Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing condensation in a respiratory circuit during a delivery of humidifying agent into the respiratory circuit. A first amount of humidification agent to a first volume of gas is delivered to a patient respiratory circuit during a patient inhalation cycle or immediately after a patient exhalation cycle, and the humidification agent or the first volume of gas is heated. Condensation is removed from the respiratory circuit at least in part by providing, during a patient exhalation cycle or immediately after a patient inhalation cycle, a second amount of the humidification agent to a second volume of gas being delivered from the gas source to the patient respiratory circuit, the second amount of the humidification agent being significantly less than the first amount of the humidification agent.

Abstract: Breath-actuated nebulizers for delivering medicine are provided, including an outlet port; an opening; and a medicine cup coupled to the opening through a venturi tube. The medicine cup receives a medicine to be delivered through the outlet port, and is coupled to the outlet port. Some embodiments include a jet nozzle coupled to a pressurized gas source and protruding into the medicine cup, and a sleeve in the medicine cup fluidically coupling the venturi tube to the medicine cup and forming a capillary volume with the jet nozzle. In some embodiments, a rib supports a diverter disposed above a nozzle tip to form a radial flow of the pressurized gas away from a nozzle axis. Also provided is a method for manufacturing and using the above nebulizer.

Abstract: A resuscitator has a patient airway interface device, a bag, a fluid passage coupled between the bag and patient airway interface device, and a sensor module. The patient airway interface device may be a mask or an endotracheal tube. The sensor module can have a display, at least one sensor coupled to the flow passage and configured to provide a measurement of at least one parameter, and a processor coupled to the display and the at least one sensor. The processor is configured to receive the measurement from the sensor and provide information on the display based on the received measurement. The information may include a current breath rate, a pressure-vs-time curve, and guidance to the user to assist in achieving a target breath rate.

Abstract: A fluid trap is disclosed herein. The fluid trap has a tube connector defining a first interior passageway and a second interior passageway. The tube connector is adapted for connection with a dual lumen tube such that the first interior passageway is in fluid communication with one of the dual lumen and the second interior passageway is in fluid communication with the other of the dual lumen. The fluid trap also includes a reservoir operatively connected to the tube connector. The reservoir is in fluid communication with only one of the interior passageways, and is configured to retain fluid from that passageway.

Abstract: A fluid tube is disclosed herein. The breathing circuit tube has a wall which comprises a hollow geometry. The wall defines a passageway with a central longitudinal axis therethrough. The wall is expandable and contractible to adjust a diameter and a length of the passageway. The wall includes a partition and one or more corrugations that expand and contract to adjust the diameter and length of the passageway. The corrugations extend between terminal end portions of the wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing condensed humidifying agent in a humidification system by pulsing a delivery of humidifying agent into a respiratory circuit. During a non-pulsed interval, gas flowing through the respiratory circuit will evaporate the condensed humidifying agent present in the respiratory circuit. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for delivering humidified gas to a patient, wherein the delivery avoids the problems associated with a stationary water humidifier. In the method, the delivery of humidifying agent is precisely controlled to deliver a flow of humidifying agent to a volume of gas.

Abstract: An infant nasal interface mask for use with a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) system including a mask body and a base. The mask body forms a cavity and is defined by a leading portion, an intermediate shell portion, and a trailing portion. The leading portion terminates in a leading edge forming an aperture open to the cavity and having a generally triangular shape for placement over a patient's nose. The trailing portion includes a bellows segment characterized by an increased flexibility as compared to a flexibility of the intermediate shell portion. The base extends from the trailing portion opposite the leading portion and forms at least one longitudinal passage extending through a thickness of the base and fluidly connected to the cavity. The intermediate shell portion is laterally pivotable relative to the base via the bellows segment.

Abstract: An exemplary suction catheter adaptor includes an adaptor body having a passageway between a proximal end and a distal end of the adaptor body. The proximal end of the adaptor body receives an instrument and, when coupled with an airway adaptor having a valve within a passageway between a proximal end and a distal end of the airway adaptor, the distal end of the adaptor body deflects the valve to permit the instrument to be advanced or retracted through the valve. A seal within the passageway of the adaptor body is biased to engage the valve during advancement of an instrument toward the valve, and the seal is disengaged when the instrument is retracted away from the valve. The valve, when not engaged, occludes the passageway between a proximal end and a distal end of the airway adaptor.

