Abstract: A respiratory mask having a flexible, mask seal portion for engagement with the face of a user, a gel forehead cushion and a rotatable elbow coupling having integral exhaust ports. The mask seal portion has a thin section which permits the mask to more easily adapt to the contour of the face of the user. The gel forehead cushion provides increased compliancy and resiliency to better adapt to multiple user physical profiles. The elbow coupling includes tapered through holes in a polycarbonate arc piece to provide a quiet passage of gas through the holes.

Abstract: A seal for a respiratory mask that includes a first end portion adapted to be coupled to a mask shell, a second end portion for sealing engagement with a face of a patient, and a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. At least a portion of the second end portion includes a textured area having a first rms surface roughness that is greater than a second rms surface roughness of a non-textured area of the seal. The area of increased surface roughness provides the patient contacting portion of the seal with a silky feeling to maximize patient comfort and the effectiveness of the seal without impairing the sealing ability.

Abstract: A device for taking measurements associated with an oral cavity of an individual. The device comprises a body and measuring indicia formed on the body which can be used to measure at least one parameter of the individual's mouth. An upper surface and a lower surface of the body are formed from an markable material capable of being marked by application of force from the individual's teeth. The body may also comprise a pallet measuring member constructed and arranged to extend operably from the body. The pallet measuring member has indicia formed thereon to enable measurement of the height of the individual's hard pallet. The body may also be provided with indicia to measure the length of the individual's tongue.

Abstract: A patient interface device including a cushion assembly having a cushion-in-a-cushion arrangement and a system for supplying a flow of gas to a patient using such an interface device. The patient interface includes a mask shell having a patient side and an outer side opposite the patient side adapted for receiving a supply of gas. A seal cushion contacts a first area of a patient's face to form a seal therewith. A support cushion encircles the seal cushion and includes a first end portion that contacts a second area of a patient's face.

Abstract: A gas delivery system comprising an external housing, a flow generator, and a vibration damper body. The flow generator is disposed in the external housing, and has a flow generator housing with a peripheral surface and a lower surface. The vibration damper body is disposed within the external housing and is formed of one or more compliant materials that are shaped to be complementary to the peripheral surface of the flow generator housing so as to engage the peripheral surface of the flow generator housing. The vibration damper body has a lower surface attached to a bottom surface of the external housing, and also has a peripheral surface formed such that at least one air gap is created between at least a portion of the vibration damper body and the external housing.

Abstract: A pressure support system has a motor, a switching element that supplies power to motor windings, and a blower coupled to the motor. Rotation of the blower elevates a pressure of fluid in a patient circuit coupled to an outlet of the blower. A rotational speed controller maintains the motor at a set rotational speed corresponding to a selected pressure for the fluid in the patient circuit. The rotational speed of the motor is maintained by a switching signal provided by a rotational speed controller to the switching element to control the actuation of the switching element. A fluid parameter monitoring portion monitors a parameter associated with the flow of fluid in the patient circuit, such as the magnitude, direction, or volume, based on a characteristic, such as duty cycle, of the switching signal, or based on a characteristic of a control signal that is used to generate the switching signal.

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: An exhaust port assembly comprising a conduit carries a flow of gas. A vent assembly having a fixed exhaust area is provided on the conduit for venting a flow of exhaust gas from within the conduit to ambient atmosphere. The vent assembly is configured so as to minimize noise associated with the flow of exhaust gas passing to atmosphere, diffuse the flow of exhaust gas passing to ambient atmosphere over a relatively large area, and minimize the area occupied by the venting assembly on the conduit.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly for use with gas monitoring. The patient interface includes a mask shell having a portion that seals against the face of a patient and a mask attachment coupled to an opening of the shell. The mask attachment has a mask connection section coupled to the opening of the shell, an airway adapter section that serves as a gas measurement site for use in measuring a respiratory variable, and a breathing system connection section adapted to be coupled to a to a patient circuit. The gas measurement site, which includes a window, may be disposed on the conduit, the shell, or both. An access port, defined in the mask, the mask attachment, or both permits a sampling tube to be placed in fluid communication with an airway of a patient.

