Abstract: A portable ventilator uses a ROOTS-type blower as a compressor to reduce both the size and power consumption of the ventilator. Various functional aspects of the ventilator are delegated to multiple subassemblies having dedicated controllers and software that interact with a ventilator processor to provide user interface functions, exhalation control and flow control servos, and monitoring of patient status. The ventilator overcomes noise problems through the use of noise reducing pressure compensating orifices on the ROOTS-type blower housing and multiple baffling chambers. The ventilator is configured with a highly portable form factor, and may be used as a stand-alone device or as a docked device having a docking cradle with enhanced interface and monitoring capabilities.

Abstract: A high flow therapy system including a microprocessor, a heating element a non-sealing respiratory interface and a sensor is disclosed. The heating element is disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and is capable of heating a liquid to create a gas. The non-sealing respiratory interface is configured to deliver the gas to a patient. The sensor is disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and is configured to measure pressure in an upper airway of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and systems involve coordinating therapies used for treating disordered breathing. Disordered breathing therapies may include cardiac electrical stimulation therapy and external respiratory therapy as well as other therapies for treating disordered breathing in a patient. The therapies delivered to the patient may be coordinated to enhance effectiveness of the therapy, to reduce therapy interactions, to improve patient sleep, or to achieve other therapeutic goals.

Abstract: A headgear (200) for a respiratory mask (202) of a ventilator or CPAP device is provided. The headgear includes a strap portion (204, 206) formed of a substantially inextensible material. The strap portion has formed on one end thereof a connecting structure configured to connect to a mask of the ventilator or CPAP device. One advantage is that the mask will not or at least will be less inclined to lift off the face as mask pressure is increased.

Abstract: A method for ventilating a patient with a ventilator includes receiving a target pressure input for a breathing phase, receiving at least one oscillation parameter, imposing an oscillatory waveform on the target pressure, the oscillatory waveform having characteristics defined by the at least one oscillation parameter and configured to oscillate substantially about the target pressure for at least a portion of the breathing phase, and delivering an amount of flow sufficient to achieve an oscillatory target pressure based on the imposed oscillatory waveform.

Abstract: A method and a microprocessor controlled device for use in medical evaluation of the pulmonary system. The method and device incorporate two different non invasive evaluative techniques. Passive auscultation provides indicators of lung condition. Active auscultation, a different evaluative technique, provides information or indications generally not available or provided from passive auscultation. Combining the information from both techniques greatly improves the ability to provide effective medical treatment.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for coordinated cardiac pacing with delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a patient. Managing cardiac pacing in a patient during a cardiac arrhythmia involves detecting a cardiac arrhythmia using a patient implantable medical device, prompting a cardiopulmonary resuscitation compression, and delivering, using the patient implantable medical device, a pacing pulse to a heart chamber in coordination with the compression prompt.

