Abstract: A method of providing a recruitment procedure to a patient includes monitoring at least one derecruitment event. A score is calculated for the at least one derecruitment event. A derecruitment score is aggregated. The derecruitment score is compared to a recruitment threshold. A ventilator is operated with the processor to perform a recruitment procedure. A system for providing mechanical ventilation to a patient includes a mechanical ventilator configured for pneumatic connection to a patient in order to deliver medical gas to the patient. A peripheral system is configured to provide medical assistance to the patient and the peripheral system produces a signal indicative of the operation of the peripheral system. A processor is communicatively connected to the mechanical ventilator in the peripheral system. The processor receives the signal from the peripheral system and calculates a first score from the signal.

Abstract: The invention regards a therapeutic aerosol device in which a main aerosol flow, which is generated with the help of a compressed gas and is supplied to one of the nostrils of a user, is superimposed by pressure fluctuations. The superimposition of the pressure fluctuations occurs directly at one of the two nostrils of the user. A flow resistance is provided in the other nostril.

Abstract: A therapeutic aerosol device in which an aerosol generated by a nebulising device is supplied through a nosepiece to a patient's nostril so that the main aerosol flow supplied is able to emerge from the other nostril. The main aerosol flow is superimposed by pressure fluctuations. In order to guarantee that, due to the pressure fluctuation, aerosol is transported to the paranasal sinuses, a low resistance device is provided in the other nostril.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a custom-fitted mask includes a thin sheet of deformable material that has been formed and fitted to a portion of a face surrounding the nostrils to conform substantially optimally to unique facial features. The thin sheet includes a perimeter defining only soft cartilaginous portions of the nose and portions on either side of and below the soft cartilaginous portions. and excludes hard bony portions of the nose; and an interior within the perimeter. In another embodiment, a mask blank for using in forming a custom-fitted mask includes a thin sheet of deformable material adapted to be transitioned from a non-deformable state into a deformable state, applied against a portion of a face surrounding the nostrils while the mask blank is in the deformable state, and deformed against the face to cause the mask blank to conform substantially optimally to unique facial features to form the custom-fitted mask.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalation system includes a single source of gas; a connector and an accessory having a main conduit body. A nebulizer is sealingly and removably coupled to the main conduit body. A supplemental gas inlet port is in fluid communication with the connector for introducing a flow of supplemental gas from the single gas source to the patient under select conditions. The gas from the gas source that flows to the supplemental gas inlet port passes through a flow metering member that is remote from the supplemental gas inlet port that controls the flow rate of the supplemental gas to the patient interface. The flow rate of the gas through the supplemental gas inlet port is different than a gas flow rate into the nebulizer for generating the aerosolized medication.

Abstract: The present invention includes a transient method of delivering a biological agent in a breathable liquid to a lung of a patient. The present invention includes a steady state method of delivering a biological agent in a breathable liquid to a lung of a patient. The steps of both the transient delivery method and the steady state delivery method can be controlled by a servo-control unit. A supplementary biological agent delivery step can be performed in both the transient method of delivering a biological agent and the steady state method of delivering a biological agent.

Abstract: A breathing assistance device, capable of operating according to several respiratory modes forming a list of possible modes. The device is equipped with a mechanism for selecting a desired mode from a group of modes that can be selected. The device also includes a mechanism for realising a configuration diagnostic of the device, a mechanism for associating an authorization level with each possible mode, according to the results of the diagnostic, with the lowest authorization level corresponding to unauthorised modes, a mechanism for authorizing only the selection of authorised modes, in such a way that selecting unauthorised modes is impossible.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for delivering an aerosolized medication to an infant. The apparatus includes a plaything having a fanciful image. A bore passageway extends through the plaything. The fanciful image has features attractive to an infant where one of the features includes an opening to a first end of the bore passageway. A second end of the bore passageway is adapted to be attached to a nebulizing assembly. The nebulizing assembly is adapted to deliver inhalable aerosolized medication into the bore passageway to facilitate inhalation of the medication by the infant when the opening is proximate to the nose and mouth region of the infant.

Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having a front surface and a rear surface, opposite the front surface, and adapted in use to face the patient. The frame defines an inner wall and an outer wall extending from the rear surface, the inner and outer walls being spaced to define a channel therebetween. A cushion is removably attachable to the frame such that the cushion and frame are repeatably engagable with and disengagable from one another. The cushion includes a side wall to be inserted into the channel of the frame, the side wall having a first interlocking surface that engages a second interlocking surface provided in the channel when the cushion and frame are engaged with one another. The first and second interlocking surfaces interlock with one another to removably attach the cushion to the frame.

Abstract: A medical breathing assistance apparatus (20) for supplying pressurised gases to a patient is disclosed. The breathing assistance apparatus (20) comprises a heating chamber (29) and a pressure chamber (27) both adapted to contain water, and at least one pressure adjusting means (24,25,26). The pressure chamber (27) is connected to the heating chamber (29) and the pressure adjusting means (24,25,26) is located between the heating chamber (29) and a gases supplying means (23) supplying gas to both the pressure chamber (27) and heating chamber (29). The pressure adjusting means (24,25,26) is adapted to convert pressurised gases from the gases supply means (23) to two different pressures, one to each of the heating chamber (29) and the pressure chamber (27), so that water flows from said pressure chamber (27) to the heating chamber (29).

