Abstract: The present invention provides improvements in the feedback and control systems employed in the field of ventilation therapy. In particular, a system for delivering a supply of gases to a patient is described which incorporates a detachable cartridge or open tubular section (22) used to house a mechanism (11) which senses the humidity, temperature, flow and other attributes of the flowing gas. Information obtained from the sensor may be used to provide feedback to a controller (9) which controls the humidification mechanism in order to provide optimally humidified gases to a patient (1). It will be appreciated that the feedback and control system as described in the preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used in respiratory care generally or with a ventilator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sizing device for sizing an inside diameter of a lung passageway. The device includes an elongate shaft configured for positioning in the lung passageway and a sizing element at the distal end of the shaft. The sizing element defines a range of transverse dimensions that correspond to a range of transverse dimensions suitable for use with a predetermined set of bronchial isolation devices. The device is used to determine the suitability of a bronchial isolation device for use in the lung passageway prior to using a separate delivery catheter to deliver the bronchial isolation device into the lung passageway.

Abstract: A drug transfer system is adapted to transfer a powdered drug into a patient via inhalation. The drug transfer system includes a drug container or packet that removably inserts into an inhaler device. As the patient inhales from the inhaler device, the drug flows from the container, through the inhaler device, and into the patient's respiratory system. The system is adapted for ease of use without requiring the user to perform any cumbersome manipulations of the drug packet during insertion into the inhaler or during inhalation of the drug.

Abstract: A massage apparatus comprising a main body operatively engaged to one or more massage actuators with one of the massage actuators being engaged to a malleable wire capable of being bent to any orientation and retain that bent orientation relative to the main body is disclosed. A removable battery compartment having a control panel is adapted to be operatively engaged to the main body for controlling the operation of the one or more massage actuators when the removable battery compartment is operatively engaged to the main body of the massage apparatus.

Abstract: For meteredly dispensing a liquid over a period of several months from a container which can be stored over a long period of time, the need is for a container which is practically diffusion-tight and in which the liquid does not come into contact with the ambient atmosphere. The cartridge according to the invention is a three-shell container comprising a collapsible bag which contains the liquid, a container which is stable in respect of shape and a stiff metal casing. The cartridge can be releasably connected to a dispensing device. The cartridge can be provided with a micro-opening with which the time for pressure equalisation between the cartridge and the ambient atmosphere can be adjusted. The cartridge is suitable for aqueous and for alcoholic liquids which contain a pharmaceutically active substance. The liquid in the cartridge is protected from external influences. The cartridge can be used in an atomiser for producing an inhalable aerosol for the treatment of illnesses.

Abstract: A surface treatment device comprising a body, a motor disposed in the body, an applicator operably coupled to the motor, and a container coupled to the applicator via a fluid flow path, the container containing a surface treatment substance.

Abstract: A compliance monitoring system and method in which a modular compliance monitor is selectively disposed in-line in a patient circuit of a pressure support system. The monitor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, each of which is selectively connectable to the patient circuit so that the flow of gas in the patient circuit also passes through a passage is provided through the housing. A sensor operatively coupled to the passage detects a parameter indicative of patient breathing. A processor disposed in the housing and receives the output of the sensor and determines, from the output of the sensor, whether the patient is breathing into the patient circuit, and outputs compliance data based on this determination.

Abstract: A substance delivery apparatus for use with a system for supplying breathable gas to a human or animal includes a sensor to measure the pressure of the supplied breathable gas and to detect inhalation by the human or animal; and a reservoir, a conduit, a pump, and a diaphragm to deliver the substance to the human or animal during inhalation at a pressure higher than the supplied pressure of the breathable gas.

Abstract: There is provided a medicament dispenser for use with a medicament carrier having a plurality of pockets for containing medicament wherein said pockets are spaced along the length of and defined between two peelable sheets secured to each other, said dispenser having an internal mechanism for accessing said medicament contained within said medicament carrier. The internal mechanism comprises a carrier drive means; indexing means and clutch means, in communication therebetween. The clutch means comprises a gearing surface defining plural gear engagement positions; and plural gear teeth for engaging said plural gear engagement positions. The plural gear teeth are arranged such that at any one time only a single gear tooth engages a single gear engagement position.

Abstract: A suction catheter assembly, particularly adapted for neonatal use includes a distal manifold body including a rotatable connector for connection to an endotracheal tube, a ventilating port member and an ancillary catheter receiving port member. The manifold body is rotatably joined to a catheter tube seal housing. The seal housing includes an irrigation port member. A catheter tube wiper seal and a filter member are disposed in the seal housing which is joined to a suction control valve assembly by an elongated flexible sheath defining an enclosed space through which the catheter tube extends between the valve assembly and the manifold. A resilient closure member actuator and slide lock member are engageable with a closure member of the valve assembly.

