WO2004084981A1

WO2004084981A1 - Portable resuscitation system

Info

Publication number: WO2004084981A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/001291
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robin Moore; Ellis Donald
Original assignee: Nutec Medical Limited
Priority date: 2003-03-24
Filing date: 2004-03-24
Publication date: 2004-10-07
Also published as: GB0406603D0; GB0306599D0; GB2400326B; GB2400326A

Abstract

A portable resuscitation system (10) that comprises a base unit (11), a lightweight oxygen cylinder (20), a suction device (22) driven by pressurised gas from the oxygen cylinder and a suction jar (28) for receiving material collected by the suction device. A manifold (21) operatively connects the oxygen cylinder (20) and the suction device (22) and pressurised gas will flow through the manifold and also provide oxygen to an oxygen supply means for delivering oxygen for breathing by a patient. The manifold is connected to the base unit and all other components are directly connected to the base unit or indirectly connected to the base unit through the manifold. The base unit is adapted to define a manual carrying handle (18), and to protect at least to some degree the other components from damage.

Description

Portable Resuscitation System

The present invention relates to a portable resuscitation system and particularly to a lightweight resuscitation system that can be easily carried and used in the field.

Systems to aid resuscitation in hospitals are well known, and they generally include oxygen piped through the hospital's services and suction devices to clear obstructed airways, both of which are often powered by the same pressurised oxygen supply. Such systems are excellent for use in hospital at a static location, such as a bed in a ward or in an operating theatre. However they rely on the connection to oxygen or suction supply tubes plumbed in to the hospital and so they are useless when a patient is in transit or is not close to connecting points.

In order to overcome these problems, previous attempts have been made to provide some form of mobile resuscitation system that can accompany a patient being moved around a medical facility. Unfortunately the result of these previous attempts was an extremely heavy device that could not be carried easily by a member of medical staff, but instead required attachment and support by the bed. These devices are therefore very cumbersome and have failed to properly address the problem of providing an easily and safely portable system for resuscitation when away from a permanent resuscitation installation.

Further, such primitive portable resuscitation devices as are known, are wholly unsuitable for use in any location other than a hospital. Not only, as discussed above, are they too heavy for safe or easy carrying by an individual, but they expose the delicate parts to potential damage in anything other than a controlled environment. In outside field situations, such as the scene of a car crash or other emergency or on a battlefield or conflict zone, there is a great need for resuscitation equipment to keep people alive until proper medical arrangements can be made. A major part of this is to ensure airways remain open and that the person keeps breathing, so a resuscitation system is needed. Unfortunately, there are no proper portable gas driven resuscitation systems that can be easily and safely carried into the field and which are up to being used in such difficult conditions. Simple portable oxygen delivery systems are known, but these make use of plastic material straps to support and carry the bottle. However, the repeated exposure of these plastic straps to atmospheres with increased oxygen concentration leads to the degradation of the physical strength thereof. As such the straps can fast become brittle and break.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a resuscitation system that is lightweight, totally portable, functional and can protect parts of the equipment from damage during transport and use. It is a further aim to provide a resuscitation system that is adapted for use in a range of trying environments both inside and outside hospital.

In order to meet these objectives, according to the present invention there is provided a portable resuscitation system comprising a base unit, a lightweight oxygen cylinder, a suction device driven by pressurised gas from the oxygen cylinder, a manifold through which pressurised gas will flow and which operatively connects the oxygen cylinder and the suction device, a suction jar for receiving material collected by the suction device, and oxygen supply means for delivering oxygen for breathing by a patient, the manifold being directly connected to the base unit and all other components being directly connected to the base unit or indirectly connected to the base unit through the manifold, and the base unit being adapted to define a manual carrying handle.

It is preferred that the base unit defines an at least semi-rigid enclosure within which at least some of the components are located to protect them from damage during transport and use of the resuscitation system. Such a base unit protects the other components from damage caused during transport and/or use of the resuscitation system, and so must not only provide a support structure to which the manifold and other components can be attached (directly or indirectly) but also an effective shell around the relevant components. This may be achieved in a variety of ways, but it is currently preferred that the base unit comprises a generally rectangular box that is open at one end and on one face has a half wall. Such a configuration is easy to construct, but also provides a secure space within which the components can be located. The term half wall has its generally accepted meaning and is not limited to a wall that is exactly half the face. Instead the half wall may extend over any proportion of the face, the extent thereof controlling the amount of the box that is enclosed on five sides.

