The Boc Group, Inc.

Airco, Inc.

Datex-ohmeda, Inc.

General Electric Company

Ohmeda Inc.

Robert E Braatz

Raymond S Gregory

David C Sampson

Keith Whitaker

Robert A Heaton

Robert Q Tham

James Nyal Mashak

Ronald L Tobia

Andrew Levi

Kevin M Fruechte

Norman Rick

Gordon G Sansom

Mark S Blair

Gary J Andrejeski

An integrated ventilation system is presented. The integrated ventilation system includes a high frequency ventilation module configured to be operationally coupled to a ventilation system, where the high frequency ventilation module is configured to aid the ventilation system in performing high frequency ventilation. A method for providing high frequency ventilation via use of a high frequency ventilation module, where the high frequency ventilation module is configured to be operationally coupled to a ventilation system, and where the high frequency ventilation module is configured to aid the ventilation system in performing high frequency ventilation, is presented. The method includes creating a vacuum effect at an outlet port of the ventilation system to aid in active exhalation of gas from a patient.

System and method for integrated high frequency oscillatory ventilation

A remote control and tactile feedback system for a medical apparatus, such as a patient ventilator. The ventilator provides a signal having a property indicative of a desired parameter, such as airway pressure or tidal volume. The system has a member suitable for being received in the hand of a user, such as a clinician. A movable trigger is suitable for being engaged by the fingers of the user. An electrical-mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic force applying element is coupled to the trigger for applying a force to the fingers of the user responsive to the parameter signal. A tactile sensation of the desired parameter is thus provided to the user. The trigger is coupled to a signal generator for providing a control signal to the ventilator.

Remote control and tactile feedback system for medical apparatus

A container (2) for a liquid anaesthetic agent for supplying the agent to an anaesthetic vaporizer comprises a reservoir for the liquid agent, a valve (6) which, when closed, prevents the flow of the liquid agent from the reservoir, a tubular outlet (10) through which the liquid can leave the reservoir when the valve is open. An O-ring (20) at the free end of the conduit provides a sealing surface for forming a seal with a corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporizer to which the anaesthetic agent is to be supplied. A flange (22) engages a guide on the vaporizer, to retain the container in contact with the vaporizer.

Container for liquid anaesthetic agent

A system of making a connection between the yoke of an anesthetic delivery apparatus and a gas cylinder for supplying a gas to that apparatus. The system includes an adaptor block that has a keying system, such as pegs, that keys the adapter block into a specific gas cylinder, such as by indentations. The adapter block has machine readable indicia and is affixed to the anaesthesia delivery apparatus such that the apparatus can read the indicia to determine the position of the adaptor block and thus identify the particular gas cylinder that is connected to the adapter block. By this system, a plurality of gas cylinders having differing gases can be used to supply a single inlet of an anesthetic delivery apparatus rather than have a separate inlet for each gas. In each instance, the particular gas thus provided is identified by the anaesthetic delivery apparatus to make the necessary adjustments to that apparatus to administer the gas to a patient.

Connection to a gas cylinder

A container (2) for a liquid anaesthetic agent for supplying the agent to an anaesthetic vaporiser comprises a reservoir for the liquid agent, a valve (6) which, when closed, prevents the flow of the liquid agent from the reservoir, a tubular outlet (10) through which the liquid can leave the reservoir when the valve is open. An O-ring (20) at the free end of the conduit provides a sealing surface for forming a seal with a corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporiser to which the anaesthetic agent is to be supplied. A flange (22) engages a guide on the vaporiser, to retain the container in contact with the vaporiser.

Container for anaesthetic agent

Fluid delivery system

A switching mechanism and valve using the same wherein a two remote valve or switch positions are provided. The switching mechanism includes a valve operator having of outwardly extending port closures that move above a central pivot point. As the valve operator shifts between its two remote positions, each port closure closes or opens respectively a port associated with such port closure. A flat bearing surface is formed as part of the valve operator and is in a plane generally perpendicular to a line bisecting the angle between the two port closures. A roller, biased against that flat bearing surface is on a pivot arm also moveable about its remote pivotable end. The biased roller normally holds the valve or switch in one of its remote positions. As the valve operator is moved to its other remote position the roller rolls along the flat bearing surface such that no stable alignment ever occurs when the axis of the roller pivot arm is in line with a line between the pivot point of the pivot arm and the central pivot point of the valve operator.

Bistable two position valve

A needle valve having improved accuracy and wear characteristics is disclosed in which the valve stem is subjected to a constant force to prevent backlash throughout its entire movement with respect to the valve seat. In addition, the needle contained within the valve stem has a tapered end which moves within the cylindrical bore in a valve seat to control fluid passing through the valve and such needle is affixed to the valve stem only at its other end remote from its tapered end. The needle thus floats for a substantial portion of its length and its tapered end is relatively flexible and free of movement. The needle is, however, angled with respect to its valve seat such that the needle physically makes contact with the internal surface of the valve seat and maintains that contact throughout its lateral movement within the valve seat.

Needle valve

An anesthesia machine is disclosed wherein flowmeters used to denote flow of O.sub.2 and other gases are in the form of precalibrated modules. The modules each contain a flowtube, float and scale and are precalibrated and the modules sealed to prevent tampering or affecting the calibration. The flowmeter modules are thus readily inserted into or removed from the anesthesia machine by a single plug-in maneuver to a common manifold without further calibration or leak testing. A key index system prevents the mislocation of any particular flowmeter module in a machine. The flowmeter module has a lower manifold at its bottom where all plug-in connections are located. A flowtube containing the float extends upwardly from the manifold and has an easily visible scale for accurate readings. Internal tubing within the flowmeter module returns gas from the flowtube back to the outlet connection in the lower manifold. The flowmeter modules may be, therefore, completely tested for leaks, calibrated at the source and tamperproof measures included to prevent disassembly or in any way upsetting the calibration short of factory rebuilding the flowmeter module. Because the units are factory sealed, replacement of flowmeter modules may be made by personnel in the field unskilled with such machines.

Anesthesia machine with modular flowmeters

A system is disclosed for providing an interconnection between two needle valves such that movement of either needle valve, in opening or closing thereof, is affected or limited by movement of the other valve. The invention is particularly suited to an anesthesia machine wherein separate supplies of oxygen (O.sub.2) and nitrous oxide (N.sub.2 O) are fed to individual needle valves which are then individually adjusted to provide a desired mixture of N.sub.2 O and O.sub.2 for administration to a patient to anesthetize the same. The system herein disclosed interconnects the individual needle valves such that the O.sub.2 needle valve may be opened fully without restriction, however, when the N.sub.2 O valve is open, the interconnection provides that closing of the O.sub.2 valve will, at a predetermined point, also correspondingly close the N.sub.2 O valve, thus preventing the percentage of N.sub.2 O in the mixed gas from raising above a set value, i.e. one at which sufficient oxygen for a respirable mixture is assured. Similarly, the N.sub.2 O valve is prevented, through the same interlock system, from being opened beyond a point where the N.sub.2 O percentage could exceed such limit. Again, when the N.sub.2 O valve reaches the predetermined point, further opening of the N.sub.2 O valve also opens the O.sub.2 valve such that the flow can be increased by further opening of the N.sub.2 O valve but the percentage of N.sub.2 O and O.sub.2 will thereafter remain constant. In addition, the overall system has a further preventative feature where the flow of oxygen cannot be set below a predetermined value so that sufficient oxygen flow to the patient is assured.

Growing community of inventors

Sun Prairie, WI, United States of America

Robert E Braatz