Abstract: A ventilator circuit for use in administering medication to a patient includes a housing, a one-way inhalation valve and a one-way exhalation valve. A metered does inhaler receptacle is in fluid flow communication with an interior space of the housing holding chamber. An exhaust conduit communicates between input and output passageways disposed on opposite sides of the interior space.

Abstract: A respiratory device comprising a housing enclosing a chamber and an orientation indicator moveable with respect to the housing between a first position indicative of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device, and a second position indicative of an orientation of the respiratory device predetermined to be less suitable for operation of the respiratory device. The orientation indicator is positioned in a location on the respiratory device visible to a user during the operation of the respiratory device.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment device having an inlet configured to receive exhaled air into the device, an outlet configured to permit exhaled air to exit the device, a valve moveable in response to a threshold exhalation pressure at the inlet between a closed position where the flow of air from the inlet to the outlet is restricted, and an open exhalation position where the flow of air from the inlet to the outlet is less restricted, and a valve brace configured to support the valve, wherein a position of the valve brace relative to the valve is selectively adjustable to increase or decrease the threshold exhalation pressure.

Abstract: An oscillating positive expiratory pressure device comprising a housing enclosing at least one chamber, a chamber inlet configured to receive exhaled air into the at least one chamber, and a chamber outlet configured to permit exhaled air to exit the at least one chamber. A channel is positioned in an exhalation flow path between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, with the channel being movably connected to a chamber of the at least one chamber. An air flow regulator is movable with respect to the channel between a first position, where the flow of air through the channel is restricted and a second position, where the flow of air through the channel is less restricted, the air flow regulator being configured to repeatedly move between the first position and the second position in response to a flow of exhaled air.

Abstract: A medication delivery system having a holding chamber capable of delivering dosages of medicament from a metered dose inhaler. The holding chamber includes an actuator detector, flow detector and display. In another embodiment, a medication delivery system includes a holding chamber having an input and an output end, a metered dose inhaler operably coupled to the input end of the holding chamber, and a metered dose inhaler identifier associated with the holding chamber and operable to identify the metered dose inhaler coupled to the holding chamber.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment device includes a housing enclosing a chamber, a chamber inlet configured to receive a flow of air into the chamber, a first chamber outlet configured to permit the flow of air to exit the chamber, and a second chamber outlet configured to permit the flow of air to exit the chamber. A vane mounted within the chamber is configured to rotate between a first position where the flow of air is directed to exit the chamber through the first chamber outlet, and a second position where the flow of air is directed to exit the chamber through the second chamber outlet. A blocking member disposed on the vane is moveable relative to the chamber inlet between a closed position where the flow of air through the chamber inlet is restricted, and an open position where the flow of air through the chamber inlet is less restricted.

Abstract: An oscillating positive respiratory pressure apparatus and a method of performing oscillating positive respiratory pressure therapy. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, an exhalation flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet, and a restrictor member rotatably mounted within the interior chamber. The restrictor member has an axis of rotation that is substantially perpendicular to the flow path at the inlet, and includes at least one blocking segment. Rotation of the restrictor member moves the at least one blocking segment between an open position and a closed position. Respiratory pressure at the chamber inlet oscillates between a minimum when the at least one blocking segment is in the open position and a maximum when the at least one blocking segment is in the closed position. By exhaling into the apparatus, oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy is administered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a nebula or aerosol to a patient is described. In one aspect, the nebulizer is composed of a minimum number of parts to reduce complexity for automated or human assembly. The nebulizer may include an inhalation valve, exhalation valve and biasing member integrated into a single diaphragm structure that may be connected with an actuator and inserted into a housing for controlling nebulization of a medicine to a patient in response to the patient's breathing or in a continuous nebulization mode.

Abstract: An oscillating positive expiratory pressure apparatus having a housing defining a chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, a deformable restrictor member positioned in an exhalation flow path between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, and an oscillation member disposed within the chamber. The deformable restrictor member and the oscillation member are moveable between an engaged position, where the oscillation member is in contact with the deformable restrictor member and an disengaged position, where the oscillation member is not in contact with the deformable restrictor member. The deformable restrictor member and the oscillation member move from the engaged position to the disengaged position in response to a first exhalation pressure at the chamber inlet, and move from the disengaged position to an engaged position in response to a second exhalation pressure at the chamber inlet.

Abstract: A respiratory device comprising a housing enclosing a chamber and an orientation indicator moveable with respect to the housing between a first position indicative of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device, and a second position indicative of an orientation of the respiratory device predetermined to be less suitable for operation of the respiratory device. The orientation indicator is positioned in a location on the respiratory device visible to a user during the operation of the respiratory device.