Abstract: A method for relating to each other cardiovascular and sleep disordered breathing conditions of a patient. The patient's heart rate and/or detailed echocardiogram data is monitored and recorded continuously or periodically together with sleep disordered breathing information on similar time scales. Changes in the patient's heart rate associated with changes in sleep disordered breathing can then be observed. More specifically, positive airway pressure at therapeutic levels for treatment of sleep disordered breathing is applied while events associated with the treatment of the patient's sleep disordered breathing are detected and recorded. At the same time, information concerning the cardiovascular condition of the patient is stored and the stored information concerning the cardiovascular condition of the patient and the recorded events associated with the treatment of the patient's sleep disordered breathing are related to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressurized container valve which has a simple structure, is easy to use and is functionally reliable and which is used, in particular, in a compressed air respirator which is used as rescue breathing apparatus. Said valve comprises a supply connection (2) and a discharge housing (3) which are connected together on the front sides such that they can be rotated or can be displaced in a linear manner against each other, by means of first and second planar ceramic valve discs acting as blocking elements (8, 11). A supply and/or discharge opening (9, 12) respectively provided in the first and/or second valve disc is aligned with the supply channel (10) and/or the discharge channel (15) in the supply connection (2) and/or in the discharge housing. The valve can be opened or sealingly closed in a simple manner by rotating the discharge housing about the longitudinal axis thereof or displacing the discharge housing in a linear manner in relation to the supply connection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering a pharmaceutical gas to a patient. The methods and systems provide a known desired quantity of the pharmaceutical gas to the patient independent of the respiratory pattern of the patient over a plurality of breaths every nth breath, where n is greater than or equal to 1. The pharmaceutical gases include CO and NO, both of which are provided as a concentration in a carrier gas. The gas control system determines the delivery of the pharmaceutical gas to the patient to result in the known desired quantity (e.g. in molecules, milligrams or other quantified units) of the pharmaceutical gas being delivered. Upon completion of that known desired quantity of pharmaceutical gas over a plurality of breaths, the system can either terminate, continue, activate and alarm, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a self-contained, intermittent positive airway pressure system for treating sleep apnea, snoring, and other respiratory disorders. The systems and methods provide an air flow director that can be worn in or over the nose of the individual in communication with an upper airway. The systems and methods provide an airflow regulation assembly that can also be worn in its entirety by the individual in communication with the air flow director. The airflow regulation assembly includes a source of positive pressure. The airflow regulation assembly intermittently operates the source of positive pressure to increase positive air pressure in the air flow director sufficient to resist tissue collapse in the upper airway during only a portion of the respiratory cycle less than the entire respiratory cycle.

Abstract: A multiple stage variable speed blower for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilation of patients includes two impellers in the gas flow path that cooperatively pressurize gas to desired pressure and flow characteristics. Thus, the multiple stage blower can provide faster pressure response and desired flow characteristics over a narrower range of motor speeds, resulting in greater reliability and less acoustic noise.

Abstract: CPAP treatment apparatus is disclosed having a controllable flow generator (34, 38, 40) operable to produce breathable gas at a treatment pressure elevated above atmosphere to a patient by a delivery tube (32) coupled to a mask (30) having connection with a patient's airway. A sensor (44, 50, 56, 58) generates a signal representative of patient respiratory flow, that is provided to a controller (54, 62, 64). The controller (54, 62, 64) is operable to determine the occurrence of an apnea from a reduction in respiratory airflow below a threshold, and if an apnea has occurred, to determine the duration of the apnea and to cause the flow generator (34, 38) to increase the treatment pressure. In one preferred form the increase in pressure is zero if the treatment pressure before the apnea exceeds a pressure threshold.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel approach for displaying information on a ventilator system. The disclosure describes a novel respiratory system including a removable primary display and system status display. Further, the disclosure describes a novel method for displaying ventilator information and a novel method for controlling a ventilator system.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting a ventilator tube to a tracheotomy tube has a latching mechanism which prevents the coupling from axially displacing a tapered tubular extension of the tracheotomy tube after they have been mated in a pneumatically discrete path. For use with known adult tracheotomy tubes which have inner and outer cannulas, the latching mechanism engages the coupling with the leading end of the outer cannula collar with the inner cannula collar sandwiched therebetween. For use with known one piece children's tracheotomy tubes, the latching mechanism is a clamshell contoured to concentrically grip the tapered tubular extension of the tracheotomy tube. Interlocking the coupling and the tracheotomy tube prevents them from inadvertently axially displacing from each other. Non-axial force disengages the coupling from the tracheotomy tube so that the coupling can be axially displaced without exertion of excessive axial force on the system and the patient.

Abstract: A humidification system is provided for a respiratory system is provided with a controller having two processors that monitor the operation of each other and of heating elements in the respiratory system to provide CPU redundancy and heating element control. Each heating element is provided with two control paths, for example a relay and a triac connected in series with the heating element and a power supply. Each heater element has one control path connected to a first one of the processors and at least one heating element has at least one control path connected to a second one of the controllers. A hardware watchdog monitors the operation of the first processor, and can be triggered by a signal from the second processor, in response to which it can disable all heating elements.

