Breathing apparatus for reanimation of newborns

In a breathing apparatus for reanimation of newborn infants, comprising a breathing gas source, a patient adaptor an an inhalation valve assembly, said inhalation valve assembly comprising a first water column tube having an open upper end, first cover means mounted over said open upper end of said first water column tube and including a passageway communicating the interior of said first water column tube to atmosphere, a first riser tube slidably and adjustably mounted through said first cover means, said first riser tube having a first end adapted to be located within said first water column tube below the level of water therein and an opposite second end extending exteriorly of said first water column tube, a T-connector element, said second end of said first riser tube being connected to a first leg of said T-connector element, said patient adaptor including first, second and third ports, said first port including means for providing an oronasal flow of breathing gas to a patient, said second port comprising a closable opening for providing free exhalation to the atmosphere, a breathing hose connected between said third port and a second leg of said T-connector, conduit means connected between said breathing gas source and a third leg of said T-connector, regulator means associated with said breathing gas source for adjusting the quantity of the breathing gas source;

• the maximum immersion depth of the first riser tube determining the maximum inspiratory breathing pressure;
• the improvement comprising a second water column tube connectable in series with said first water column tube, said second water column tube having an open upper end, said cover means mounted over said open upper end of said second water column tube and including a passageway communicating the interior of said second water column tube to atmosphere, a second riser tube slidably and adjustably mounted through said second cover means, said second water column tube having a first end adapted to be located within said second water column tube below the level of water therein and an oppositely closed second end extending exteriorly thereof, said second riser tube further including a gas inlet port located intermediate the ends thereof, rigid connecting conduit means connected to said first and second cover means and providing a sealed gas flow path between the interior of said first water column tube and said gas inlet port of said second riser tube, means for selectively occluding the passageway in said first cover means, whereby said riser tubes of said water column tubes being independently adjustable and, by occluding the passageway in said first cover means, the integration of the first and second water column tubes provides a variable and controllable inspiratoric breathing pressure.