Abstract: Methods and systems are described to obtain and analyze one or more gas samples from the breath of a person, and organizing the samples in a sample registry for subsequent analysis. This technique solves the various problems that are associated with targeting an individual breath for analysis, and allows for additional versatility and options in the analysis process.

Abstract: A breath parameter measuring device is described which takes into account breathing patterns which historically have been incompatible with accurate measurements. In particular, during fast breathing patterns, the sensor performing the measurement may not be able to respond quickly enough to provide the true reading. The disclosure may be useful for example in the case of neonatal breath carbon dioxide measurements.

Abstract: Apparatuses are described to accurately determine a gas concentration of a sample of a patient's breath. The apparatuses may include a sample compartment, a breath speed analyzer, a gas analyzer, and a processor. The sample compartment includes an inlet that receives the breath. The breath speed analyzer determines the speed of a portion of the breath. The gas analyzer determines a gas concentration. The processor includes an algorithm that determines a degree of non-homogeneity of the sample based on the speed, and a corrected gas concentration based on the degree of non-homogeneity. In some variations, the gas correction is determined independently of patient cooperation. Apparatuses may be tuned based on the intended population's expected breathing pattern ranges such that the sample compartment is filled with a homogenous end-tidal gas sample regardless of an individual's breathing pattern. These apparatuses are useful, for example, for end-tidal CO analysis. Methods are also described.

Abstract: Methods for administering immune globulin and devices for use thereof. The methods may generally include measuring a patient's hemolysis levels and determining whether the patient is suitable for immune globulin treatment, determining whether immune globulin treatment should be continued, and/or determining if the dose needs to be changed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described to obtain and analyze a gas sample from a desired section of the breath of a person, while accounting for erratic, episodic or otherwise challenging breathing patterns that may otherwise make the capturing of a gas sample from the desired section of breath difficult. These techniques may provide more reliable, accurate and adequate samples of gas such as end-tidal gas, and ultimately an accurate analysis of the sample captured.

Abstract: Apparatuses are described to accurately determine a gas concentration of a sample of a patient's breath. The apparatuses may include a sample compartment, a breath speed analyzer, a gas analyzer, and a processor. The sample compartment includes an inlet that receives the breath. The breath speed analyzer determines the speed of a portion of the breath. The gas analyzer determines a gas concentration. The processor includes an algorithm that determines a degree of non-homogeneity of the sample based on the speed, and a corrected gas concentration based on the degree of non-homogeneity. In some variations, the gas correction is determined independently of patient cooperation. Apparatuses may be tuned based on the intended population's expected breathing pattern ranges such that the sample compartment is filled with a homogenous end-tidal gas sample regardless of an individual's breathing pattern. These apparatuses are useful, for example, for end-tidal CO analysis. Methods are also described.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for capturing and analyzing the end-tidal portion of an exhalation. The CO2 level of air drawn into the system (10) is monitored to distinguish inhalation and exhalation of breath. Upon detection of a decrease in the CO2 level in the air drawn into the system (10), indicating a transition between exhalation and inhalation a pair of flow selector valves (26, 28) are operated to capture the end-tidal volume of air drawn into the system (10) immediately prior to the detection of the decrease in the CO2 level. Incoming air is diverted around the captured volume of air, and the CO2 levels are continually monitored to ensure that the captured volume of air corresponds to the end-tidal portion of an exhalation. Once the captured volume of air is positively identified as the end-tidal portion of an exhalation, the captured volume is routed through a gas analyzer (44) for analysis of one or more predetermined gas levels.

Abstract: Devices for intranasally delivering therapeutic gases to a patient. The devices may include a measurement chamber, a combination pressure regulators and a sequencing mechanism that controls valves associated with the pressure regulators. When implemented in a hand-held dispenser, the hand-held dispenser may reliably deliver consistent doses of gas regardless of the unknown state and pressure of the therapeutic gas in the measurement chamber.