Abstract: An oscillating positive expiratory pressure device comprising a housing enclosing at least one chamber, a chamber inlet configured to receive exhaled air into the at least one chamber, and a chamber outlet configured to permit exhaled air to exit the at least one chamber. A channel is positioned in an exhalation flow path between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, with the channel being moveably connected to a chamber of the at least one chamber. An air flow regulator is moveable with respect to the channel between a first position, where the flow of air through the channel is restricted and a second position, where the flow of air through the channel is less restricted, the air flow regulator being configured to repeatedly move between the first position and the second position in response to a flow of exhaled air.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment device comprising at least one chamber, a chamber inlet configured to receive air into the at least one chamber, at least one chamber outlet configured to permit air to exit the at least one chamber, and a flow path defined between the chamber inlet and the at least one chamber outlet. A restrictor member positioned in the flow path is moveable between a closed position, where a flow of air along the flow path is restricted, and an open position, where the flow of air along the flow path is less restricted. A vane in fluid communication with the flow path is operatively connected to the restrictor member and is configured to reciprocate between a first position and a second position in response to the flow of air along the flow path.

Abstract: A nasal insert includes a housing having a circumferential wall defining an interior passage. The wall has a longitudinal gap extending along a length thereof, with an outer peripheral dimension of the housing being adjustable by varying the gap. A valve is in communication with the interior passage and limits a fluid flow through the interior passage in at least one direction. In another embodiment, a nasal insert includes a user interface having a tubular housing defining an interior cavity open at opposite ends. An exterior surface of the housing is adapted to interface with a nasal vestibule of a user. A base is received in the interior cavity of the housing and includes an exit port. A cap is connected to the base and has an input port. A valve member is disposed in an interior passage defined by at least one of the cap and base, with the valve member being moveably received in the interior passage. Methods of using and assembling the nasal inserts also are provided.

Abstract: A delivery device includes a toroidal shaped housing defining an interior chamber and a central open space. The housing includes an input port communicating with the interior chamber and a delivery port positioned on an inner periphery of the housing. The delivery port is in fluid communication between the interior chamber and the central open space. The delivery port is spaced from the input port, which is adapted to receive an aerosolized medicament. In another aspect, a kit includes an outer ring-like housing component and a plurality of differently configured inner ring-like housing components mateable with the outer ring-like housing to form a holding chamber. A method of delivering an inhalable substance is also provided. A mask, including mounting and sealing portions is also provided, together with a method of manufacturing such a mask. Delivery devices include various alternative adapters to be used with a mask and a substance dispenser.

Abstract: A breathing assistance apparatus includes an inner volumetric member pressurizable from a first pressure to a second pressure and an outer volumetric member surrounding at least a portion of the inner expandable volumetric member. The inner volumetric member pressurizes the outer volumetric member as the inner volumetric member is pressurized from the first pressure to the second pressure. In another embodiment, a breathing assistance apparatus includes exhalation and inhalation chambers with respective biasing members providing for the exhalation chamber to apply a pressure to the inhalation chamber and thereby provide assisted inhalation. Methods for assisting breathing are also provided.

Abstract: A mask includes a body having an interior surface defining a cavity shaped to receive a user's nose. An exterior surface of the body is exposed to an ambient environment. The body includes an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity and a one-way exhaust valve in fluid communication between the cavity and the ambient environment. A therapeutic substance dispenser is in fluid communication with the cavity. In one embodiment, a nasal aromatic decongestant is disposed in the therapeutic dispenser. A mask includes an upper nasal cavity separate from a lower oral cavity, with an inlet in fluid communication with only the upper nasal cavity. A medicament delivery assembly, and methods for the use thereof, are also provided.

Abstract: An oscillating positive expiratory pressure apparatus having a housing defining a chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, a deformable restrictor member positioned in an exhalation flow path between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, and an oscillation member disposed within the chamber. The deformable restrictor member and the oscillation member are moveable between an engaged position, where the oscillation member is in contact with the deformable restrictor member and an disengaged position, where the oscillation member is not in contact with the deformable restrictor member. The deformable restrictor member and the oscillation member move from the engaged position to the disengaged position in response to a first exhalation pressure at the chamber inlet, and move from the disengaged position to an engaged position in response to a second exhalation pressure at the chamber inlet.

Abstract: An oscillating positive respiratory pressure apparatus and a method of performing oscillating positive respiratory pressure therapy. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, an exhalation flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet, and a restrictor member rotatably mounted within the interior chamber. The restrictor member has an axis of rotation that is substantially perpendicular to the flow path at the inlet, and includes at least one blocking segment. Rotation of the restrictor member moves the at least one blocking segment between an open position and a closed position. Respiratory pressure at the chamber inlet oscillates between a minimum when the at least one blocking segment is in the open position and a maximum when the at least one blocking segment is in the closed position. By exhaling into the apparatus, oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy is administered.