Abstract: A valve for use in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices includes a valve body that is disposed at or between the patient mask and the source of positive airway pressure. The valve body includes first and second exhaust paths for exhausting gas from the mask. A floating valve seat is disposed in the valve body and is moveable between first and second positions. A moveable spring-biased piston is releasably engaged with the floating valve seat. When the floating valve seat is in the first position, the moveable spring-biased piston is disengaged from the valve seat and gas travels out the first exhaust flowpath. When the floating valve seat is in the second position, the moveable spring-biased piston is engaged with the valve seat and gas travels out the second exhaust flowpath. The valve provides substantially constant positive airway pressure to the patient at pressures above the threshold pressure level of the valve.

Abstract: A pulmonary drug delivery device includes a hand piece that is electrically connected to a control unit. A cartridge is engagable with the hand piece and includes a drug reservoir, a pump connected to the drug reservoir, an electrically chargeable nozzle connected to the pump, a discharge electrode, and an information storage element. The control unit controls the pump and the electrical charge of the nozzle and discharge electrode in accordance with instructions stored within the information storage element.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for delivering NO to a patient. The device utilizes a single controller that controls two separate flow controllers to deliver an oxygen-containing gas and a NO-containing gas to the patient. The flow profiles of the oxygen-containing gas and the NO-containing gas are controlled by the controller. In one aspect of the invention, the flow profile of the NO-containing gas is proportional to the flow profile of the oxygen-containing gas throughout patient inspiration. In this regard, the patient receives a steady concentration of NO. In another aspect of the invention, the flow profile of the NO-containing gas is quasi-proportional to the flow profile of the oxygen-containing gas. In this regard, the NO-containing gas flow profile is altered to provide an increased concentration of NO either at the beginning or end of inspiration. In one aspect, the delivery device is used with mechanically-ventilated patients.

Abstract: A device and method for applying positive airway pressure to a patient includes an indirect calorimetry system for measuring a patient's resting energy expenditure (REE). The device includes a breathing circuit, one end of which includes a patient interface device such as a nasal face mask. A bi-directional pump is positioned within the breathing circuit. The bi-directional pump pumps gas in a first direction during the application of positive airway pressure. The bi-directional pump reverses direction when the device is in the indirect calorimetry mode. In this IC mode, patient's expired gases are diluted and passed through an IC module containing an oxygen sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, and a flow rate sensor. The device includes a microprocessor for calculating the patient's REE based on the measured oxygen concentration, carbon dioxide concentration, and flow rate.

Abstract: A method of treating infected tissue with topical nitric oxide exposure includes the steps of providing a source of nitric oxide containing gas and delivering the nitric oxide containing gas to a skin surface containing infected tissue so as to bathe the infected tissue with nitric oxide.

Abstract: A nebulizer for delivering a drug to a patient includes an electronic control unit, a hand piece connected to the electronic control unit via a cable, and a cartridge detachably engaged with the hand piece. The electronic control unit includes a controller, a cartridge reader, a dosage storage element, and a display. The display preferably displays the drug name and the number of dosages remaining in the cartridge. The cartridge includes a head or nebulizer element for creating a fine mist or cloud of the drug in droplet form. The cartridge also includes a storage container containing a drug and a pump for pumping the drug to the nebulizer element. The cartridge also contains an information storage element for containing information regarding the drug and the drug delivery protocol for the patient. The information in the information storage element is transmitted to the electronic control unit when the cartridge is engaged with the hand piece.

Abstract: A device for the topical delivery of nitric oxide gas to an infected area of skin includes a source of nitric oxide gas, a bathing unit, a flow control valve, and a vacuum unit. The bathing unit is adapted to surround the area of the infected skin and form a substantially air-tight seal with the skin surface. The bathing unit is also in fluidic communication with the source of nitric oxide. The flow control valve is positioned downstream of the source of nitric oxide and upstream of the bathing unit. The flow control valve controls the amount of nitric oxide gas that is delivered to the bathing unit. The vacuum unit is positioned downstream of the bathing unit and is used to withdraw gas from the bathing unit. Application of nitric oxide gas to the infected area of skin reduces pathogen levels in the infected area and promotes the healing process.

Abstract: A device for the topical delivery of nitric oxide gas to an infected area of skin includes a source of nitric oxide gas, a bathing unit, a flow control valve, and a vacuum unit. The bathing unit is adapted to surround the area of the infected skin and form a substantially air-tight seal with the skin surface. The bathing unit is also in fluidic communication with the source of nitric oxide. The flow control valve is position downstream of the source of nitric oxide and upstream of the bathing unit. The flow control valve controls the amount of nitric oxide gas that is delivered to the bathing unit. The vacuum unit is positioned downstream of the bathing unit and is used to withdraw gas from the bathing unit. Application of nitric oxide gas to the infected area of skin reduces pathogen levels in the infected area and promotes the healing process.

Abstract: A device for delivering continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to an infant includes a pressurized source of gas containing oxygen, a variable flow control valve, a respiratory breathing circuit including a patient interface device at a terminal portion thereof, at least one pressure sensor disposed in the breathing circuit for measuring the airway pressure of the infant, and a controller for controlling the variable flow control valve. The pressure sensor samples the airway pressure at a high sample rate and reports information to the controller. The controller compares the measured pressure with the set-point pressure and controls the flow through the variable flow control valve to maintain a constant airway pressure through the infant's entire respiratory cycle.

