Abstract: A respirator with a tidal volume-measuring device (6) between a respiration bag (8) and a patient adapter (2) provides accurate metering of the tidal volume. The device includes a first pressure-measuring device (4) and a breathing gas interruptor (5) in series sequence between the patient adapter (2) and the tidal volume-measuring device (6). A second pressure-measuring device (7) is provided between the tidal volume-measuring device (6) and the respiration bag (8). A control unit (20) is connected with the tidal volume-measuring device (6) and the pressure-measuring devices (4, 7) and sends control signals in such a way that when a predetermined tidal volume is reached, the breathing gas interrupter (5) is switched to the closed position, and that the closed position is eliminated when the pressure p2 measured with the second pressure-measuring means (7) has dropped below the pressure p1 determined with the first pressure-measuring means (4).

Abstract: A constant pressure generator has a variable volume fluid reservoir formed by a container having fixed walls which cooperate to define a cross-sectional area of the container perpendicular to an axis that varies with location along the axis and an end wall arranged for movement along the axis to vary the volume of the reservoir and which is adapted to conform substantially to the fixed walls of the container to provide the region of variable area substantially that defined by the fixed walls. A force generator is engageable with the variable area region to exert a variable force thereon and the walls are shaped such that the area of the region varies interdependently with the exerted force as the volume varies to maintain the communicated pressure constant.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for open-loop regulation of a breathing aid apparatus which consists in constituting a compression chamber by dividing it into two compartments each connected to an intake of air or breathing mixture and to an outlet of compressed air, using an clastic floating diaphragm guiding said floating diaphragm by fixing its periphery to the wall of said chamber fixing a field coil at the center of said floating diaphragm, placing said field coil in an air gap which is oriented in the direction deforming said floating diaphragm, measuring the instantaneous flow rate of air leaving through said outlet and powering said field coil continuously calculating the instantaneous intensity and the direction of the supply current on the basis of the set pressure of compressed air, of said instantaneous flow rate and of the constants of said apparatus.

Abstract: An improved manual resuscitation device such as a bag-valve-mask (BVM) device with flow control valve to eliminate the danger of patient distension and aspiration of stomach contents during ventilation. The BVM having the usual patient mask with a gas inlet and flexible patient face sealing edge, flexible manually squeezed bag with a one way intake and output valves in flow communication with a gas source and the mask inlet, and exhaust port for exhausting exhaled gas from the mask when the bag output valve is closed. The flow control valve is interposed between the mask and bag to automatically and variably limit the rate of gas flow from the bag to the mask between a predetermined minimum flow rate and a maximum flow rate. A similar flow control valve can be included in any manual resuscitation device such as a pocket mask or face shield to equal advantage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a respiration bag (1) which has at least one fold (2, 11) extending annularly over the bag (1). The respiration bag (1) can be bent in along this fold (2, 11). In this way, at least one depression results which leads to a reduced volume of the respiration bag (1). A flip over of the respiration bag from the bent-in position is prevented by sealing lips (10, 12) or additional mechanical holders which are applied from the outside to the at least one fold (2, 11). The respiration bag (1) remains stable in the bent-in position with reduced volume up to an inner pressure of 45 to 50 millibar. In this way, a respiration bag (1) for respiration volumes of different sizes is available in dependence upon, for example, whether respiration is to take place with ambient air or oxygen-enriched air or is dependent upon whether an adult or a child is to be respirated.

Abstract: A breathing system comprising a flexible inner reservoir bag having an exhaled gas inlet and a gas outlet, and a second flexible outer bag in which the inner bag is received, the gas outlet of the inner bag opening into the outer bag, and the outer bag having an exhaled gas outlet which in use is connected to a gas collecting tube. A first conduit connected to the inlet of the inner reservoir bag communicates with a face mask applied to a patient's nose and mouth. A second conduit connected to the outlet of the non-rigid outer bag communicates with a gas disposal outlet. A third conduit connected to a fresh gas supply communicates with the face mask. The first conduit may be enclosed within a first portion of the second conduit, and the third conduit may be enclosed within a second portion of the second conduit thus forming two coaxial tubes. The first and third conduits may meet at a T-piece to which the face mask is connected.