Abstract: A pressure support system that comprises a patient circuit, a docking assembly, and a tank. The patient circuit delivers a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient. The docking assembly has an inlet and an outlet that is adapted to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas, and is also adapted to be connected with the patient circuit. The tank is constructed and arranged to be removably connected with the docking assembly, and enables the pressurized flow of breathable gas to pass therethrough. The tank is also adapted to contain a liquid such that a humidity level of the pressurized flow of breathable gas is elevated as the pressurized flow of breathable gas passes therethrough.

Abstract: This is directed to systems, processes, machines, and other means that provide increased oxygen flow to medical patients. The invention can combine two oxygen tanks into a specially made adapter that can provide an increased flow of oxygen to medical patients.

Abstract: An airway manifold includes a manifold body having an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The body portions are engaged such that the upper body portion is rotatable relative to the lower body portion, whereby a generally hollow interior space is defined. The lower body portion has a port open to the interior space, and the upper body portion includes a plurality of ports open to the interior space. A first upper body port is axially alignable with the lower body port to define a substantially linear passageway therebetween when the upper body portion is at a first rotatable position relative to the lower body portion. A second upper body port is axially alignable with the lower body port to define a substantially linear passageway therebetween when the upper body portion is at a second rotatable position.

Abstract: An air or oxygen flow supply system between a supply source and nasal prongs applicable to a patient, comprising a succession of flow ducts having different flow areas, there being junctions between successive of the ducts, the flow areas defined by A1, A2 - - - An where n>2, the flow areas decreasing at the junctions, in the direction of the flow.

Abstract: A variable speed blower for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilation of patients includes two impellers in the gas flow path that cooperatively pressurize gas to desired pressure and flow characteristics. Thus, the blower can provide faster pressure response and desired flow characteristics over a narrower range of motor speeds, resulting in greater reliability and less acoustic noise.

Abstract: It has been discovered that high amplitude, low frequency, broadband spectrum pressure oscillations of sufficient time duration can help stabilize lung volumes and improve gas exchange in a patient receiving ventilation assistance by helping to recruit and stabilize alveoli. A novel device is presented which can produce pressure oscillations having high amplitudes, a low broad-band frequency spectrum and long time duration. Additionally, the device can maintain a patient's mean airway pressure at one or more controlled levels. The device can control the oscillatory amplitude, frequency range and composition, time duration, and mean airway pressure levels by adjusting certain device parameters, such as the angle and depth of the device in a fluid. A device and mechanical system for remotely adjusting and measuring the angle of the device in a fluid are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides oxygen concentrators which achieve reliable pressure control in the oxygen columns with reduced number of components for pressure control in the oxygen columns, and also easy maintenance and reduced power consumption. PSA, PVSA, or VSA oxygen concentrator consisting of oxygen concentration columns BF1 and BF2, pressure control means for adjusting pressure in the oxygen concentration columns, and oxygen tank T for storing concentrated oxygen, comprises mechanical flow control means SC1 which regulates flow from the oxygen tank to the oxygen concentration columns. Pressures in the oxygen concentration columns BF1 and BF2 are kept within a predetermined range by the function of mechanical flow control means SC1 placed in between the oxygen concentration columns and the oxygen tank.

Abstract: A breathing system for ventilating a patient has a gas channel enclosing a gas channel volume (V), and a compliance (C). The system has a flow calculation unit operative to determine a gas flow estimate (Fe) at a flow estimate location in the gas channel. The gas flow estimate (Fe) is based on a relationship between a monitored gas flow (Fm) in the gas channel and a compressible gas flow (Fc) which depends on the compliance (C) in the gas channel. The monitored gas flow (Fm) is a gas flow at a monitoring location in the gas channel and the compressible gas flow (Fc) is a flow of gas in the gas channel between the flow estimate location and the monitoring location, and the flow estimate location is remote from the monitoring location.

Abstract: A fluid-containing conduit (10,30,40,50) including at least one luminescent marker (14) whereby the fluid-containing conduit is visible in a low light condition. The marker may be in the form of one or more elongate ribs (16) containing luminescent material along interior wall surface (18), or may be elongate luminescent bands (52,54) adjacent the exterior wall (20) of the conduit, or may be indicia containing luminescent material such as ink (42).