Abstract: A method for detecting optimal lung volume and determining the maximum lung compliance of a patient on high frequency oscillatory ventilation includes the steps of measuring the peak-to-peak oscillatory pressures in the proximal and distal ends of an endotracheal tube positioned within the patient. The oscillatory pressure ratio is calculated from the peak-to-peak oscillatory pressures in the proximal and distal ends. The mean airway pressure of the patient is then altered. The oscillatory pressure ratio is then recalculated at the altered mean airway pressure. The mean airway pressure is repeatedly altered while additional oscillatory pressure measurements are made until the oscillatory pressure ratio is at or near its minimum value.

Abstract: A skin protection mount protects the skin surface of a subject from damage that can result from repeated attachment and detachment of transcutaneous sensors connected to the skin of a subject with adhesive. The skin protection mount preferably has a thickness of five mils or less, to provide increased flexibility and increase subject comfort. Preferably, the skin protection mount has adhesive on the side attached to the subject, and lacks adhesive on the opposite side in order to facilitate attachment to and detachment from a skin protection mount of a transcutaneous sensor having an adhesive zing with an adhesion surface. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting surface of the skin protection mount has a surface area larger than the adhesion surface to protect the subject's skin from the adhesion surface. The adhesive force between the skin protection mount and the patient is greater than the adhesive force between the skin protection mount and the adhesion surface of the adhesive ring.

Abstract: A tongue positioning device is disclosed for positioning the tongue within a user's mouth. The device includes a tongue positioning mouthpiece that includes a mouthpiece body with a center hole therein. A flange portion extends around the periphery of the mouthpiece body that forms an acoustic seal with the teeth and lips of a patient during use. A pair of bite blocks protrude from the mouthpiece body on opposing lateral sides of the center hole. A tongue bridge is fixedly secured to the bite blocks via a pair of downwardly extending arms. The tongue bridge includes a platform area where a patient's tongue is placed under when the mouthpiece is used. A cylindrical portion extends from the mouthpiece body in a direction away from the flange. An optional filter is removable from the cylindrical portion and acts as a protective barrier for viruses, bacteria, microbes, and other pathogens. The filter includes a removable filter body containing a filter media.

Abstract: An improved high frequency oscillating ventilator apparatus and method for providing an increased volume of gas flow into a patient and reducing the noise generated by the ventilator. A plurality of magnets drives a coil to produce adequate volume of flow to ventilate a larger child or an adult. Suspension elements composed of synthetic materials suspend the coil. A muffler, an air entrainment hose, and a low-voltage evacuation fan provide sound suppression.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlled flow sampling from the airway includes a mouthpiece, or a connector attached to a tube inserted in the subject's trachea, either of which is used to capture gases from the subject's airway. Attached to the mouthpiece or the connector is a total airway occlusion. A pump or vacuum source, maintained at a lower pressure than the pressure inside the airway, is connected to the total airway occlusion, pulling gas out of the airway independent of the subject's volition. The flow is maintained at a substantially constant rate chosen by the operator through control over the source of low pressure. As gases flow out of the airway, they flow through a gas analyzer which measures desired properties of the gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ventilator pressure and optimization administers fixed stepwise pressure changes to the lungs of a patient and measures the lung volume change resulting from each pressure change. Critical opening pressure, critical closing pressure, and overdistention pressure are determined by changes in lung volume corresponding to the fixed stepwise pressure changes.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter sensor apparatus which is sealed against liquid penetration during its formation by overmolding, and methods for overmolding. The pulse oximeter sensor apparatus disclosed comprises a preform first section, oximeter sensor components, and an overmolded second section bonded to the preform first section during the overmolding process to form a liquid resistant seal comprising a mechanical bond of overlapping elements.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter sensor apparatus which is sealed against liquid penetration during its formation by overmolding, and methods for overmolding. The pulse oximeter sensor apparatus disclosed comprises a preform first section, oximeter sensor components, and an overmolded second section bonded to the preform first section during the overmolding process to form a liquid resistant seal comprising a mechanical bond of overlapping elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating the transfer of an oscillating ventilator apparatus from one patient to the next, without requiring disinfection of the air pulse generating diaphragm and components, by separating the airway of the patient from the air pulse generating apparatus by a patient isolation apparatus comprising a patient isolation connection unit which mounts a flexible, fluid-impervious diaphragm in sealing relation to the ventilator housing and in adjacent relationship to the outer face of the air pulse generating apparatus, whereby no fluids emanating from the patient can contact said air pulse generating apparatus. The patient isolation apparatus may be disposed of after use with one patient, or may be disinfected and reused.

Abstract: A device and method for determining pulses in a modulated signal is disclosed. The modulated signal is processed and converted into a quantized analog type of digital data stream. The data stream is evaluated over time by considering preceeding and subsequent values in the data stream to generate a filtered wave form. By using extreme values in the filtered wave form pulse detection is accurately determined regardless of whether the modulated signal has complicating features, such as dicrotic notch, or high noise levels, or both.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oximeter for monitoring oxygen saturation of arterial blood. Light of two wavelengths is transmitted through a specimen. Detectors measure the attenuation of light through the specimen to produce two modulating data streams. The data streams are thereafter processed, evaluated, and compared to determine oxygen saturation. A novel method to process, evaluate and compare the two data streams is disclosed.