Abstract: A pressure-assisted breathing system comprises a pressure-generating circuit for maintaining a positive pressure within the system, and a patient interface device coupled to a patient's respiratory system. A respiratory circuit is positioned between the pressure-generating circuit and the patient interface device and a nebulizer is coupled to the respiratory circuit.

Abstract: A delivery device for and method of delivering substance, the delivery device comprising: a delivery outlet (7) from which substance (S) is in use delivered; a gas chamber (17) containing a gas and being of reducible volume, wherein a reduction in the volume of the gas chamber (17) to a predeterminable volume acts to pressurize the contained gas to a predeterminable pressure; a seal element (11) disposed between the gas chamber (17) and the delivery outlet (7); and an opening mechanism configured, on reduction of the volume of the gas chamber to a predeterminable volume, to open the seal element (11), whereupon a gas flow from the gas chamber (17) acts to deliver substance (S) from the delivery outlet (7).

Abstract: A nasal air filtration device includes a pair of either planar or concave-convex filters, a support structure incorporating a pair of generally annular bases or sleeves for supporting the filters, and a bridge that couples the bases or sleeves to maintain them in a desired spaced-apart relation and to determine a desired angular relationship. The support structure is insertable into the nasal cavities to position the filters within corresponding nasal cavities. Flexible rims maintain the support structure and the filters in spaced-apart relation to the surrounding nasal wall. The rims conform to surrounding nasal tissue to form seals. The rims can be selectively inclined to facilitate insertion and resist accidental removal. In certain embodiments the device is combined with a filter that covers the mouth to provide an air filtration system.

Abstract: An improved endotracheal tube is provided which is adapted to optimally and safely accommodate the nasopharyngeal airway during nasopharyngeal intubation. The endotracheal tube includes a body having a nasopharyngeal section adapted to sealably enclose and contain a spirally-wound coil longitudinally therealong. The nasopharyngeal section integrally transposes into a rigid section which extends longitudinally from the nasopharyngeal section and terminates at a lower end of endotracheal tube. The nasopharyngeal section with incorporated spirally-wound coil allows for multiple positioning of nasopharyngeal section about a face of a patient, thereby minimizing pressure sores, abrasions, and ulcerations, and further allows for quick, easy, and efficient surgical access to the nasopharyngeal airway without requiring removal of the endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A system and a method for circuit compliance compensated pressure control in a patient respiratory ventilation system, having a pressure regulated feedback servo control loop, a pressure-regulated volume controller, and a patient volume observer. The patient volume observer is operative to estimate a patient volume, that is, the volume actually delivered to the patient by accounting for volume deviation or loss caused by patient circuit leakage and valve dynamics. Based on the difference between the estimated patient volume and a set tidal volume, the pressure-regulated volume controller is operative to generate and update a circuit compliance pressure compensation factor. The pressure regulated feedback servo control loop is operative to modulate the peak airway pressure based on the circuit compliance pressure compensation factor, so as to achieve the set tidal volume while maintaining a constant inspiratory time and a constant I:E ratio.

Abstract: A nasal air filtration device includes a pair of either planar or concave-convex filters, a support structure incorporating a pair of generally annular bases or sleeves for supporting the filters, and a bridge that couples the bases or sleeves to maintain them in a desired spaced-apart relation and to determine a desired angular relationship. The support structure is insertable into the nasal cavities to position the filters within corresponding nasal cavities. Flexible rims maintain the support structure and the filters in spaced-apart relation to the surrounding nasal wall. The rims conform to surrounding nasal tissue to form seals. The rims can be selectively inclined to facilitate insertion and resist accidental removal. In certain embodiments the device is combined with a filter that covers the mouth to provide an air filtration system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering combined positive and negative pressure assist ventilation to a patient, wherein a positive pressure is applied to the patient's airways to inflate the patient's lungs, a negative pressure is applied around the patient's ribcage and/or abdomen in order to reduce a load imposed by the ribcage and/or abdomen on the patient's lungs, and application of the positive and negative pressures is synchronized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for preventing biofilm formation associated with an indwelling medical device. The method involves applying nanovibrational acoustic waves to surfaces of a medical device utilizing a piezo resonator to generate the waves.

Abstract: An adjustable forehead support for a nasal mask. The present invention discloses an adjustable forehead support for a nasal or full-face mask wherein the forehead support may be adjusted for the different shapes and sizes of a facial profile. The forehead support utilizes a dual-arm system which adjusts the position of the forehead support vis-à-vis the mask and/or air flow tube. The angle of the mask to the face may be adjusted with the present invention.

Abstract: A supraglottic airway device comprising a tube and a face plate assembly slidably installed on the tube, whereby upon insertion of the tube within the airway of a patient the face plate assembly is slid distally along the tube so as to substantially seal about the mouth of the patient. The supraglottic airway device further comprises an introduction tip assembly mounted on the tube substantially opposite the face plate assembly so as to guide the device into the patient airway and an expandable foam cuff located along the tube between the face plate assembly and the tip assembly so as to seat the device within the airway. The face plate assembly may further comprise tabs for substantially sealing within the nose of the patient.

Abstract: A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient's face.

