Abstract: Apparatus for exercising the muscles of the respiratory system for improving endurance. The apparatus includes a bag which is inflatable for receiving a predetermined volume of expired air. A valve is closed during rebreathing of expired air in the bag and is adapted to open in response to deflation of the bag to admit fresh air to the air way. The valve is also adapted to open when the bag is fully inflated to release excess expired air. The breathing frequency is paced so that, in combination with the predetermined volume, the overall ventilation may be maintained over a period of time for increasing endurance. As endurance is increased over time, the bag may be replaced with incrementally larger volume bags or the bag volume may be incrementally increased. Guidance of the training schedule and central monitoring of the training are also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the treatment of right to left shunt. The method comprises introducing, into the blood circulation of an individual, to be treated, a therapeutically effective amount of the stabilized microbubbles. In a preferred embodiment, oxygen is additionally administered to the individual.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of using stabilized microbubbles, such as those formulated from slowly permeating gas, to deliver or remove from tissue at least one gas selected from a respiratory gas, anesthetic gas, inert gas, or toxic gas. The methods comprise introducing, into the blood circulation of an individual to be treated, a therapeutically effective amount of the stabilized microbubbles. The methods are based on using the inherent physical properties of the blood circulation, of the microbubbles, and of the gases. The methods are especially useful for enhancing transport of oxygen in applications or conditions such as blood loss, anemia, organ perfusion, coronary Angioplasty, venous to arterial shunting of blood, oxygenation of ischemic tissues resulting from vascular obstructions, and oxygenation of solid tumor tissues in anticancer therapy.