prioritized so that it is continuously supplied via a patient flow line to the patient.

Abstract: A monitoring process for the reliable metering of different gaseous anesthetics uses a gaseous anesthetic monitor designed as only a single-channel monitor for determining the concentration of only one gaseous anesthetic. The process also uses an associated gaseous anesthetic metering means.

Abstract: An oxygen mask assembly including an oxygen dilutor assembly with air inlet apertures located in a top wall thereof for diluting the oxygen flowing therethrough. In one embodiment, the mask assembly additionally includes an air reservoir bag assembly, a one-way inhalation valve for maintaining continuous positive airway pressure in the mask and a pressure valve on the mask for adjusting the air pressure in the mask.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler for use with a blister pack is disclosed. The inhaler has a dosing mechanism that releases powder from a variable number of blisters in the blister pack into an inhalation channel, such that the actual dose administered by the inhaler can be varied with each use of the inhaler.

Abstract: A patient ventilator system has a high-frequency oscillation ventilator connectable to a patient circuit and operable to induce oscillations within gas in the circuit at a predetermined high-frequency and a gas supply connectable to the patient circuit for supplying breathing gas thereto. A detection device is also included within the ventilator system and is adapted to monitor during the operation of the high-frequency oscillator ventilator, gas pressure and/or gas flow to detect a variation therein not derived from the induced high-frequency oscillations and to output a trigger signal dependent on the detected variation indicating a spontaneous breathing effort. The gas supply is operable on receipt of the trigger signal to supply breathing gas into the circuit at a level to assist the spontaneous breathing effort.

Abstract: An arrangement with a control circuit for controlling a numerical value for patient respiration as well as to a process for controlling the numerical value. The numerical value is controlled on the basis of an evaluation of the EEG (electroencephalogram) of the patient (1) by an EEG sensor (2), e.g., by determining the so-called BIS (bispectral index). A control of the inspiratory gaseous anesthetic concentrations is cascaded to the control of the EEG value in the manner of a cascade circuit. This has the advantage that a metering device (6) belonging to the arrangement meters a gaseous anesthetic mixture directly according to the patient's needs. As an alternative, the control of the numerical value is performed on the basis of an evaluation of the expiratory gaseous anesthetic concentrations resolved for individual breaths at the Y-piece (19) of the respiration circuit (12) by a gaseous anesthetic sensor (8a), preferably an infrared optical gas sensor.

Abstract: A fire-resistant housing forming a heat generating compartment having an access opening and at least one elongated heating element which is coupled to a support element in said compartment to position a second end of the heating element proximate the access opening for vaporizing an herbal sample placed in close proximity thereof. Such second end is further positioned at a height equal to or less than the height between the first end and an underlying support surface. A connector is included to electrically connect the heating element to a power source for energizing the heating element.

Abstract: A nitric oxide delivery system is disclosed that delivers a pulsed volume of NO containing therapeutic gas to a patient upon each inhalation of the patient. The NO delivery system includes certain functions to provide protection against the inadvertent inclusion of NO2 in the therapeutic gas administered to the patient. One of the functions is to provide a purge upon start up of the delivery system apparatus that clears the regulator and conduits of any NO2 that may have formed during the prior idle period of the system. A detector determines the start-up and may automatically carry out the purge cycle or may cause a prompt that is visual or audible to remind the user to carry out the purge cycle manually.

Abstract: A process, system and apparatus for changing the concentration in an anesthesia apparatus with a fresh gas metering unit (14) and a pressure sensor (17) in the breathing circuit, with a volume displacement device (1) in the inspiration branch and a PEEP/PMAX valve (7) in the expiration branch. The fresh gas metering unit (14), the pressure sensor (17), the volume displacement unit (1) and the PEEP/PMAX valve (7) are connected to an evaluating and control unit (15). To bring about a rapid change in the concentration of the anesthetic or fresh gas supplied in the breathing circuit without additional design effort on the anesthesia apparatus the volume displacement device (1) is rinsed, either under the control of the fresh gas supply or under the control of the speed at which the volume displacement device (1) is returned. The rinsing takes place simultaneously with the regular respiration operation of the anesthesia apparatus, which may take place in a volume-controlled or pressure-controlled manner.

Abstract: A humidifier for use with a breathable gas supply apparatus includes a hollow body adapted for partial filling with water to a predetermined maximum water level, a gas inlet to the body above the maximum water level and a gas outlet from the body above the maximum water level. The humidifier further includes a constant temperature heating element for heating the water and/or an adjustable flow divider adapted to divide the interior of the body above the maximum water level into a relatively dry gas region and a relatively wet gas region. The position of the divider is variable so as to vary the relative proportion of the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet that passes through the relatively dry and relatively wet gas regions to thereby vary the amount of humidification thereof.