Abstract: Airway adapters and suction catheter systems, and methods of using the same, are described herein. An exemplary airway adapter assembly may comprise a connector body portion having a first end and a second end. The connector body portion may define an elongate cavity having an axial center between the first and the second end. The exemplary airway adapter assembly may also comprise a valve coupled to the second end of the connector body. The exemplary airway adapter assembly may also comprise a ventilation base member comprising a tubular portion coupled to the second end of the connector body portion and ventilator port. The ventilator port may comprises a conduit having a first conduit end and a second conduit end, and the first conduit end may be coupled to the tubular portion through an articulable connection. An exemplary closed suction catheter system may comprise a suction control valve assembly and a closed suction catheter sheath.

Abstract: A patient warming device with patient access for maintaining normothermia and/or treating hypothermia is provided. The device includes a first compliant layer and a second compliant layer sealed together around an outer border to contain a liquid between the two layers and to form a wrap that surrounds and conforms to a body portion of a patient. A plurality of flaps extends from opposite sides of a generally longitudinal central portion of the wrap, such that one or more flaps from the opposite sides fasten to each other to surround the body portion. The flaps are openable during functional use to provide access to an underlying patient body surface. A continuous fluid flow path extends between the first compliant layer and the second compliant layer between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet to carry liquid and deliver heat through the wrap.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly includes a housing that defines an inlet port and an outlet port. A jet pump receives pressurized gas flow from the inlet port and delivers the gas flow to the outlet port. A nebulizer is fluidly coupled to the outlet port and positioned to introduce medication into the gas flow and deliver medicated gas flow to a patient.

Abstract: A nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) device having a hollow body with a proximal wall, a distal wall, and an exhaust port extending through the distal wall. A proximal tubular member extends through the proximal wall of the body and is arranged such that a stream of gas entering the body through the proximal tubular member will exit the proximal tubular member in a first direction and then enter the exhaust port. A nozzle extends through the body and is arranged such that a stream of gas entering the body through the nozzle will exit the nozzle and then enter the proximal tubular member in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A method for reducing a loss of medication from a nebulizer includes the steps of entraining a liquid medication into a first flow of a pressurized gas into a nebulizer chamber and also entraining an additional amount of the liquid medication into a second flow of ambient air drawn into the nebulizer chamber through an opening when a patient inhales through the nebulizer chamber. When the patient exhales, a portion of the exhaled breath is directed into the outlet of the nebulizer chamber, thereby increasing a backpressure within the outlet and substantially stopping the second flow of ambient air into the nebulizer chamber, thereby decreasing the amount of medication lost to the ambient environment while the patient is not inhaling.

Abstract: A resuscitator has a patient airway interface device, a bag, a flow passage coupled between the bag and patient airway interface device, and a sensor assembly. The patient airway interface device may be a mask or an endotracheal tube. The sensor assembly has a display, at least one sensor coupled to the flow passage and configured to provide a measurement of at least one parameter, and a processor coupled to the display and the at least one sensor. The processor is configured to receive the measurement from the sensor and provide information on the display based on the received measurement. The information may include a current breath rate, a pressure-vs-time curve, and guidance to the user to assist in achieving a target breath rate.

Abstract: A fluid trap is disclosed herein. The fluid trap has a tube connector defining a first interior passageway and a second interior passageway. The tube connector is adapted for connection with a dual lumen tube such that the first interior passageway is in fluid communication with one of the dual lumen and the second interior passageway is in fluid communication with the other of the dual lumen. The fluid trap also includes a reservoir operatively connected to the tube connector. The reservoir is in fluid communication with only one of the interior passageways, and is configured to retain fluid from that passageway.

Abstract: A fluid tube is disclosed herein. The breathing circuit tube has a wall which comprises a hollow geometry. The wall defines a passageway with a central longitudinal axis therethrough. The wall is expandable and contractible to adjust a diameter and a length of the passageway. The wall includes one or more corrugations that expand and contract to adjust the diameter and length of the passageway. The corrugations extend between terminal end portions of the wall.