Abstract: A facial mask for use in medical respiratory treatments such as sleep apnea CPAP therapy. The mask includes a preferably transparent front plate to which is attached a skirt of flexible material adapted to sealingly impinge on the face of a patient. The mask is of sufficient size so that as it seals the nose from all but the desired therapeutic airflow, the sealing pressures will be felt on the forehead, the upper lip, and the malar region of the face spaced from the nose. Thus pressure on the bridge of the nose and in the maxillary region adjacent to the nose are avoided, resulting in a significant decrease in the possibility of intense pain.

Abstract: A plurality of flow sensors are fabricated on a single substrate. The substrate is laid out to provide the proper physical relationship of the individual sensors. The resulting multiple sensor structure may be effectively used as a respiration detector by positioning a different sensor element at each of the airflow orifices (i.e., two nostrils and mouth) of a patient. In the preferred embodiment, the sensors are thermoresistive elements, which are screened on the substrate using conductive ink. The change in temperature of the air flow in relation to the ambient at each orifice provides an indication of the flow and may be used to determine the extent of the flow. The substrate is packaged in a single piece adhesive strip which provides ease of proper attachment by the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of monitoring respiration of a patient using impedance changes of the body to indicate respiration events. The impedance changes are measured by applying a carrier signal across the thorax of the patient. The carrier is periodically interrupted to produce a quiet period. A first level detector assumes the presence of EMI if the signal present during the quiet period exceeds a predetermined threshold. A second level detector senses the presence of substantial high frequency EMI. At initial power up, a third level detector checks for presence of signal before the carrier drive is applied. A fourth test circuit checks for the hang up of the differential amplification circuit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger bed including a plurality of elastomeric sheets. The sheets have a peripheral edge and a center. The sheets also have an opening therethrough proximate the center. The sheets are stacked one next to another in a stack. At least one sheet spacer is disposed between adjacent sheets of the stack. The center openings of adjacent sheets are aligned to define a passage through the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrically stable electrodes and sensors having a flexible base or substrate. One or more flexible and pressure sensitive resistors having a high resistance and a high temperature coefficient of resistivity are printed on a first surface of the flexible base, and a second set of one or more substantially identical resistors are printed on a second surface such that each resistor on the second surface is directly opposite a resistor on the first surface. The opposing resistors are then electrically interconnected in mating pairs, so that when the substrate is flexed, one resistor of each pair is compressed and the other is tensed with the result that the changes in resistance cancel one another.

Abstract: A plurality of flow sensors are fabricated on a single substrate. The substrate is laid out to provide the proper physical relationship of the individual sensors. The resulting multiple sensor structure may be effectively used as respiration detector by positioning a different sensor element at each of the airflow orifices (i.e., two nostrils and mouth) of a patient. In the preferred embodiment, the sensors are thermoresistive elements, which are screened on the substrate using conductive ink. The change in temperature of the air flow in relation to the ambient at each orifice provides an indication of the flow and may be used to determine the extent of the flow. The substrate is packaged in a single piece adhesive strip which provides ease of proper attachment by the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of monitoring respiration of a patient using impedance changes of the body to indicate respiration events. Cardiac related artifacts are suppressed by separately processing an EKG signal. Transient artifacts are accommodated by modifying the pass band of the respiration monitoring circuitry to selectively attenuate the signal within the frequency range of the transient artifact.

Abstract: A system for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea packaged in a collar assembly with remote electrodes which can be worn by a patient without any special preparation. The collar assembly has an adjustable attachment means, such as hook and latch, to accommodate variations in neck size. The collar assembly is properly oriented using variations in physical shape and/or color. An optional feedback system permits the patient to readily verify proper orientation. The remote electrodes may be conveniently maintained in position using a mouthpiece or other means. Radio frequency signals are sent from the collar assembly to the remote electrodes to provide the therapy upon detection of an apnea event.

Abstract: A strain gauge and method of making same for use in certain medical applications, such as sensing the occurrence of an apnea event. The device is also applicable to monitoring mechanical motion associated with other medical conditions. The strain gauge actually measures the change in direct current resistance produced by stretching and compression of a number of carbon deposits coupled in series on a longitudinally extendible substrate. This extendibility is produced by suitably die cutting a flexible but inherently inelastic insulative substrate. The easily produced device may be used externally or encapsulated for implantation.

Abstract: A plurality of flow sensors are fabricated on a single substrate. The substrate is laid out to provide the proper physical relationship of the individual sensors. The resulting multiple sensor structure may be effectively used as a respiration detector by positioning a different sensor element at each of the airflow orifices (i.e., two nostrils and mouth) of a patient. In the preferred embodiment, the sensors are thermoresistive elements, which are screened on the substrate using conductive ink. The change in temperature of the air flow in relation to the ambient at each orifice provides an indication of the flow and may be used to determine the extent of the flow. The substrate is packaged in a single piece adhesive strip which provides ease of proper attachment by the patient.

Abstract: A system for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea packaged in a collar which can be worn by a patient without any special preparation. The collar is adjustable using a fastener such as hook and latch, to accommodate variations in neck size. The collar is properly oriented using variations in physical shape and/or color. An optional feedback system permits the patient to readily verify proper orientation.The collar contains at least one sensor to monitor functioning of the respiratory system of the patient.The output of the sensor(s) is processed by battery powered electronics located within or in proximity to the collar. When an apnea episode is detected, the electronics module generates bursts of pulsatile current which are conducted to electrodes located on and positioned by the collar or in proximity to the collar.

Abstract: An apnea monitor employs dual detectors for determining patient breaths while rejecting cardiac artifacts. The first detector examines a respiration signal at a first sensitivity for apparent breaths. The second detector examines at a second sensitivity to determine if the apparent breath was actually an artifact.