Abstract: A breathing treatment apparatus delivers breathing gas to a user. The apparatus may be configured to comprise one or more sensors for sensing microbial growth within the apparatus.

Abstract: A gas flow reversing element is disclosed that includes a main piece comprising an inflow region, a nozzle region and a mixing region, and further includes a branching piece. The inflow region connects a pressure connector to a closable outlet opening in the mixing region, the branching piece connecting the nozzle region to a line connector. With the outlet opening opened, gas flow flowing along a first flow path from the pressure connector through the nozzle to the outlet opening, generates a gas flow in the branching piece flowing along a second flow path from the line connector to the outlet opening. The reversing element further includes a bypass, closable by at least one closing element, connecting the pressure connector and the line connector so that a gas flow can flow along a third flow path via the inflow region, and bypass the nozzle via the bypass.

Abstract: A mask apparatus, including a mask formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material. The mask includes a seal disposed around the perimeter of the mask. The mask apparatus includes a breathable air mechanism detachably coupled to a front surface of the mask. The mask apparatus further includes a hydration assembly to be coupled to an external hydration source and one or more couplings to position and secure the mask apparatus.

Abstract: A cup for capturing droplets expelled during coughing or sneezing, the cup has a sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface. The sidewall has a lip portion of sufficient size for a snug substantially circumferential location over a nose and mouth of an intended user. The sidewall is configured and sized to be hand-held. An absorbent liner is located against the inner surface of the sidewall, the absorbent liner being sufficiently absorbent to capture and hold the expelled droplets during coughing or sneezing.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a catheter system comprising an introducer having a main body, an introducer sheath projecting from the main body, and a first seal supported within the introducer and a catheter having a main body, an outer sheath projecting from the main body, a second seal supported within the catheter, and an inner core configured to be advanced axially through the main body, the second seal, and the outer sheath. The introducer can be configured to be selectively engageable with the catheter so that the catheter can be selectively and removably linked with the introducer in the axial direction. The catheter system can also be configured such that, when the introducer and the catheter are linked, the catheter can be rotatable relative to the introducer. The introducer can be configured to radially restrain an endoluminal prosthesis.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for humidifying ventilator delivered breathing gases. These systems and methods utilize a hollow cone atomizer (e.g., a pressure swirl atomizer) and/or a heating element associated with a heating circuit and/or a heating tube. In some aspect, the systems and methods utilize received flow, temperature, and/or humidity information to determine an amount of water to add to breathing gases to reach a desired humidity of the breathing gases delivered to the patient. In further aspects, the humidification system can serve as a nebulization system for delivering nebulized medicine.

Abstract: An infant care apparatus includes a piezoelectric sensor and an infrared array sensor. The piezoelectric sensor senses a respiration rate and a heart rate of an infant. The infrared array sensor senses a body temperature and an occupancy state of the infant in a non-contact manner. The abovementioned infant care apparatus can assist in determining an abnormality of the respiration rate and the heart rate of the infant based on the occupancy state of the infant output by the infrared array sensor, so as to reduce a false alarm rate.

Abstract: A respiratory assistance apparatus has a gases inlet configured to receive a supply of gases, a blower unit configured to generate a pressurised gases stream from the supply of gases; a humidification unit configured to heat and humidify the pressurised gases stream; and a gases outlet for the heated and humidified gases stream. A flow path for the gases stream extends through the respiratory device from the gases inlet through the blower unit and humidification unit to the gases outlet. A sensor assembly is provided in the flow path before the humidification unit. The sensor assembly has an ultrasound gas composition sensor system for sensing one or more gas concentrations within the gases stream.

Abstract: An embodiment of a single use nitrous oxide solution delivery system can be used in a prehospital setting such as in ambulances. A container can be filled with a predetermined relative concentration of nitrous oxide and oxygen gases. The container is sized to be stored in a repository within an automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) for medications. The container is connected to a regulator which includes a main control dial configured to allow a health care provider to adjust the volumetric flow rate of the nitrous oxide and oxygen gas mixture used by a patient. A scavenger can be optionally connected to a patient's mask and configured to remove exhaled gas. Another embodiment of a single use nitrous oxide solution delivery system can be used within hospitals and other medical buildings.

Abstract: An airflow switching valve allowing a single ventilator to sequentially ventilate multiple patients, each patient being ventilated through a respiratory cycle. The airflow switching valve includes an outer housing, an inner housing, and a spring. Each of the outer and inner housings have a plurality of apertures that, when aligned in different positions, direct airflow to different patients. The inner housing rotates within the outer housing into different positions. The rotational movement is guided by a track of the outer housing. Extensions on the inner housing engage the track of the outer housing and translate along the track, thereby directing the movement of the inner housing between varying positions. Movement of the inner housing is initiated by either a spring force caused by the spring of the airflow switching valve or by air pressure caused by an inspiratory breath flowing into the airflow switching valve from the ventilator.

