Abstract: A humidification unit adapted to be disposed in a patient circuit for humidifying the flow of breathing gas delivered to the patient via the patient circuit by an artificial ventilator system. The humidification unit includes an exothermic member having an outer surface and a plurality of hollow fibers disposed on the outer surface of the exothermic member. Each hollow fiber is defined by a peripheral wall having minute openings large enough to allow a gas to pass therethrough yet small enough to prevent a liquid from passing therethrough. Liquid delivered to the hollow fibers is heated by the exothermic member and the gas vapor resulting from the heating passes through the hollow fiber walls and humidifies the flow of breathing gas delivered to the patient.

Abstract: A piston assembly for a compressor that reduces the temperature experienced by a compressor cup seal during operation of the compressor. The piston assembly includes a piston sleeve having a top portion and an interior. A valve plate is supported by the top of the piston sleeve. A compressor head includes a compressor head plate, which is offset from the valve plate. The offset between the compressor head plate and the valve plate defines a cooling chamber. The interior of the piston sleeve communicates with the interior of the compressor head via openings defined in the valve plate and the compressor head plate and conduit associated with these opening and traversing the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A ventilator supplies a plurality of volumes of fluid to a patient during a like plurality of inhalations by the patient. Each volume of fluid is supplied at an inspiratory positive airway pressure during a corresponding inhalation by the patient. A volume of fluid received by the patient is determined for each of the plurality of inhalations by the patient and an average volume of fluid received by the patient during each of the plurality of inhalations is determined. The average volume of fluid received by the patient during each inhalation is compared to a predetermined target volume and the inspiratory positive airway pressure each volume of fluid is supplied to the patient is adjusted as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: A ventilatory system which may be operated in an invasive and a non-invasive mode is provided utilizing a graphical user interface for presenting only those controlled parameters utilized for that specific mode of operation. Volume and pressure ventilatory support parameters are included for invasive ventilation and non-invasive ventilation control parameters are provided for non-invasive ventilatory assistance. The graphical user interface enables an operator to select the desired mode of operation wherein only those parameters related to that specific mode of operation are presented. Furthermore, a blower is provided for providing an air source to the ventilator enabling the ventilator to be self sufficient.

Abstract: A patient monitoring apparatus for quantatively measuring a physiological characteristic of a patient. A first patient interface communicates with an airway of a patient such that substantially all gas inhaled and exhaled by the patient passes through the first patient interface. One or more vent elements associated with the first patient interface communicate the first patient interface with an ambient atmosphere so that a pressure differential is created between the pressure in the first patient interface and the pressure of the ambient atmosphere. A sensor communicates with the first patient interface and measures a fluid characteristic resulting from this pressure differential and outputs a first signal indicative of that characteristic. The output from the sensor is used alone, or in combination with the output from other sensors that detect other physiological characteristics, to provide a variety of information about the patient.

Abstract: A ventilatory system which may be operated in an invasive and a non-invasive mode is provided utilizing a graphical user interface for presenting only those controlled parameters utilized for that specific mode of operation. Volume and pressure ventilatory support parameters are included for invasive ventilation and non-invasive ventilation control parameters are provided for non-invasive ventilatory assistance. The graphical user interface enables an operator to select the desired mode of operation wherein only those parameters related to that specific mode of operation are presented. Furthermore, a blower is provided for providing an air source to the ventilator enabling the ventilator to be self sufficient.

Abstract: An improved methodology and systems for delivery of breathing gas such as for the treatment of obstructive sleep apena through application of alternating high and low level positive airway pressure within the airway of the patient with the high and low airway pressure being coordinated with the spontaneous respiration of the patient, and improved methods and apparatus for triggering and for leak management in such systems.

Abstract: A pressure support system and method of using same that includes a pressure generator adapted to provide a gas flow, a conduit coupled to the pressure generator to deliver a gas flow to a patient, an interface device coupled to the conduit to communicate the gas flow to an airway of the patient. An exhaust vent that provides a flow of exhaust gas to atmosphere is provided in the conduit or the interface device. A flow sensor detects a rate at which gas flows in the conduit and provides a first output indicative thereof, and a pressure sensor detects a pressure of gas at the patient and provides a second output indicative thereof. A control system receives the first and second outputs and determines whether a current flow of exhaust gas passing through the exhaust vent is below an alarm threshold based on the first and second outputs and provides a third output indicative of this determination.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a pressure support therapy administered to a patient, where at least one parameter associated with the pressure support therapy is varied according to a time-base parameter variation function. More specifically, at least one parameter or at least one group of parameters associated with a pressure control relation for providing a proportional assist ventilation (PAV) or a proportional positive airway pressure (PPAP) mode of ventilation is varied according to a time-based parameter variation function to control the PAV or PPAP ventilation with a maximum degree of flexibility.

