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 flow sensor is disclosed that measures a flow of fluid passing through a conduit and a flow resistive element for use in such a flow sensor. The flow sensor includes a housing having a main channel defined therethrough. A flow resistive element is disposed in the housing across the main channel. The flow resistive element includes a rigid body member having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of unobstructed, wedge-shaped, openings are defined in the body member and extend through the rigid body member. In addition, a plurality of spokes extend from a central portion of the body member to its perimeter so that each spoke separates adjacent wedge-shaped openings from one another.

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 interactive character associated with a metered dose inhaler that includes a medication dispensing canister and a canister holder. The interactive character includes a base portion adapted to be coupled to a canister such that actuation of the canister to dispense a medication requires providing an actuating force on the base portion. An interactive element is coupled to the base portion so that it that activates in a manner that is readily perceived by humans. The interactive element is actuated by an actuating system responsive to the actuating force being applied to the base portion to actuate the canister.

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 method for calibrating a pulse oximeter device and an apparatus incorporating the method and a system for utilizing the method. The method is based on modeling light propagation in tissue at two wavelengths, typically, one in the red and one in the infrared range of the spectrum. A formula is derived relating the arterial oxygen saturation to a ratio R commonly measured by standard pulse oximeters. A specific parameter is identified and utilized in the calibration of the oximeter. This parameter is formulated in terms of the DC signals measured by the pulse oximeter at the two wavelengths. An empirical method for estimating this parameter based on experimental data is also described.

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 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 method for removing motion artifacts from devices for sensing bodily parameters and apparatus and system for effecting same. The method includes analyzing segments of measured data representing bodily parameters and possibly noise from motion artifacts. Each segment of measured data may correspond to a single light signal transmitted and detected after transmission or reflection through bodily tissue. Each data segment is frequency analyzed to determine up to three candidate peaks for further analysis. Each of the up to three candidate frequencies may be filtered and various parameters associated with each of the up to three candidate frequencies are calculated. The best frequency, if one exists, is determined by arbitrating the candidate frequencies using the calculated parameters according to predefined criteria. If a best frequency is found, a pulse rate and SpO2 may be output. If a best frequency is not found, other, conventional techniques for calculating pulse rate and SpO2 may be used.

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: A patient interface device selection system that includes a database storing a plurality of sets of data. Each set of data in the plurality of sets of data is associated with a unique patient interface device or a component thereof. A patient data collection system, such as a measuring device, acquires a set of patient data that correspond to at least one characteristic of a patient. A processing system compares the acquired patient data with the plurality of sets of data, and determines the patient interface device or the component thereof that is suitable for use by such a patient based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: An interactive character associated with a metered dose inhaler that includes a medication dispensing canister and a canister holder. The interactive character includes a base portion adapted to be coupled to a canister such that actuation of the canister to dispense a medication requires providing an actuating force on the base portion. An interactive element is coupled to the base portion so that it that activates in a manner that is readily perceived by humans. The interactive element is actuated by an actuating system responsive to the actuating force being applied to the base portion to actuate the canister.

Abstract: An airway adapter suitable for use with patients having low tidal volumes, e.g., neonates, which minimizes deadspace in the airway and promotes smooth flow of gases through the adapter. The adapter includes a first portion adapted to couple to a tubular adapter, such as an endotracheal tube adapter, and a second portion adapted to couple to a ventilation tube. A longitudinally compressible member is coupled to the first portion to minimize deadspace in the adapter. A portion of the compressible member resiliently contacts and seals against a tubular adapter upon assembly of the airway adapter therewith.

Abstract: Sidestream gas sampling assembly that does not substantially degrade the waveform of expired gases. The gas sampling assembly includes a sample cell portion integrated with a filter portion for separating undesired liquid condensate from respiratory gases to be monitored. The gas sampling assembly is configured to receive expired gases through a gas sampling line, filter undesired liquid condensate from the expired gases through hydrophobic fiber elements and communicate the filtered gases to a sample chamber which is in close proximity to the filter where measurements may be taken thereof e.g., optical or infrared sensing mechanisms. The gases that are substantially free of liquid condensate are then exhausted from the sample chamber.

Abstract: A sample cell, which is a component of a gas monitoring system, includes a sample cell body and a sample cell core installed therewith. The sample cell is coupled to a sampling tube that communicates with an airway of a patient. Gas from the sampling tube passes through the sample cell such that the flow profile remains substantially undisturbed. Within the sample cell, at least one optical aperture permits radiation to be emitted, pass through the gas in the sample cell core, and detected. In this manner, measurements of the partial pressure or concentration of a gas of interest are determined.

Abstract: A patient interface having a forehead support adjustably. The forehead support assembly includes a support arm that is adjustably mounted to the mask shell, thereby allowing the adjustment of the distance between the forehead support bracket and the mask shell in order to adjust for patient's of different sizes. A forehead support bracket is pivotally connected to the support arm. The pivoting forehead support bracket is self-aligning to allow the forehead pad to remain parallel to the patient's forehead at all times, thus enhancing comfort and stability. The forehead support bracket is removable from the support arm, allowing the headgear (with support bracket attached) to be donned separately from the mask and support arm. The forehead support bracket in one embodiment has a forehead pad formed from the headgear itself.