Abstract: A reusable anesthetic container (1) has an anesthetic reserve space (2), which is provided with at least one movable wall element (3). The wall element (3) can be caused to follow the liquid anesthetic volume. In one embodiment, the movable wall element (3) is designed as a piston, which is caused to follow the anesthetic volume via a toothed piston rod (9). An elastomer ring is preferably provided on the storage container as a detent pawl for the piston rod (9). The anesthetic container (1) has a first metering element (5), which is actuated inductively by means of a complementary second metering element (6) cooperating with another metering element on the anesthesia apparatus (7) for metering the anesthetic.

Abstract: A method to maintain isocapnia for a subject. A fresh gas is provided to the subject when the subject breathes at a rate less than or equal to the fresh gas flowing to the subject. The fresh gas flow equal to a baseline minute ventilation minus a dead space gas ventilation of the subject contains a physiological insignificant amount of CO2. An additional reserve gas is provided to the subject when the subject breathes at a rate more than the fresh gas flowing to the subject. The reserve gas has a partial pressure of carbon dioxide equal to an arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide of the subject. A breathing circuit is applied to the method to maintain isocapnia for a subject. The breathing circuit has an exit port, a non-rebreathing valve, a source of fresh gas, a fresh gas reservoir and a reserve gas supply.

Abstract: The gas mixing apparatus provides the components of a breathing gas for mixing at approximately ambient atmospheric pressure, and regulates the pressure of a selected gas to approximately ambient atmospheric pressure for mixing with air at ambient atmospheric pressure. The gas mixing apparatus includes a piston disposed within a pump chamber. A flow limiting inlet controls introduction of a first selected gas such as oxygen for mixing with a second selected gas such as air. The pressure of the first selected gas is limited to an acceptable maximum pressure, so that even if a valve for admitting the first selected gas for mixing at ambient pressure fails, breathing gas will not be provided at an excessive pressure.

Abstract: An anaesthetic vaporizer for dosing a liquid anaesthetic has a liquid container for the anaesthetic, and outlet tube from the liquid container to a dosing point, a first regulator for regulating a flow of anaesthetic from the liquid container toward the dosing point and a control unit for controlling dosing. To improve dosing and safety, the anaesthetic vaporizer has a return tube connected in parallel across the first regulator by a first connection point, downstream from the first regulator, and a second connection point, upstream from the first regulator, a second regulator is arranged in the return tube and a third regulator is arranged in the outlet tube, downstream from the first connection point. The control unit controls at least one of the regulators in dosing the anaesthetic.

Abstract: A nebuliser having elements for determining the duration of a pulse of atomisation during inspiration, including elements for measuring the tidal volume of a patient timing elements for measuring the duration of inspiration, elements for storing estimates of the volume of a patient's upper airway, and elements for calculating the duration of the pulse. The duration of the pulse is calculated on the basis of the tidal volume measured by the tidal volume measuring elements; the duration of inspiration measured by the timing elements, and the stored estimated volume of patient's upper airway from the storage elements.

Abstract: A process, system and apparatus for changing the concentration in an anesthesia apparatus with a fresh gas metering unit (14) and a pressure sensor (17) in the breathing circuit, with a volume displacement device (1) in the inspiration branch and a PEEP/PMAX valve (7) in the expiration branch. The fresh gas metering unit (14), the pressure sensor (17), the volume displacement unit (1) and the PEEP/PMAX valve (7) are connected to an evaluating and control unit (15). To bring about a rapid change in the concentration of the anesthetic or fresh gas supplied in the breathing circuit without additional design effort on the anesthesia apparatus the volume displacement device (1) is rinsed, either under the control of the fresh gas supply or under the control of the speed at which the volume displacement device (1) is returned. The rinsing takes place simultaneously with the regular respiration operation of the anesthesia apparatus, which may take place in a volume-controlled or pressure-controlled manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for supplying low pressure oxygen-enriched gas to a patient and at a moderate pressure to a radial compressor, whereupon it is compressed and fed to a high pressure storage tank. The oxygen-enriched gas is prioritized so that it is continuously supplied via a patient flow line to the patient.

