Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering one or more drugs. In some embodiments, a drug delivery system includes a housing having a distal end with an inlet through which an inspiratory flow of air passes into the housing, a proximal end having a patient interface attached thereto, the patient interface being configured to interface with a user, and an inspiratory flow pathway extending from the distal end to the proximal end of the housing. A nitric oxide (NO) source is positioned within the housing and is configured to deliver NO-containing gas to the patient interface. A secondary drug source is positioned within the housing and is configured to deliver a secondary drug to the patient interface. A controller is configured to control an amount of NO-containing gas and an amount of the secondary drug delivered using a control scheme.

Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and a thumbwheel. The needle extends through the catheter such that a distal end of the needle extends distal of a distal end of the catheter. The guidewire is coupled to the thumbwheel such that rotation of the thumbwheel advances a distal end of the guidewire through a lumen of the needle. The method includes holding the catheter insertion device, inserting the distal end of the needle and catheter into a blood vessel, rotating the thumbwheel to advance the distal end of the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel, moving the catheter over the guidewire in the blood vessel, and removing the needle and the guidewire from the catheter.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for generating NO and delivering NO in controlled amounts. A system for generating nitric oxide (NO) is provided, and in some embodiments can include a converter configured to convert a source material to a NO-containing gas, at least one controller configured to independently control a conversion of the source material to the NO-containing gas and a delivery of the NO-containing gas to an inspiratory pathway, and one or more sensors configured to communicate, to the at least one controller, information related to the conversion of the source material to the NO-containing gas.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for nitric oxide generation are provided for use with various ventilation and/or medical devices and having a humidity control system associated therewith. In some embodiments, a system for generating nitric oxide comprises at least one pair of electrodes configured to generate a product gas containing nitric oxide from a reactant gas, a scrubber configured to remove nitric dioxide NO2 from the product gas, and a humidity control device configured to alter a water content of at least one of the reactant gas and the product gas to control humidity within the system.

Abstract: Architectures for production of nitric oxide (NO) include systems and methods for generating NO having one or more plasma chambers configured to ionize a reactant gas to generate a plasma for producing a product gas containing NO using a flow of the reactant gas through one or more plasma chambers; a controller configured to regulate the amount of nitric oxide in the product gas using one or more parameters as an input to the controller, one or more parameters including information from a plurality of sensors configured to collect information relating to at least one of the reactant gas, the product gas, and a medical gas into which product gas flows; and a flow divider configured to divide a product gas flow from the plasma chamber into a first product gas flow to provide a variable flow to a patient inspiratory flow and a second product gas flow.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for portable and compact nitric oxide (NO) generation that can be embedded into other therapeutic devices or used alone. In some embodiments, an ambulatory NO generation system can be comprised of a controller and disposable cartridge. The cartridge can contain filters and scavengers for preparing the gas used for NO generation and for scrubbing output gases prior to patient inhalation. The system can utilize an oxygen concentrator to increase nitric oxide production and compliment oxygen generator activity as an independent device. The system can also include a high voltage electrode assembly that is easily assembled and installed. Various nitric oxide delivery methods are provided, including the use of a nasal cannula.

Abstract: A device and methods for treating renal failure are disclosed. One embodiment of the device is an implantable peritoneal dialysis device. When in use, the device can have a semi-permeable reservoir implanted in the peritoneal cavity. The reservoir can receive blood waste and drain through one or more conduits, via a pump, to the biological bladder. Solids and/or a solution benefiting dialysis can be pumped to the reservoir and/or implanted in the peritoneal cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for nitric oxide generation are provided. In an embodiment, an NO generation system can include a controller and disposable cartridge that can provide nitric oxide to two different treatments simultaneously. The disposable cartridge has multiple purposes including preparing incoming gases for exposure to the NO generation process, scrubbing exhaust gases for unwanted materials, characterizing the patient inspiratory flow, and removing moisture from sample gases collected. Plasma generation can be done within the cartridge or within the controller. The system has the capability of calibrating NO and NO2 gas analysis sensors without the use of a calibration gas.