Abstract: A nasal cannula and mouthpiece assembly for delivering oxygen to a person is provided having a nasal cannula, at least two mouthpieces, two pairs of oxygen supply tubes and two sets of adjustors. Each mouthpiece has a first outer end for receiving oxygen and a second outer end with a first and second opening. The first opening delivers oxygen across lips of a mouth of the person and the second opening delivers oxygen inside the mouth from the sides. A sleeve member encloses each of the mouthpieces and positions the mouthpieces in front of the sides of the mouth. The oxygen supply tubes of the first pair deliver oxygen to the nasal cannula and those of the second pair deliver oxygen to the first pair and to the mouthpieces. The two sets of adjustors adjust the lengths of the oxygen supply tubes of the first pair and the mouthpieces to provide a desired fit of the assembly on the person.

Abstract: An adjustable mask apparatus for use in a breathing assistance system may include a housing, an adjustment arm, and a locking member. The housing may support a cushion configured to provide a seal against a patient's face. The adjustment arm may include a first end configured for attachment to a head gear, and a second end rotatably coupled to the housing to allow rotation of the adjustment arm to adjust a distance between the first end of the adjustment arm and the patient's head. The locking member may be coupled to the housing and may be configured to secure the adjustment arm in one of a plurality of predetermined rotational positions, each predetermined rotational position comprising a rotational position of the adjustment arm with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A noise-suppressing gas exhaust system for a gas delivery mask is provided. The system may include a face mask, an arm assembly, and a gas exhaust member. The face mask may be configured to interface with a subject's face. The arm assembly may be configured to support the face mask. The gas exhaust member may be coupled to the arm assembly and may include a single gas passageway extending therethrough. The gas passageway may extend from a first opening formed in a first side of the gas exhaust member to a second opening formed in a second side of the gas exhaust member. The first opening may have a cross-sectional area of about 0.01 square inches to about 0.03 square inches, and the second opening may have a substantially larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the first opening.

Abstract: Tracheal ventilation device, particularly a tracheal tube, which seals the trachea in a substantially air-tight manner. The device includes a cuff that blocks the trachea below the glottis and is traversed by a ventilation cannula. The cuff is larger in its filled, freely displaceable, unrestricted state than in its filled state positioned in the trachea. The cuff is of a flexible soft film material and lies against the trachea by means of its folds. The device is adapted to the morphology of a child's larynx and is available in finely graded sizes.

Abstract: A face mask for reducing the amount of microbes to which a wearer is exposed is provided. The face mask includes a body portion that has an outer layer that has been treated with a germicidal agent in an effective amount. The layer may be a nonwoven fabric like a spunbond, meltblown or coform layer and may be a laminate of such layers. The face mask having such a germicidal treatment can result in a reduction in microbial activity as compared to another face mask, identical but for the germicidal agent.

Abstract: A conventional respiratory nebulizer has an emergency medication dose storage system conveniently useable in an emergency to deliver the stored medication dose directly to the nebulizing chamber quickly, reliably, and with a single impulse of manual force to a simple mechanical delivery system, thereby making the nebulizer useable in two steps: (a) opening the medication capsule with a simple opening action; and (b) inhaling the nebulized medication. The nebulizer can be operated without disassembling the nebulizer housing so as to expose the nebulizing chamber and without manually opening the liquid medication container and, without spillage and without manual pouring of the liquid medication directly into the nebulizing chamber, and without reassembling the nebulizer housing before positioning the inhaler mouthpiece in the mouth so as to inhale the nebulized medication.

Abstract: A nasal cannula comprising a hollow main body having opposed first and second openings formed therein and the main body defining an internal chamber. A partition divides the internal chamber into first and second flow compartments. A flow passageway of a first nasal prong communicates with the first compartment and a flow passageway of the first mouth piece communicates with the first compartment to define a first flow passageway which communicates with both a first nostril and a mouth of the patient. A flow passageway of a second nasal prong communicates with the second compartment and a flow passageway of the second mouth piece communicates with the first compartment to define a second flow passageway which communicates with both a second nostril and the mouth of the patient.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a gas delivery mask is provided. The system may include a first housing portion, a first rim flexibly coupled to the first housing portion by a flexible member, a second housing portion coupled to the first housing portion, a second rim associated with the second housing portion, and a ball rotatably disposed between the first and second rims and having a gas passageway extending therethrough. The ball may be maintained in contact with both the first and second rims by a resiliency of the flexible member.

Abstract: A dispenser (1) comprises a can (2) and body (3). The can is an aluminum extrusion with a valve crimped into its mouth, the valve having an outlet spout (4). The crimped region (5) of the can surrounding the valve has a lesser diameter than the can has through the main part (6) of its length. The body has a mouthpiece (11) with a pivotal cover (12) drivingly connected to a cam (13). This bears on the underside of junction member (14), into a socket (15) of which the spout 4 fits. A breath actuated dose release mechanism (16) is provided. The body has a tubular section (7) for receiving the necked down region (5) of the can. A printed paper label (21) is wrapped around the joint between the body and the can to unite the can to the body in position such that when the cover is opened, a dose is dispensed by the cam (13) lifting the junction member and depressing the spout.