Abstract: An intubation device is provided for use with a guide apparatus having a track that is adapted to be associated with an endoscope such that bending of the track is substantially decoupled from bending of the endoscope. The intubation device includes an elongated, flexible tube and a mating member attached to the tube and adapted to slidingly engage the track external of the endoscope. The intubation device further includes a tissue bolster disposed on the proximal portion of the tube and changeable between a collapsed and an expanded configuration. The tube is positionable inside the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient such that the proximal end of the tube is externalized through the gastric and abdominal walls of the patient, and wherein the tissue bolster is securable against the inner gastric wall when the tissue bolster is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A device for the controlled inhalation of therapeutic aerosols comprises means providing individual patient parameters and/or aerosol parameters for the inhalation. The aerosol doses, such as the tidal volume and the respiratory flow, are individually adjusted on the basis of these individual parameters. Thus, the inhalation device may be individually adjusted to the patient to be treated.

Abstract: A multiple lumen nasal cannula that can be used to delivery two separate supplies of gases to a patient. The multiple lumen nasal cannula includes a first lumen for delivering a first gas and a second lumen for delivering a second gas. The first lumen includes support structure that reduces the tendency of the cannula to kink and lock the delivery of gas to a patient. The cannula assembly includes a mixing chamber positioned near the patient such that the two supplies of gas are not mixed until a location approximate to delivery to the patient. The nasal cannula assembly includes a connecting device that allows the two separate supplies of gas to be correctly delivered to the two different lumens of the nasal cannula.

Abstract: A patient interface gas delivery mask having a forehead and chin support system including a forehead support, a chin support, and a system for supplying a flow of gas to a patient that incorporates such a mask, forehead support, and chin support. The forehead support includes a supporting arm which is adjustably mounted to the mask shell, thereby allowing the adjustment of the distance between the forehead support bracket and the mask shell in order to adjust for patient's of different sizes. A forehead support bracket is pivotally connected to the support arm. Likewise the chin support is also adjustably mounted to the mask shell.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a valved holding chamber suitable for use in an aerosol medication delivery system. The valved holding chamber includes a housing and a mouthpiece coupled to the housing. A one-way valve assembly is coupled to the housing, the mouthpiece, or both so that fluid flows in a first direction from the housing to the mouthpiece passes through the valve assembly but does not pass back into the housing. The valve assembly includes a conical flange disposed such that the conical flange tapers in the first direction to smooth the fluid flow in the first direction toward the patient. In a further embodiment, the mouthpiece includes an exhaust port defined in a conical collar portion of the mouthpiece, and an exhaust valve element is disposed over the exhaust port to provide a one-way flow of fluid from within the mouthpiece to ambient atmosphere via the exhaust port.

Abstract: A nasal cannula apparatus which includes one or more adjustment members which allow a wearer of the apparatus to retentively reposition the fluid supply tubing to a desired position of comfort. The ability to retentively reposition minimizes the dermal abrasion problems of the ears and other portions of the face experienced by the prolonged wearing of the nasal cannula apparatus encountered in the current art.

Abstract: A closed system suction catheter has a catheter enclosed within a flexible envelope secured between a patient end fitting and a machine end fitting. The patient end fitting has a cleaning chamber with a valve at its patient side and is normally closed so that the cleaning chamber is isolated from the patient. The valve has an outer rigid housing enclosing a one-piece elastomeric moulding of tubular shape. The elastomeric moulding has two pads projecting externally through openings in the outer housing. The elastomeric moulding also has a web extending internally across its diameter with a diametrically-extending slit aligned with the pads. A collar mounted on the housing is slidable along the housing to engage the pads so as to apply pressure across the web and open the slit, thereby allowing the catheter to be advanced to the patient.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler (1) is to be made available, with which a particle size and particle size distribution preferred for inhalation are to be achieved and by means of which as high a line particle fraction as possible is to be realized. This is achieved by means of a dry powder inhaler (1 ) that is characterized in that provided in the inhaler (1) is a nozzle (10) through which the aerosol (9) flows before leaving the inhaler (1).

Abstract: An inhalation device for transpulmonary administration comprises: a chamber (16) for containing a pharmaceutical composition which is pulverized into fine particles by an air-generated impact for dispersal in air; an air inlet flow path (2) for introducing to the chamber (16) outside air to apply the air-generated impact to the pharmaceutical composition and for injecting the outside air toward the pharmaceutical composition; an inhalation flow path (1) for inhaling the pulverized pharmaceutical composition; a housing (9) for accommodating the chamber (16), the air inlet flow path (2), and the inhalation flow path (1); a mouthpiece (10) provided at one end of the housing (9), the mouthpiece (9) being provided with a mouth-side flow path (11) which communicates with the inhalation flow path (1), and an auxiliary flow path (12).

Abstract: A process, system and device are provided for automatically recording pressure-vs.-volume curves during artificial respiration with a respirator. The inspiration pressure is increased during the supply of a breathing gas volume flow under the control of a control unit. The resulting breathing gas volume flow rate is detected and the volume is determined from the latter by integration. The control unit compares the breathing gas volume flow detected during the phase of expiration with a preselected set point and acts on an expiration valve (12) in the expiration line (8) by means of a controller in case of deviation from the set point in order to return the breathing gas volume flow to the set point.