A valve assembly attached to a capacitor such that pressurizing the capacitor to a first positive pressure threshold induces the valve assembly to open, the pressurized air is released to the patient, and then as the pressure in the capacitor drops to a second pressure threshold the valve closes and the capacitor begins to build pressure until the first positive pressure threshold is achieved and the process repeats. Relative to the valve assembly and integrated therein, is an incrementally adjustable index knob to vary the rate of a biasing force performing work against the actionable valve face of the diaphragm functional surface to set the performance of the valve assembly, thereby increasing the potential for correct operation across a range of oscillating rates supporting a broad spectrum of patient therapies and types.

An airway device is provided for opening a patient's airway. In an embodiment, the airway device provides dual tubes which allow the patient to breathe on his/her own, to be ventilated, or to be intubated. The airway device includes a camera which provides constant visualization of the patient's tissues during insertion of the airway device and during the entire medical procedure. In some embodiments, the airway device includes an endotracheal tube. A transmission lumen monitors heart and breath sounds. Information from the camera and the transmission lumen is relayed to a microprocessor to allow for monitoring which may be remote.

An arrangement for powering a pump in providing a controlled volume of water to a drip nozzle in a drip-feed humidifier. The pump arrangement including: a pump having a solenoid; a processing unit; and a power supply electrically connected to the solenoid via a switch which is controlled by the processing unit. The power supply is structured to supply power to the solenoid via the switch. The processing unit is programmed to modulate the power to the solenoid such that the pump is driven at or near a resonant frequency of the pump.

A method of opening an airway of a patient by a medical professional in a medical procedure using an airway device is provided. The airway device includes a ventilating tube and an intubating tube, and a camera lumen attached to one of the tubes. A camera is inserted into the camera lumen, and the camera provides visual information to the medical professional about the tissues of the patient during the medical procedure. The airway device is inserted into the throat of the patient and positioned proximally of the vocal folds under visual monitoring by use of the camera. The camera provides constant visualization of the patient's tissues during insertion of the airway device and during the entire medical procedure.

The present invention relates to a novel tracheal cannula (10), which allows patients to speak who receive artificial respiration with compressed-air. The tracheal cannula according to the invention makes this possible without the risk that saliva or stomach content is aspirated and without the occurrence of a loss of pressure during the respiration. This is achieved by an embodiment of the cannula having a separated speaking conduit (12) and respiration conduit (11). Furthermore, the invention relates to a speaking respiration system that can be connected to the tracheal cannula of the present invention, and that when used in a patient monitors and controls the respiration of the patient, and simulates an artificial exhalation that enables the tracheostomized patient to speak.

A pulmonary secretion clearing airway structure and related airway management system is disclosed that has a double lumen portion which each lumen of the double lumen portion operably secured to an airway management system so that inspiratory fluid (air/oxygen mixtures, with or without added water vapor) is delivered to the distal end of the ventilation catheter through one of the two lumens and expired inspiratory fluid, pulmonary secretions, and pulmonary fluids are removed from the patient through the other lumen. The expiratory fluid pathway preferably includes a secretion collection system for removing the pulmonary secretions and the like from the pathway, thereby improving operation and safety of the system. The airway structure can be a ventilation catheter or a supraglottic airway system such as laryngeal mask and the like.

A pulmonary secretion clearing airway structure and related airway management system is disclosed that has a double lumen portion which each lumen of the double lumen portion operably secured to an airway management system so that inspiratory fluid (air/oxygen mixtures, with or without added water vapor) is delivered to the distal end of the ventilation catheter through one of the two lumens and expired inspiratory fluid, pulmonary secretions, and pulmonary fluids are removed from the patient through the other lumen. The expiratory fluid pathway preferably includes a secretion collection system for removing the pulmonary secretions and the like from the pathway, thereby improving operation and safety of the system. The airway structure can be a ventilation catheter or a supraglottic airway system such as laryngeal mask and the like.

The present invention provides a kit comprising a unibody auscultation interface for use with mechanical ventilation or intubation, formed from a single contiguous nonmetallic piece, the piece being shaped into a cylindrical member having opposing ends respectively adapted to frictionally connect to the external end of an endotracheal tube and either the stem of a Y piece or the patient end of a common conduit, the cylindrical member having an opening in its wall, the perimeter of which seamlessly elaborates a flared turret whose roof is adapted for non-adherent contact with the chest piece of a stethoscope; and, packaging moans for enclosing the auscultation interface aseptically. The present invention additionally provides an endotracheal tube, Y piece, breathing circuit and mechanical ventilation system incorporating the auscultation interface.

Methods and systems are provided for intra-airway breath sensors where intra-airway breath sensors are not located within a ventilation gas delivery circuit, but are exposed to spontaneous respiration airflow from a patient. Furthermore, methods and systems of the present invention may be used to protect an intra-airway breath sensor from contacting tissue or accumulating debris that may impair abilities of the intra-airway breath sensors.

A ventilatory assist system and method are disclosed. The system comprises a tube for connection to a patient's airway, inspiratory and expiratory tube lumens connected to the tube, an inspiratory air source connected to the inspiration tube lumen, and a controller of air pressure in the expiratory tube lumen. The pressure controller is responsive to a physiological breathing signal representative of patient's inspiratory effort to allow air flow through the expiratory tube lumen during a patient's expiration phase, partially restricting the air flow through the expiratory tube lumen to a so minimum air flow during a patient's inspiration phase. During both respiratory phases, a unidirectional air flow is produced through the inspiratory and expiratory tube lumens to prevent air expired by the patient from being breathed again. The physiological breathing signal allows synchronization of the ventilatory assist with breathing efforts of the patient.