Manual resuscitators

Claim 1

A resuscitator valve assembly comprising a hollow valve housing defining an inlet port adapted to be connected to a self-expanding manually deflatable reservoir of breathable gas, an intermediate port adapted to be connected to patient supply means, and an exhaust port opposite said inlet port; a tubular section having a first end defining said inlet port and a second end projecting internally of said housing from said inlet port and spaced from said exhaust port and terminating in an annular valve seat, said second end further including an annular flange projecting radially therefrom; a deformable closure diaphragm overlying said valve seat and said flange and having a peripheral radially inwardly directed, channel-sectioned portion, the rim of the flange being secured within said channel-sectioned portion, said deformable closure diaphragm normally positioned on said valve seat and allowing communication between the intermediate port and the exhaust port but able to be distended by pressure at the inlet port to a position away from said valve seat it opens the inlet port and closes the exhaust port; and non-rebreathing valve means comprising at least one hole defined in said flange intermediate said rim and said tubular section second end and extending through said flange, and an annular resilient skirt projecting radially inwardly from the channel-sectioned portion of the diaphragm whereby said at least one hole is normally closed by said skirt, said non-rebreathing valve means being exposed to the inlet port when, and only when, the diaphragm is distended thereby to permit gas flow from the inlet port to the intermediate port but preventing flow in the opposite direction.