Abstract: A ventilator device and system comprising a rotating compressor, preferably a drag compressor, which, at the beginning of each inspiratory ventilation phase, is accelerated to a sufficient speed to deliver the desired inspiratory gas flow, and is subsequently stopped or decelerated to a basal flow level to permit the expiratory ventilation phase to occur. The ventilator device is small and light weight enough to be utilized in portable applications. The ventilator device is power efficient enough to operate for extended periods of time on internal or external batteries. Also provided is an oxygen blending apparatus which utilizes solenoid valves having specific orifice sizes for blending desired amounts of oxygen into the inspiratory gas flow. Also provided is an exhalation valve having an exhalation flow transducer which incorporates a radio frequency data base to provide an attendant controller with specific calibration information for the exhalation flow transducer.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an accessory for an aerosol inhalation system includes a main conduit body having an outlet end for placement close to a mouth of a patient, and first and second leg conduits that are in fluid communication with the main conduit body. The accessory further includes a holding chamber having a first compartment and a second compartment separated from the first compartment, with the first compartment being sealingly and fluidly coupled to the one port associated with the first leg conduit and the second compartment is sealingly and fluidly coupled to a port associated with the second leg conduit. An arrangement of valves is provided for directing fluid along prescribed flow paths depending on whether the patient inhales or exhales.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalation system includes a single source of gas and a Y-connector having a first port in fluid communication with the gas source via a conduit. The system also has an accessory having a main conduit body that fluidly connected to the Y-connector via a conduit to permit gas from the single source to flow through the main conduit body. The accessory includes a patient interface conduit that delivers aerosolized medication to a mouth of the patient. A nebulizer is sealingly and removably disposed within the main conduit body and includes a gas inlet port that is fluidly connected to the Y-connector to permit gas from the single source to flow into the nebulizer to create the aerosolized medication that is delivered into the main conduit body and to the patient through the patient interface conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing positive pressure for treatment of snoring and sleep apnea are disclosed. The apparatus includes a nares seal configured to engage the nares of a patient and to direct pressurized air into the airways of the patient. The nares seal can include first and second laterally spaced delivery tubes defining a generally triangular open space between them. The delivery tubes can extend downward below the nose of a patient and curve inward and upward under the nose of the patient. A first and a second nostril tube are connected to the delivery tubes for insertion into the nares of the patient. A wire support may be provided in each of the laterally spaced delivery tubes. The nares seal may be connected to a mask support of headgear configured to be secured to the head of the patient.

Abstract: A peroral powder delivery device having a capsule holder for loading the capsule into a body is attached so as to be capable of advancing into and retracting from the inside of the body, the body has a cutter blade to make holes on both ends of the capsule as it advances into the body being held by the capsule holder, first and second air passageways having connection ports in communication with the holes in the capsule loaded in the body, the first air passageway has an inhaling port for inhaling the peroral powder in the capsule and the second air passageway has a suction valve that opens by the inhaling force from an inhaling port introduce air into the capsule.

Abstract: A bymixer device and method which provides fast-response, accurate measurements of mixed inspired and/or expired gas fractions in open or closed ventilation circuits and/or in circle circuits used in anesthesia and/or critical care. The bymixer device may include a main flow channel and a bypass flow channel. The bypass flow channel includes a flow-restrictor (e.g, an orifice) that partially blocks the flow of respiratory gas through the bypass flow channel, a mixing chamber positioned upstream of the flow restrictor and a sampling apparatus (e.g., a port for withdrawing samples of gas from said mixing chamber and/or sensor(s) positioned within the mixing chamber).

Abstract: A system to alleviate a symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a lung of a patient by providing a ventilation bypass pathway which allows air to exit the lung via the bronchus or trachea. The system includes a conduit connected by an airway connection device to an artificial opening through a wall of a region of a trachea and a bronchus external to the lung. The other end of the conduit is connected by a lung connection device to an artificial opening through a visceral membrane of the lung. An access fitting is connected to the conduit between the first end of the conduit and the second end of the conduit and allows intermittent access to the lumen from outside the patient.

Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and at least one locking clip. The frame has a main body and a side frame member provided on each lateral side of the main body, at least one of the side frame members including a locking clip receiver assembly. The at least one locking clip has a main body providing a front portion adapted to be removably coupled with the at least one locking clip receiver assembly and a rear portion adapted to be removably coupled to a headgear assembly. The rear portion includes a cross bar that forms an opening through which a strap of the headgear assembly can pass and be removably coupled with the cross bar, and the front portion includes at least one resiliently flexible spring arm that is flexible within the plane of the main body.

Abstract: An aerosol generating device includes a housing, a heater and an optional mouthpiece. The heater volatilizes liquid within a flow passage and forms an aerosol in the mouthpiece. An aerosol confinement sleeve is disposed to control the size distribution of the aerosol.

Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having a front surface and a rear surface, opposite the front surface, and adapted in use to face the patient. The frame defines an inner wall and an outer wall extending from the rear surface, the inner and outer walls being spaced to define a channel therebetween. A cushion is removably attachable to the frame such that the cushion and frame are repeatably engagable with and disengagable from one another. The cushion includes a side wall to be inserted into the channel of the frame, the side wall having a first interlocking surface that engages a second interlocking surface provided in the channel when the cushion and frame are engaged with one another. The first and second interlocking surfaces interlock with one another to removably attach the cushion to the frame.