Abstract: A nasal cannula having a face piece including first and second nares which each communicate with a respective nostril of a patient. A septum divides the face piece into first and second flow paths such that the first flow path communicates with the first nare and the second flow path communicates with the second nare. A leading end of the first nare is configured to form a fluid barrier within a first nostril and facilitate only supplying an insufflation gas, via the first flow path, to the patient and prevent exhausting any exhaust gas, of the patient, through the first nostril. A leading end of the second nare is configured to facilitate collecting some of the exhaust gas, from the patient, via the second flow path as well as exhausting a remainder of the exhaust gas out through a second nostril of the patient.

Abstract: A divided cannula comprising a cannula body which is divided by a partitioning wall into first and second flow chambers. The first flow chamber has first and second spaced apart nare passages while the second flow chamber has first and second spaced apart nare passages. The cannula body supports spaced apart first and second nares and each of the first and the second nares defines a common nare passage. The first nare passage of the first internal flow chamber and the first nare passage of the second internal flow chamber both communicate with the common nare passage of the first nare and the second nare passage of the first internal flow chamber and the second nare passage of the second internal flow chamber both communicate with the common nare passage of the second nare. A pressure sensing line and a gas supply line interconnected to the divided cannula with a gas supply system.

Abstract: An infant holding device, including an infant holding portion, including a ductile sheet covered with infant-compatible material and a stand portion, adapted to support the infant holding portion in a vertically diagonal position, so that the infant holding portion thereby has a top and a bottom. In one preferred embodiment the ductile sheet is made of aluminum. In an additional preferred embodiment the infant holding portion is separable from the stand portion.

Abstract: An infant holding device, including an infant holding portion, including a ductile sheet covered with infant-compatible material and a stand portion, adapted to support the infant holding portion in a vertically diagonal position, so that the infant holding portion thereby has a top and a bottom. In one preferred embodiment the ductile sheet is made of aluminum. In an additional preferred embodiment the infant holding portion is separable from the stand portion.

Abstract: A nasal cannula which comprises a face piece comprising first and second nares which each communicate with a respective nostril of a patient. A septum divides the face piece into first and second flow paths such that the first flow path communicates with the first nare and the second flow path communicates with the second nare. A leading end of the first nare is configured to form a fluid barrier within a first nostril and facilitate only supplying an insufflation gas, via the first flow path, to the patient and prevent exhausting any of exhaust gas, of the patient, through the first nostril of the patient. A leading end of the second nare is configured to facilitate collecting some of the exhaust gas, from the patient, via the second flow path as well as exhausting a remainder of the exhaust gas out through a second nostril of the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for sleep monitoring, diagnosing and sensing temperature and pressure for a breathing cycle of a patient including a sensing device suitable for both nasal and oral breath monitoring for measuring respiratory air wave and airflow information during a sleep apnea diagnostic session and processing the acquired air wave and airflow breathing information for input to conventional polysomnography equipment.

Abstract: A nasal cannula for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient and a method of treating a patient with sleep disorder. The nasal cannula comprises a pair of spaced apart supply lines which each have a head at one end thereof with a discharge opening located therein. The opposite end of each supply line is connectable to a high flow respiratory gas source. Each head is sized to be snugly received and retained within one of the nasal cavities of the patient while forming a sufficient leakage passage, between a portion of inwardly facing nasal cavity skin of a patient and a portion of an exterior surface of the head, to facilitate exhausting of any excess respiratory gas supplied to the patient through the leakage passage and also facilitate inhalation of any room air required in excess of the respiratory gas to be supplied to the patient.

Abstract: An head, facial or ear cushion for mounting to a strap of a respiratory or traditional device. The head, facial or ear cushion comprises an elongate flattened body which defines an internal cavity for accommodating a strap of a respiratory or traditional device and generally has a flattened oval shape forming two elongate opposed exterior surfaces. The two opposed surfaces are generally planar and extend substantially parallel to one another so that a width of the head, facial or ear cushion is at least twice a thickness of the head, facial or ear cushion. The body is configured so as to restrict axial movement of the body along the strap, during use. In one embodiment, the body is folded into a folded configuration, about a longitudinal centerline, to define the internal cavity which at least partially encloses while in another embodiment, the body is generally oval in shape and has an exterior surface which extends completely around and encases the strap.

Abstract: A divided cannula comprising a cannula body which is divided by a partitioning wall into first and second flow chambers. The first flow chamber has first and second spaced apart nare passages while the second flow chamber has first and second spaced apart nare passages. The cannula body supports spaced apart first and second nares and each of the first and the second nares defines a common nare passage. The first nare passage of the first internal flow chamber and the first nare passage of the second internal flow chamber both communicate with the common nare passage of the first nare and the second nare passage of the first internal flow chamber and the second nare passage of the second internal flow chamber both communicate with the common nare passage of the second nare. A pressure sensing line and a gas supply line interconnected to the divided cannula with a gas supply system.

Abstract: A nasal cannula, for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient, comprising: a pair of spaced apart supply lines which each have a head at one end thereof with a discharge opening therein. The opposite end of each supply line is connectable to a respiratory gas source. Each head is sized to be snugly received and retained within one of the nasal cavities of the patient while forming a sufficient leakage passage, between a portion of inwardly facing nasal cavity skin of a patient and a portion of an exterior surface of the head, to facilitate exhausting of any excess respiratory gas supplied to the patient through the leakage passage and also facilitate inhalation of any room air required in excess of the respiratory gas to be supplied to the patient.

