Abstract: A personal protective device (PPE) including a face cover assembly and a bodysuit configured to be worn by a human user. The device protects users against airborne aerosol particles containing viruses or other infectious agents while enabling improved flexibility relative to prior art designs. The device includes a helmet-like” rotating face cover assembly that fits over the user's head and attaches to a collar on the biohazard bodysuit. This rotating face cover assembly has a plurality of different mask sides, each with differing geometries or other properties. The device enables a user to rotate (either manually or by electric motor) the masks and select a given mask side that best meets that user's needs. The different mask sides can accommodate different facial geometries, eyewear types, and use cases, such as operation in more hostile environments. Features to improve user comfort, including alternate bodysuit designs, moisture reduction, and cooling are disclosed.

Abstract: An oral irrigator including a reservoir, a handle, a housing, a bezel positioned at least partially within and secured to the housing, and an actuator operably coupled to the housing and movable relative thereto is disclosed. The actuator includes a control shaft extending from the interior surface of the face and positioned inwards from an outer perimeter of front wall. The control shaft extends through an aperture in the housing and movement of a gripping body causes the control shaft to directly actuate a switch or a pressure assembly positioned within the housing. The actuator also includes an augmentation fluid positioned between the bezel and a portion of the actuator. The augmentation fluid modifies a frictional relationship between the bezel and the actuator to provide a predefined resistance force between the actuator and the bezel as the actuator is rotated relative to the bezel.

Abstract: A sublingual type medication delivery device includes a container body having a predetermined volume of solvent with a spray dispenser attached at one end of the container and at the opposite end of the container is a housing which contains medication to be discharged into the container and mixed with the solvent to form a diluted medication for fractional delivery of the medication over a period of time. The housing can either be a tablet crusher for introducing medicament in solid form into the container or the housing can be a capsule having liquid medicament that is delivered through a needle that pierces the capsule wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a respiration device having a respiration unit for generating an airflow for the respiration and having a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit is used to detect a respiration parameter and to classify events in the respiration on the basis of monitoring of the respiration parameter. In this case, the monitoring unit is configured to carry out an event analysis to recognize an occurrence, which is characteristic for Cheyne-Stokes respiration, of chronologically successive events and for this purpose to ascertain the period length thereof and to compare them to one another and to register the presence of Cheyne-Stokes respiration when the compared period lengths each deviate by less than 40% from one another.

Abstract: A control system for an onboard oxygen generating system (OBOGS) includes a gain control communicatively coupled to an oxygen sensor configured to measure an oxygen concentration outputted from the OBOGS. The gain control selectively switches between unbalanced and balanced bed cycling modes of the OBOGS to produce a target oxygen concentration based on demand. A corresponding method includes providing a gain control communicatively coupled to an oxygen sensor configured to measure an oxygen concentration outputted from the OBOGS, controlling the OBOGS to operate in the unbalanced bed cycling mode when a low demand is placed on the OBOGS whereby the gain control provides a short bed cycle and a corresponding long cycle of a fixed cycle time, and switching the OBOGS to operate in the balanced bed cycling mode when a high demand is placed on the OBOGS. The balanced bed cycling mode operates at a decreased bed cycle time.

Abstract: A load bearing assistance apparatus for transferring load from a lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device to the ground. The load bearing assistance apparatus includes a lateral and a medial spring-loaded members and a linking mechanism for connecting the load bearing assistance apparatus to the lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device. The linking mechanism also connects the lateral and medial spring-loaded members in a spaced apart configuration so as to position them adjacent the lateral and medial portions, respectively, of the foot of the user of the lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device and such that a portion of the lateral and medial spring-loaded members enters in contact with the ground during locomotion.

Abstract: A customizable mask including a conforming seal is configured to utilize the physical process of granular jamming to enable it to adapt to a wide range of facial geometries. The mask may include a frame having a perimeter and a conduit connection, a conforming seal positioned along the perimeter of the frame. The conforming seal may include a sealing surface and a connecting surface, the connecting surface configured to mate with the perimeter of the frame, and the sealing surface configured to conform to a users' face. The conforming seal may further include an outer casing, granular material contained within the outer casing, and a vacuum connection. The mask may also include a similarly configured conforming frame. Further disclosed are methods of forming such masks.

Abstract: The present invention is a mobile hyperbaric unit including a vehicle having a vehicle chassis with a front cabin and a rear bed. A partition can extend upwardly from the rear bed at a position next to the cabin. A pod can be removably attachable to the vehicle chassis, the pod can be sized and shaped to occupy and rest upon the rear bed. A detachable connection can enable attachment or detachment of the pod from the vehicle chassis. The partition can have a portion that extends at least partially over the pod top wall. A pod chassis enables the pod to be transported independently of the vehicle chassis. A control station that has ambient pressure can be located in between the partition and the pod. A desired pressure that is not ambient pressure can be maintained within the pod interior by support systems on the vehicle.

Abstract: A full face respirator comprising a mask (10) having a transparent viewing portion (12) and a port portion (16), and exhalation port (22) disposed in said port portion (16), a face seal configured (14) to seal the mask (10) over a wearer's eyes, nose and mouth, in use, and an orinasal assembly (2) including a flexible, cup-shaped orinasal (2) having an orifice (2a) and being configured to fit over a wearer's nose and mouth, in use; wherein the orinasal assembly (2) further includes generally tubular connecting portion (24), integrally formed with and extending outwardly from the periphery of the orifice (2a), the connection portion (24) being shaped and configured to extend through the exhalation port (22) from the inner region to the outer region of the mask (10) and including an exhalation valve mount (28) for receiving a one-way exhalation valve (4).