Abstract: A process and a device/system are provided for the automatic identification of the type of a breathing tube. A memory element (5) is connected to the breathing tube (4). The memory element carries stored data identifying the breathing tube (4). The data are read by a reading unit (6), which is part of a respirator (1). The data may be read when the breathing tube (4) is brought into the vicinity of the respirator (1) or connected thereto.

Abstract: Acoustic pressure inducers and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea are disclosed. In one embodiment, an acoustic pressure inducer includes an actuator housing having an orifice, a tube having a first end and a second end, and a nasal cannula fluidly coupled to the second end of the tube. The first end of the tube is fluidly coupled to the orifice of the actuator housing such that a gap is present between the first end of the tube and the orifice. The nasal cannula is configured to be positioned proximate to nostrils of a user. The acoustic pressure inducer further includes a vibrating element within the actuator housing and a signal generator. The signal generator component is electrically coupled to the vibrating element and configured to provide an electronic signal to the vibrating element to cause the vibrating element to oscillate within the actuator housing and produce an acoustic jet of air that exits the orifice and enters a nasal passageway of the user through the nasal cannula.

Abstract: A comfortable low-leak mask assembly for use with Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) is provided to improve patient compliance and/or treatment. The mask system may include headgear having straps that are substantially inextensible and/or micro-adjustable; and/or a mask and/or cushion that includes various structures to allow enhanced/tailored sealing and/or fit at selected locations on the patient's face.

Abstract: A system/method for reducing or eliminating application of continuous, repeated, and/or excessive pressure at the contact footprints of a patient interface device and headgear assembly. For example, a patient interface with a plurality of cushions, each producing a different contact footprint when worn by the patient is employed. As another example, a plurality of patient interface devices, each having a cushion that produces a different contact footprint when worn by the patient, are employed. As another example, a patient interface device having a cushion, the configuration/shape of which can be altered such that the contact footprint which it produces is also changed, is employed. The contact footprint to which the patient is exposed is altered after a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A respiratory apparatus including an adapter assembly and a catheter assembly. The adapter assembly includes ventilator, respiratory, access, and flush ports. The access port includes a conduit defining a passageway. The flush port projects from the conduit and is fluidly open to the passageway at an outlet. The catheter assembly includes a catheter assembled to a fitting. The fitting includes a hub and a tube, with the tube defining an exterior surface, an interior surface forming a lumen, a circumferential groove in the exterior surface, and a plurality of apertures fluidly open to the lumen and the circumferential groove. The tube is sized to be slidably received within the passageway such that upon final assembly, a fluid pathway is formed between the flush port and a distal end of the catheter via the flush port outlet, the circumferential groove, the plurality of apertures, and the lumen.

Abstract: A medical device and a system and for dilating a stenotic airway of a patient are described. The medical device comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft system having an inflation lumen and a ventilation lumen the proximal end. The shaft system has a proximal shaft section and a distal shaft section. An inflatable balloon is attached to the distal shaft section in a position that is proximal to the distal end. The ventilating tip is distal to the balloon on the distal shaft section and has one or more radially facing openings. A method for treating a stenotic airway includes inserting the medical device into a patient's airway, and dilating and ventilating the airway.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting a ventilator tube to an improved single cannula tracheotomy tube has a latching mechanism which prevents the coupling from inadvertently axially displacing from a tapered tubular extension of the tracheotomy tube after they have been mated in a pneumatically discrete path. Non-axial and non-rotational forces are used to engage and disengage the coupling from the tracheotomy tube. The coupling has a trailing end adapter which permits rotation of the coupling relative to the ventilator tube rather than to the tracheotomy tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling breathing of a patient. A system for controlling breathing of a patient includes a respiratory conduit. The respiratory conduit is configured to be coupled to a patient interface device and is further configured to be coupled to a pressurized air generating device. The respiratory conduit includes at least two air flow control devices, positioned between the patient interface device and the pressurized air generating device. The respiratory conduit includes at least two volumes, wherein one volume is positioned between a first air flow control device and a second air flow control device and another volume is positioned between a second air flow control device and a third air flow control device.