Abstract: A method of forming a cannula from a cannula mandrel assembly comprising a pair of mouthpiece/nasal mandrels and a mating facepiece mandrel. The facepiece mandrel has a pair of conical holes, in an intermediate section thereof, for receiving a leading end of one mouthpiece/nasal mandrel. The conical holes allow the facepiece mandrel to slide along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels until the conical holes abut with respective mating tapering conical sections and prevent further sliding movement along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels. Following assembly, the assembly is heated, at least one coating of a polymeric material is applied thereto and heat from the assembly at least partially cures the polymeric material on the assembly. Following curing, the facepiece mandrel and formed cannula are slide along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels until the facepiece mandrel and formed cannula are removed therefrom. Lastly, the facepiece mandrel is removed from the formed cannula.

Abstract: A system and method for sleep monitoring, diagnosing and sensing temperature and pressure for a breathing cycle of a patient including a sensing device suitable for both nasal and oral breath monitoring for measuring respiratory air wave and airflow information during a sleep apnea diagnostic session and processing the acquired air wave and airflow breathing information for input to conventional polysomnography equipment.

Abstract: A nasal cannula, for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient, comprising: a pair of spaced apart supply lines which each have a head at one end thereof with a discharge opening therein. The opposite end of each supply line is connectable to a respiratory gas source. Each head is sized to be snugly received and retained within one of the nasal cavities of the patient while forming a sufficient leakage passage, between a portion of inwardly facing nasal cavity skin of a patient and a portion of an exterior surface of the head, to facilitate exhausting of any excess respiratory gas supplied to the patient through the leakage passage and also facilitate inhalation of any room air required in excess of the respiratory gas to be supplied to the patient.

Abstract: A nasal cannula comprising a hollow main body having opposed first and second openings formed therein and the main body defining an internal chamber. A partition divides the internal chamber into first and second flow compartments. A flow passageway of a first nasal prong communicates with the first compartment and a flow passageway of the first mouth piece communicates with the first compartment to define a first flow passageway which communicates with both a first nostril and a mouth of the patient. A flow passageway of a second nasal prong communicates with the second compartment and a flow passageway of the second mouth piece communicates with the first compartment to define a second flow passageway which communicates with both a second nostril and the mouth of the patient.

Abstract: A combined cannula and temperature sensing device for detecting breathing of a patient. The cannula comprising a cannula body defining at least one internal flow chamber therein, at least one tube being connected to the cannula body and communicating with the internal flow chamber, a pair of nasal prongs communicating with the internal flow chamber, and the cannula body having retaining mechanism for releasably attaching the temperature sensing device to the cannula. The temperature sensing device comprising a sensor body, at least one temperature sensor being supported by the sensor body, and the sensor body releasably engaging with the retaining mechanism of the cannula for positioning the at least one temperature sensor adjacent at least one of a nasal cavity and a mouth of the patient for detecting breathing of the patient.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device and method of using the same, for detecting breathing of a patient. The temperature sensing device comprises a sensor body contour for supporting the temperature sensing device on an upper lip of a patient and preventing undesired movement thereof and at least one temperature sensor being supported by the sensor body. The sensor body spaces the temperature sensor(s) from the skin of a patient, during use, so that a remote end of the at least one temperature sensor can be positioned adjacent at least one of a nasal cavity and a mouth of the patient for detecting breathing of the patient. The sensor body is preferably curved both upwardly and rearwardly with respect to planes extending through the sensor body.

Abstract: A cannula having at least three separate flow passages and comprising separate nasal and mouth main bodies. The nasal body has first and second nares and first and second main flow chambers respectively communicating with first and second ports, and the first and second flow chambers are separated from one another by a septum. The mouth main body is adjacent the nasal main body and has at least one mouthpiece and at least a third main flow chamber therein communicating with a third port. The cannula has at least first, second and third flow paths which can be connected with a desired supply, monitoring or detection device. The invention also relates to the method of manufacturing the cannula.

Abstract: A method of forming a cannula from a cannula mandrel assembly comprising a pair of mouthpiece/nasal mandrels and a mating facepiece mandrel. The facepiece mandrel has a pair of conical holes, in an intermediate section thereof, for receiving a leading end of one mouthpiece/nasal mandrel. The conical holes allow the facepiece mandrel to slide along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels until the conical holes abut with respective mating tapering conical sections and prevent further sliding movement along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels. Following assembly, the assembly is heated, at least one coating of a polymeric material is applied thereto and heat from the assembly at least partially cures the polymeric material on the assembly. Following curing, the facepiece mandrel and formed cannula are slide along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels until the facepiece mandrel and formed cannula are removed therefrom. Lastly, the facepiece mandrel is removed from the formed cannula.

Abstract: A laryngoscope device for use in the performance of direct laryngoscopy, the device including a laryngoscope blade portion connectable to a laryngoscope handle through a connector, the laryngoscope blade comprising an ultraviolet light, a white light and an imaging or viewing device at the same distance relative to the distal end of the laryngoscope blade.