The enclosure that may be defined by the base unit can be totally rigid or it may be partially rigid with strong yet flexible material forming some parts. For example as discussed below the base unit may form part of a carrying container such as a rucksack. In such situations a protective enclosure may be formed in combination by rigid parts of the base unit and further flexible parts of the carrying container.

The resuscitation system may also be provided with an openable lid that can be shut when the system is not in use and opened when it is. Such a lid can be permanently connected to the base unit, and be openable by hinging, sliding or other mechanisms, or it might be totally removable from the base unit. When in place the lid and base unit would substantially wholly contain the other components to protect them from damage. When the lid is open, the base unit may continue to protect at least a part of the components, but access to the resuscitation equipment is permitted.

It is preferred that the base unit and lid if present are constructed from pieces of sheet material that if appropriate are integrally formed or connected together to form the box structure discussed above. Indeed it is preferred that the base unit and lid if present are formed from aluminium sheet material or carbon fibre composite material as each offer excellent strength to weight ratios.

The present invention may also be provided with a movable tray that may be stored within or against the base unit but may be extracted to provide a work surface when required. Such a tray might, when not in use, form part of the protective structure of the base unit. The tray might also be stored in the base unit and extend, for example, by sliding horizontally or hinging out.

The portable resuscitation system may in certain circumstances be advantageously connected to external structures. For example it might be wall mounted in such a way that it may be readily accessible and then removed and carried to a use location as needed. It is therefore preferred that the base unit or other relevant part of resuscitation system is further provided with attachment means to allow the base unit to be supported on an external structure. Such attachment means may take a variety of forms dependent on the item to which the system is to be attached, and the desired security/strength of that attachment.

The attachment means may comprise hinging, pivoting, sliding or retractable arms that are configured to locate over a suitable part of the external structure when hinged, pivoted or extended from their non-use position. The arms might be shaped such that they will locate around a generally horizontal member of the external structure (such as a railing, the rung of a ladder, part of a crash trolley or the side of a bed) and hang therefrom. Alternatively, or in addition, the resuscitation system may include further attachment means that may comprise straps attached to parts of the base unit such that the base unit can be carried by a person or strapped to a structure.

The resuscitation system must be easily portable, and to assist the base unit is provided with a handle. To assist one handed carrying a single handle on an upper part of the base unit is preferred. To assist use of the system in the field the base unit may either be part of, or may be mounted in, a rucksack or other manually portable carrying case. A rucksack is particularly useful in situations were the resuscitation system must be carried a substantial distance or over difficult terrain where the carrier needs to keep their hands free. When in a rucksack the base unit need be no more than a rigid generally flat plate. Such a base plate would preferably be of a size approximately the same as that defined by the components such that they do not extend off it by too great a degree. The rucksack could define the other parts of any enclosure or a box-shaped base unit could be located within a rucksack.

Not least because of its use on site in emergency situations, it is preferred that the base unit and lid if present are electrically non-conductive. This can be achieved using non-conductive materials for construction, e.g. high strength plastics, or by treating any conductive material to electrically insulate them. For example aluminium sheet material could be powder coated, and carbon fibre composite could be manufactured to ensure an outer layer of non-conductive resin.

The use of gas driven suction is best, but obviously increases the rate of gas use. Therefore to prolong the supply of oxygen, in resuscitation systems according to the present invention, especially those designed to be used far from medical support, it may be preferred to further provide a manual suction pump to supplement the gas driven suction device. This can be stored within the base unit when not being used. It may also be appropriate to increase the amount of pressurised gas supplied within the system, such that longer periods of use can be undertaken. To this end it is preferred that the base unit be provided with means to attach further gas cylinders either within or outside any enclosure formed in the base unit. Such extra cylinders could contain extra oxygen or might instead have other medical gasses such as the anaesthetic sold under the trade mark Entonox.

A portable resuscitation system according to the present invention may also include at least one further gas cylinder attached to the base unit, and the further gas cylinder or cylinders may contain oxygen or other medical gasses such as analgesics.

A major advantage of the present invention is thai is can permit a modular construction such that the particular capabilities of any system can be adapted to suit the purpose. In order to permit the modular attachment of extra components, it is preferred that the base unit is provided with attachment points that can co-operate with mating attachments on additional components to be attached to the base unit.