Abstract: A ventilation device for non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment of a patient has a gas flow generator, a gas delivery circuit optionally including a humidifier, a controller and sensors monitoring values of operational parameters of the device. The device further includes one or more relationships stored in data storage of the controller relating combinations of parameter values as being indicative of fault conditions of the device operation, the sensors and/or the fault detection process.

Abstract: A device for securing a tracheostomy or endotracheal tube to a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of therapeutically conditioned air to a patient may include a hollow flexible tube and at least one clamp attached to the tube. A shape retention wire may be engaged with the tube. The apparatus may be configured to direct the therapeutically conditioned air to a region near the patient's nose and mouth without being attached to the patient.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing adaptive base flow scheduling during ventilation of a patient to optimize patient-machine synchrony and accuracy of estimated exhaled as well as inhaled tidal volumes. Further, this disclosure describes systems and methods for providing adaptive inspiratory trigger threshold scheduling during the adaptive base flow scheduling. Further still, this disclosure describes systems and methods for determining an estimated leak flow and adjusting the adaptive base flow scheduling and the adaptive inspiratory trigger threshold scheduling based on the estimated leak flow. Moreover, this disclosure describes systems and methods for determining a change in the estimated leak flow and adjusting the adaptive base flow scheduling and the adaptive inspiratory trigger threshold scheduling based on the change in the estimated leak flow.

Abstract: A system for circuit compliance compensated volume assurance pressure control in a patient respiratory ventilation circuit, having a patient circuit volume estimator for estimating a patient circuit compliance, a patient circuit volume estimator to estimate a circuit volume VOLCKT—EST based on the patient circuit compliance, a patient volume observer, for estimating a patient volume VOLTID—EST based on a measure delivered net volume VOLNET and the patient circuit compliance, a volume assurance controller for generating a circuit compliance volume compensation factor VOLTID—CTL based on a preset assured volume VOLASS—SET and the estimated patient volume VOLTID—EST, and a decelerating inspiratory flow controller, operative to generate a decelerating inspiratory peak flow based on a preset inspiratory time TINSP and the volume compensation factor VOLTID—CTL.

Abstract: Apparatus for randomly varying the breathing resistance applied to human and animal subjects to improve their performance.

Abstract: A respirator assembly is composed of a respirator, an air purifier, and a connection tube. The respirator includes a first housing having an inflow unit and an air intake. A first pumping unit is located in the first housing for sucking the air through the inflow unit and exhausting the air through the air outtake. The air purifier includes a second housing having an air intake and an outflow unit. A second pumping unit is located in the second housing for sucking the air through the air intake and exhausting the air through the outflow unit. The outflow unit includes a natural-air outlet and a respirator outlet. The connection tube includes two ends, one of which is connected with the respirator outlet and the other is connected with the inflow unit. Accordingly, the respirator assembly can reduce the frequency of replacing the respiratory screen and enhance the quality of filtering the air.

Abstract: A patient ventilator for assisting a clinician in determining a suitable PEEP for the patient. The amount of the lung volume recruited/de-recruited at various levels of PEEP may be determined for use in selecting a desired PEEP. To this end, the functional residual capacity of the lungs is determined for a first PEEP level. The PEEP is then altered to a second level and a spirometry dynostatic curve of lung volume and pressure data is obtained. The lung volume on the dynostatic curve at a lung pressure corresponding to the first PEEP value is obtained. The difference between the functional residual capacity of the lungs at the first PEEP level and that determined from the dynostatic curve represents the lung volume recruited/de-recruited when changing between said first and second PEEPs.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for supplying a respiratory gas, a humidifying apparatus, a respiratory gas tube and a connecting apparatus therefor. The apparatus of the invention includes a blowing device for delivering the respiratory gas, a housing device which has a bottom region, a top surface region and a side region extending upwardly between the top surface region and the cover region, as well as a connecting device for connecting a humidifying apparatus for humidifying the respiratory gas, wherein the connecting device is arranged in the side region of the apparatus in such a way that the humidifying apparatus can be laterally coupled thereto. The humidifying apparatus according to the invention is distinguished by a partial amount discharge device for passing a partial amount of the liquid pre-stored in a liquid storage space into a humidifying region.

