Abstract: An inhalation device that makes it possible to reduce the possibility of a user neglecting to replenish the remaining amounts of elements required for inhalation of aerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor.

Abstract: A CPAP system for respiratory therapy includes an RPT device configured to supply a flow of gas at a therapeutic pressure, a patient interface, an air delivery conduit configured to pass the flow of gas from the RPT device to the patient interface, and a vent assembly configured to provide a vent flow of gas to discharge gas exhaled by the patient from a pressurized volume to ambient. The vent assembly includes a base including at least one first orifice to allow gas to be discharged along a primary vent flow path and at least one second orifice to allow gas to be discharged along a secondary vent flow path, a diffusing member provided to the base, and a membrane provided to the base. The membrane is configured to apportion the vent flow of gas along the primary vent flow path and the secondary vent flow path throughout respiratory therapy.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment apparatus generates an indication of inspiration or expiration based on a measure of motor current of a flow generator. In an example, first and second current signals are derived from the measurement. The first derived current signal may be a long term measure or average of current and the second derived current signal may be a short term measure or average of current. A processor 120 determines an indication of inspiration or expiration as a function of the first and second derived current signals. The function of the first derived current signal and the second derived current signal may be a comparison of the derived current signals. The derived signals may be determined by filtering. The indication of inspiration or expiration may serve as a trigger or cycle control for changing treatment pressure in synchrony with patient respiration without measured signals from pressure, flow or speed sensors.

Abstract: A medical traction system provides an elongate track having a slide with a handle so that tensioning of the strap can be performed directly on the slide with improved tension sensitivity. The slide provides a cam mechanism with low back-travel automatically locking the slide when tension is released permitting one-handed operation.

Abstract: A portable air purifier and method includes a collapsible first tube; a perforated firm second tube that houses the first tube; a fan that brings air into a first end of the first tube and pushes the air through the first tube; a multi-part filter arranged in a concentric configuration inside the first tube; an outlet at a second end of the first tube; and a breathing mask coupled to the outlet. The filter filters the air as the air proceeds through the first tube and the outlet discharges filtered air from the first tube to the breathing mask. The first tube and the second tube may be semi-circular to fit around the neck of a user. The filter may be a corrugated filter. The portable air purifier may include a power source electrically connected to the fan.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating and providing a pressurized breathable gas to a patient's airways includes a respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) device having an engagement port pneumatically and electrically coupled to the RPT device, and an air delivery tube configured to engage the engagement port so as to pass a flow of breathable gas to a patient interface. The air delivery tube includes electric contacts associated with a heating and/or a sensing arrangement. The air delivery tube includes a locking collar rotatably movable between (1) an unlocked position to allow connection/disconnection of the air delivery tube to/from the engagement port, and (2) a locked position to releasably lock the air delivery tube to the engagement port. The air delivery tube is structured and arranged to, when the locking collar is rotated into the locked position, pneumatically connect to the engagement port and define an operational configuration of the apparatus.

Abstract: The embodied invention is a new inspiration/expiration ventilator flow design, with a constant inspiration flow and intermittent-concurrent expiratory flow based on lung pressure setpoints. This mode is possible by using a new dual lumen tube inserted into a patient Trachea. Additionally, the control provides support for patient initiated breathing which is initiated by a lung pressure drop. This control provides continuous and gentle recruitment of lung alveoli.

Abstract: The present invention provides clinical decision support that can be used with non-portable and portable systems when delivering and/or monitoring delivery of a therapeutic gas comprising nitric oxide to a patient. Further, clinical decision support can be used with non-portable and portable systems during delivery and/or monitoring of delivery of therapeutic gas when nebulized drugs may and/or may not be being delivered to a patient (e.g., when nebulizers are delivered upstream in the inspiratory limb of the breathing circuit, into a breathing gas delivery system, etc.).

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a CPAP apparatus. The apparatus has a blower, a patient interface, an air delivery conduit for delivering air from the blower to the patient interface, a sensor for determining the pressure in the patient interface, and a control mechanism that causes air to be delivered at a desired pressure to the patient interface and that detects transitions between inhalation and exhalation of a respiratory cycle of a patient in order to synchronise the blower output with the patient's efforts. In one form the CPAP apparatus provides pressure in accordance with a bi-level waveform with at least one characterising parameter of the waveform being automatically adjusted in accordance with indications of sleep disordered breathing. The indications of sleep disordered breathing can be one or more of snoring, apnea, hypopnea, and flow limitation.

