Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for controlling coughing by subjects (106) control the opening and closing of a valve (12) (as well as partially opening and/or partially closing) to establish and disestablish a fluid communication between the airway of the subject and atmospheric pressure. The valve is opened and closed more than once during individual exhalations by the subject. Control of the valve is adjusted based on a pressure level in or near the airway of the subject.

Abstract: The present system (10) comprises a subject interface (22), a segmenter (12), a loosener (14), sensors (18), and computer processors (28). The segmenter is configured to selectively control gas flow through the subject interface to provide high amplitude pressure oscillations (44) during exhalation such that the high amplitude pressure oscillations aid cough productivity in the subject. The loosener controls gas flow through the subject interface to provide low amplitude pressure oscillations (43, 63) during inhalation (48, 68) and exhalation (49) such that the low amplitude pressure oscillations loosen respiratory secretions.

Abstract: A system and method configured to control pressure during enhanced cough flow of a subject are provided. A pressure regulator is operated such that during an individual exhalation of the subject, the pressure regulator is toggled between a first mode in which a subject interface is closed such that substantially no gas is communicated with the airway of the subject there through and a second mode in which the subject interface is opened to cause a series of exsufflation events for the individual exhalation of the subject. The pressure relief valve is associated with the subject interface and configured to open and release gas out of the subject interface, responsive to pressure within the subject interface exceeding a predetermined threshold value so as to maintain the pressure within the subject interface within a predetermined pressure range during the enhanced cough flow.

Abstract: A system for enhancing secretion removal from an airway of a subject by applying a negative pressure to the airway of the subject just prior to an exsufflation is provided. The negative pressure is applied just after the subject has inhaled under his own power and/or just after generator mechanical insufflation by the system. The negative pressure applied just after inhalation/insufflation and just prior to exsufflation temporarily reduces the cross-sectional area of the airway of the subject. A reduced cross-sectional area User of the airway increases the velocity of air through the airway during a subsequent exsufflation, which results in enhanced secretion clearance. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more of a pressure generator, a subject interface, one or more sensors, a user control interface, one or more processors, and/or other components.

Abstract: The invention provides a device (11) for assisting a cough, based on an oscillation pressure. The oscillation pressure causes a periodic oscillation airflow in a lung system and the periodic oscillation airflow comprises an oscillation exhalation airflow and an oscillation inhalation airflow. The device (10) comprises a controlling unit (11), and the controlling unit (11) comprises: a first determining unit (111) for determining whether an inhalation of the lung system is complete, so as to control a valve (13) which is to be closed for isolating the lung system from the external environment, a second determining unit (112) for determining whether an internal air pressure in the lung system is larger than a pre-defined pressure threshold, and a detecting unit (113) for detecting the start of the oscillation exhalation airflow, so as to control the valve (13) which is to be opened for starting a cough.

Abstract: A system and method are configured to utilize patient effort to increase cough flow of a subject by limiting airway collapse by causing a series of exsufflation events over an individual exhalation of the subject. A single exhalation of the subject is segmented into a series of exsufflation events by a processor configured to toggle a pressure regulator between a first airway closed mode and a second airway open mode. The processor is configured such that the transitions between the closed and open modes are initiated based on predetermined timing or based on output signals generated by sensors monitoring one or more gas parameters (for example, pressure) in the airway of the patient.

Abstract: The invention proposes a system for measuring a resonance frequency of a tube. The system comprises: an oscillating unit for oscillating the tube at a plurality of oscillation frequencies, respectively; a detecting unit for detecting a time delay of transmitting a pressure pulse from a first position to a second position in the tube when the tube is oscillated at each oscillation frequency, wherein, when the tube is oscillated at each oscillation frequency in a specific oscillation frequency range of the plurality of oscillation frequencies, the detecting unit detects a variation of the time delay a determining unit for determining a maximal variation of the time delay when the tube is oscillated at the oscillation frequencies in the specific oscillation frequency range; and an indicating unit for indicating an oscillation frequency corresponding to the maximal variation of the time delay, being a resonance frequency of the tube.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for controlling coughing by subjects (106) control the opening and closing of a valve (12) (as well as partially opening and/or partially closing) to establish and disestablish a fluid communication between the airway of the subject and atmospheric pressure. The valve is opened and closed more than once during individual exhalations by the subject. Control of the valve is adjusted based on a pressure level in or near the airway of the subject.

Abstract: The invention proposes a system for measuring a resonance frequency of a tube. The system comprises: an oscillating unit (21) for oscillating the tube at a plurality of oscillation frequencies, respectively; a detecting unit (22) for detecting a time delay of transmitting a pressure pulse from a first position to a second position in the tube when the tube is oscillated at each oscillation frequency, wherein, when the tube is oscillated at each oscillation frequency in a specific oscillation frequency range of the plurality of oscillation frequencies, the detecting unit (22) detects a variation of the time delay—a determining unit (23) for determining a maximal variation of the time delay when the tube is oscillated at the oscillation frequencies in the specific oscillation frequency range; and—an indicating unit (24) for indicating an oscillation frequency corresponding to the maximal variation of the time delay, being a resonance frequency of the tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing machine-induced expiratory airflow of a subject with user-induced expiratory airflow include an indicator time at which a user should initiate treatment to aid airway clearance of the subject. Such treatment may include compressing the stomach area of the subject. At the indicator time, a user responds to an indication, e.g. an audible sound, by initiating treatment in accordance with a therapeutic regimen.