Abstract: A manually-operable resuscitator operable also to inject medication into air being supplied to a patient. The said resuscitator has a resiliently compressible air bag having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet has a one-way valve through which air passes into the bag from the atmosphere and a patient valve through which air flows in passing from the bag to the patient. The patient valve has a one-way valve member through which air flows in passing from the bag to the patient. The patient valve also has a passage extending from the atmosphere to the interior thereof adjacent to the one-way valve member and upstream thereof through which medication can be injected into the air as it passes from the bag to the one-way valve member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for performing artificial respiration on a patient, comprising a container (1) which defines an inner volume relative to the ambient and has a first opening accommodating a valve arrangement (2, 14) which allows inflow of air or gases from the outer area to the inner area, and a second opening in connection with which there is provided a valve arrangement (3, 16) which allows outflow from the container and prevents inflow to the container through the second opening. An expansible means (7) is provided in the container and adapted to expand upon action from the outer area to displace air and/or other gases in the container (1) out through the second opening. This improves the certainty that oxygen and/or other gas finds its way to the patient's air passages.

Abstract: A disposable oxygenating device (2) comprising a body (4,40) and a collapsible bag (16) coupled thereto, the body including first coupling means (6) being couplable to a source of oxygen, second coupling means (10) being couplable to an endotracheal tube, laryngeal mask or the like, a connector (14) to which the bag (16) is connected, an oxygen duct (7) in fluid communication with the first coupling means having an outlet orifice (22) which in use delivers oxygen from the source of oxygen to inflate the bag with oxygen, and an outlet (20,44), the arrangement being such that, in use, during an inspiration cycle, oxygen from the bag passes through the second coupling means (10) and, during an expiration cycle, expiration products pass through the body (2,40) and are expelled through the outlet (20,44).

Abstract: The Pediatric Prepatory and Induction Anesthesia Device (“PPIAD”) is designed to aid anesthetists in effectively administering anesthetic gas to young patients. The PPIAD has a toy-like appearance, which calms the fears of children. The PPIAD also incorporates toy-like devices such as whistles and balloons. When the PPIAD is given to children prior to treatment, the child can play with it as a toy. During this play time, the PPIAD actually teaches the child proper breathing for the administration of anesthetic gas because the whistle and balloon are only activated by deep breathing. Thus, when the child is administered anesthetic gas with the PPIAD, the application of anesthetic gas is much more effective. In addition, as the anesthetic gas is applied with the PPIAD, the child is encouraged to breathe deeply to activate the toy-like devices, enhancing the application of anesthetic gas to the child.

Abstract: A manual ventilation bag has a first opening and a second opening, a first soft bag connected to the first opening and a second soft bag connected to the second opening. The manual ventilation bag is advantageously used in combination with a breathing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for conveniently setting the volume of a variable-length tubing loop used in a re-breathing circuit to various selected predetermined values. The device includes a card of an inelastic, disposable material which is attachable to a portion of the tubing loop or adjacent structure and which has marked on it several positions to which the tubing loop can be extended to set the volume of the loop at selected predetermined values. The card is preferably formed of a substantially rigid material which may be configured to fold around the tubing loop and adjacent structures to provide support and protection during shipping and handling of the device. The card may include instructions for use of the tubing loop printed on an outer surface thereof. Some or all of the card may be detachable from the tubing loop so that once the desired tubing volume is set, all or a portion of the card may be removed and disposed of.

Abstract: A variable volume ratio compound counterlung is disclosed for use with a semi-closed circuit breathing apparatus. The compound counterlung generally comprises a flexible bag member disposed within an outer counterlung member. The flexible bag member and the outer counterlung member are in communication with an exhaled gas area of a breathing loop. The flexible bag member having first and second ends which are attached to said outer counterlung. A pair of depth sensors operatively associated with the flexible bag member are provided to vary the volume of said flexible bag member with changes in depth. The flexible bag member is driven by the outer counterlung to discharge gas stored within the flexible bag member depending on the diver's respiratory minute volume. The collapsing of said outer counterlung member also returns gas stored within the outer counterlung back into the breathing loop.

