Abstract: A patient monitoring apparatus for quantatively measuring a physiological characteristic of a patient. A first patient interface communicates with an airway of a patient such that substantially all gas inhaled and exhaled by the patient passes through the first patient interface. One or more vent elements associated with the first patient interface communicate the first patient interface with an ambient atmosphere so that a pressure differential is created between the pressure in the first patient interface and the pressure of the ambient atmosphere. A sensor communicates with the first patient interface and measures a fluid characteristic resulting from this pressure differential and outputs a first signal indicative of that characteristic. The output from the sensor is used alone, or in combination with the output from other sensors that detect other physiological characteristics, to provide a variety of information about the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides an infant swing frame having a base, and first and second support posts. Each of the support posts is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the base, and each of the support posts has a second end. A cross member is coupled between the support posts. The support posts and the base are reconfigurable between a first position in which the support posts are angularly spaced from the base and a second position in which the support posts are adjacent the base.

Abstract: A pressure support system and method of treating disordered breathing that optimizes the pressure delivered to the patient to treat the disordered breathing while minimizing the delivered pressure for patient comfort. The controller in the pressure support system operates as a set of prioritized control layers, wherein each control layer competes for control of the pressure generating system to implement a unique pressure control process. The pressure support system also controls the pressure provided to the patient based on the variability of the monitored data and a trend analysis of this data, including an indication the skewness of the patient's inspiratory waveform.

Abstract: A child support structure includes a locking mechanism that can be selectively moved to place the child support structure in either of a deployed position and a collapsed position and a carriage assembly that enables a seat portion to be positioned at different heights. The child support structure includes a frame and a container removably coupled to the frame. The container holds articles on the support structure and can be used during the washing the articles in a dishwasher.

Abstract: A ventilator supplies a plurality of volumes of fluid to a patient during a like plurality of inhalations by the patient. Each volume of fluid is supplied at an inspiratory positive airway pressure during a corresponding inhalation by the patient. A volume of fluid received by the patient is determined for each of the plurality of inhalations by the patient and an average volume of fluid received by the patient during each of the plurality of inhalations is determined. The average volume of fluid received by the patient during each inhalation is compared to a predetermined target volume and the inspiratory positive airway pressure each volume of fluid is supplied to the patient is adjusted as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: A patient monitoring apparatus for quantatively measuring a physiological characteristic of a patient. A first patient interface communicates with an airway of a patient such that substantially all gas inhaled and exhaled by the patient passes through the first patient interface. One or more vent elements associated with the first patient interface communicate the first patient interface with an ambient atmosphere so that a pressure differential is created between the pressure in the first patient interface and the pressure of the ambient atmosphere. A sensor communicates with the first patient interface and measures a fluid characteristic resulting from this pressure differential and outputs a first signal indicative of that characteristic. The output from the sensor is used alone, or in combination with the output from other sensors that detect other physiological characteristics, to provide a variety of information about the patient.

Abstract: A viewing panel device, such as a mirror device used inside a motor vehicle for observing an infant in a rear-facing child safety seat secured to the rear seat of the vehicle. The viewing panel device may be employed in a plurality of attachment configurations, for use with a plurality of possible vehicle configurations. In one configuration, the top tether anchorage point included in newer vehicles as part of the LATCH anchorage point system is employed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an infant swing frame having a base, and first and second support posts. Each of the support posts is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the base, and each of the support posts has a second end. A cross member is coupled between the support posts. The support posts and the base are reconfigurable between a first position in which the support posts are angularly spaced from the base and a second position in which the support posts are adjacent the base.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a medical device having a controller that controls operation of the medical device according to an operating routine executed by the controller. Upgrading the medical device includes communicating an external device, such as a conventional computer, with the controller. An external access key is provided to the external device and compared to an internal access key provided by the medical device. Upgrading of the medical device is enabled if the two access keys match. Upgrading includes modifying or rewriting the operating routine stored in the medical device. A medical device manufacturer, supplier, or seller controls the distribution of the external access keys, thereby providing the ability to track the medical devices being upgraded and the upgrade provided to that device.

Abstract: A patient monitoring apparatus for quantatively measuring a physiological characteristic of a patient. A first patient interface communicates with an airway of a patient such that substantially all gas inhaled and exhaled by the patient passes through the first patient interface. One or more vent elements associated with the first patient interface communicate the first patient interface with an ambient atmosphere so that a pressure differential is created between the pressure in the first patient interface and the pressure of the ambient atmosphere. A sensor communicates with the first patient interface and measures a fluid characteristic resulting from this pressure differential and outputs a first signal indicative of that characteristic. The output from the sensor is used alone, or in combination with the output from other sensors that detect other physiological characteristics, to provide a variety of information about the patient.

Abstract: A patient monitoring apparatus for monitoring and/or measuring a physiological characteristic of said patient. A user interface having an interior portion communicates with an airway of a user such that substantially all gas inhaled and exhaled by the user enters the interior portion of the user interface. At least one vent element is associated with the user interface and communicates the interior portion of the user interface with an ambient atmosphere outside the user interface. The vent element and user interface define a flow element across which a pressure differential is created during inhalation and exhalation. The pressure differential is the pressure difference between the pressure within the interior portion of the user interface and the pressure of the ambient atmosphere outside the user interface.

Abstract: A patient monitoring apparatus for monitoring and/or measuring a physiological characteristic of said patient. A user interface having an interior portion communicates with an airway of a user such that substantially all gas inhaled and exhaled by the user enters the interior portion of the user interface. At least one vent element is associated with the user interface and communicates the interior portion of the user interface with an ambient atmosphere outside the user interface. The vent element and user interface define a flow element across which a pressure differential is created during inhalation and exhalation. The pressure differential is the pressure difference between the pressure within the interior portion of the user interface and the pressure of the ambient atmosphere outside the user interface.

Abstract: A child restraining apparatus for mounting in a passenger seat of a vehicle is provided. In one embodiment, the child restraining apparatus has an improved vehicle seat belt pathway to accommodate vehicles having particularly forward or high seat belt anchor positions. The child restraining apparatus can also include easily identifiable seat belt pathways corresponding to the seat's forward seat-facing and rear seat-facing orientations and an adjustable harness with easily identifiable harness placements corresponding to the seat's forward facing and rearward facing orientations. In the forward facing orientation, the improved vehicle seat belt pathway generally provides an entry point for a vehicle seat that is disposed forward of, and above, the seating surface of the child car seat.

Abstract: A molded booster seat has an upper back portion and a lower seat portion connected to an integral hinge. The upper and lower portions are pivoted about the integral hinge toward each other to form a rigid body, and cooperate to form a plurality of mortise and tenon joints. The upper and lower portions are locked in the rigid body configuration by a pair of side plates and a pair of locking rods extending through the seat between the side plates. The booster seat also includes an adjustable belt positioner that is configured to move between a plurality of different adjustments. The upper and lower positions are located to accommodate the fall range of sizes of children of a child sitting in the booster seat. The booster seat further includes indicia for indicating height limitations of a child sitting in the seat. The indicia can be labels attached to a seat cover disposed on the seat.