Abstract: Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with near real-time RSA wave information are provided. This information can be used in biofeedback settings to assist subjects in reducing levels of stress by achieving rhythmic breathing patterns.

Abstract: A trans-fill method and system comprising obtaining therapeutic gas from a therapeutic gas source, compressing the therapeutic gas from the therapeutic gas source in at least two stages to create an intermediate therapeutic gas stream and a high pressure therapeutic gas stream, supplying therapeutic gas to a patient from the intermediate therapeutic gas stream, and filling a cylinder with the therapeutic gas from the high pressure therapeutic gas stream substantially simultaneously with supplying therapeutic gas to the patient.

Abstract: Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with real-time RSA wave information are provided. These methods and devices also can be used to identify drop points in RSA waves. Such methods and devices provide subjects with the ability to maintain parasympathetic outflow and thereby prevent and/or reduce levels of stress.

Abstract: Methods for estimating the volume of the carbon dioxide stores of an individual's respiratory tract include determining a carbon dioxide store volume at which a correlation between corresponding signals of carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the content of carbon dioxide in blood of the individual is optimized. The estimate of the volume of carbon dioxide stores, which comprises a model of the respiratory tract, or lungs, of the individual, may be used as a transformation to improve the accuracy of one or both of the carbon dioxide elimination and carbon dioxide content signals. Transformation, or filtering, algorithms are also disclosed, as are systems in which the methods and algorithms may be used. The methods, algorithms, and systems may be used to accurately and noninvasively determine one or both of the pulmonary capillary blood flow and cardiac output of the individual.

Abstract: Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with real-time RSA wave information are provided. These methods and devices also can be used to identify drop points in RSA waves. Such methods and devices provide subjects with the ability to maintain parasympathetic outflow and thereby prevent and/or reduce levels of stress.

Abstract: Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with real-time RSA wave information are provided. These methods and devices also can be used to identify drop points in RSA waves. Such methods and devices provide subjects with the ability to maintain parasympathetic outflow and thereby prevent and/or reduce levels of stress.

Abstract: A trans-fill method and system comprising obtaining therapeutic gas from a therapeutic gas source, compressing the therapeutic gas from the therapeutic gas source in at least two stages to create an intermediate therapeutic gas stream and a high pressure therapeutic gas stream, supplying therapeutic gas to a patient from the intermediate therapeutic gas stream, and filling a cylinder with the therapeutic gas from the high pressure therapeutic gas stream substantially simultaneously with supplying therapeutic gas to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a removably attachable compact desiccant cartridge that is useful in lowering the dew point of a medically useful gas, which is liquefied by a cryogenic device. The desiccant cartridge of the present invention comprises a gas feedstream inlet, a dehumidifying zone which comprises a desiccant material, and a dehumidified gas feedstream outlet. The present invention also provides a method for using the same.

Abstract: A trans-fill method and system comprising obtaining therapeutic gas from a therapeutic gas source, compressing the therapeutic gas from the therapeutic gas source in at least two stages to create an intermediate therapeutic gas stream and a high pressure therapeutic gas stream, supplying therapeutic gas to a patient from the intermediate therapeutic gas stream, and filling a cylinder with the therapeutic gas from the high pressure therapeutic gas stream substantially simultaneously with supplying therapeutic gas to the patient.

Abstract: A pharyngeal airway adjuster, or mandible positioning device, has a maxillary dentition engagement component and a mandibular dentition engagement component, each on opposite sides of a plane extending therebetween. An adjustable connection couples the maxillary dentition engagement component with the mandibular dentition engagement component. The adjustable connection has a first adjustment screw having a longitudinal axis parallel to the plane and a second adjustment screw having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the plane. The first and second adjustable screws are independently adjustable and structured to effect horizontal and vertical displacement, respectively, of the maxillary dentition engagement component relative to the mandibular dentition engagement component.

Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator includes a pair of sieve beds, a compressor for delivering air to the sieve beds, a reservoir receiving oxygen-enriched gas from the sieve beds, and an air manifold attached to the first ends of the sieve beds. A set of valves operate under the control of a controller for selectively opening and closing the valves to alternately charge and purge the sieve beds to deliver oxygen-enriched gas into the reservoir. In addition, an exhaust passage communicates with the plurality of sieve beds to deliver a flow of nitrogen evacuated from the sieve beds such that the flow of the nitrogen is directed at or across the controller to cool the controller.