Abstract: An anaesthetic machine has a gas flow system with a variable-volume gas container for breathing gas, a fresh gas system for supplying the fresh gas system with a flow of fresh gas and a control unit. The control unit controls the variable-volume gas container during a first phase of inspiration so that a flow of breathing gas is released and mixes with a flow of fresh gas from the fresh gas system. The control unit starts a second phase of inspiration if the flow of breathing gas from the variable-volume gas container ceases before inspiration has been completed. The control unit controls the anaesthetic machine during said second phase so that inspiration is maintained with a flow of fresh gas from the fresh gas system in order to achieve a system in which all breathing modes can be accommodated and gas consumption is minimized.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter for measuring a flow in a measurement channel has a first sensor chamber with a first membrane arranged against the measurement channel and a first transducer arranged at a specific distance from the first membrane, and a second sensor chamber with a second membrane arranged against the measurement channel and a second transducer arranged at a specific distance from the second membrane is described. The first membrane and the second membrane are gas-tight. In order to reduce loads on the membrane, while still allowing the membrane to be made as thin as possible, the first sensor chamber and the second sensor chamber are gas-tight, a first gas line connects the first sensor chamber to the measurement channel and a second gas line connects the second sensor chamber to the measurement channel.

Abstract: A balanced breathing loop for a rebreather is disclosed which includes a system of components that interact to provide substantial safety and alarm awareness benefits over existing methodology in recirculating breathing apparatus loops. The device relies on a specific arrangement of components to create both automatic alternate delivery of gas to replace metabolized oxygen in case of single component failures and breathing characteristic changes that warn the user that a component failure has occurred. The breathing characteristic changes allow the user to identify which specific component has failed, thus allowing for immediate corrective action.

Abstract: An anesthetic apparatus has a control unit and a breathing circuit with a connector for fresh gas, a bellows system and an outlet valve. The anesthetic apparatus operates at least as an open system, the connector then constituting an inspiratory part of the breathing circuit and the bellows system and outlet valve constituting an expiratory part of the breathing circuit. In order to reduce the adverse impact of compressible volume in the expiratory section on the functioning of the anesthetic apparatus, the control unit regulates the bellows system during inspiration so that a counter pressure, largely corresponding to the pressure of fresh gas at the connector, is maintained in the expiratory section of the breathing circuit.

Abstract: An improved manual pump is disclosed. The manual pump comprises a pair of side plates (10), a flexible cylindrical wall (15), a pump chamber (21), an axial shaft (11), a coil spring (12) and a pair of handle bars (16) secured to the side plates (10). When the handle bars (16) are grabbed and clutched with a hand, the side walls (10) are turned in opposite directions, twisting the pump chamber (21) to discharge fluid. The coil spring (12) assists to restore the original shape of the pump chamber (21) to charge fluid.

Abstract: A gas concentrator adaptable for use within a breathing apparatus, particularly for use within a resuscitator, Trach T, patient tee, or a high oxygen concentration mask. The gas concentrator distributes gas into the resuscitating device through a substantially elongated member that has a number of perforations at one end and a stopper at an opposite end. In addition, the gas concentrator has one or more air check valves that are in fluid communication with the reservoir of the resuscitating device and the atmosphere. A front manifold is used to couple the reservoir to a patient breather apparatus which regulates the flow of oxygen or gas to the patient.

Abstract: A method and arrangement in connection with a ventilator, in which fresh gas is supplied to a patient and part of the patient's breathing gas is supplied to the patient with a bellows means. To provide a basic solution suitable for a variety of uses fresh gas is supplied to the patient by means of a gas mixer. The fresh gas flow from the gas mixer is occasionally led to drive the bellows means.