Abstract: An insufflation apparatus and methods for using same are disclosed. The apparatus is equipped with an interactive system for administering reproducible intratracheal aerosols in a consistent automated manner. The insufflation system is useful, in particular for use with experimental animals, including mice and rats and also for treating small animals via the pulmonary route in veterinary medicinal practice.

Abstract: A system for respiratory therapy may include a nebulizer, an adaptor, and a nasal cannula. The nebulizer is operable to generate an aerosolized medicament and pass the aerosolized medicament through a nebulizer outlet port. The adaptor has a nebulizer coupling port configured to be coupled to the nebulizer outlet port. The nasal cannula is configured to provide a flow of breathing gas from a breathing gas source to the patient. The nasal cannula includes at least one nasal prong and an attachment device positioned adjacent the at least one nasal prong. The attachment device is configured to secure the adaptor outlet port adjacent an outlet of the nasal prong. A method includes securing a nasal cannula to the patient, attaching an adaptor to the nasal cannula, generating an aerosolized medicament, transferring the aerosolized medicament into the adaptor, and providing a flow of breathing gas to the patient.

Abstract: An isolation hood for respiratory treatment is disclosed. The isolation hood may include a head enclosure defining an interior volume configured to receive the head of a patient, and a neck seal configured to couple the head enclosure to a neck of the patient. The isolation hood may include an inlet port configured to be coupled to a distal end of a treatment source tube and to a first end of a treatment delivery tube, and an outlet port configured to be coupled to an inline particle filter configured to permit air to flow through the head enclosure. The neck seal and the inline particle filter are each configured to prevent viral/bacterial aerosolization outside the hood. The inlet and outlet ports may be attached to respiratory tubing and non-invasive ventilatory equipment to permit aerosol-generating procedures within the hood while preventing viral/bacterial aerosolization outside the hood.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus infer or indicate sleep stage(s) of a patient from a respiratory flow rate signal of the patient. The method may include applying a plurality of detection pathways to a signal representing a respiratory flow rate of the patient, wherein each detection pathway is configured to generate start events and end events indicating start times and end times of episodes respectively of a corresponding sleep stage, wherein each start event and each end event has a priority; and combining the start events and end events based on their priorities to produce an indication of the sleep stage of the patient. The apparatus may include a sensor configured to generate a signal representing a property of a flow of air within a patient interface; and a processor configured to implement a method of inferring a sleep stage of the patient from the signal.

Abstract: Introduced here is a face mask system having a mask enclosure that contains, or otherwise directly supports, an automated liquid-droplet dispensing mechanism (ADM) for humidification. In operation, the enclosure and ADM are compact and lightweight so that when worn by a user can be supported entirely by the user's head and neck. The enclosure can be comprised of one or more layers of breathable fabric adapted to flexibly conform to the face of a user when worn and form a cavity that is adjacent to the user's nostrils and mouth. The ADM can be comprised of a reservoir in which liquid is stored, a respiratory cycle detector, a timer and controller, and a droplet dispenser that controllably dispenses droplets of the liquid from the reservoir into the cavity for inhalation by the user.

Abstract: Liquid drug cartridges and an associated inhaler are used to deliver one more separate doses of an aerosolized liquid drug. A cartridge includes a container for storing the liquid drug, an end cap having an ejection opening, a filter element, and a piston that is repositionable relative to the container to selectively eject a volume of liquid drug from the ejection opening. The filter element filters the liquid drug prior to ejection from the ejection opening. The liquid drug cartridge can be coupled with an inhaler that includes an aerosol generator. The aerosol generator includes a vibratable membrane onto which the liquid drug is ejected. The liquid drug is aerosolized by the vibration of the membrane for inhalation by a user.

Abstract: A mask system includes a cushion adapted to seal with a face of a patient. In one form an unobtrusive full-face masks system is provided which is comfortable and has a wide fit range. The cushion may include a sealing structure and a supporting structure. The supporting structure may include gaps or spacing in a nasal bridge region (NBR) and/or a lip region (CHN).

Abstract: A supplemental gas delivery device is described for a mask assembly having at least one supplemental gas port, the at least one supplemental gas port including an aperture in communication with an interior of the mask assembly. The mask assembly may include an aperture communicating with an interior of the mask assembly, and a cannula for communicating with the supplemental gas port. The cannula is positioned to deliver supplemental gas adjacent to the patient's nares and/or mouth, to increase an efficacy of treatment for the patient by more directly applying the flow of supplemental gas to the patient's nares. An optional bridging portion may be included to provide a connection between supplemental gas port and the cannula.

Abstract: A CPAP device includes a flow generator with a blower configured to pressurize the flow of respiratory gas. A flexible face seal is positioned at an outlet end of a blower discharge path. The flexible face seal includes an aperture and a lip curling inwardly from a perimeter of the flexible face seal. A tub configured to hold a body of water and humidify the pressurized flow of respiratory gas includes a heat conducting base plate and a side wall. The side wall has a substantially flat portion that surrounds an air inlet opening. A base supports both the flow generator and the tub and includes a floor with a heater plate. A laterally positioned guide prevents the tub from being removed from the base in a vertical direction and includes a pair of C-shaped channel portions with open sides that face each other.

