Abstract: A patient interface for communicating fluids to and/or from a patient's nasal cavity and/or oral cavity is disclosed. In addition, a patient interface for fluid and physiological function monitoring proximate to the patient's nasal cavity and/or oral cavity is disclosed. An apnea monitor and a method for monitoring apnea are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a ventilator that delivers a flow of gas to an airway of a user, and to communicate a flow of gas from the airway of the user in a controlled manner. The ventilator includes a conduit (1, 3) that carries a flow of gas from the airway of a patient, a first valve (7) coupled to the conduit and adapted to control a pressure or rate of the flow of gas exhausted from the conduit, a first sensor (10) coupled to the conduit and adapted to monitor a pressure of the gas in the conduit, and a controller (12) adapted to control the first valve based on an output of the first sensor. A restrictor (8) is provided in the conduit between the pressure sensor and the patient such that a first volume is defined in the conduit between the first valve and the restrictor and a second volume is defined in the conduit between the patient and the restrictor. The controller controls actuation of the first valve based on a pressure of the first volume monitored by the first sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The system monitors a characteristic that varies based on variations of the flow of the breathing gas and determines a Target Flow for the gas to be delivered to the patient based on the monitored characteristic. The Target Flow is set to a level sufficient to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration or a sleep disordered breathing event. The system also alters the Target Flow based on a determination that the patient is experiencing a sleep disordered breathing event. The system further determines a pressure relief component and controls the flow of gas delivered to the patient based on the Target Flow and the pressure relief component.

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.

Abstract: An exhaust port assembly adapted for delivering a breathing gas to a patient. The exhaust port assembly includes a body and a mechanism associated with the body. The mechanism, in response to a motive force, is structured to control the direction of a flow of exhaust gas discharged through at least some of a number of exhaust ports. A system and method are also provided.

Abstract: A bi-level pressure support system and method of treating disordered breathing that optimizes the pressure delivered to the patient during inspiration and expiration to treat the disordered breathing while minimizing the delivered pressure for patient comfort. The pressure generating system generates a flow of breathing gas at an inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) during inspiration and at an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) during expirations. A controller monitor at least one of the following conditions: (1) snoring, (2) apneas, (3) hypopneas, or (4) a big leak in the pressure support system and adjusts the IPAP and the EPAP based on the occurrence of any one of these conditions.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly that includes a patient interface device having a first fastening element and a second fastening element and a headgear for attaching the patient interface device to a head of a user. The headgear includes a headgear member having a first headgear attachment portion and a second headgear attachment portion, and an attaching mechanism coupling the first headgear attachment portion to the first fastening element and coupling the second headgear attachment portion to the second fastening element. One adjustment of the attaching mechanism controls a tension in the connection between both (i) the first headgear attachment portion and the first fastening element and (ii) the second headgear attachment portion and the second fastening element simultaneously.

Abstract: A forehead pad including a coupling portion for attachment to a forehead support member, and a contact portion for contacting a patient's forehead. The contact portion includes a contact portion shell formed as an outer wall, which defines a single, continuous inner cavity. The contact portion shell is formed from a substantially deformable material, such that the wall of the contact portion shell is deformable and deflectable upon contact with the patient's forehead. The continuous inner cavity does not include any support structure positioned within the cavity. A forehead support assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of indicating the reliability of an end-tidal gas value that includes measuring a plurality of gas concentration values, measuring a plurality of ventilation values, determining an end-tidal gas value from the gas concentration values, determining the degree of ventilatory stability from the ventilation values, and providing an estimate of reliability of the end-tidal gas values using the degree of ventilatory stability.

Abstract: A multi-chamber canister for a pressure swing absorption system within a general housing assembly. The chambers include a first molecular sieve chamber for receiving a first molecular sieve for separating air from the ambient environment into a concentrated gas and at least a second molecular sieve chamber disposed within the housing assembly for receiving a second molecular sieve for separating air from the ambient environment into a concentrated gas component. Furthermore, a supply chamber is disposed within the housing for receiving air from the ambient environment and for communicating air to either first or second molecular sieve chambers.