Abstract: Apparatus provide gas sensing operations such as for oxygen concentration sensing with an oxygen concentrator. In some versions, gas concentration sensing apparatus with pressure, temperature and/or mass flow sensors measure characteristics of a gas mixture in a vessel. A controller of the apparatus may estimate concentration of a constituent gas in the gas mixture as a function of the measured pressure, temperature and mass flow rate. In some versions, the sensing apparatus may measure a thermal conductivity of enriched gas, and, with a controller, estimate concentration of argon in the enriched gas from the thermal conductivity. The controller may estimate concentration of oxygen in the enriched gas from the concentration of argon. In some versions, an oxygen concentrator may have a mass flow sensor and a controller configured to trigger bolus delivery and/or measure oxygen concentration, and/or regulate bolus profile based on signals from the mass flow sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first member coupled to a second member. The first member defines a chamber containing a dry powder and includes a chamber wall that forms an outer boundary of the chamber. The second member includes a surface covering the chamber and defines an intake channel and an exit channel. The exit channel is fluidically coupled to the chamber via an exit opening. The intake channel is fluidically coupled to the chamber via an intake port. A center line of the intake channel is tangential to a portion of the chamber wall such that a portion of an inlet airflow conveyed into the chamber via the intake channel has a rotational motion. The intake port is defined at least in part by an intake ramp. The intake ramp includes a transition surface that forms an exit angle with respect to the surface of less than 105 degrees.

Abstract: A facial mask configured to be worn by a user includes a mask substrate, a temperature and respiration rate sensor for monitoring the temperature and breathing rate of the user, a humidity sensor for monitoring the humidity of the breath of the user, and a cough sensor for monitoring the cough rate of the user. The sensors may be printed onto a sensor array substrate, which is then secured to the mask substrate. The sensors provide real-time monitoring of the temperature, the breathing rate, the humidity, and the cough rate of the user.

Abstract: The gases temperature supplied to a patient when the patient is undergoing treatment such as oxygen therapy or positive pressure treatment for conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is often measured for safety and to enable controlling of the humidity delivered to the patient. The invention disclosed is related to measurement of properties, particularly temperature (thermistor), of gases flowing through a heated tube, supplying gases to a patient, which utilises the heating wire within the tube.

Abstract: A medical system for assisting with an intubation procedure for a patient. The system comprising airflow sensors configured to obtain data indicative of airflow in the patient's airway and physiological sensors configured to obtain information regarding airflow in the patient's lungs. The system further including a monitoring device communicatively coupled to the airflow sensors and the physiological sensors. The patient monitoring device comprising at least one processor coupled to memory and configured to: provide a user interface on a display and assist the rescuer in determining proper placement of an endotracheal tube, receive the data indicative of the airflow in the patient's airway, receive the physiological information regarding the airflow in the patient's lungs, and determine whether the tube is properly placed based on the received physiological information, and present an output of the determination of whether the ET tube was properly placed.

Abstract: A system of treating atelectasis is provided that includes a tracheal tube positioned within an airway of a ventilated patient and an acoustic sensor coupled to the tracheal tube. The system also includes a monitor communicatively coupled to the acoustic sensor. The monitor includes a processor configured to receive a baseline signal from the acoustic sensor. The processor is configured to provide control instructions to adjust a pressure of a gas mixture delivered to the airway through the tracheal tube. The processor is also configured to receive an updated signal from the acoustic sensor after the adjustment and identify a change in airway openness of lungs of the ventilated patient caused by the adjustment of the pressure. Further, identifying the change is based on the baseline signal and the updated signal.

Abstract: Methods for curing early stages of, and preventing upper respiratory infections and applicators therefor are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention comprises using an applicator capable of generating a mist with the same predetermined effective formula concentration and average droplet size but at two flow volume levels. In accordance with the method of the invention, the flow volume is alternated between high and low flow levels as the applicator is used to treat the entire upper respiratory tract in a series of steps.

Abstract: A humidifier tub includes a first side having an air inlet opening configured to receive the pressurized flow of respiratory gas. A second side opposes the first side. An air outlet opening is configured to discharge the pressurized flow of respiratory gas with added humidity. An inlet passage extends from the air inlet opening toward the second side so that the pressurized flow of respiratory gas travels through the inlet passage in a first direction. A guidance structure is located between the first and second sides and positioned so that a traveling direction of the pressurized flow of respiratory gas changes from the first direction to a second direction upon the pressurized flow of respiratory gas engaging the guidance structure. The guidance structure extends downward from a lid. In addition, the first direction is a lateral direction and the second direction is a downward direction.

Abstract: A ventilator with integrated breathing air humidifier has at least two defined air pathways provided in the breathing air humidifier. The breathing air humidifier is installed and fixed on a horizontal surface of the ventilator. The breathing air humidifier comprises at least a top part and a bottom part, a water reservoir being provided in the bottom part, wherein the top part cannot be removed from the bottom part when the unit is in at least one operating mode. The ventilator may have an air humidifier with at least one water reservoir, and at least one filling device for the water reservoir in the breathing air humidifier, wherein the filing device can be operated with one hand and/or opened with one hand.

Abstract: A device for regulating breathing gas delivered to a user, comprising a gas circuit comprising a main line having at least an upstream end intended to be connected to at least one gas source and a downstream end intended to be connected to at least one user station such as a mask, the main line comprising at least one electromechanical control valve configured to regulate the gas pressure between the upstream and the downstream, the circuit comprising a secondary line comprising an upstream end intended to be connected to at least one gas source and a downstream end intended to be connected to the same user station(s), the secondary line comprising at least one auxiliary member for regulating the gas flow, the device comprising a switching system configured to control the flow of gas between the upstream and the downstream of the circuit via the main line or via the secondary line, characterized in that the auxiliary member for regulating the secondary line is a pneumatic pressure regulator.