Abstract: Various embodiments of respiratory patient interfaces that may be used to treat a variety of disorders involving upper airway obstruction, such as, without limitation, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), obstructive sleep hypopnea, and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). A number of the embodiments employ a nasal pillow assembly including a frame that supports a nasal pillow sleeve and a clip that is slid over a flange of the fame to couple the nasal pillow sleeve to the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating a strapping force applied by a headgear of a patient interface device. The apparatus includes a first portion structured to be selectively connectable to a connecting element of a mask of the patient interface device, a second portion structured to be selectively connectable to a strap of the headgear, and a force gauging mechanism coupled to the first portion and the second portion. The force gauging mechanism is structured to gauge and indicate a force being applied by the headgear in response to the second strap portion being pulled by the strap of the headgear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient interface identification system for identifying a patient interface that is suited for a face (16) of a user (18), comprising: a receiving unit (12) for receiving a test picture (14) including the face (16) of the user (18); a database (22) for storing reference picture including faces of other users, wherein each reference picture is referenced to a patient interface advice; a processing unit (24) for comparing the received test picture (14) with at least a subset of said reference pictures stored in the database (22), wherein comparing said test picture (14) with said subset of reference pictures includes a comparison of image based features of the user's face (16) and the other users' faces; and a user interface (26) for communicating a patient interface advice including information related to a patient interface that is suited for the face (16) of the user (18), which patient interface advice is based on the comparison of said test picture (14) with the subset of

Abstract: A method of adjusting the fit of a patient interface device having a nasal cushion rotatably coupled to frame member includes providing resistance to rotation of the nasal cushion assembly in a first direction toward a face of a patient using a rotational resistance mechanism provided between the nasal cushion and the frame member, and responsive to a force being applied to the nasal cushion by a nose of the patient, allowing the nasal cushion to rotate relative to the frame member in the first direction against the resistance to a tilted position, wherein in the tilted position the rotational resistance mechanism biases the cushion assembly in favor of rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a support member, a sealing assembly attached to the support member, and a pair of contacting members. The contacting members are coupled to the support member on each side of the sealing assembly. The contacting members are each configured and arranged to contact the user over a limited contacting region, which corresponds to a junction of the oribicularis oris facial muscle, the zygomaticus facial muscle, and the risorius facial muscle.

Abstract: An airway pressure support system (2) that includes a pressure generating device (4) structured to produce a flow of gas and a component (8) such as a patient interface device (8) structured to be selectively coupled to the pressure generating device (4), wherein the pressure generating device (4) and the component (8) are structured to enable the component (8) to be to wirelessly identified by the pressure generating device (4) only when the component (8) is coupled to the pressure generating device (4). Also, a method of identifying a component (8) in an airway pressure support system (2) that includes steps of coupling the component (8) to a pressure generating device (4) of the airway pressure support system (2) and enabling the component (8) to be to wirelessly identified by the pressure generating device (4) only when the component (8) is coupled to the pressure generating device.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a support member, a sealing assembly attached to the support member, and a pair of contacting members. The contacting members are coupled to the support member on each side of the sealing assembly. The contacting members are each configured and arranged to contact the user over a limited contacting region, which corresponds to a junction of the orbicularis oris facial muscle, the zygomaticus facial muscle, and the risorius facial muscle.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a headgear component having a first end, a second end, and a sealing interface region located between the first end and the second end, wherein the sealing interface region has a hole extending through the elongated fabric body member. The patient interface device also includes a mask component having a cushion and a fluid coupling conduit fluidly coupled to the cushion, wherein at least a portion of the fluid coupling conduit extends through the hole and the sealing interface region covers at least a portion of the cushion. The cushion will be held and supported by the elongated fabric body member in engagement with a portion of the patient's face responsive to the patient interface device being donned by the patient by wrapping the elongated fabric body member around the head of the patient.

Abstract: A pressure reducing valve for use in a system adapted to deliver a breathing gas to a patient. The pressure reducing valve is structured to communicate a flow of breathing gas to such a patient's airway during an inspiratory phase. The pressure reducing valve is structured to isolate the flow of breathing gas from the patient's airway and to “dump” the flow of breathing gas and a flow of exhalation gas to atmosphere during the expiratory phase. The flow of breathing gas is dumped to atmosphere through a first number of ports; whereas a flow of exhalation gas is dumped to atmosphere through a second number of ports. Because the flow of breathing gas remains isolated from the flow of exhalation gas, less effort is required by a patient during the expiratory phase.