Abstract: A chest brace and method of using same that prevents the chest wall from buckling inwards during patient breathing by providing a distending force on the patient's thorax. The chest brace also restores the normal anterior-to-posterior chest dimensions by providing a distending force in this direction. The chest brace includes an anterior member adapted to overly a patient's chest. An adhesive mechanism secures the anterior member to a surface of such a patient. A support structure is coupled to the anterior member such that, in use, the support structure imparts a force on the anterior member in a manner so as to distend a thorax of such a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a bi-level positive airway pressure support in which the rise time from the expiratory positive airway pressure to the inspiratory positive airway pressure is automatically controlled by the pressure support system. The pressure support system includes a sensor, a control system, and a pressure generating system. The sensor monitors the patient's respiration to detect respiratory events, such as an apnea, hyponea or other disturbance, and the control system responds to the sensor information to adjust the rise time from the expiratory positive airway pressure to the inspiratory positive airway pressure gas pressure to maximize patient comfort and pressure support treatment effectiveness.

Abstract: A face mask including a gas monitoring capability for improved patient management in combination with improved efficiency of supplemental oxygen delivery to the patient is provided. The face mask of the present invention is configured to direct substantially all of the inspiratory and expiratory gas streams to and from the patient through a gas measuring device and to efficiently deliver supplemental oxygen. As such, the face mask permits measurement of both oral and nasal gas exchange.

Abstract: A robust, compact spectrometer apparatus for determining respective concentrations or partial pressures of multiple gases in a gas sample with single as well as multiple and even overlapping, absorption or emission spectra that span a wide spectral range.

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 method and apparatus for use in determining the cardiac output. The method include quantitatively measuring the patient's airflow, a first parameter indicative of the percent oxygen inhaled and exhaled by the patient, and a second parameter indicative of the patient's fractional arterial oxygen concentration. The method also includes inducing a change in the patient's arterial oxygen concentration while taking these measurements to monitor the effects of the change in the patient's arterial oxygen concentration. The cardiac output is determined from the data collected regarding the effects of the change in the patient's arterial oxygen concentration.

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 system and method for improving the efficiency of a gas fractionalization system of the type having a compressor having an inlet for receiving air from the ambient environment. The system includes a sensor for sensing a parameter indicative of the flow of concentrated gas delivered from the gas fractionalization system to a patient. A multi-positional valve is disposed in line with the compressor for regulating the flow of air from the ambient environment into the compressor. A valve control manipulates the position of the multi-positional valve depending on the value of the parameter sensed by the sensor for regulating the quantity of air received from the ambient environment into the compressor inlet.

Abstract: A phototherapy system and method for automatically replacing a failed light source with a new light source once a failure of a first light source is detected. This system permits the new light source to assume a coaxially aligned position with the proximal end portion of a light transmission medium in place of the failed light source without any manual input by the user. In addition, an improved coupling system is provided for coupling the light transmission medium to the illumination device housing the light sources. The coupling system prevents pull out of the light transmission medium from the illumination device over nearly all rotational angles of the proximal end of the light transmission medium relative to the housing, and over only a relatively small range of angles will some degree of pull out force enable the light transmission medium to be decoupled from the illumination device.

Abstract: A total delivery oxygen concentration system is provided to supply concentrated oxygen to end users having a variety of oxygen capacity requirements. The system includes a first oxygen concentrating device that may be operated either singularly to produce a first flow of concentrated oxygen or in conjunction with a supplemental oxygen concentrating device. When operating in conjunction with the supplemental oxygen concentrating device, the first oxygen concentrating device serves as a source of compressed air for the supplemental oxygen concentrating device and receives a second flow of concentrated oxygen from the supplemental oxygen concentrating device to provide a combined concentrated oxygen flow to the end user.

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.