As a major intended purpose of the resuscitation system is in emergency situations, it may be required to manoeuvre the system into difficult confined spaces. To achieve this the base unit may have a substantially flat face on which the system as a whole can be dragged. For ease this can be the rear surface of the base unit as this also assists mounting on a wall. In its most basic form the base plate can comprise a rigid plate on one side of which the components are mounted. In such a version the reverse of the plate can serve as the surface for sliding. The resuscitation system might also be destined for use in water and to assist in its support it may be further provided with an inflatable buoyancy device to support it for use in water. The buoyancy device may be normally stored in a deflated state, but may be inflated on manual activation of a switch or automatically activated on contact with water. The present invention is in most occasions very stable when placed on a surface, but if the surface is uneven or if the centre of gravity of the whole system has been raised, for example by using an extendable drip support arm, it may be advantageous to enhance the stability. Therefore the present invention may be further provided with one or more retractable stabilising arms on the base unit.

The resuscitation system may also be provided with a light or lights. The purpose of the light will govern the details of their incorporation, but it is currently preferred that at least part of the handle is formed of translucent material and that a light is provided within the handle to shine out. Such a handle light could be directed generally downwards to illuminate the functional components of the resuscitation system. Also a flashing or signalling light such as a strobe may be provided, especially if the unit is for emergency use. These lights might aid in the location of the unit in the dark or obscured visibility conditions. A signalling light can be connected to the base or to an extension arm connected to the base. A solar panel may also be provided to recharge a battery powering the light or lights.

When treating a person using the resuscitation equipment provided by the present invention it may be desirable to use a drip or other infusion and, to assist this, the present invention preferably is further provided with a drip support arm. The drip support arm is preferably connected or connectable to the base unit, and to ensure it does not get in the way when not in use, it is preferably movable between a stored position and a use position. This movement may be effected in several ways including pivoting about a hinge or telescopic extension.

In order that it may be better understood, but by way of example only, several embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the parts that are assembled to form the base unit of this embodiment;

Figure 3 is a cross-section through the manifold of the first embodiment; Figure 4 is a plan view of the same manifold with various parts attached;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of base unit of the present invention, similar to that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a partial view of a fourth embodiment of base unit with a pivoting drip support arm in a stored configuration; and

Figure 8 is a partial view of the same fourth embodiment with the drip support arm in a use position.

Figure 1 shows a simple embodiment of resuscitation system generally indicated 10. This system includes a generally rectangular base unit 11 having a rear panel 12, side panels 13 and 14, a base panel (not visible in this drawing) and a front panel 15. The front panel is smaller than the rear panel 12 and the upper edges of the side panels 13 and 14 are cut at an angle. The lower part of the base unit 11 defines an enclosure into which various other parts of the system will locate. A carrying handle is formed at the upper end of the rear panel 12 by an aperture 17 cut therein. The area of the rear panel above the aperture 17 is strengthened and made more comfortable by the provision of thickening plates 18 attached to the two faces of the rear panel 12. Alternatively a moulded plastic material handle may be attached to the rear panel in that area.

Located within and attached to the base unit 11 are the remaining components of the resuscitation system. These components include a pressurised oxygen cylinder 20 that is operatively and mechanically connected to a manifold 21. The manifold 21 is securely (but releasably) attached to the rear panel 12 as is described in further detail below. From the cylinder 20, pressurised gas may be fed through tubing (not shown) to breathing apparatus such as a face mask (not shown). In this instance using an optional Schrader valve 26 further breathing apparatus (not shown) may be connected. The manifold 21 supplies pressurised gas to suction apparatus generally indicated 22. The suction apparatus is of a standard form and includes a vacuum suction tap 23 which regulates the flow of gas to the venturi driven suction apparatus, a high-grade suction gauge 24 and a hydrophobic filter 25. Material drawn by the suction apparatus through an input suction tube (not shown) passes through the hydrophobic filter 25 and out along output suction tubing 27 to be deposited into a receiver jar 28. The receiver jar may be lined. The oxygen cylinder 20 is of a lightweight design manufactured from aluminium and Kevlar®. It has an oxygen gauge 30 and a supply control tap 31. The cylinder 20 is secured by its mechanical connection to the manifold, but it may further be releasably connected to the rear panel 12 or other parts of the base unit. It may be disconnected from the manifold and rear panel such that a fresh full cylinder can be connected as required. Similarly, the receiver jar 28 may also be disconnected from the output suction tubing 27 for emptying or replacement.