Abstract: A sleep management related vending kiosk is provided that includes a main housing, a processing unit provided within the main housing, a vending apparatus provided at least partially within the main housing, the vending apparatus storing a plurality of respiratory patient interface device products and being structured to selectively vend the respiratory patient interface device products under control of the processing unit. In a further embodiment, a facial scanning module is provided at least partially within the main housing, including a scanning device for scanning a face of a patient. The processing unit is programmed to recommend and cause the vending apparatus to vend one of the respiratory patient interface device products based on the scanning of the face of the patient.

Abstract: An airway pressure support system (2) that includes a pressure generating device (4) structured to produce a flow of gas and a component (8) such as a patient interface device (8) structured to be selectively coupled to the pressure generating device (4), wherein the pressure generating device (4) and the component (8) are structured to enable the component (8) to be to wirelessly identified by the pressure generating device (4) only when the component (8) is coupled to the pressure generating device (4). Also, a method of identifying a component (8) in an airway pressure support system (2) that includes steps of coupling the component (8) to a pressure generating device (4) of the airway pressure support system (2) and enabling the component (8) to be to wirelessly identified by the pressure generating device (4) only when the component (8) is coupled to the pressure generating device.

Abstract: A packaging system for patient interface devices components that includes a macro container and a plurality of dispensing packages removeably held within the macro container. Each of the dispensing packages includes a continuous item supply including a plurality of selectively separable single item packages, wherein for each of the dispensing packages the single item packages in the continuous item supply of the dispensing package holds a patient interface device component of a type and a size that is associated with the dispensing package, and wherein each of the dispensing packages includes an opening enabling the single item packages of the dispensing package to be removed while the dispensing package is held within the macro container and markings that indicate the type and size that is associated with the dispensing package.

Abstract: A pressure support system includes a gas flow generating system a patient interface device, and a tubing. The s flow generating system includes a gas source, a controller, and a first inductive coil. The patient interface device includes a second inductive coil and an input element. The tubing is disposed between the flow generating system and the patient interface device to carry a flow of gas from the gas source o to the patient interface device. The tubing includes a third inductive coils structured to transmit power and/or a signal between the first inductive coil of the pressure support system controller and the second inductive coil of the patient interface device.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating a strapping force applied by a headgear of a patient interface device. The apparatus includes a first portion structured to be selectively connectable to a connecting element of a mask of the patient interface device, a second portion structured to be selectively connectable to a strap of the headgear, and a force gauging mechanism coupled to the first portion and the second portion. The force gauging mechanism is structured to gauge and indicate a force being applied by the headgear in response to the second strap portion being pulled by the strap of the headgear.

Abstract: An inflow conduit of a ventricular assist device configured to prevent formation of recirculation and stagnation zones as well as collapse due to external forces or pump induced suction can be rigid and have a funnel like shape with an elbow to accommodate a patient anatomy. Stiffening elements and pressure sensing devices can also be provided associated with the inflow conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for safely attaching a conduit to the heart, such as a conduit for connection to an implantable blood pump, or to a blood vessel, as in a heart bypass graft, without the need for a cardiopulmonary bypass. The apparatus can include an enclosure attachable to the heart and having sealed within the enclosure at least part of a coring tool and one end of the conduit which will be attached to the heart. A heart attachment member can be affixed to the enclosure for facilitating attachment of the apparatus to the heart and the coring tool can have a cutting member and a member for holding the tissue to be cut from the heart. All air can be evacuated from the enclosure prior to cutting tissue from the heart and attachment of the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for safely attaching a conduit to the heart, such as a conduit for connection to an implantable blood pump, or to a blood vessel, as in a heart bypass graft, without the need for a cardiopulmonary bypass. The apparatus can include an enclosure attachable to the heart and having sealed within the enclosure at least part of a coring tool and one end of the conduit which will be attached to the heart. A heart attachment member can be affixed to the enclosure for facilitating attachment of the apparatus to the heart and the coring tool can have a cutting member and a member for holding the tissue to be cut from the heart. All air can be evacuated from the enclosure prior to cutting tissue from the heart and attachment of the conduit.