Puritan-bennett Corporation

Victor Equipment Company

M-pact Worldwide Management Corporation

Thomas W Nelson

Russell L Trimble

Marilyn S Wyble

James A Snook

Richard E Hoffman

Richard W Miller

Michael V Ostrom

Dennis L Roehl

A pneumatic oxygen conserver used with a single-tube cannula. The conserver includes a body having first and second cavities. A main diaphragm divides the first cavity into first and second chambers. An inlet passage delivers oxygen from a supply to the first chamber, and an outlet passage delivers oxygen from the first chamber to the cannula. The main diaphragm is movable between a closed position preventing oxygen flow through the outlet passage and an open position permitting flow. A first flow control passage connects the inlet passage and the second chamber, and a first flow control orifice in the passage restricts flow. A sensing diaphragm divides the second cavity into third and fourth chambers. A second flow control passage connects the second and third chambers, and a second flow control orifice in the passage restricts flow. The sensing diaphragm is movable between a closed position preventing flow through the second passage and an open position permitting such flow. A vent passage vents the third chamber. A sensing passage connects the outlet passage and the fourth chamber. Inhalation into the cannula moves the sensing diaphragm to its open position to vent the second and third chambers causing the main diaphragm to move to its open position for delivering oxygen to the cannula.

Pneumatic oxygen conserver

A polyvinyl acetal sponge formed from a high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol is used for forming a splint for a portion of body, such as during healing of a bone fracture or other injury. The sponge is maintained in a softened condition in the presence of vapors of a softening agent such as ethyl alcohol within a sealed pouch. Upon removal from the pouch, the sponge is applied to the body portion and it hardens to form the splint as the softening agent vapors dissipate.

Orthopedic splinting article

A reliable, pulse-flow supplemental oxygen apparatus for alleviating respiratory ailments is provided which yields substantial savings in oxygen while giving the patient the physiological equivalent of a prescribed continuous stream of oxygen. The apparatus preferably includes a demand oxygen valve operated in a pulse mode by means of electronic control circuitry which, through an appropriate sensor, monitors the patient's breathing efforts and gives a variable 'custom tailored' pulse volume of oxygen to the patient during the very initial stages of each inspiration.

Inspiration oxygen saver

A reliable, pulse-flow supplemental oxygen apparatus for alleviating respiratory ailments is provided which yields substantial savings in oxygen while giving the patient the physiological equivalent of a prescribed continuous stream of oxygen. The apparatus preferably includes a demand oxygen valve operated in a pulse mode by means of electronic control circuitry which, through an appropriate sensor, monitors the patient's breathing efforts and gives a variable 'custom tailored' pulse volume of oxygen to the patient during the very initial stages of each inspiration. Pulse volume variability is based upon a measured parameter characterizing at least a part of one and preferably a plurality of the patient's preceding breaths; advantageously, the elapsed time interval of the patient's three preceding breath cycles is measured to effectively measure breath rate. These breath-characterizing parameters, together with data characterizing the prescribed continuous oxygen flow to be matched, enable the apparatus to give the desired 'on the go' dose variability. The apparatus is also designed to revert to conventional, continuous-flow operation upon a power failure or circuit malfunction, and for this purpose a specialized dual flow control restrictor valve is provided in the form of the invention designed for hospital use. In the event of abnormally low or high breath rates on the part of the patient, the device automatically delivers a relatively long continuous pulse, then stops to again sample the breath rate. If the rate is normal, the usual pulse flow operation is resumed; if the rate remains abnormal, the long pulse volume-rate sampling is repeated. Actual tests with the apparatus hereof demonstrate an oxygen saving of over 50% as compared with continuous flow regimens.

A reliable, pulse-flow supplemental oxygen apparatus for alleviating respiratory ailments is provided which yields substantial savings in oxygen while giving the patient the physiological equivalent of a prescribed continuous stream of oxygen. The apparatus preferably includes a demand oxygen valve operated in a pulse mode by means of electronic control circuitry which, through an appropriate sensor, monitors the patient's breathing efforts and gives a variable 'custom tailored' pulse volume of oxygen to the patient during the very initial stages of each inspiration. Pulse volume variability is based upon a measured parameter characterizing at least a part of one and preferably a plurality of the patient's preceeding breaths; advantageously, the elapsed time interval of the patient's three preceding breath cycles is measured to effectively measure breath rate. These breath-characterizing parameters, together with data characterizing the prescribed continuous oxygen flow to be matched, enable the apparatus to give the desired 'on the go' dose variability. The apparatus is also designed to revert to conventional, continuous-flow operation upon a power failure or circuit malfunction.

An improved overall arrangement is provided for resuscitators of the class adapted for administering substantially pure oxygen from a pressurized source thereof, and especially those of the kind functionally employing a demand responsive type oxygen supply valve in conjunction with a manually compressible squeeze bag. The demand type supply valve is mounted on and communicates with the end of the squeeze bag opposite from the end thereof on which the patient non-rebreathing valve (and the face mask associated with the latter) is mounted and communicates with the bag. In addtion to the operational and constructional advantages of the improved organization of the overall resuscitator apparatus, the construction and operation of various components thereof, including the demand type supply valve and the non-rebreathing valve, are individually improved in manner both contributing to better performance of the overall resuscitator apparatus and representing novel valving devices having potential utility even in other applications.

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Lenexa, KS, United States of America

Thomas W Nelson