Abstract: Supraglottic airway devices such as the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) device are used in anesthesia practice to maintain an open airway in patients undergoing anesthesia. LMA devices are also used as a conduit for the insertion of endotracheal tubes (ETT) through the laryngeal opening into the patient's trachea (endotracheal intubation). In scenarios where the conventional method of tracheal intubation is challenging or not possible, modified LMA devices have played a pivotal role for several decades. However, present embodiments of LMA devices suffer from significant shortcomings that the device in this patent aims to address. Currently available modified LMA devices have many limitations when used as a conduit for the insertion of ETT. The apparatus shown the present description aims to address those major limitations and to significantly improve the success rate of tracheal intubation.

Abstract: A mask to administer breathable gas to a user may include a body structure having a connection opening to connect to a line device to deliver the breathable gas; a sealing lip device to seal against the user's face, the sealing lip device joined to the body structure, and the sealing lip device having an upper bridge portion structured to cross the bridge of the user's nose in use, a pair of side portions structured to be positioned along corresponding side surfaces of the user's nose in use, and a lower bridge portion structured to cross the user's upper lip or chin region in use; and a pair of beadlike gel cushions, each positioned in a corresponding one of the side portions.

Abstract: Therapy gas delivery systems that provide run-time-to-empty information to a user of the system and methods for administering therapeutic gas to a patient. The therapeutic gas delivery system may include a gas pressure sensor attachable to a therapeutic gas source that communicates therapeutic gas pressure data to a therapeutic gas delivery system controller, a gas temperature sensor positioned to measure gas temperature in the therapeutic gas source that communicates therapeutic gas temperature data to the therapeutic gas delivery system controller, at least one flow controller that communicates therapeutic gas flow rate data to the therapeutic gas delivery system controller, at least one flow sensor that communicates flow rate data to the therapeutic gas delivery system controller, and at least one display that communicates run-time-to-empty to a user of the therapeutic gas delivery system.

Abstract: A cap for preventing hair loss has a crown with protrusions extending from the concave surface of the crown. When the cap is placed on a user's skull at least one of the protrusions is aligned with a suture in the skull. Rubbing on the exterior of the crown at the locations of the protrusion will abrade excess bone growth or thickening on top of the suture thereby assuring circulation to the scalp to support hair growth.

Abstract: A humidifier for a respiratory assistance device, is provided wherein at least a portion of an inside of a chamber is exposed to light such that light impinges on a metallic or carbon-based material to generate localized heating of liquid molecules around the metallic or carbon-based material and generate vapour for use by the respiratory assistance device. A respiratory assistance device comprising a humidifier and related methods and apparatus are also provided. Arrangements are provided for generating vapour by impinging light on metallic and/or carbon based material, particularly in the form of nanoparticles.

Abstract: An MIE apparatus has a blower, a valve system, and a mask hose connector. The blower is connected to the valve system which is connected to the hose connector. During insufflation, the valve system connects exhaust of the blower to the hose connector to cause positive pressure at the hose connector. During exsufflation, the valve system connects the blower intake to the hose connector to cause negative pressure at the hose connector. The apparatus has an automatic mode in which switching between insufflation and exsufflation is based on one or more preset time intervals and a manual mode in which switching between insufflation and exsufflation is based on a manual input from a user.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a mask end and a supply end is provided. The valve assembly includes a housing assembly, an inhale valve, and an exhale valve. The housing assembly defines a first air passageway configured for inhalation and a second air passageway configured for exhalation. At least a portion of the second air passageway is disposed peripherally around the first air passageway. The inhale valve is configured to be biased to an open position when subject to a reduction in pressure due to inhalation, and to be biased to a closed position when subject to an increase in pressure proximate due to exhalation. The exhale valve is configured to be biased to a closed position when subject to a reduction in pressure due to inhalation, and to be biased to an open position when subject to an increase in pressure due to exhalation.

Abstract: A chest compression device includes a piston to apply compression to the sternum and incorporates leaf springs simultaneously driven by the piston to apply lateral compression to the thorax during chest compressions. A motor in the chest compression device provides motive power to cyclically extend and contract the piston to provide therapeutic chest compressions. One end of each leaf spring is operably connected to the piston and the other end of each leaf spring is secured to the backboard/base or to a support leg of the chest compression device such that during extension of the piston, each leaf spring is compressed against the device base or leg which causes the springs to flex and provide lateral compression of the patient's thorax in addition to the sternal compression of the piston.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for mucous membrane therapy. The method includes receiving at least one body signal from a patient; detecting a condition of the patient based on the body signal; and administering the therapy to at least one of a mucous membrane or a serous membrane of the patient. A medical device system configured to implement the method is provided. A computer-readable storage device for storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method is also provided.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device includes a plurality of braces that are each attachable to a part of a user. A plurality of joints connects adjacent braces. Each joint is controllable to bend or unbend so as to cause the exoskeleton device to change between an erect configuration and a sitting configuration. At least one support column is extendible from a brace. A length of the support column is adjustable. A controller is configured to adjust the length of the support column in coordination with the bending or unbending of a joint to provide support for the exoskeleton device when in the sitting configuration.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for applying pressure to a portion of a wearer's body is provided. The device includes a flexible enclosure formed from a flexible material and configured to enclose at least a portion of the wearer's body, thereby forming a cavity between an inner surface of the enclosure and the body. The device also includes at least one port extending through the flexible enclosure for accessing the cavity; and a fluid evacuation pump in fluid communication with the cavity. The device is configured such that, upon actuation of the pump, the flexible enclosure transitions from a relaxed position to a compressed position, in which the flexible enclosure exerts a compression force against the wearer's body. Optionally, the flexible enclosure defines a cross sectional area, wherein the cross sectional area in the relaxed position is greater than the cross sectional area in the compressed position.