Abstract: The patient interface (10) of the present invention includes a pair of nasal pillows (28) for delivery of gas. The nasal pillows (28) project from a partition (22) that separates an interior of the patient interface into a first chamber (24) that is configured to receive the nose of a patient when the patient interface is mounted operatively on the face of the patient and into which the nasal pillows (28) project and a second chamber (26) that has a port (30) for delivery of gas to and from the nasal pillows (28) via the second chamber (26).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid gas, such as liquid oxygen, with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, liquid oxygen barrier may be added to interface between a cryocooler and a dewar to control rate of liquid oxygen escape upon a tipping of the dewar. A boiloff vessel in fluid communication with the dewar allows expanding gas from a tipped dewar to escape while allowing the liquid to safely settle in the boiloff vessel. A temperature sensing circuit, in proximity with a heat dissipator or cold finger of the cryocooler, is operable to break an electrical power circuit of the cryocooler or cooling fan when a sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. Oxygen purity of a feed stream of gas may be sensed and/or displayed.

Abstract: A method and system of coordinating an intensifier and sieve beds. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising coordinating control of an intensifier with cycles of a sieve bed fluidly coupled to the intensifier such that there is at least one low pressure stroke of the intensifier and at least one high pressure stroke of the intensifier during a fill cycle of the sieve bed.

Abstract: A patient interface gas delivery mask having a rolling diaphragm that connects a seal member forming a cushion which contacts the patient's face with a mask shell or that connects a conduit coupling member with the mask shell. The rolling diaphragm of the present invention allows the cushion to self align to the patient's face and allows relative movement between the seal member and the mask shell. This prevents torque acting of a conduit coupled to the mask shell from being translated to the seal member, which might otherwise dislodge the seal member creating unwanted gas leakage at the seal member-patient interface.

Abstract: A patient interface device of the invention includes a shell having a wall with a port extending therethrough, a conduit coupling in fluid communication with the port, and a mounting member rotatably. The mounting member is coupled to the conduit coupling, or both such that the mounting member is rotatable over a 360 degree range while the patient interface device is donned on a user and without locking in a fixed position relative to the shell or conduit while the patient interface device is donned on a user.

Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a body portion comprising a pair of arms and a chin support. A first end portion of each arm in the pair of arms is coupled to an opposite end of the chin support. The chin support is adapted to be disposed under the mandible responsive to the patient interface device being donned by a user. At least one headgear attachment element is provided on each arm in the pair of arms. A circuit portion is provided at a second end portion of each arm in the pair of arm. A patient interface portion is coupled to the circuit portion.

Abstract: A medical ventilator includes a pressure generator for increasing a pressure of gas that produces heat during the operation thereof. A heat sink spaced from the pressure generator is provided for absorbing heat from the pressure generator. A bacteria filter requiring heating in excess of an ambient temperature for the effective operation thereof is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink. A heat pipe is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink and the pressure generator for conveying at least part of heat produced by the pressure generator to the bacteria filter via the heat sink.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in which the portions of the labyrinth associated with the labyrinthine sense and/or the nerves associated therewith are stimulated to perform at least one of the following functions: augment or control a patient's respiratory function, open the patient's airway, induce sleep, and/or counteract vertigo. In one embodiment, the vestibular stimulating system of the present invention includes 1) a stimulation element that performs the actual stimulation of the tissue, 2) a sensor to detect a physiological condition of the patient, and 3) a power/control unit that receives the signals provided by the sensor and causes stimulation energy to be provided to the stimulation element at an appropriate timing, level, pattern, and/or frequency to achieve the desired function. However, the present invention also contemplates eliminating the sensor in favor of applying a predetermined pattern of stimulation to the patient.

Abstract: A method and system of operating a trans-fill device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising generating an enriched gas stream from atmospheric air, and operating an intensifier which, when provided the enriched gas stream, produces a cylinder fill gas stream. The operating continues in the absence of the enriched gas stream being provided to the intensifier.

Abstract: A patient interface that reliably and comfortably seals a user's face by providing an oral-nasal mask that includes an integrated nasal interface. The patient interface includes a seal member having an oral cushion portion configured to surround the user's mouth and a nasal interface portion that provides an interface with the user's nose. The seal member, including the oral cushion portion and the nasal interface portion, is a unitary member. Finally, the nasal interface portion remains below the bridge of the nose.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a respiratory treatment device, having an active acoustic noise cancellation system. In one embodiment, the noise minimizing system includes at least one detector detecting characteristics of acoustic noise of a blower assembly and at least one speaker creating a cancellation frequency in the form of acoustic waves that at least partially cancels acoustic waves generated by the blower assembly. In another embodiment, the noise minimizing system includes a mechanical vibration generating element that creates a cancellation frequency in the form of a mechanical vibration that at least partially cancels vibrations of the blower assembly. This is accomplished, for example, by dithering a flow control valve at a frequency corresponding to an operating frequency of the blower assembly. Each embodiment can be used alone or in combination.