Abstract: An injection system for the delivery of a gaseous substance to a patient respiratory system is described herein. The injection system includes a control unit and a valve assembly including a valve and a valve actuator allowing partial opening of the valve and controlled by the control unit. The control unit is supplied with gas flow data and controls the valve assembly so that the opening of the valve is a function to the gas flow to thereby enable the control over the concentration of the gaseous substance delivered to the patient.

Abstract: A respiratory suction catheter assembly includes a manifold supporting a rotatable swivel member for engagement with an endotracheal tube, and a seal support body disposed on a boss of the manifold opposite the part supporting the swivel for supporting a catheter tube seal and a porous filter for filtering air flowing into and out of a flexible elongated sheath enclosing the catheter tube. The sheath includes opposed tapered ends secured to the seal support body and to a boss on a suction control valve housing. The valve housing supports a tapered plug closure member engageable with a resilient actuator and a slide-lock member. Certain components, including the sheath, the seal support body, the filter, the catheter tube seal and the catheter tube may be treated with an anti-microbial agent.

Abstract: An air transfer apparatus for transferring air from a replenishment air cylinder to another air cylinder is provided. The air transfer apparatus comprises a first valve adapted to engage a replenishment air cylinder and a second valve having quick connect fittings adapted to engage one or more air cylinder fittings mounted on one or more air cylinders. A high pressure hose provides gaseous communication between the first valve and the second valve. A regulator is positioned between the first valve and the second valve. The regulator is adapted to control the air pressure in the high pressure hose between the first valve and the second valve to match the air pressure needed in one of the one or more air cylinders.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for performing pulmonary procedures, and in particular treating lung disease. A flow control element includes a valve that prevents airflow in the inhalation direction but permits airflow in the exhalation direction. The flow control element is guided to and positioned at the site by a bronchoscope that is introduced into the patient's trachea and used to view the lungs during delivery of the flow control element. The valve may include one, two or more valve elements, and it may be collapsible for easier delivery. A source of vacuum or suction may be used to increase the amount of fluid withdrawn from the lung tissue. A device for measuring hollow structures, such as bronchioles, and a device for removing a previously-placed flow control element are disclosed as well.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vent assembly suitable for use with a respiratory mask of the type used in CPAP treatment. In one embodiment the vent is made of a thin air permeable membrane. Generally, the membrane is thinner than 0.5 mm. The membrane can be made of a hydrophobic material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The membrane can also be fabricated from expanded PTFE. The expanded PTFE membrane is mounted on a polypropylene scrim. The pores of the membrane have a reference pore size of 10 to 15 microns. In an alternative embodiment, the vent assembly includes a vent constructed from stainless steel. In another embodiment the membrane has a superficial cross-sectional area of approximately 500 mm2. In another embodiment the vent assembly comprises a membrane attached to a vent frame, the vent assembly forming an insert which can be removably attached to a mask frame.

Abstract: A nasal air filtration device includes a pair of concave-convex filters, and a support structure incorporating a pair of generally annular bases for supporting the filters, and a bridge that couples the bases, to maintain them in a desired spaced-apart relation and to determine a desired angular relationship between the bases and between the associated filters. The support structure is positionable against the anterior nares to direct the filters into their corresponding nasal cavities. The support structure maintains each of the filters in spaced-apart relation to the surrounding nasal wall. In alternative embodiments, an open frame is mounted to each base and positioned between its associated filter and the nasal wall.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube that enables speech. The tube is provided with an inside tube portion to be set in a trachea, an outside tube portion connected to a ventilator, and a balloon provided on the outer circumference of the inside tube portion. The balloon is connected to the inside tube portion so that the inside and outside of the balloon cannot communicate with each other and the inside tube portion has a hole for communicating the inside of the interior of the inside tube portion with the inside of the balloon.

Abstract: There is described a wearable garment capable of supplying air to a user comprising a plurality of compartments disposed about the garment, a plurality of air storage vessels for fitting into respective ones of the compartments, an air regulator, a connector for connecting the plurality of air storage vessels to the regulator, and a breathing member connected to the regulator in fluid communication therewith, wherein the breathing member allows a user to receive air from the plurality of air storage vessels.

Abstract: A system for filling a portable cylinder with therapeutic gas, and providing therapeutic gas to a patient. Therapeutic gas delivery to a patient may be through a conserver, or may be in a continuous mode. Some embodiments of the invention may test the contents of the portable cylinder prior to filling. The specification also discloses a silent mode of operation where therapeutic gas is provided from the system by means of internal and/or external cylinders.

Abstract: A powder inhaler for administering powder by inhalation which includes: an inhaler body having an opening therein; an inhalation unit disposed in the inhaler body, the inhalation unit including an inhalation channel through which powder is in use inhaled; a dosing unit for providing a dose of powder to the inhalation channel disposed in the inhaler body so as to be rotatable about the central axis thereof, wherein the dosing unit includes a central shaft which is co-axial with the central axis of the inhaler body and has a spiral groove or protrusion on the end face thereof; and an indicating wheel for providing an indication as to the usage of the inhaler disposed in the inhaler body, the indicating wheel having a toothed periphery for engaging the spiral groove or protrusion on the shaft and being disposed such that at least a part thereof is visible through the opening and so as to be rotatable within a diametrical plane containing the central axis of the inhaler body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for washing the nasal cavities with a nebulized treatment liquid. It comprises a base body, a atomizer chamber containing a washing liquid, means for nebulizing the liquid in said chamber and dispensing the atomized liquid to the nasal cavities for washing and a chamber for collecting the return liquid and catarrhal matter from the nasal cavities. The atomizer chamber (12) and collection chamber (13) are positioned side by side above the base body, and the collection chamber communicates with a dispensing exit of the atomized liquid to the nasal cavities. The two chambers may be defined each by a respective element or by a single piece.