Abstract: This patent pertains to patient contact compensating wheelchairs. One implementation includes a motorized base that includes a battery and a seat positioned above the base. In one instance, the seat can include a moisture permeable structure configured to support a patient and a fan configured to move air below the moisture permeable structure to carry moisture from the patient away from the moisture permeable structure. Another implementation includes a set of patient contact objects configured to alternatively contact first and then second portions of an underside of the moisture permeable structure so that at a first time more of the patient's weight is supported at the first portion than at the second portion and at a second time more of the patient's weight is supported at the second portion than at the first portion, to relieve contact pressure of the patient.

Abstract: A tracheal tube assembly includes an outer cannula configured to be positioned in a patient airway and an inner cannula configured to be disposed inside the outer cannula. The tracheal tube assembly further includes a flange member secured about the outer cannula, and an outer cannula connector coupled to a proximal end of the outer cannula. The inner cannula includes a compressible proximal end region that is compressed while secured inside the outer cannula connector.

Abstract: A physical therapy ball comprises inner and outer hallow spherical bodies. A web positions the inner spherical body with respect to the outer spherical body to form a gap there between. The gap is filled with a high heat capacity gel. An array of conical sections extends from the outer surface of the outer spherical body to facilitate foot massage.

Abstract: An exhale valve assembly includes a housing, a valve carrier body, a primary valve assembly, a plunger, a lock assembly, and an air pressure activated actuator assembly. The valve carrier body is disposed the housing and has a passageway. The primary valve assembly is mounted to the valve carrier body. A first air flow path passes through the passageway and a second air flow path passes through the primary valve assembly. The plunger is configured to permit a flow through the first air flow path when the plunger is in a first position and to direct a flow through the second air flow path when the plunger is in a second position. The lock assembly is configured to secure the plunger in the first position. The air pressure activated actuator assembly is configured to release the lock responsive to a pressure change within the cavity of the housing.

Abstract: A respirator filter connection mechanism with a first attachment element, the first attachment element associated with a respirator mask. The mechanism has a second attachment element which is associated with a filter. It also has openings provided through the first and second attachment elements and configured to be aligned with an inlet or discharge port of the mask and an inlet or discharge port of the filter. One of the first and second attachment elements includes a spring element located proximate to a corresponding opening, while another the first and second attachment elements includes an attachment shelf located proximate to a corresponding opening. The spring element is configured to be linearly advanced into initial engagement with the attachment shelf until the spring element and attachment shelf couple to one another in an intermediate loaded position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering a pharmaceutical gas to a patient. The methods and systems provide a known desired quantity of the pharmaceutical gas to the patient independent of the respiratory pattern of the patient over a plurality of breaths every nth breath, where n is greater than or equal to 1. The pharmaceutical gases include CO and NO, both of which are provided as a concentration in a carrier gas. The gas control system determines the delivery of the pharmaceutical gas to the patient to result in the known desired quantity (e.g. in molecules, milligrams or other quantified units) of the pharmaceutical gas being delivered. Upon completion of that known desired quantity of pharmaceutical gas over a plurality of breaths, the system can either terminate, continue, activate and alarm, etc.

Abstract: A nebulizer and a container with a fluid for such a nebulizer are described, the container comprising an indicator device fixedly mounted on the bottom of the container, the indicator device stopping further use of the container in a locked state when a predetermined number of uses has been reached or exceeded, and when the nebulizer is partially opened, it is blocked against further use, and after replacement of the container including the indicator device, the nebulizer can be used again.

Abstract: Increasing blood circulation, lowering intracranial pressure, and increasing cerebral perfusion pressure during the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation by gravity-assist due to elevation of one or both of the torso and head of an individual.

Abstract: A breathing circuit includes a flexible hollow tube having a generally circular cross section and a flexible printed circuit board assembly disposed in the flexible hollow tube. The flexible printed circuit board assembly defines part of at least one inspiratory passage within the flexible hollow tube and part of at least one expiratory passage within the flexible hollow tube. The flexible printed circuit board assembly is configured to heat airflow within one or more of the at least one inspiratory passage and the at least one expiratory passage, and monitor a first property of the airflow within one or more of the at least one inspiratory passage and the at least one expiratory passage at multiple locations along the axial length of the flexible hollow tube.