Abstract: A nasal cannula having sliding track mechanism, the nasal cannula has a flexible nasal prong body, the nasal prong body is combined with a rigid sliding track frame, an elastic portion of the nasal prong body is formed on the sliding track frame, an outside of the elastic portion is provided with a pair of nasal prongs; wherein two sides of the sliding track frame respectively have a track, a intake tube can be quickly combined to the nasal prong body in a sliding manner along a rigid track direction of the sliding track frame, and a gas tightness can be achieved between the nasal prong body and the intake tube, the intake tube can be quickly separated from the nasal prong body in a sliding manner along a track direction of the sliding track frame.

Abstract: A high flow therapy system for delivering heated and humidified respiratory gas to an airway of a patient includes a respiratory gas flow pathway for delivering the respiratory gas to the airway of the patient by way of a non-sealing respiratory interface; wherein flow rate of the respiratory gas is controlled by a microprocessor, a mixing area for mixing a first gas and a second gas in the respiratory gas flow pathway, a humidification area downstream of the mixing area and configured for humidifying respiratory gas in the respiratory gas flow pathway, and a heated delivery conduit for minimizing condensation of humidified respiratory gas.

Abstract: Herein disclosed are nasal inserts for treatment and/or management of various different ailments. Easy modification of the insert allows for treatment of various ailments that can readily be treated via the nose. The insert can direct air into or out of the nasal cavity and/or deliver medicinal substances and/or non-medicinal substances to the appropriate regions, thereby providing the appropriate therapeutic effect, depending on the ailment being treated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a nasal cannula is shaped to fit within a user's nares, where the nasal cannula includes at least one prong allowing high flow delivery of humidified gases and creates positive airway pressure in the patient's airway. The prongs have angled ends such that, in use, gases flowing through the prongs are directed to the user's nasal passages. The nasal cannula body is partially swivelling and preferably has a ball joint connector. In another embodiment the nasal cannula may have at least one flared end prong that preferably seals within a patient's nare.

Abstract: A mask interface for a respiratory mask, in which the mask interface comprises a resilient mask housing at least partially formed from a textile and being configured to deform under pressure from an external force, such as when being pressed against a pillow, and to substantially return to its original shape either automatically or by manipulation by a user.

Abstract: A respiratory ventilator device is described herein. The respiratory ventilator device includes an inhaled air assembly, an exhaled air assembly, and a control system operatively coupled to the inhaled air assembly and the exhaled air assembly. The inhaled air assembly is coupled to a patient respiratory circuit and configured to channel a volume of inhalation air to the patient's lungs to assist in patient inhalation. The exhaled air assembly is coupled to the patient respiratory circuit and configured to remove air from the patient's lungs to assist in a patient exhalation. The control system is configured to operate the respiratory ventilator system in an inhalation mode and an exhalation mode.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a delivery device which delivers a combination of a breathing gas and frozen ice or other particles to a patient in order to induce hypothermia. The treatment system also includes a temperature system for measuring the temperature of exhaled gases and a controller which can adjust the duration or rate at which the ice particles are delivered in order to control the patient's core temperature based on the measured exhalation gas temperature.

Abstract: A check valve can include a pressure actuator or an electromagnetic actuator. The check valve includes a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and flap disposed between the valve inlet and the valve outlet. The pressure actuator in fluid communication with the valve inlet. The check valve has an open state and a closed state. The check valve is configured to allow an input gas to flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the check valve is in the open state. The check valve is configured to preclude the input gas from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the check valve is in the closed state. Upon actuation of the pressure actuator or the electromagnetic actuator, the flap moves away from the valve inlet to allow the inlet gas to move from the valve inlet to the valve outlet.

Abstract: A positioning and stabilising structure comprising at least one gas delivery tube to receive the flow of air from a connection port on top of the patient's head and to deliver the flow of air to the entrance of the patient's airways via the seal-forming structure, the at least one gas delivery tube comprising a tube wall having an extendable concertina structure comprising a plurality of folds in the tube wall alternatingly forming a plurality of ridges and a plurality of grooves, the folds able to be at least partially unfolded to increase a separation of the ridges to elongate the extendable concertina structure; and one or more ridge connecting portions provided to the tube wall, each of the one or more ridge connecting portions connecting two or more adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges and being configured to resist the separation of the ridges.

Abstract: A patient interface is configured to deliver breathable gas to a patient. The patient interface includes a cushion configured to form a seal with the patient's face and a frame with an elongated body comprising a central bore and a circumferential channel. The circumferential channel is configured to receive a rim of the cushion. Headgear is attachable to the frame and is configured to support the cushion and the frame on the patient's head. The headgear includes a left rigidizer attached to a left front strap and a right rigidizer attached to a right front strap. The left and right rigidizers are arranged to have different flexibilities in different directions so that a stiffness of the left and right rigidizers in a first direction resist a vertical rotation of the patient interface.

Abstract: Patient information is associated with a respective ventilator device of a medical ventilator devices. Based on the ventilator data and associating the patient information, a ventilation configuration of the respective ventilator device and patient ventilation data related to a ventilation of the respective patient are determined. A current configuration of each of the plurality of medical ventilators is provided for display. In this regard, a display includes the determined ventilation configuration of the respective ventilator device and patient ventilation data of the respective patient. A control may also be displayed for changing a setting associated with the respective ventilator device and, when a change of the setting is received and implemented by the respective ventilator device, an indication of the change of the setting may be provided. Patient orientation may also be sensed and used to determine whether a setting needs to be changed or suction is needed.