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: 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 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: A circuit simulating the electrical signal response of a flowing liquid whose velocity is to be measured by an upstream-downstream flowmeter. The circuit takes the electrical flowmeter transmit signal from an upstream-downstream flowmeter and actuates a gated oscillator which feeds pulses to a counter, establishing an electrical signal which has a duration of almost the mean transit time of an acoustic signal traveling between transducers and the flowmeter. This signal is incremented by further pulse counts and these further pulses are indicative of the exact mean transit time, plus pulses arriving on either side of the exact mean transit time, indicative of the upstream and downstream transit times. The upstream and downstream pulses are fed to a second oscillator for wave shaping. The second oscillator and associated circuitry simulates electrical signals produced by a transducer receiver in the flowmeter.

Abstract: A circuit simulating the electrical signal response of a flowing liquid whose velocity is to be measured by a Doppler flowmeter. The circuit takes the electrical flowmeter transmit signal from a Doppler flowmeter and modifies its frequency to derive a simulated Doppler shifted signal. The latter signal is used to modulate the transmit signal in a double side band, balanced modulator which suppresses the frequency of the transmit signal and produces upper and lower side band frequencies mimicking a Doppler shifted return signal. The latter signal is fed to the signal receiving transducer of a Doppler flowmeter for test purposes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter of the upstream-downstream type having piezoelectric crystals operated in the radial mode, as well as the compression mode, or primarily the radial mode. If both modes are used, one of the two may be selected in order to optimize the received signal. Selection would depend upon the molecular weight and temperature of the viscous fluid in the flowmeter. The selected frequency would be below the relaxation frequency of the flowing material. Radial mode oscillations are achieved by mass loading members adhered to either side of the crystal, thereby creating acoustic impedances which dampen the compressional mode, but enhance the radial mode of vibration. The mass loading member rearward of the crystal is significantly larger than the forward member so that most of the energy to be transmitted is directed in a forward direction. The forward end of the crystal is mounted in a tubular housing which is inserted into a pipe opening into a larger pipe where fluid flow occurs.

Abstract: A Doppler flowmeter which utilizes a single crystal immersed in the flow stream directing energy in a direction parallel with the flow direction. The crystal is fed by an oscillator at a single frequency corresponding to an ultrasonic vibrational mode for the crystal. The crystal also detects reflected acoustic wave energy with the input and output signals being electrically combined in the crystal. An electrical discriminator circuit is able to separate a multi-spectral Doppler signal from the crystal by phase cancellation of the transmitted signal. The recovered signal is fed to a tunable state variable filter which establishes a ninety degree phase shift with the incoming multi-spectral signal. This phase shifted signal is combined with the incoming multi-spectral signal in a phase lock loop with an output of the loop used to clock the state variable filter. Another output is a synthesized Doppler frequency representative of the mean Doppler frequency.

Abstract: A calibration circuit for an ultrasonic flowmeter of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,191 wherein a frequency counted variable delay is used to simulate flow. A stable gated oscillator is used to feed a counter whose accuracy is checked against a frequency standard. A BCD switch is used to load the counter with a count representing a desired variable delay. When the count is reached the oscillator is stopped and a variable delay signal is put out by the counter, to be combined with a fixed delay signal for simulation of flow in the upstream or downstream channel of the flowmeter.

Abstract: An apparatus for the ultrasonic measurement of cryogenic or high viscosity fluid flow provides for precooling and symmetrical flow in the measuring run of one of two coaxial inner and outer cylinders. A baffle in one of the cylinders directs fluid flow so as to encircle the measuring path cylinder thereby cooling it and reducing heat loss and flashing against the walls. Symmetrical entry and exit of the fluid flow in and out of the measuring cylinder eliminates the effects of velocity gradients on the ultrasonic measuring signals. Inlet and outlet ports are located perpendicular to the coaxial cylinders allowing a longer measuring run without requiring a similar interruption to the pipe system being monitored.