A method of drying an anesthesia breathing system includes removing a CO.sub.2 absorber from the anesthesia breathing system, when the CO.sub.2 absorber is connected to an absorber inlet port and an absorber outlet port. The method further includes moving a bag-to-vent flow diverter to an intermediate position so as to simultaneously open both a bag channel and a ventilator channel, and connecting an inspiratory port and an expiratory port of the anesthesia breathing system together. A dry gas source is connected to an absorber outlet channel, and then a dry gas flow is provided through the bag channel and the ventilator channel so as to dry out moisture from a bag circuit and a ventilator circuit of the anesthesia breathing system.

An apparatus for ultrafiltration of a patient being overhydrated due to congestive heart failure, comprising a tube set including a connector for connection to a patient line for access to the peritoneal cavity of the patient. A flow pump is arranged for addition and removal outflow and inflow (recirculation) of fluid from/to the peritoneal cavity. An osmotic agent peristaltic pump is arranged for replenishment of glucose solution to the fluid added to the peritoneal cavity for promoting ultrafiltration. The glucose is replenished intermittently for keeping a concentration of glucose substantially constant in the peritoneal cavity. The flow pump comprises a pressure chamber with rigid walls and a flexible pump bag arranged therein. An air pump pressurizes the chamber for outflow of fluid from the peritoneal cavity by a sub pressure and inflow of fluid to the peritoneal cavity by an overpressure, which pressures are maintained within safe limits.

Device (1) for preventing apnea episodes in infants, which simulates a breathing pattern suitable for synchronizing the infant's breathing and which is provided as a tactile direct stimulus, arranged in contact with the infant's back while sleeping; it comprises a breathing pattern generator means (2) that emits air pulses that reach the infant through transmitter means comprising a flexible conduit (3) that transports the air to an inflatable/deflatable chamber (4).

An implantable ventricular assist device comprises an intraventricular stent used for the creation of an artificial chamber inside the ventricle, a balloon-like structure used to drive the change of the artificial chamber between a contractile configuration and a diastolic configuration, a power system used for driving the change of the balloon-like structure between the contractile configuration and the diastolic configuration. There is also a power system and a mechanical design to operate the system working, wherein in the contractile configuration, the balloon-like structure expands and occupies the space of the artificial chamber and drives the blood inside the artificial chamber flow outside the artificial chamber, wherein in the diastolic configuration, the balloon-like structure shrinks and releases the space inside the artificial chamber, and the blood outside the artificial chamber flows back into the artificial chamber. It is easy to reach the goal of cardiac function.

The invention features a pharmaceutical suspension containing drug particles, a drug delivery device anchored in the mouth for continuously administering the pharmaceutical suspension, and methods of their use.

A waste collection unit including a waste container, and vacuum source to collect medical waste into the waste container. The vacuum source is disposed within a sound attenuating enclosure that defines an enclosure inlet for receiving cooling air and an enclosure outlet for discharging warmed cooling air. The sound attenuating enclosure is at least partially formed of a sound-absorbing material and may define a pocket for receiving a first end of the vacuum source. The first end of the vacuum source may engage a seat of the sound attenuating enclosure to provide a cooling air barrier. The seat may define a bottom portion of the pocket. Internal geometries of the sound attenuating enclosure may be shaped to define another air path that does not pass through the vacuum source. A plenum may be attached to the sound attenuating enclosure and define a plenum chamber to collect the warmed cooling air.

An air treatment device having a flexible air hose, duct or gooseneck member. The air hose, duct or gooseneck member permits an inlet end thereof to be positioned in proximity to a patient so that a negative pressure can be created around the patient so that air can sucked or vacuumed into the system whereupon it is treated as the air flows through the system.

A leak control system (26) for an evacuation system (12) of an insufflation system (1), for controlling leakage of insufflating gas from a vessel (5) of a subject being insufflated. An evacuation conduit (20) connects a Venturi vacuum creating device (14) to the vessel (5) through a pressure relief valve (27) operable from a closed state to an open state in response to a pressure drop across the pressure relief valve (27) in the direction of the arrow A exceeding a predefined pressure drop value. The vacuum creating device (14) is operable in response to a signal from a pressure sensor (10) detecting pressure in the cavity (5) exceeding a predefined pressure value for applying a vacuum to the evacuating conduit (20) to increase the pressure drop across the pressure relief valve (27) to the predefined pressure drop value, for in turn operating the pressure relief valve (27) into the open state. On the pressure in the vessel (5) being reduced below the predefined pressure value, the vacuum creating device (14) is deactivated, and the pressure relief valve (27) transitions into the closed state, thereby preventing further leakage of insufflating gas though the Venturi vacuum creating device (14).

The infant nasal suction apparatus is disclosed for clearing the nasal passages of small babies and toddlers. The invention provides stress-free mucus extraction and allows the child to breathe easily and freely. The nasal suction apparatus is comprised of the suction housing, which includes the motor, battery, suction level adjustment controls, and an on/off switch. A collection container is removably connected to the suction housing, and a fluid conduit is connected to the container and adapted for placement in a nostril. The infant nasal suction apparatus is arranged for the removal of excess fluid and mucus from an infant nasal passageway and is controlled by the provided speed adjustment controller.

A removable gas sensor module is provided for a therapeutic gas delivery device. The gas sensor module includes a sample chamber which receives a sample gas from the therapeutic gas delivery device. A gas detection unit includes a plurality of sensors operable to measure at least one property of the sample gas. The sensors include two or more of a gas detection sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, or a combination thereof. The gas sensor module is self-contained within the therapeutic gas delivery device and swappable with another gas sensor module.