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 predetermined pattern. 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 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 user, and a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. At least a portion of the second end portion along at least a portion of a perimeter 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 user contacting portion of the seal with a silky feeling to maximize user comfort and the effectiveness of the seal without impairing the sealing ability.

Abstract: Apparatus or systems which employ luminescence-quenching to produce a signal indicative of oxygen concentration.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a valved holding chamber suitable for use in an aerosol medication delivery system. The valved holding chamber includes a housing and a mouthpiece coupled to the housing. A one-way valve assembly is coupled to the housing, the mouthpiece, or both so that fluid flows in a first direction from the housing to the mouthpiece passes through the valve assembly but does not pass back into the housing. The valve assembly includes a conical flange disposed such that the conical flange tapers in the first direction to smooth the fluid flow in the first direction toward the patient. In a further embodiment, the mouthpiece includes an exhaust port defined in a conical collar portion of the mouthpiece, and an exhaust valve element is disposed over the exhaust port to provide a one-way flow of fluid from within the mouthpiece to ambient atmosphere via the exhaust port.

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 pressure/flow control valve that includes a first valve member and a second valve member moveable relative to one another and cooperating with one another so as to define a valve opening having a size that varies with a relative position between these members. The first magnet is operatively coupled to the first valve member and a second magnet is operatively coupled to the second valve member and magnetically coupled to the first magnet. The first and second magnets are disposed such that a repulsive force between them increases asymptotically as the magnets move together, thereby providing a dampening force between the first and second valve members that allows these valve members to be moved rapidly from one position to the next in a highly controlled fashion.

Abstract: A sidestream gas sampling system that includes a conduit that communicates a flow of gas to a gas measurement site. A gas measurement assembly measures a constituent of the flow of gas at the gas measurement site. A capillary tube communicates the flow of gas from the gas measurement site. A differential pressure transducer in fluid communication with first and second portions of the capillary tube measure a pressure differential between these two portions. A controller is coupled to the differential pressure transducer to measure the flow of gas based on the output of the differential pressure transducer and to control the flow of gas via a flow generator coupled to the gas flow path.

Abstract: An improved methodology and systems for delivery of breathing gas such as for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea 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: An improved methodology and systems for delivery of breathing gas such as for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea 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 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 for noninvasively determining the pulmonary capillary blood flow or cardiac output of a patient includes measurement of respiratory flow and carbon dioxide pressure of the patient's breathing. These measurements are used to calculate carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the carbon dioxide content of the patient's blood. A geometric relationship between the carbon dioxide elimination data and the data of the indicator of carbon dioxide content is determined. At least one set of the data is modified and at least one other determination of a geometric relationship between the data is made to find the most accurate data set. The data may be modified by filtering or clustering. A slope of at least a portion of the geometric relationship is then used to determine the pulmonary capillary blood flow or cardiac output of the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing a plurality of gas measurement systems, including a mainstream and a sidestream gas measurement system, to a host system via an interface unit. The present invention also pertains to a sidestream gas measurement system that output signals emulating the signals output by a mainstream gas measurement system or portion thereof, so that the sidestream gas measurement system can seamlessly communicate with a host system configured to communicate with a mainstream gas measurement system or a portion thereof.

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 system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system involves applying a gain to flow rate of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and/or expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and/or expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure treatments, such as CPAP or bi-level positive airway pressure equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.

Abstract: A compliance monitoring system and method in which a modular compliance monitor is selectively disposed in-line in a patient circuit of a pressure support system. The monitor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, each of which is selectively connectable to the patient circuit so that the flow of gas in the patient circuit also passes through a passage is provided through the housing. A sensor operatively coupled to the passage detects a parameter indicative of patient breathing. A processor disposed in the housing and receives the output of the sensor and determines, from the output of the sensor, whether the patient is breathing into the patient circuit, and outputs compliance data based on this determination.

Abstract: An improved methodology and systems for delivery of breathing gas such as for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea 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 method and apparatus for interfacing a plurality of gas measurement systems, including a mainstream and a sidestream gas measurement system, to a host system via an interface unit. The present invention also pertains to a sidestream gas measurement system that output signals emulating the signals output by a mainstream gas measurement system or portion thereof, so that the sidestream gas measurement system can seamlessly communicate with a host system configured to communicate only a mainstream gas measurement system or a portion thereof.

Abstract: An improved methodology and systems for delivery of breathing gas such as for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea 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: An airway adaptor that includes a tubular body having a first gas flow passage defined therein. A protrusion extends from an interior wall of the tubular body into the gas flow passage. The protrusion includes a distal end portion spaced apart from the interior wall of the tubular body, and a second gas flow passage defined through the protrusion. An inlet to the second gas flow passage is provided at the distal end portion of the protrusion, and an outlet of the second gas flow passage is provided at an exterior portion of the tubular body. A pair of sidewalls are disposed on the distal end portion of the protrusion. Each sidewall is generally parallel to a direction of a flow of gas through the first passage. The inlet of the second gas flow passage is disposed between the pair of sidewalls.