Abstract: A method and related system of filling therapeutic gas cylinders. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are a method comprising determining, by a cylinder fill device, a rated pressure of a therapeutic gas cylinder, and filling the cylinder with the cylinder fill device substantially to the rated pressure.

Abstract: Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with near real-time RSA wave information are provided. This information can be used in biofeedback settings to assist subjects in reducing levels of stress by achieving rhythmic breathing patterns.

Abstract: A nasal mask assembly that includes a seal member defined from a unitary piece of elastomeric material. The seal member defines a nose receiving cavity and has a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite the first end portion. A first opening in the first end portion allows at least a portion of a nose to enter the nose receiving cavity such that the nares of the patient communicate with the nose receiving cavity. The seal member includes a neck portion defined in the second end portion and a second opening defined in the neck portion in communication with the nose receiving cavity. A reinforcement area is provided on the side walls of the seal member. The reinforcement area comprises a saddle shaped contoured area on each side of the seal member. Each saddle shaped area has an upper and a lower protrusion portion for providing supporting contact with the face.

Abstract: Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with near real-time RSA wave information are provided. This information can be used in biofeedback settings to assist subjects in reducing levels of stress by achieving rhythmic breathing patterns.

Abstract: A chest brace and method of using same that prevents the chest wall from buckling inwards during patient breathing by providing a distending force on the patient's thorax. The chest brace also restores the normal anterior-to-posterior chest dimensions by providing a distending force in this direction. The chest brace includes an anterior member adapted to overly a patient's chest. An adhesive mechanism secures the anterior member to a surface of such a patient. A support structure is coupled to the anterior member such that, in use, the support structure imparts a force on the anterior member in a manner so as to distend a thorax of such a patient.

Abstract: Methods for estimating the volume of the carbon dioxide stores of an individual's respiratory tract include determining a carbon dioxide store volume at which a correlation between corresponding signals of carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the content of carbon dioxide in blood of the individual is optimized. The estimate of the volume of carbon dioxide stores, which comprises a model of the respiratory tract, or lungs, of the individual, may be used as a transformation to improve the accuracy of one or both of the carbon dioxide elimination and carbon dioxide content signals. Transformation, or filtering, algorithms are also disclosed, as are systems in which the methods and algorithms may be used. The methods, algorithms, and systems may be used to accurately and noninvasively determine one or both of the pulmonary capillary blood flow and cardiac output of the individual.

Abstract: A seal and a respiraoty mask having a seal adapted for confronting engagement with a surface of a user to form an interface therewith. The seal includes a first portion defined by a gel substance. In one embodiment, the seal includes a selectively formable substance adapted to be molded from a first pattern into a second pattern and to retain the second pattern responsive to being so molded. The seal and mask having the seal in this embodiment is tailored to patient by causing the formable portion of the seal to be placed in a malleable state, applying the seal to the patient while the formable portion is in the malleable state, and causing the formable portion to be placed in a fixed state to retain a shape generally conforming to the portion of the patient underlying the seal.

Abstract: A face mask including a gas monitoring capability for improved patient management in combination with improved efficiency of supplemental oxygen delivery to the patient is provided. The face mask of the present invention is configured to direct substantially all of the inspiratory and expiratory gas streams to and from the patient through a gas measuring device and to efficiently deliver supplemental oxygen. As such, the face mask permits measurement of both oral and nasal gas exchange.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a much safer and less expensive way of providing portable oxygen from a gas concentrator for patients who do not want to be tied to a stationary machine or restricted by present oxygen technology. The present invention involves a home liquid oxygen ambulatory system for supplying a portable supply of oxygen, where a portion of the gaseous oxygen output obtained from an oxygen concentrator is condensed into liquid oxygen. The system includes an oxygen concentrator which separates oxygen gas from the ambient air, a condenser in communication with the oxygen concentrator for receiving and liquefying the oxygen gas flow, a cryocooler associated with the condenser, and a first storage dewar in fluid communication with the condenser and adapted to store the oxygen liquefied by the condenser, the first storage dewar including means for transferring liquid oxygen from the first dewar to a second dewar for storing a quantity of oxygen suitable for moveable oxygen treatment.