Abstract: The present system (10) comprises a subject interface (22), a segmenter (12), a loosener (14), sensors (18), and computer processors (28). The segmenter is configured to selectively control gas flow through the subject interface to provide high amplitude pressure oscillations (44) during exhalation such that the high amplitude pressure oscillations aid cough productivity in the subject. The loosener controls gas flow through the subject interface to provide low amplitude pressure oscillations (43, 63) during inhalation (48, 68) and exhalation (49) such that the low amplitude pressure oscillations loosen respiratory secretions.

Abstract: A system and method configured to control pressure during enhanced cough flow of a subject are provided. A pressure regulator is operated such that during an individual exhalation of the subject, the pressure regulator is toggled between a first mode in which a subject interface is closed such that substantially no gas is communicated with the airway of the subject there through and a second mode in which the subject interface is opened to cause a series of exsufflation events for the individual exhalation of the subject. The pressure relief valve is associated with the subject interface and configured to open and release gas out of the subject interface, responsive to pressure within the subject interface exceeding a predetermined threshold value so as to maintain the pressure within the subject interface within a predetermined pressure range during the enhanced cough flow.

Abstract: A system for enhancing secretion removal from an airway of a subject by applying a negative pressure to the airway of the subject just prior to an exsufflation is provided. The negative pressure is applied just after the subject has inhaled under his own power and/or just after generator mechanical insufflation by the system. The negative pressure applied just after inhalation/insufflation and just prior to exsufflation temporarily reduces the cross-sectional area of the airway of the subject. A reduced cross-sectional area User of the airway increases the velocity of air through the air-way during a subsequent exsufflation, which results in enhanced secretion clearance. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more of a pressure generator, a subject interface, one or more sensors, a user control interface, one or more processors, and/or other components.

Abstract: A system and method are configured to utilize patient effort to increase cough flow of a subject by limiting airway collapse by causing a series of exsufflation events over an individual exhalation of the subject. A single exhalation of the subject is segmented into a series of exsufflation events by a processor configured to toggle a pressure regulator between a first airway closed mode and a second airway open mode. The processor is configured such that the transitions between the closed and open modes are initiated based on predetermined timing or based on output signals generated by sensors monitoring one or more gas parameters (for example, pressure) in the airway of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing machine-induced expiratory airflow of a subject with user-induced expiratory airflow include an indicator time at which a user should initiate treatment to aid airway clearance of the subject. Such treatment may include compressing the stomach area of the subject. At the indicator time, a user responds to an indication, e.g. an audible sound, by initiating treatment in accordance with a therapeutic regimen.

Abstract: The invention provides a device (11) for assisting a cough, based on an oscillation pressure. The oscillation pressure causes a periodic oscillation airflow in a lung system and the periodic oscillation airflow comprises an oscillation exhalation airflow and an oscillation inhalation airflow. The device (10) comprises a controlling unit (11), and the controlling unit (11) comprises:—a first determining unit (111) for determining whether an inhalation of the lung system is complete, so as to control a valve (13) which is to be closed for isolating the lung system from the external environment,—a second determining unit (112) for determining whether an internal air pressure in the lung system is larger than a pre-defined pressure threshold, and—a detecting unit (113) for detecting the start of the oscillation exhalation airflow, so as to control the valve (13) which is to be opened for starting a cough.

Abstract: The invention proposes a system for measuring a resonance frequency of a tube. The system comprises: an oscillating unit (21) for oscillating the tube at a plurality of oscillation frequencies, respectively; a detecting unit (22) for detecting a time delay of transmitting a pressure pulse from a first position to a second position in the tube when the tube is oscillated at each oscillation frequency, wherein, when the tube is oscillated at each oscillation frequency in a specific oscillation frequency range of the plurality of oscillation frequencies, the detecting unit (22) detects a variation of the time delay—a determining unit (23) for determining a maximal variation of the time delay when the tube is oscillated at the oscillation frequencies in the specific oscillation frequency range; and—an indicating unit (24) for indicating an oscillation frequency corresponding to the maximal variation of the time delay, being a resonance frequency of the tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of processing at least one heart sound signal, and the method comprises the step of: receiving (11) the at least one heart sound signal, segmenting (12) the heart sound signal into a plurality of segments, identifying (13) attribute information for each segment, annotating (14) each segment with corresponding attribute information, and outputting (15) an annotated Phonocardiogram for the at least one heart sound signal. The invention also provides a processing system for implementing the step of the methods as mentioned above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for locating a sound source. The system comprises:—a receiving unit (311) for receiving navigating sound signals from at least two navigating sound sensors (21, 22, 23), and receiving a selection instruction comprising a signal segment type corresponding to the sound source, wherein the at least two navigating sound sensors are received in a chest-piece (20),—a selecting unit (312) for selecting a segment from each navigating sound signal according to the signal segment type,—a calculating unit (313) for calculating a difference between the segments selected from the navigating sound signal, and—a generating unit (314) for generating a moving indication signal for guiding moving the chest-piece (20) to the sound source according to the difference.