Abstract: A method of operating a ventilator assembly having inhalation and exhalation passages communicating with one another, and a respiration assembly that can perform repetitive respiratory cycles. The method includes (a) repetitively cycling the respiration assembly so that during the inhalation phase, gas in the inhalation passage flows to the patient, and during the exhalation phase, an exhalation valve is maintained relatively closed and the exhaled gases flow pass the vocal cords and out of the mouth thereby facilitating the patient's ability to speak, (c) monitoring the pressure within at least one of the passages during the exhalation phase, and (d) determining whether a circuit disconnect or an occlusion exists based on the pressure monitoring.

Abstract: A patient interface for communicating fluids to and/or from a patient's nasal cavity and/or oral cavity is disclosed. In addition, a patient interface for fluid and physiological function monitoring proximate to the patient's nasal cavity and/or oral cavity is disclosed. An apnea monitor and a method for monitoring apnea are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system that provides a flow of gas to an airway of a user that includes a source of gas, a conduit that carries the flow of gas to the airway of a patient, a first valve that controls a pressure, flow, or volume, of the flow of gas, a pressure sensor coupled to the conduit between the valve and the patient that monitors a pressure of the gas in the conduit, and a controller that controls the valve based on an output of the pressure sensor. A restrictor is provided in the conduit between the pressure sensor and the patient that divides the fluid delivery system with a first smaller volume in the conduit between the valve and the restrictor and a second larger volume between the patient and the restrictor. The system controls the pressure, flow, or volume relative to the first volume.

Abstract: A liquefied gas storage/delivery system and method that includes a liquefied gas storage system. The liquefied gas storage system includes a housing containing a storage vessel suited to contain a supply of liquefied gas, such as liquid oxygen (LOX). A rotatable turntable is provided on an exterior surface of the housing. An interface shaped to match the shape of at least a portion of a portable liquid storage/delivery device is provide in or on the turntable. A connector is disposed in the interface that couples to a corresponding connector on the portable liquid storage/delivery device. The two connectors are coupled by placing the portable liquid storage/delivery device in the interface and rotating the turntable.

Abstract: The present system is an adsorption system (100) for separating air into a concentrated gas component, which has an air supply, a compressor (115) for receiving and compressing the air supply, providing a compressed air supply, and molecular sieve material for separating the compressed air supply into a concentrated gas component. The adsorption system delivers at least 5 liters per minute (LPM) of concentrated gas component from the molecular sieve material in which the system has a specific total weight per LPM<9 lbs/LPM. Additionally, an output quantity of the concentrated gas is delivered by the adsorption system and a purging quantity of the concentrated gas is dispensed into a sieve chamber of the adsorption system undergoing a purge cycle. The purging quantity has a value equal to or less than the difference between the maximum quantity and the output quantity, and the purging quantity is controlled based on the output quantity.

Abstract: A bi-level pressure support system and method of treating disordered breathing that optimizes the pressure delivered to the patient during inspiration and expiration to treat the disordered breathing while minimizing the delivered pressure for patient comfort. The pressure generating system generates a flow of breathing gas at an inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) during inspiration and at an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) during expirations. A controller monitor at least one of the following conditions: (1) snoring, (2) apneas, (3) hypopneas, or (4) a big leak in the pressure support system and adjusts the IPAP and the EPAP based on the occurrence of any one of these conditions.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly that includes a patient interface device, a headgear, and pivoting coupling member joining the interface device to a headgear assembly. In one embodiment, a spring biases the patient interface device against the patient's face when in use. In a further embodiment, the patient interface device is a nasal cushion that includes a formable support mounted to the nasal cushion for providing support and adjustment of the nasal cushion to improve fit and comfort. The headgear assembly in one embodiment is a semi-rigid, minimal contact harness assembly and includes an adjustment assembly that allows for a simultaneous adjustment of multiple straps. In a further embodiment, a pair of rigid connecting members couple the patient interface device to the headgear.

Abstract: A seal and a mask using a seal that includes a first end portion adapted to be coupled to a seal support, a second end portion adapted for sealing engagement with a face of a user, and a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first end portion, second end portion, sidewall, or any combination thereof is formed from an elastomeric material having an elongation of at least 1000%. The seal preferably formed from a unitary piece of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly that includes a substantially rigid support and a patient interface device coupled to a first end of the support. A first arm is coupled to a first side of the support and a second arm is coupled to a second side of the support. A cross member spans between the first arm and the second arm such that the cross member is disposed under a patient's mandible when the patient interface assembly is worn by a user. An addition, a conduit is coupled to a second end of the support.