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to respirator face masks, and specifically to powered face masks which may be custom-controllable to better provide for the specific air needs of the individual user wearing the mask. For example, the face mask embodiments typically include a filter and a motorized fan, both generally located on the face mask itself, along with a processor. The processor then may use inputs, for example specific to the user and/or the environment, to control the fan speed. Thus, the fan speed of the face mask may be custom controlled to provide the appropriate amount of filtered air as the specific user needs it.

Abstract: An aerosol generating system including a housing defining an airflow outlet; a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; an aerosol generator, configured to generate an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate; a perforated plate disposed between the aerosol generator and the airflow outlet, the perforated plate defining a plurality of apertures extending through the perforated plate; and an electrode disposed between the aerosol generator and the perforated plate, wherein the perforated plate is electrically conductive, and wherein the electrode and the perforated plate are configured to generate an electrical potential.

Abstract: A method for treating the kidney with focused extracorporeal shockwaves in a noninvasive manner. The method configured to restore blood flow velocity in the interlobular renal arteries, the method using non-invasive focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (‘ESWT’), the method comprising applying between 1 and 2400 non-invasive focused shockwaves having a repetition rate above one shockwave per second, and energy density of about 0.02 to 0.18 mJ/mm2. The non-invasive shockwave treatment is applied to various focal zones encompassing renal structures.

Abstract: End effectors and systems including end effectors including embedded batteries and auxiliary components powered by the batteries are described. In an example, the end effector includes a base portion coupleable to a motor carried by an appliance that is separate from the end effector; and a battery disposed in the base portion configured to power an auxiliary component of the end effector.

Abstract: A ducted breathing apparatus and methods for assembling and using such ducted breathing apparatus are provided. The ducted breathing apparatus may include a face cover for sealing at least a portion of a user's face. The ducted breathing apparatus may include a ducted air channel element for providing direct air flow from a user's mouth within the mask to the outside environment. The ducted breathing apparatus may include a coupling element for providing a sealed mating connection between the ducted air channel element and the face cover.

Abstract: A facemask assembly can include an interior air filter that is replaceable and/or contains biocidal elements. The filter can capture exhaled H2O to activate silver ions creating a biocidal environment. In some embodiments, at least part of the facemask is made via additive manufacturing. A facemask frame assembly can create a pleated filter to increase surface area and bring the filter material closer to the mouth and nose. The facemask can include a facial skirt customized to the facial geometry of the wearer. The facemask can have a permanently sealed filter than can withstand boiling and autoclaving temperatures so the mask system can be sterilized without disassembly. In some embodiments, the facemask has a visible display of how many times the facemask has been sterilized. In some embodiments, the mask includes a RFID device that can transmit how many times the facemask has been sterilized.

Abstract: Provided is a system including a plurality of inhalers that each include a processor configured to determine a value of a usage parameter relating to use of the respective first inhaler, encrypt data based on the value, and transmit the encrypted data. At least two of the inhalers include different medicament, such as a rescue medicament and a maintenance medicament. The system includes an external device that includes a processor configured to distinguish between the encrypted data of each respective inhaler, determine respective usage information relating to each of the distinct types of medicament based on the respective encrypted data, and control a user interface (e.g., of the external device) to communicate the usage information related to each inhaler and/or each respective type of medicament.

Abstract: An atomiser, in particular an inhaler, for atomising a liquid active agent to form an aerosol, having, inter alia, an active agent reservoir, an atomiser nozzle and a pump arrangement, wherein a suction side of the pump arrangement leads into the active agent reservoir and a pressure side of the pump arrangement leads into the atomiser nozzle, and wherein the pump arrangement has a plunger that can be adjusted in a cylinder in the axial direction of the cylinder. A corresponding method is also described.

Abstract: A treatment method to reduce or eliminate a patient's symptoms caused by a medical condition or disease is disclosed. The treatment has the step of administering acoustic shock waves directed to one or more reflexology zones or to one or more reflexology zones and an area near a source of the pain if any is exhibited to treat the medical condition. The treatment further has the steps of activating acoustic shock waves of an acoustic shock wave generator to emit acoustic shock waves and subjecting the one or more reflexology zones or the one or more reflexology zones and the area near a source of the medical condition or pain, if any is exhibited, to acoustic shock waves to treat the medical condition.

Abstract: A system applies compression, vibration and heat to a body part of a person. The system includes a portable vibration and heat generation apparatus having a flexible support platform and a bag-like enclosure extending from the support platform. A cylindrical control unit is mounted to the support platform and extends perpendicularly from the support platform. The control unit has a diameter of between 50 millimeters and 100 millimeters. The control unit houses electronic circuitry and at least one battery. Four vibration pods extend from the support platform into the bag-like structure. The bag-like structure also houses a heat generation unit. The control unit extends through a circular bore in a compression wrap. The compression wrap is securable to a body part with a distal wall of the bag-like enclosure against the body part. The system selectively applies vibration, heat or a combination of vibration and heat to the body part.

Abstract: A cleaning catheter insertable into a tracheal ventilation tube and an input module are provided for use with a suction source, the input module coupled to the cleaning catheter and including (i) an inflation module, including an inflation chamber separate from the suction source; (ii) a flow regulator, configured to assume first and second fluid-control states; and (iii) a mechanical user control element, which is configured (a) to mechanically and non-electrically set the fluid-control states, (b) to assume first and second configurations, and (c) to mechanically and non-electrically increase pressure in an interior of an inflation chamber during a transition of the mechanical user control element from the first configuration to the second configuration. The flow regulator, when in the first fluid-control state connects the suction source and an interior of an inflatable element of the cleaning catheter in fluid communication to deflate the inflatable element.