Gas-filling system including a base manifold having a flow-control component and a manifold body that is operably coupled to the flow-control component. The manifold body includes a fill port and first and second supply ports that open to an exterior of the base manifold. The first and second supply ports are in fluid communication with a common passage within the manifold body such that the gas flowing through the first supply port or through the second supply port flows through the common passage to the fill port. The fill port is configured to be in fluid communication with a container. The gas-filling system also includes an accessory module removably coupled to the manifold body. The accessory module is connected to the first supply port and has an inlet port.

A pressure regulating oxygen bottle has a bottle body filled with liquid, a cap mounted on the bottle body, an outer tube mounted in the bottle body, and an inner tube mounted through the cap and protruding in the outer tube. The outer tube has multiple flow holes arranged linearly between two opposite ends of the outer tube. The inner tube is connected to an artificial respiration system and has multiple communicating holes arranged spirally between two opposite ends of the inner tube. By turning the inner tube to allow one of the communicating holes to align with a corresponding one of the flow holes of the outer tube, a hydrostatic pressure formed between a liquid surface of the liquid and the communicating hole is changed. Accordingly, gas pressure inside the artificial respiration system can be adjusted.

The invention relates to a system for storing and distributing a gaseous mixture formed of NO/N.sub.2, comprising a container (6) containing an NO/nitrogen mixture equipped with an in-built pressure regulator (8) with an internal passage (22) for gas made of stainless steel and means for regulating the expansion of the gas collaborating with an expansion valve (27) and a valve seat (28) made of stainless steel. A first outlet coupling (21a) referred to as a ‘pressure’ outlet delivers the gas at low pressure and a second outlet coupling (21b) associated with a flow meter device comprising calibrated orifices and a flow rate selection member delivers the gas at several different flow rates. The invention also relates to an installation for distributing a gas containing NO to a patient comprising a ventilator (1) delivering a gas containing oxygen and to a system for storing and distributing a gaseous mixture formed of NO/N.sub.2 according to the invention.

A valve assembly comprising a housing and a valve, the valve being disposed within the housing, a first indexed member integral to the housing, the first indexed member adapted to be complementary to a second indexed member, and a radio frequency identification device adapted to communicate with a radio frequency receiver, the valve being configured to align with a canister, seal the canister and open in a single movement. A drug containment device having said valve assembly is also disclosed.

An integrated manifold system is disclosed that combines in a single, compact, unitary assembly a one-piece, machined manifold for connecting air supply cylinders with a first stage regulator and recharge port. The manifold body has at least one bottle port configured to removably receive a bottle of pressurized air, a first stage regulator chamber, a quick disconnect fitting port, an air channel in fluid communication with the at least one bottle port and the first stage regulator chamber, and an outlet channel in fluid communication with the first stage regulator chamber.

A one-piece, machined manifold for connecting air supply cylinders with a first stage regulator and recharge port has at least one bottle port configured to removably receive a bottle of pressurized air, a first stage regulator chamber, a quick disconnect fitting port, an air channel in fluid communication with the at least one bottle port and the first stage regulator chamber, and an outlet channel in fluid communication with the first stage regulator chamber.

A self-contained breathing apparatus includes an air cylinder pressurized to about 5500 psig, wherein the air cylinder is compatible with infrastructure used in conjunction with the air cylinder. The self-contained breathing apparatus also includes a first regulator valve for reducing air pressure from the air cylinder to a predetermined level. A second regulator valve is also provided for reducing the air pressure from the predetermined level to a level suitable for use by an operator, wherein air is supplied from the second regulator valve to the operator via a mask. The self-contained breathing apparatus further includes a frame for supporting the air cylinder on the back of the operator. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Aspects and embodiments relate to a gas flow alarm apparatus and gas flow alarm method. The apparatus comprises: a device configurable to introduce back pressure into a flow of gas, a supply sensor configured to determine whether gas flow to the device is enabled; a pressure sensor configured to determine whether a flow of gas through the device has developed back pressure; and logic circuitry in communication with the supply sensor and the pressure sensor configured to determine whether gas flow to the device is enabled and whether a flow of gas through the device has developed back pressure and, if not, to activate an alarm condition. Aspects and embodiments can provide a system which operates to warn a user against various adverse conditions in which a flow of therapeutic gas to a patient is required, yet not being provided.

A gas flow arrestor is provided that is configured to be coupled at one end to an oxygen concentrator, a VIPR type device associated with a compressed gas cylinder, or other gas delivery component such as a regulator or flowmeter and at the opposing end to a length of flexible tubing or hose that delivers the medical gas to the patient or patient breathing apparatus, such as a nasal cannula or breathing mask. The gas flow arrestor device includes a firebreak together with a visual flow indicator that is actuated by the flow of gas through the gas flow arrestor device. The visual flow indicator allows a user or patient to visually confirm from a distance whether or not gas is flowing to the patient or breathing apparatus.

A valve assembly for pressurized containers includes a main structure, a rotary control element rotatably connected to the main structure and configured so as to allow a gas flow through the valve assembly in accordance with an angular position thereof about a main rotation axis, a detection device which includes an angular position sensor and a movable member. The angular position sensor is configured to detect the angular position of the movable member about an auxiliary rotation axis. The movable member is rotatably supported on the main structure and the angular position sensor is fixed to the main structure. The valve assembly further includes a movement conversion mechanism configured so as to convert the movement of the rotary control element about the main axis into a corresponding rotational movement of the movable member about the auxiliary axis which is different with respect to the main rotation axis.