The enclosure defined by the rear panel 12, side panels 13, 14, front panel 15 and base panel contains the lower portion of the oxygen cylinder 20 and the majority of the receiver jar 28. The enclosure may be divided by an optional inner panel or bar (neither of which are shown), which would section off a region into which the oxygen cylinder 20 could securely locate by vertical sliding. Any remaining part of a divided enclosure could hold the receiver jar 28 and also provides space for the storage and transport of equipment such as the face mask, oxygen supply tube and suction tube as well as spare parts and ancillary equipment such as breathing tubes or airways.

The front panel 15 is provided with four slots 35, which permit the attachment of modular components such as a further gas cylinder or extra storage compartments. The side panels 13 and 14 may also be provided with means to permit modular attachment of external components.

Figure 2 shows the parts of the base unit 11 in an un-constructed form. Like parts will be given like reference numerals. The base unit is formed from a rear panel 12, side panels 13 and 14, which are connected at right angles to the rear panel along its long edges, a base panel 40 connected to the bottom edge of the rear panel 12 and the bottom edges of the perpendicular side panels 13 and 14, and a front panel 15 connected as shown in Figure 1 across the front edges of the base and side panels. Due to the weight of the oxygen bottle, despite it being lightweight, a reinforcing support plate (not shown) might also be connected to the rear panel 12 in the region that the oxygen cylinder connects thereto.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the rear panel 12 is provided with a variety of formations. Specifically, four slots 43 are formed through the material of the panel in approximately the four corners thereof. These slots are adapted to allow the attachment of a variety of straps (not shown) to the rear panel 12 such that it may be connected to other things. For example, the straps could be used to connect the entire unit into a rucksack for transport by medical personnel. The rear panel 12 is also provided with a pair of keyhole apertures 44 which permit the removable attachment of the base unit to a structure using screws projecting from that structure. A small attachment plate 45 is fixed to the rear panel and provides a mechanism for the attachment of the manifold 21. As the manifold provides a large part, if not all, of the mechanical fixing of the components to the base unit, the attachment plate needs to be strong and should be adapted to receive an appropriate part of the manifold 21.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the long edges of the rear panel 12 have formed therein generally rectangular notches 46. Once the base unit 11 is assembled, these notches result in apertures through the rear panel. Fixing arms (not shown) may be connected to the base unit at fixing points 47 and these arms can be selectively extended through the apertures formed by notches 46 to permit attachment of the resuscitation system to an appropriate external structure. These arms need to have sufficient mechanical strength to support the entire unit but need to be able to pivot, hinge or slide into a retracted position whereat they do not cause obstruction. In this particular embodiment, arms that are generally L-shaped could be attached at one end to the fixing points 47 such that they may rotate therearound. By rotation of the arms such that they extend out of the notches 46, the upper edge of the arm would come into contact with the upper edge of the notch thus preventing its further rotation. Therefore, one part of the L-shaped arm would extend generally horizontally and the other would extend downwardly therefrom such that it could be hooked over an appropriate part of some other structure to support the unit. By lifting the unit off this other structure the weight would be taken from the arms and they could then rotate under gravity back to a retracted position.

Alternatively similar shaped arms could be connected to the base unit by friction sliding sleeves (none of which are shown) such that lateral sliding of the arms would extend them for similar use. A further variation on the embodiment could be to provide the parts of the base unit with multiple holes that reduce the overall weight of the unit but do not adversely affect its strength or rigidity.

Figures 3 and 4 show a manifold for use in the present invention. This manifold generally corresponds to that shown in Figure 1 and is also indicated 21. Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the manifold, which is machined from a block of metal or other suitable material, and shows no parts attached thereto. A central bore 50 is formed down the majority of the length of the manifold, and three communicating holes 51 , 52 and 53 join into this and are threaded for gas tight connection of other components. Two of these holes 51 and 52 are formed at right angles from opposed sides of the manifold, and one 53 is formed at the end as an extension of the central bore 50. In use, pressurised oxygen is fed in through one of these holes with the other two being for connection respectively to breathing apparatus and the suction apparatus. A blind threaded hole 54 is formed in one end of the manifold and this is used to connect it to a plate (not shown in this Figure but numbered 55 in Figure 4) that engages with the attachment plate 45 of the base unit.