Abstract: An arrangement with a control circuit for controlling a numerical value for patient respiration as well as to a process for controlling the numerical value. The numerical value is controlled on the basis of an evaluation of the EEG (electroencephalogram) of the patient (1) by an EEG sensor (2), e.g., by determining the so-called BIS (bispectral index). A control of the inspiratory gaseous anesthetic concentrations is cascaded to the control of the EEG value in the manner of a cascade circuit. This has the advantage that a metering device (6) belonging to the arrangement meters a gaseous anesthetic mixture directly according to the patient's needs. As an alternative, the control of the numerical value is performed on the basis of an evaluation of the expiratory gaseous anesthetic concentrations resolved for individual breaths at the Y-piece (19) of the respiration circuit (12) by a gaseous anesthetic sensor (8a), preferably an infrared optical gas sensor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a portable inhalation device. This device is compact and portable and contains a compressor, an air filter and a power supply, and permits, together with an aerosol nebuliser, the mobile administration of drugs by inhalation.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for dispensing medication in the respiratory system, with provision for breath-activation; open and closed-mouth technique; recording and control of dosage; and enhanced atomization of liquid medication. This is accomplished with a device that uses a medication canister with an integral battery and circuitry, the battery providing power for electro-mechanical activation, counting medication dosage used or remaining, and controlling device activation. The invention has capability for use with dry and wet medication, and is easily cocked with a simple manual action.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for dispensing medication in the respiratory system, with provision for breath-activation; open and closed-mouth technique; recording and control of dosage; and enhanced atomization of liquid medication. This is accomplished with a device that uses a medication canister with an integral battery and circuitry, the battery providing power for electro-mechanical activation, counting medication dosage used or remaining, and controlling device activation. The invention has capability for use with dry and wet medication, and is easily cocked with a simple manual action.

Abstract: A vaporizer for vaporizing a liquid anaesthetic has an inlet for a carrier gas, an outlet for the carrier gas and vaporized anaesthetic, a flow channel connecting the inlet to the outlet, a chamber for liquid anaesthetic, a first connection between the flow channel and the chamber, a second connection between the flow channel and the chamber downstream from the first connection and a throttle in the flow channel between the first connection and the second connection. The second connection has a conduit, one end of which is immersed in the liquid anaesthetic, and a valve connected to the other end of the conduit so as to increase safety, prevent leakage and erroneous dispensing and allow the use of liquid anaesthetics with a low boiling point. The valve is devised to open when there is a predetermined drop in pressure across the throttle, allowing liquid anaesthetic to be dispensed into the flow channel.

Abstract: An anaesthetic machine for connection to a patient's airways has a fan with an inlet and an outlet, a first system of flow paths connected between the fan's outlet and inlet, and a second system of flow paths connected between the fan's outlet and inlet. A fast system with wide variability with respect to operating modes is achieved by arranging a shunt valve at the fan's outlet in order to regulate the amount of gas flowing into the first system of flow paths and the second system of flow paths respectively, and a control unit is provided to control the shunt valve.

Abstract: A respirator with an inhalation line (5) connected to a gas supply device (2) and with an exhalation line (7) connected to an exhalation device (3), with a Y piece (8) connecting the inhalation line (5) to the exhalation line (7), and with a patient connection (9) going out from the Y piece (8). Partial rebreathing of CO2-containing exhaled air is made possible in a simple manner by providing a switchover device (4) between the inhalation line (5) and the gas supply device (2) as well as between the exhalation line (7) and the exhalation device (3). The switchover device is designed such that the flow connection is established between the inhalation line (5) and the gas supply device (2) as well as the exhalation line (7) and the exhalation device (3) in a first switching position and there is at least a flow connection between the gas supply device (2) and the exhalation line (7) in the second switching position.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for dispensing medication in the respiratory system, with provision for breath-activation; open and closed-mouth technique; recording and control of dosage; and enhanced atomization of liquid medication. This is accomplished with a device that uses a medication canister with an integral battery and circuitry, the battery providing power for electro-mechanical activation, counting medication dosage used or remaining, and controlling device activation. The invention has capability for use with dry and wet medication, and is easily cocked with a simple manual action.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying air and at least one additional gas to a respirating subject has a container with an open end for receiving air, which is connected to a tubing system for conveying gas to the subject. The additional gas is supplied from an additional gas source via a metering system and a supply line to the container. As gas is supplied to the subject during inspiration phases by a compressor, air will flow into the container via the open end. At the same time a flow of additional gas is supplied to the container via a point of entry. During expiration phases gas will be diverted via a flow divider to flow back to the container via the supply line for the additional gas. A homogeneous and controllable concentration of additional gas is obtained within the container before each inspiration phase. The apparatus requires only a few components, making it a low cost apparatus, but it provides a good control of the concentration of additional gas supplied to the patient.