A forced air breathing apparatus which includes a face piece (20a) for covering at least the nose or mouth of a wearer, a pump unit (10) arranged to supply air to a space within the face piece (20a), a filter (13) to filter air entering the face piece (20a) and valve means to control the flow of air from the pump unit (20) to the face piece (20a) during inhalation and from the face piece (20a) during exhalation. The pump unit (20) includes a fan (12) driven by an electric motor (11). The valve means includes an air inlet valve (19) and an air outlet valve (22), the air outlet valve (22) being maintained in a closed position during inhalation through the air inlet valve (19) by air pressure from the pump unit (20) and being opened by exhaled air. The exhaled air also acts to close the air inlet valve (19) and prevents the entry of exhaled air to the pump unit (20). The fan (12) is a centrifugal fan driven at a substantially constant speed. A valve (14) is provided on the air inlet side of the pump unit (10) and is arranged to close when a defined air pressure is present within the pump unit (10) downstream of the fan (12).
A gas forwarding apparatus for respiration and narcosis devices including a radial compressor and a drive apparatus which produces a magnetic rotary field, with the radial compressor including a housing within which a compressor wheel and a rotor which is connected thereto are arranged, with the drive apparatus being arranged outside the housing and with the drive apparatus and the rotor being designed to be mutually matched and arranged in such a manner that the rotor can be driven by the drive apparatus.
The invention provides, in one aspect, a head up display unit for a re-circulating gas self-contained breathing apparatus of the type having at least one sensor for determining the oxygen partial pressure of the re-circulating gas. At least one optical fiber (32) is provided for transmitting a light signal or signals from a respective light emitter, positioned outside the wearer's field of view and electrically connected to the at least one sensor, to a display (26) in the wearer's field of view to provide the wearer with a visual indication of the light emitter signal or signals.
The present invention relates to a fan-forced positive pressure breathing apparatus commonly known as a Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) system, and specifically concerns the connecting of the breathing components of such equipment. The invention is a method and apparatus for rapid engagement of PAPR breathing components (such as air supply lines and filter elements to a blower housing). The invention also provides for indicating and/or monitoring whether the relative components have been aligned and coupled in sealed engagement.
An air flow and filtration control system in the form of a headgear which is worn by a physician during a surgical procedure, a technician during an assembly process, or any other user wherein controlled air flow and air filtration is required or desired. The system includes a lightweight headgear structure which substantially surrounds the upper portion of the head of the wearer. A fan is mounted in the headgear structure and is positioned to move air relative to the headgear structure. A shroud (or hood) can be draped over and attached to the headgear structure in such a fashion as to completely cover the headgear structure and to cover at least a portion of the wearer in order to maintain sterile or controlled environmental conditions relative to the wearer. Typically, the shroud may include at least one filtration area (which may comprise the entire shroud) and a screen at the front of the apparatus for viewing therethrough. A suitable power supply, such a battery pack or the like, is used to selectively power the fan. An air flow monitoring system is mounted on the helmet. An air flow indicator and/or a battery level indicator is also mounted to the helmet in a location readily detectable by the helmet wearer.
The Pediatric Prepatory and Induction Anesthesia Device ("PPIAD") is designed to aid anesthetists in effectively administering anesthetic gas to young patients. The PPIAD has a toy-like appearance, which calms the fears of children. The PPIAD also incorporates toy-like devices such as whistles and balloons. When the PPIAD is given to children prior to treatment, the child can play with it as a toy. During this play time, the PPIAD actually teaches the child proper breathing for the administration of anesthetic gas because the whistle and balloon are only activated by deep breathing. Thus, when the child is administered anesthetic gas with the PPIAD, the application of anesthetic gas is much more effective. In addition, as the anesthetic gas is applied with the PPIAD, the child is encouraged to breathe deeply to activate the toy-like devices, enhancing the application of anesthetic gas to the child. Thus, the PPIAD helps doctors provide effective care for child patients as it clams the fears of child patients during these medical procedures.