Abstract: A portable air temperature controlling device useful for warming air surrounding an aerosolized drug formulation. Warming the air of an aerosol makes it possible to reduce the diameter of aerosol particles produced by an aerosol generation device. Additionally, warming the air forces the diameter of the aerosol particles to be in the range required for systemic drug delivery independent of ambient conditions. Smaller particles can be more precisely targeted to different areas of the respiratory tract.

Abstract: The apparatus provides for the determination of the instantaneous phase in the respiratory cycle, subject's average respiration rate and the provision of ventilatory assistance. A microprocessor (16) receives an airflow signal from a pressure transducer (18) coupled to a port (17) at a mask (11). The microprocessor (16) controls a servo (19), that in turn controls the fan motor (20) and thus the pressure of air delivered by the blower (10). The blower (10) is coupled to a subject's mask (ii) by a conduit (12). The invention seeks to address the following goals: while the subject is awake and making substantial efforts the delivered assistance should be closely matched in phase with the subject's efforts; the machine should automatically adjust the degree of assistance to maintain at least a specified minimum ventilation without relying on the integrity of the subject's chemoreflexes; and it should continue to work correctly in the presence of large leaks.

Abstract: A face mask for filtering contaminants from the air. The face mask includes a harness for securing the mask over the nose and mouth of the wearer and a nonwoven fibrous layer attached to the harness. The nonwoven fibrous layer contains at least 40 weight percent thermally bonding fibers, where at least 10 weight percent of the fibers in the nonwoven fibrous layer are bicomponent fibers. The nonwoven fibrous layer is molded in a cup-shaped configuration and has a surface fuzz value of not less than 7.5 after being subjected to a surface fuzz abrasion test.

Abstract: A low-cost CPAP apparatus in which, upon detection of the transition from inhalation to exhalation, the blower motor is de-energized to allow it to freewheel. When the pressure in the patient mask (or whatever interface is utilized) reaches a minimum pressure level during exhalation, the motor is re-energized and its speed is controlled so to maintain the pressure at a level suitable for exhalation. Upon detection of the transition from exhalation to inhalation, the motor speed is increased to provide higher pressures in the patient mask suitable for inhalation.

Abstract: A filtering face mask that has a mask body and an exhalation valve. The mask body is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer. The exhalation valve is attached to the mask body and has a valve seat that includes a seal surface and an orifice that is circumscribed by the seal surface. The valve also has a single flexible flap that has a fixed portion and a free portion and first and second opposing ends. The first end of the single flexible flap is associated with the fixed portion of the flap so as to remain at rest during an exhalation, and the second end is associated with the free portion of the flexible flap so as to be lifted away from the seal surface during an exhalation. The second end also is located below the first end when the filtering face mask is worn on a person. The flexible flap is positioned on the valve seat such that the flap is pressed towards the seal surface in an abutting relationship therewith when a fluid is not passing through the orifice.

Abstract: A nasal dilator capable of introducing separating stresses in nasal outer wall tissues has a truss of a single body with a resilient member secured therein and a pair of spaced-apart end surfaces which, when forced toward one another from initial positions to substantially reduce direct spacing therebetween by a spacing reducing force external to said truss, results in restoring forces in the truss tending to return to the original direct spacing between the end surfaces. A resilient member, which is symmetrical with respect to a centerline of the truss that is perpendicular to the long axis of the truss, has a spring rate which continuously diminishes from the centerline to the end surfaces. An adhesive on the end surfaces adhesively engages exposed surfaces of nasal outer wall tissues sufficiently to keep the truss attached to the nasal wall surfaces while subjecting them to the restoring forces.

Abstract: A mask system for delivering air to a user includes a suspension mechanism to allow relative movement between a face-contacting cushion and a mask shell. The suspension mechanism also provides a predetermined force to the cushion that is a fiction of mask pressure, displacement of the cushion or both.

Abstract: A respirator (10) that includes a face piece (14) and a cartridge receiving structure (22) located on the face piece (14). The face piece (14) is sized to fit snugly over the nose and mouth of a person, and the filter cartridge (12) is capable of being manually snapped into engagement with the cartridge receiving structure (22). The snap-fit can be instantaneously obtained without rotational movement of the filter cartridge (12), simply by pressing the filter cartridge (12) against the receiving structure (22).

Abstract: To facilitate rapid, accurate, blind access to the larynx or esophagus such as for emergency intubation of a patient's trachea and suctioning of the hypopharynx or esophagus, a medical device (10) includes an anatomically contoured guide element (12) having a channel (22) therethrough. Guide element (12) is positioned about and atop the larynx such that the wall of the channel forms an upward continuation of the laryngeal wall. An orotracheal tube (18) advanced through the channel is guided exclusively into the larynx and trachea without substantial risk of accidental intubation of the esophagus or other areas of the hypopharynx. Tunnels (150, 160) may be provided through the guide element for blindly guiding or aiming other tubular-type members selectively into the esophagus or larynx. A tubular handle (14) or curved blade (454) is connected to the guide element (12) to blindly insert guide element (12) into the throat. Alternative embodiments (310, 350, 410, 450) of medical device (10) are also described.