Figure 4 shows an external view of the manifold 21 with further parts attached thereto. At one end, a plate 55 is connected to the manifold by a screw into the blind hole 54. This plate extends laterally with respect to the manifold (into of the plane of the drawing) and locates behind the attachment plate 45. A Schrader valve 56 is connected into the hole 53 out of which pressurised oxygen may be fed to breathing apparatus. A connecting nut 57 is attached to the hole 52 such that oxygen may be supplied to the suction device. An oxygen input supply from a gas cylinder may be introduced through an oxygen probe 58 which is connected to the remaining hole 51. A fully loaded (i.e. with all parts and a full gas cylinder) version of the present embodiment of resuscitation system would weigh in the region of 15 to 16 lbs (6.5 - 7.3 Kg). A second embodiment is shown in Figure 5. This embodiment includes a base unit in the form of a case into which the oxygen cylinder 20, manifold 21 , receiver jar 28 and suction apparatus 22, and other components, are located. The case has a first half 60 hinged to which is a second half 61. Catches 62 to hold these halves closed are provided. A handle 63 is also provided for carriage of the device. Releasable straps 64 are included to selectively hold the oxygen cylinder 20 and the receiver jar 28 into the first half 60. The manifold 21 and suction apparatus 22 are attached to the first half 60 by more substantial means. Although not shown, the second half 61 may be provided with storage for spare components and ancillary medical equipment.

For convenience, the operation of the first embodiment will now be described. Whilst operation of the second embodiment is not similarly detailed, it would be substantially similar. Firstly, when the need for a resuscitation system is realised, the system as a whole is carried by means of the handle or other strapping to its site of use. The weight of the system, preferably about 6 kg, is light enough to be easily carried by any one person. Once the site of use has been reached, the system is manoeuvred into close proximity with the person requiring resuscitation. This may involve difficult manoeuvring such as through a wrecked car. The sturdy protective design of the present invention means that the more delicate equipment is protected from damage during such transport and manoeuvring even if it includes dragging over a rough surface. Once in close proximity to the person requiring resuscitation, the medical personnel can use the breathing apparatus and suction apparatus in the conventional way by controlling both the rate of oxygen delivery and the suction. Once the device has been used, and the patient hopefully resuscitated, the component parts that have been removed may be put back into the base unit and it may then be manoeuvred away from the patient.

Although not shown in the accompanying drawings, the base unit might also have a lid which could fit over the open end and further protect the contents during transit. Such a lid could be of a complementary shape to the base unit and would slide thereover and be held by appropriate catch mechanisms. The parts contained within the base unit, in particular the suction apparatus 22 and the suction tubing 27 are shown somewhat enlarged from their actual size and would in practice not extend quite as far as they appear in Figure 1. Therefore, the engagement of a complementary lid would be relatively simple.

Figure 6 shows a different embodiment of base unit generally indicated 70 to which can be connected the other components (previously discussed) to construct a resuscitation system according to the present invention. This base unit 70 has a rear panel 71 , side panels 72 and 73, a base panel (not visible in this drawing) and a front panel 74. The lower part of the base unit 70 defines an enclosure into which various other parts of the system will locate. A carrying handle 76 is provided at the upper end of the rear panel 71 , and this is provided with a light that is adapted to shine out of the handle generally toward the front panel 74. The light will be battery powered, and a solar panel 77 is provided to charge the battery.

The front panel 74 as well as the rear panel 71 , side panels 72, 73 and the base panel are provided with a variety of slots and apertures 78, which permit the attachment of modular components such a further gas cylinder or extra storage compartments. These slots and apertures may also be used to connect carrying or fixing straps (not shown).

In this embodiment a telescopically extendable drip support arm 80 is connected to the rear panel 71. The drip support arm 80 is shown in a stored position, but in use it would be extended to a use position and locked, such that infusion bags such as drips can be hung from the hooks 81.