Abstract: System and methods for providing nitric oxide can include at least one pair of electrodes configured to generate a product gas containing nitric oxide from a flow of a reactant gas, and at least one controller configured to regulate an amount of nitric oxide in the product gas generated by the at least one pair of electrodes using one or more parameters as an input to the controller. One or more sensors are configured to collect information relating to at least one of patient information, the reactant gas, the product gas, and an inspiratory gas into which at least a portion of the product gas flows, the sensors configured to communicate the information to the controller to be used as the one or more parameters. The patient information includes information relating to a methemoglobin (MetHg) measurement collected from a MetHg sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a gas, such as nitric oxide, are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for delivering a gas, such as nitric oxide, in the form of nanobubbles and/or a dissolved gas using a liquid medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for portable and compact nitric oxide (NO) generation that can be embedded into other therapeutic devices or used alone. In some embodiments, an ambulatory NO generation system can be comprised of a controller and disposable cartridge. The cartridge can contain filters and scavengers for preparing the gas used for NO generation and for scrubbing output gases prior to patient inhalation. The system can utilize an oxygen concentrator to increase nitric oxide production and compliment oxygen generator activity as an independent device. The system can also include a high voltage electrode assembly that is easily assembled and installed. Various nitric oxide delivery methods are provided, including the use of a nasal cannula.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for nitric oxide generation are provided for use with various ventilation and/or medical devices and having a humidity control system associated therewith. In some embodiments, a system for generating nitric oxide comprises at least one pair of electrodes configured to generate a product gas containing nitric oxide from a reactant gas, a scrubber configured to remove nitric dioxide NO2 from the product gas, and a humidity control device configured to alter a water content of at least one of the reactant gas and the product gas to control humidity within the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided related to signal conditioning and analysis methods for detecting respiratory events of a human or an animal. Respiratory events detected can either serve as input to a drug delivery system or be a stand-alone breath detection device. Various methods for sensing respiratory events, processing respiratory signals, and analyzing respiratory signals are provided with the goal of enabling accurate and reliable detection of specific types of events in a respiratory cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for nitric oxide (NO) generation systems are provided. In some embodiments, an NO generation system comprises at least one pair of electrodes configured to generate a product gas containing NO from a flow of a reactant gas. The electrodes have elongated surfaces such that a plasma produced is carried by the flow of the reactant gas and glides along the elongated surfaces from a first end towards a second end of the electrode pair. A controller is configured to regulate the amount of NO in the product gas by the at least one pair of electrodes using one or more parameters as an input to the controller. The one or more parameters include information from a plurality of sensors configured to collect information relating to at least one of the reactant gas, the product gas, and a medical gas into which the product gas flows.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering one or more drugs. In some embodiments, a drug delivery system includes a housing having a distal end with an inlet through which an inspiratory flow of air passes into the housing, a proximal end having a patient interface attached thereto, the patient interface being configured to interface with a user, and an inspiratory flow pathway extending from the distal end to the proximal end of the housing. A nitric oxide (NO) source is positioned within the housing and is configured to deliver NO-containing gas to the patient interface. A secondary drug source is positioned within the housing and is configured to deliver a secondary drug to the patient interface. A controller is configured to control an amount of NO-containing gas and an amount of the secondary drug delivered using a control scheme.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for generating nitric oxide (NO). In some embodiments, systems comprise a microwave generator configured to produce microwave energy of varying pulse duration, pulse frequency, and power level and a microwave cavity configured to utilize microwave energy to generate a plasma ball within a flow of reactant gas containing nitrogen and oxygen flowing through the microwave cavity to produce a product gas containing NO. At least one stub can be positioned in the microwave cavity and is configured to focus the microwave energy at a location at which the plasma ball is formed. A controller in electrical communication with the microwave generator can be configured to control the microwave generator to initiate and maintain the plasma ball so the plasma ball is suspended in the flow of reactant gas and does not contact a surface of the at least one stub and the microwave cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for portable and compact nitric oxide (NO) generation that can be embedded into other therapeutic devices or used alone. In some embodiments, an ambulatory NO generation system can be comprised of a controller and disposable cartridge. The cartridge can contain filters and scavengers for preparing the gas used for NO generation and for scrubbing output gases prior to patient inhalation. The system can utilize an oxygen concentrator to increase nitric oxide production and compliment oxygen generator activity as an independent device. The system can also include a high voltage electrode assembly that is easily assembled and installed. Various nitric oxide delivery methods are provided, including the use of a nasal cannula.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate to devices and methods for efficiently removing the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from a gas stream while enhancing the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in the gas stream without making any reaction byproduct that will adversely influence a respiratory treatment. The devices and methods for nitric oxide (NO) generation and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) removal or scrubbing can be embedded into other therapeutic devices or used alone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for portable and compact nitric oxide (NO) generation that can be embedded into other therapeutic devices or used alone. In some embodiments, an ambulatory NO generation system can be comprised of a controller and disposable cartridge. The cartridge can contain filters and scavengers for preparing the gas used for NO generation and for scrubbing output gases prior to patient inhalation. The system can utilize an oxygen concentrator to increase nitric oxide production and compliment oxygen generator activity as an independent device. The system can also include a high voltage electrode assembly that is easily assembled and installed. Various nitric oxide delivery methods are provided, including the use of a nasal cannula.