A sanitary device for securing a breathing tube to a patient during anesthesia administration, which also prevents leaking anesthetic gases from entering the operating room environment. The novel design allows rapid application by the user and prevents potential transmission of infectious agents to the patient while securing the breathing tube. A unique, integrated suction system efficiently evacuates leaking anesthetic gases. The device may be manufactured inexpensively and is provided in sanitary packaging. It is intended for single use.

Medical techniques include systems and methods for administering a positive pressure ventilation, a positive end expiratory pressure, and a vacuum to a person. Approaches also include treating a person with an intrathoracic pressure regulator so as to modulate or upregulate the autonomic system of the person, and treating a person with a combination of an intrathoracic pressure regulation treatment and an intra-aortic balloon pump treatment.

Systems and methods for producing nitric oxide (NO) to be used in medical applications are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for a NO generator that is capable of generating a desired concentration of NO to be provided to a respiratory system for inhalation by a patient.

An anesthetic equipment storage and waste air management module configured to housing electronic and electromechanical surgical equipment including a system to measure and record administration of one or more IV medications or fluids for IV administration. The module can include a housing having a lower section and a tower-like upper section, wherein the lower section is configured to house unrelated waste heat-producing electronic and electromechanical surgical equipment. The module can also include a cowling that substantially confines waste heat generated by the unrelated waste heat-producing electronic and electromechanical surgical equipment, and can include a system for measuring and recording the administration of the one or more IV medications and fluids.

An anesthetic gas delivery system includes a gas machine for supplying anesthetic gas to a patient; a scavenging control system that controls a level of vacuum suction to evacuate waste anesthetic gas; and a user interface electronically coupled to the scavenging control system. The scavenging control system includes an air flow sensor external from the gas machine that measures the flow rate of the waste anesthetic gas through the scavenging control system; a control valve, such as a proportional solenoid valve, that is controllable to adjust the level of vacuum suction to adjust the flow rate of the waste anesthetic gas; and electronic control circuitry that is configured to receive a measured flow rate from the sensor and to control the control valve to adjust the level of vacuum suction based on the flow rate measured by the sensor. The electronic control circuitry further is configured to transmit flow rate information corresponding to the flow rate measured by the sensor to the user interface.

A breathing assistance apparatus and method of controlling a breathing assistance apparatus is disclosed. Particularly, the breathing assistance apparatus is controlled such that it has a drying cycle to enable drying of the tubing that supplies gases to a user and prevent the harbouring of pathogens within the tube. The drying cycle is preferably operated automatically by internal controllers in the apparatus. However, it may be manually activated by pressing a button on the apparatus. The drying cycle is preferably activated at the end of a user's treatment session.

Various systems, devices, NO.sub.2 absorbents, NO.sub.2 scavengers and NO.sub.2 recuperator for generating nitric oxide are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, an apparatus for converting nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide can include a receptacle including an inlet, an outlet, a surface-active material coated with an aqueous solution of ascorbic acid and an absorbent wherein the inlet is configured to receive a gas flow and fluidly communicate the gas flow to the outlet through the surface-active material and the absorbent such that nitrogen dioxide in the gas flow is converted to nitric oxide.

A system for delivery of gas to a tissue, comprises: a first container containing the gas, an applicator having a distal end arranged to deliver the gas to the tissue, a second container containing a purging gas; and a flow control system for controlling flow of gas. The system also comprises a three-port valve having a first port for receiving the gas from the first container, a second port for receiving the purging gas from the second container, and a third port in fluid communication with the applicator. The valve is switchable between a first state at which the first port fluidly connects to the third port, and a second state at which the second port fluidly connects to the third port.

Methods and systems are provided for delivering anesthetic agent to a patient. In one embodiment, an anesthetic vaporizer includes a sump configured to hold a liquid anesthetic agent; an ultrasonic transducer coupled to a bottom of the sump and at least partially disposed within the sump; a vaporizing chamber fluidically coupled to the sump; and a heating element coupled to the vaporizing chamber and configured to increase a temperature of a surface disposed within the vaporizing chamber.

A system and process for the recovery of at least one halogenated hydrocarbon from a gas stream. The recovery includes adsorption by exposing the gas stream to an adsorbent with a lattice structure having pore diameters with an average pore opening of between about 5 and about 50 angstroms. The adsorbent is then regenerated by exposing the adsorbent to a purge gas under conditions which efficiently desorb the at least one adsorbed halogenated hydrocarbon from the adsorbent. The at least one halogenated hydrocarbon (and impurities or reaction products) can be condensed from the purge gas and subjected to fractional distillation to provide a recovered halogenated hydrocarbon.