A resuscitation system mounted on a base unit 70 can be carried by hand using the handle 76 and supported on the ground on any suitable part such as the rear panel 71 or base panel. When supported on the base panel, and especially if the drip support arm is extended, the stability of the unit may need enhancing. Therefore, a retractable stabiliser arm 84 is provided at the bottom of the front panel 74. A similar second stabiliser arm (not shown) could be provided on the rear panel 71. A folding tray 86 is provided above the front panel 74. This tray is normally folded up parallel to the front panel 74 as shown in this Figure, but when required, it can be rotated about pivots 87 as indicated by the arrows to a use position (marked in dotted lines) perpendicular to the front panel 74. Hanging arms 89 are connected to each the side walls 72, 73 (although only one is clearly visible in this drawing). These can be rotated about their connection 90 such that can locate over an external structure and support the base unit etc. Figures 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment of drip support arm

91. In Figure 7 the drip support arm 91 is shown in its stored position lying in a suitably configured cut out 93 in the back panel 94. In Figure 8 the arm 93, which is connected to a collar 95 that is rotatable about the handle 92, has been moved to a use position whereat it stands vertically above the base unit and can support suitable medical equipment such as drip bags. The collar 95 can be selectively locked in its use and stored positions.

When an embodiment of the present invention is not in use it may, as described before, be located in a convenient storage position and may be connected thereto be any suitable means. Also, especially in places like hospitals where non-authorised persons might be able to take the present invention from a convenient storage location, alarm means may also be provided to warn of that removal.

Claims

1. A portable resuscitation system comprising a base unit, a lightweight oxygen cylinder, a suction device driven by pressurised gas from the oxygen cylinder, a manifold through which pressurised gas will flow and which operatively connects the oxygen cylinder and the suction device, a suction jar for receiving material collected by the suction device, and oxygen supply means for delivering oxygen for breathing by a patient, the manifold being directly connected to the base unit and all other components being directly connected to the base unit or indirectly connected to the base unit through the manifold, and the base unit being adapted to define a manual carrying handle.

2. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base unit defines a rigid enclosure within which at least some of the components are located to protect them from damage during transport and use of the resuscitation system.

3. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base unit comprises a generally rectangular box that is open at one end and on one face has a half wall.

4. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the walls of the box that forms the base unit are formed from pieces of sheet material that are connected together to form the base unit.

5. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein there is further provided an openable lid that when open permits use of the resuscitation system and when closed in cooperation with the base unit protects the other components.

6. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein there is further provided attachment means to allow the base unit to be supported on an external structure.

7. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the attachment means comprise one or more straps attached to parts of the base unit such that the base unit can also be carried by a person, or formations for engagement with eternal structures.

8. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the attachment means comprise hinging, pivoting, sliding or retractable arms that are configured to locate over a suitable part of the external structure when hinged, pivoted, slid or extended from their non-use position.

9. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base unit is provided with a tray that may be stored within or against the base unit and may be extracted to provide a work surface when required.

10. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more stabilising arms are provided on the base unit to enhance stability when the base unit is stood on a surface.

11. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the base unit forms part of or is located in a rucksack or other manually portable carrying case.

12. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the base unit is formed substantially from electrically non- conductive material.

13. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any if the preceding clams wherein the base unit is formed substantially from a carbon fibre composite material.

14. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein there is further provided a manual suction pump to assist the gas driven suction device.

15. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the base unit is provided with means to permit the modular attachment of further related components.

16. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the base unit is provided with means to attach further gas cylinders either within or outside the enclosure formed in the base unit.

17. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in 16, wherein at least one further gas cylinder is attached and the further gas cylinder or cylinders contain oxygen and/or other medical gasses.

18. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the base unit has at least one substantially flat face on which the system as a whole can be stood or dragged.

19. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which is further provided with an inflatable buoyancy device to support it for use in water.

20. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the buoyancy device is normally stored in a deflated state, but may be inflated on manual activation of a switch or automatically on contact with water.

21. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein there is further provided a drip support arm.

22. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the drip support arm is connectable to the base unit.

23. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the drip support arm is movable between a stored position and a use position.

24. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the drip support arm is movable by pivoting about a hinge or by telescopic extension.

25. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more light is provided on the base to provide illumination and or signalling.

26. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in claim 25, wherein a battery and associated solar panel are also provided.

27. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base unit is provided with attachment means for the modular attachment of additional components having mating attachment means.

28. A portable resuscitation system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the attachment means comprise keyhole slots.

29. A base unit for a portable resuscitation system which base unit comprises a generally flat rigid base panel provided with means to permit attachment of a manifold, and a manifold for connection thereto, which manifold is provided with conduits for pressurised gas flow therethrough and further with means to operatively interconnect an oxygen cylinder and a suction device driven by pressurised gas from the oxygen cylinder.

30. A base unit as claimed in claim 29, in which the base unit further comprises additional panels that are attached to or formed with the base panel so as together to define a rigid enclosure.