Abstract: A system for delivering gas to a patient. The system includes a gas control unit, a breathing circuit, a control switch, and a patient interface. The gas control unit has a main gas outlet. The breathing circuit has a main gas line having a first end. The first end of the main gas line is coupled to the main gas outlet. The control switch may be a pneumatic switch, in which case the breathing circuit further has a pilot control line for pneumatically controlling the gas control unit to deliver gas to the main gas line via the main gas outlet. The control switch may be an electrical switch, in which case the breathing circuit may use electrical control of the gas delivery or electrical and pneumatic control of the gas delivery. Other embodiment of the gas control unit may include a continuous positive airway pressure branch.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods deliver physiologically active agents in the presence of adjuvant gases. The adjuvant gases can enhance the effectiveness of the drug, lower the dosage of drug or concentration of drug necessary to achieve a therapeutic result, or both. Exemplary adjuvant gases include carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and dilute acid gases.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for capturing and analyzing the end-tidal portion of an exhalation. The CO2 level of air drawn into the system (10) is monitored to distinguish inhalation and exhalation of breath. Upon detection of a decrease in the CO2 level in the air drawn into the system (10), indicating a transition between exhalation and inhalation a pair of flow selector valves (26, 28) are operated to capture the end-tidal volume of air drawn into the system (10) immediately prior to the detection of the decrease in the CO2 level. Incoming air is diverted around the captured volume of air, and the CO2 levels are continually monitored to ensure that the captured volume of air corresponds to the end-tidal portion of an exhalation. Once the captured volume of air is positively identified as the end-tidal portion of an exhalation, the captured volume is routed through a gas analyzer (44) for analysis of one or more predetermined gas levels.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for capturing and analyzing the end-tidal portion of an exhalation. The CO2 level of air drawn into the system (10) is monitored to distinguish inhalation and exhalation of breath. Upon detection of a decrease in the CO2 level in the air drawn into the system (10), indicating a transition between exhalation and inhalation a pair of flow selector valves (26, 28) are operated to capture the end-tidal volume of air drawn into the system (10) immediately prior to the detection of the decrease in the CO2 level. Incoming air is diverted around the captured volume of air, and the CO2 levels are continually monitored to ensure that the captured volume of air corresponds to the end-tidal portion of an exhalation. Once the captured volume of air is positively identified as the end-tidal portion of an exhalation, the captured volume is routed through a gas analyzer (44) for analysis of one or more predetermined gas levels.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described to obtain and analyze a gas sample from a desired section of the breath of a person, while accounting for erratic, episodic or otherwise challenging breathing patterns that may otherwise make the capturing of a gas sample from the desired section of breath difficult. These techniques may provide more reliable, accurate and adequate samples of gas such as end-tidal gas, and ultimately an accurate analysis of the sample captured.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and kits for treating symptoms associated with common ailments, such as headaches, rhinitis, asthma, epilepsy, nervous disorders and the like, are provided. The apparatus comprises dispensers for carbon dioxide and other therapeutic gases. The methods comprise delivering small volumes of these gases to patients in a manner where the gas infuses into a body region in order to bathe the mucous membranes therein. It has been found that even very short exposure of patients to small volumes and high concentrations of such gases can provide significant relief from symptoms.

Abstract: Described here are hand-held, low flow devices for dispensing a therapeutic gas. The devices may be configured to include a gas control assembly for delivering a defined volume of gas at a controlled pressure and flow rate. A nosepiece may be included in the device that is formed of a porous material capable of filtering the dispensed gas, and also diffusing the flow of gas as it travels through the nosepiece and into the nasal cavity. The nosepiece may be configured so that there is substantially no restriction of flow therethrough. Methods for treating various medical conditions and delivering therapeutic gases to the nasal mucosa using hand-held, low flow gas dispenser devices are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and kits for treating symptoms associated with common ailments, such as headaches, rhinitis, asthma, epilepsy, nervous disorders and the like, are provided. The apparatus comprises dispensers for carbon dioxide and other therapeutic gases. The methods comprise delivering small volumes of these gases to patients in a manner where the gas infuses into a body region in order to bathe the mucous membranes therein. It has been found that even very short exposure of patients to small volumes and high concentrations of such gases can provide significant relief from symptoms.

Abstract: Apparatuses are described to accurately determine a gas concentration of a sample of a patient's breath. The apparatuses may include a sample compartment, a breath speed analyzer, a gas analyzer, and a processor. The sample compartment includes an inlet that receives the breath. The breath speed analyzer determines the speed of a portion of the breath. The gas analyzer determines a gas concentration. The processor includes an algorithm that determines a degree of non-homogeneity of the sample based on the speed, and a corrected gas concentration based on the degree of non-homogeneity. In some variations, the gas correction is determined independently of patient cooperation. Apparatuses may be tuned based on the intended population's expected breathing pattern ranges such that the sample compartment is filled with a homogenous end-tidal gas sample regardless of an individual's breathing pattern. These apparatuses are useful, for example, for end-tidal CO analysis. Methods are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and kits for treating symptoms associated with common ailments, such as headaches, rhinitis, asthma, epilepsy, nervous disorders and the like, are provided. The apparatus comprises dispensers for carbon dioxide and other therapeutic gases. The methods comprise delivering small volumes of these gases to patients in a manner where the gas infuses into a body region in order to bathe the mucous membranes therein. It has been found that even very short exposure of patients to small volumes and high concentrations of such gases can provide significant relief from symptoms.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for the delivery of treatment agents simultaneously with capnic gases. Specifically, the treatment agents and capnic gases may be delivered to a mucosal membrane at a controlled flow rate to treat rhinitis. Exemplary capnic gases include carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and dilute acid gases.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for capturing and analyzing the end-tidal portion of an exhalation. The CO2 level of air drawn into the system (10) is monitored to distinguish inhalation and exhalation of breath. Upon detection of a decrease in the CO2 level in the air drawn into the system (10), indicating a transition between exhalation and inhalation a pair of flow selector valves (26, 28) are operated to capture the end-tidal volume of air drawn into the system (10) immediately prior to the detection of the decrease in the CO2 level. Incoming air is diverted around the captured volume of air, and the CO2 levels are continually monitored to ensure that the captured volume of air corresponds to the end-tidal portion of an exhalation. Once the captured volume of air is positively identified as the end-tidal portion of an exhalation, the captured volume is routed through a gas analyzer (44) for analysis of one or more predetermined gas levels.