Abstract: First and second A/D converters perform analog/digital conversion of first and second signals of a Hall signal so as to generate third and fourth signals as digital signals. A differential conversion circuit generates a fifth signal as a single-ended signal that corresponds to the difference between the third and fourth signals. An offset correction circuit corrects offset of the fifth signal so as to generate a sixth signal. An amplitude control circuit stabilizes the amplitude of the sixth signal to a predetermined target value, and generates its absolute value, thus generating a seventh signal. A control signal generating unit generates a control signal based upon the seventh signal. A driver circuit drives a motor according to the control signal.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing novel adaptive base flow scheduling during ventilation of a patient to optimize the accuracy of estimated exhaled tidal volume. Further, this disclosure describes systems and methods for providing novel adaptive inspiratory trigger threshold scheduling during the novel adaptive base flow scheduling.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus for ventilating the lungs of a patient with breathing gas, has: a breathing circuit configuration; a mechanical ventilation system; a manual ventilation system provided with a manual ventilation bag; a manual ventilation valve for enabling manual ventilation of breathing gas from the breathing circuit; a pressure sensor devised to detect the pressure level in the breathing circuit; an electronically controlled expiration valve (40) that in a mechanical ventilation mode is controlled to control the pressure level in the breathing circuit according to a first set of predetermined control rules adapted to mechanical ventilation mode requirements; said electronically controlled expiration valve in a manual ventilation mode being coupled to enable ventilation of breathing gas from the breathing circuit by means of the manual ventilation system according to a second set of predetermined control rules adapted to manual ventilation mode requirements.

Abstract: A side-stream respiration monitoring system includes a sensor, a monitor, and a display. The sensor is constructed to engage respiration flows having a variable flow amounts and acquire a respiration sample from the flow. The monitor is connected to the sensor and configured to determine the amount of respiration flow as well as the amount of several constituents of the respiration flow such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, and nitrous oxide. The monitor is also configured to adjust the determined values for ambient environment variations and is self-calibrating with respect to the ambient conditions. The monitor temporally aligns the acquired data to account for dead-space respiration events and physiological respiration modifications such as cardiac events. Information generated by the monitor is communicated to an operator via a display configured to display the real-time respiration performance.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment apparatus and method in which a leak is determined by using an averaging window. The window starts at the present time and extends back in time to a point determined according to a current one of progressively detected phase measures of a first respiratory cycle and a corresponding phase measure attributable to a preceding second respiratory cycle. In another aspect, a jamming index indicates whether the leak is rapidly changing. To the extent that jamming is high, the leak estimate used progressively changes from that using sliding breath-window averaging to a more robust and faster responding low-pass filter method, and adjustment of ventilatory support based on measures employing estimated respiratory flow is slowed down or stopped.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel approach for displaying information on a ventilation system. The disclosure describes a novel respiratory system including a removable primary display and system status display. Further, the disclosure describes a novel method for displaying ventilator information and a novel method for controlling a ventilation system.

Abstract: A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment includes a housing, a blower provided to the housing, and a projection unit provided to the housing. The blower is operable to provide a pressurized flow of air at an outlet. The projection unit is operable to project an image onto a surface adjacent the housing.

Abstract: A device for passive pressure relief and for reducing the volume flow for an electromechanically driven medical gas delivery means (50) in a medical device for respirating a patient (60) with a pressure relief unit (1) with a first and second gas port (2, 3), with a relief valve (4), with a pressure relief outlet (8) with an equalization space (9) and with a nonreturn valve (11) and a valve disk (5), which is arranged in the relief valve (4) and is maintained in a position relative to a valve seat (7) via a bellows (60). The surfaces (51, 52) facing the first and second gas ports (2, 3) have different areas, so that the relief valve (4) opens as soon as an operating pressure (23) at the first gas port (2) exceeds a prevailing (stored) pressure level (24) in the equalization space (9).