Abstract: A system for monitoring inspirable gas for delivery to a patient includes a branched breathing circuit having a first branch conduit and a second branch conduit. The first branch conduit is fluidly connected to a first gas source and the second branch conduit is fluidly connected to a second gas source, and the first and second branch conduits merge into a patient delivery conduit. The system includes a first flow sensor in the first branch conduit, a second flow sensor in the second branch conduit, and a third flow sensor in the patient delivery conduit. A control unit is electrically coupled to the first, second and third flow sensors. The control unit is configured to determine a blend of gas in the patient delivery circuit based on a measured flow from the third flow sensor and a measured flow from at least one of the first and second flow sensors.

Abstract: A gas regulator is described. The gas regulator includes a gas inlet having an attachment mechanism for attaching to a gas container, a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas inlet and further in fluid communication with a gas delivery system, a pressure regulator, a pressure sensor and a NFC sensor. A method of entering at least one information item relating to a gas source to a gas delivery system control unit. The method includes the steps of providing a gas source having a NFC tag that includes at least one information item stored in a memory of the NFC tag, attaching a regulator that includes a NFC sensor, wherein the NFC sensor is positioned to read the NFC tag when attached to the gas source, reading the at least one information item via the NFC sensor, and transmitting the at least one information item read by the NFC sensor to a gas delivery system control unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for delivery of nitric oxide to the upper respiratory tract without resulting in nitric oxide delivery to the lungs. In certain embodiments, the invention comprises the use of a flow sensor to sense the exhalation of the subject, and delivering a nitric oxide containing gas upon sensed exhalation.

Abstract: A device and method for reducing heat loss in at least one region of a subject's body is described. The device includes a mask component, a heat releasing reservoir, and a conduit connecting the mask component to the heat releasing reservoir and creating an airflow path therethrough, wherein the heat releasing reservoir includes at least one air permeable region that is impermeable to condensed water. Heat loss is reduced by the subject positioning the mask over the mouth and/or nose, positioning the heat releasing reservoir over the region of the subject's body, and passing warmed air exhaled by the subject into the mask through the conduit and into the heat releasing reservoir, such that the warmed air passes through the heat releasing reservoir while retaining condensed water within the heat releasing reservoir, thereby increasing the temperature of the air surrounding the at least one region of the subject's body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for a safety interlock for a gas cylinder. The interlock device of the present invention can prevent a gas cylinder from being removed from a gas administration device as long as gas remains in the gas cylinder.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a subject diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, but not having a pathological bacterial colonization in either lung. The method includes administering gaseous nitric oxide at a concentration of between about 40 ppm and about 400 ppm to the subject's lungs wherein said nitric oxide is administered by inhalation, and further wherein said nitric oxide induces conformational change in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in the cells of the lung of the subject. Another aspect of the invention provides a kit comprising: an apparatus for administering gaseous nitric oxide to a subject and instructions for administering the gaseous nitric oxide according to one or more of the methods described herein.

Abstract: A system for keeping moisture in a vapor phase and for removing particles from a gas is described. The system includes a filter and a heating chamber. The filter is capable of being heated and includes a mechanical element that effectively regulates the heating of the filter. Heat production of the heating chamber is coupled to the proper insertion of the filter into the chamber, such that the filter closes an electrical switch in the heating chamber to allow for the production of heat. An exemplary use of the system is the keeping moisture in a vapor phase and removing pathogenic particles from the exhalation path of a ventilated subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for delivery of nitric oxide to the upper respiratory tract without resulting in nitric oxide delivery to the lungs. In certain embodiments, the invention comprises the use of a flow sensor to sense the exhalation of the subject, and delivering a nitric oxide containing gas upon sensed exhalation.

Abstract: An oral appliance assembly is described. The assembly includes an oral appliance component having an upper teeth tray and a lower teeth tray. The assembly further includes a module releasably connected to the oral appliance. The module includes at least one sensor that is positioned outside of the mouth and underneath the nares of a subject's nose when the oral appliance component is positioned in the subject's mouth. A method of measuring user compliance of an oral appliance is also described. The method includes positioning an oral appliance in the mouth of a subject, measuring at least one parameter of airflow from the subject's nose or mouth, and determining compliance based on the at least one measured parameter. A method of measuring effectiveness of an oral appliance is also described.

Abstract: A method of measuring a user's adherence to a medication schedule is described. The method includes the steps of tracking the time between medication doses, alerting the user when it is time to take a medication dose, tracking the elapsed time between the alert and when the user takes the medication dose, and comparing the elapsed time to a scoring metric to calculate a score, wherein the score is representative of the user's adherence to the medication schedule. An automated system for measuring a user's adherence to a medication schedule is also described. The system includes a computing device that executes a software application that includes a tracking mechanism that alerts the user when a next medication dose is to be taken and tracks the amount of elapsed time from the alert to the time that the user takes the medication dose, and a scoring mechanism that compares the amount of elapsed time to a scoring metric to determine a medication adherence score.

Abstract: A gas regulator is described. The gas regulator includes a gas inlet having an attachment mechanism for attaching to a gas container, a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas inlet and further in fluid communication with a gas delivery system, a pressure regulator, a pressure sensor and a NFC sensor. A method of entering at least one information item relating to a gas source to a gas delivery system control unit. The method includes the steps of providing a gas source having a NFC tag that includes at least one information item stored in a memory of the NFC tag, attaching a regulator that includes a NFC sensor, wherein the NFC sensor is positioned to read the NFC tag when attached to the gas source, reading the at least one information item via the NFC sensor, and transmitting the at least one information item read by the NFC sensor to a gas delivery system control unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treatment by delivering nitric oxide at a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere (atm) to a subject in need thereof. Thus, the present invention provides an improved method of treating the skin surface of a subject, and below the skin surface of a subject.