Abstract: A system for providing continuous positive air pressure therapy is provided. The system includes a patient interface, a flow generator, a sensor, and a computing device. Wireless transceivers allow wireless communication between the computing device and the flow generator and/or patient interface. Sensor data is communicated to the computing device and a leak determination is made by the computing device based on the sensor data. If a leak is detected, then troubleshooting options for correcting the leak are displayed to the patient on a display of the computing device. The troubleshooting options may be selected based on the sensed data, the type of patient interface, the type of flow generator, or characteristics of the patient using the device.

Abstract: A nasal ventilation mask having one or more attachment ports located adjacent to and overlying an upper lip of a patient when worn.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices for delivery of powder formulations and methods of manufacture and use of such devices.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling a powered air purifying respirator blower system to deliver a substantially uniform volumetric airflow to a user, the system comprising a fan powered by a battery in communication with a variable speed electric motor, the variable speed electric motor is controlled by an electronic control unit for delivering a forced flow of air through at least one filter to a user, comprising the steps of: (a) determining an estimated system run time by summing a battery run time remaining and a system run time; and (b) altering a speed of the variable speed electric motor when the estimated system run time is equal to or less than a desired system run time.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an adaptor or attachment which is suitable for integration into the patient circuit of a ventilation system, such as a non-invasive open ventilation system, is configured for attachment to any standard ventilation mask, and is outfitted with a jet pump which creates pressure and flow by facilitating the entrainment of ambient air. The adaptor comprises a base element and a nozzle element which are operatively coupled to each other. The base element further defines a throat and at least one entrainment port facilitating a path of fluid communication between the throat and ambient air. The nozzle element includes a jet nozzle, and a connector which is adapted to facilitate the fluid coupling of the nozzle element to a bi-lumen tube of the patient circuit. The connector includes both a delivery port and a sensing port.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for inhibiting mouth breathing and/or improving nasal breathing, e.g., for PAP users or users with other sleeping problems. In an exemplary embodiment, an adhesive device is provided that includes an elongate membrane comprising first and second ends and side edges extending between the first and second ends, a first surface comprising an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may be a low tack adhesive that is adherent to skin, yet is also easily removable without leaving significant residue. Optionally, the device may include one or more valves to provide one-way flow across the membrane, one or more weakened regions in the membrane, and/or one or more tabs to facilitate removal of the membrane from over a user's mouth.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and method for electric plasma synthesis of nitric oxide. In particular, the present disclosure provides a nitric oxide (NO) generation system configured to produce a controllable output of therapeutic NO gas at the point of care.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for controlling the operation of a breathing assistance device for a user. The controller may include an input for receiving sensor data to measure at least one airflow parameter of the user's airflow; a memory unit that stores at least one machine learning model and at least one classifier or predictor; and a processor that is configured to perform measurements and to generate a control signal for adjusting the operation of the breathing assistance device for a current monitoring time period by: obtaining measured air pressure and/or airflow data and measured FOT data during a current monitoring time period; performing feature extraction on the measured data to obtain feature values that are used by the machine learning model employed by the at least one classifier or predictor to determine a property of the user; and adjusting the control signal based on the determined property.

Abstract: A system of breathing arrangements for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes at least first and second cushion components, e.g., full-face, nasal, nasal prongs, nose tip, and/or a combination of any of the above, including a nasal or full-face cushion and nasal prongs/nozzles combination, etc., that are different from one another in at least one aspect, and a common frame assembly configured to support each of the first and second cushion components. Various embodiments are directed to a full-face or nasal mask used with a frame having lateral connector portions having a stiffening member. The mask assembly may include a nose height adjustment device for the height of the cushion, or a cushion adjustment member by which the position of the cushion may be adjusted relative to the frame. The mask assembly may include a chin strap assembly.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for coupling a tracheostomy tube to a source of humidified breathing gas are disclosed. An adaptor includes a housing, a tracheostomy tube connection device, and a baffle. The housing has an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a breathing gas port. The tracheostomy tube connection device is positioned within the housing and includes an input port for receiving a flow of humidified breathing gas from the breathing gas port and an output port for coupling with the tracheostomy tube. The tracheostomy tube connection device has an internal surface defining a breathing gas passage and an external surface spaced from the interior surface of the housing to create a condensation passage. The baffle may be positioned between the breathing gas port and the input port to cause controlled condensation from the flow of humidified breathing gas by disrupting the flow of humidified breathing gas.

Abstract: An inhaler (10) for the inhalation of inhalable substances comprise: a canister (50) having an interior reservoir (84) containing pressurised inhalable substances including fluid; a metering valve (52) including a metering chamber (82) and a valve stem (54) defining a communication path between the metering chamber and the interior reservoir, the communication path (86) including an opening (106) configured to permit flow between a transfer space inside the valve stem and the interior reservoir, the interior reservoir being arranged for orientation above the metering chamber whereby gas such as air located within the metering chamber is replaced with liquid from the interior reservoir.