Intermittent positive pressure breathing manifold

Claim 1

An IPPB manifold device for use with an IPPB respirator of either of two types, type (i) providing a main stream of gas and two minor gas streams during patient inspiration and type (ii) providing a main stream of gas and one minor gas stream during patient inspiration, the manifold comprising: a. a hollow main tube being elongated along a vertical axis and terminating at openings at both the upper and lower tube ends; b. a nebulizer attached to the lower end of said main tube said nebulizer comprising an air nozzle provided with gas inlet means and having an upper orifice and an aspirator cap provided with liquid inlet means and having an upper orifice said air nozzle and aspirator cap orifices being coaxially aligned with said main tube whereby aerosol emanating from said aspirator cap orifice is directed upwardly toward said lower tube opening and into said main tube; c. a diaphragm for alternately closing the upper main tube opening and in sealing engagement with an upper cap portion having an air supply conduit means and wherein said cap and diaphragm define a gas pressure chamber therebetween with which chamber the conduit means communicates said conduit means comprising first and second pipes, whereby in use with said type (i) respirator a first gas supply tube is attached between the first pipe and said respirator for delivering one of said minor gas streams to said pressure chamber and said second pipe is stoppered, and a second gas supply tube is attached between said respirator and said nebulizer for delivering the other of said minor gas streams thereto, and in use with said type (ii) respirator a third gas supply tube is attached between the first one of said pipes and said respirator for delivering the minor gas stream to said pressure chamber and a fourth gas supply tube is attached between said second pipe and said nebulizer for directing a portion of said minor gas stream from said chamber thereto; d. a walled housing member for receiving said diaphragm having a lower end radially extending from and secured to said main tube adjacent the upper tube end and having and upper rim to which said upper cap is secured; e. an exhalation port adjacent said upper main tube end and extending through said walled housing member; and f. a tubular gas inlet port and a tubular gas outlet port oppositely disposed along said main tube and extending normal to the vertical axis Thereof between said upper and lower main tube ends wherein a gas supply hose is attached between said respirator and said gas inlet port for delivering said main stream of gas to said device and from said gas outlet port to a patient, whereby said main gas stream flowing from said gas inlet port to said outlet port passes across said main tube where it is combined with said aerosol.