Abstract: Novel airway devices and methods address complications of ventilating a patient with a mask; placing an endotracheal tube in an awake patient; and need for a bite block during flexible bronchoscopy and gastroscopy. The airway device features notches for engaging maxillary and mandibular teeth in a manner protracting the patient's mandible relative to the maxilla to open up the airway. This way, an open airway is easily maintained simply by holding the jaw closed against the device with the same hand used to operate a bag ventilator. A longitudinal channel in the device features a downwardly curved end wall for improved guidance of the endoscope into position. The channel is open sided at the top or bottom to allow rolling of the airway device off the endoscope into an offset position serving as a protective bite block and allowing feeding of the endotracheal tube along the endoscope.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved visual laryngeal mask comprising a snorkel, an end of the snorkel is provided with a fixing seat. The fixing seat is provided with an airbag, and the fixing seat has a recess which is provided with an airway opening. The inner wall of the snorkel longitudinally extends an imaging cavity and a cleaning channel. The imaging cavity has a built-in imaging device, and the imaging cavity and the cleaning channel protrude forward relative to the airway opening to form a stopper which prevents an epiglottis from blocking the imaging device.

Abstract: A massaging tool includes a housing that includes a first shell member and a second shell member. The first shell member defines a first interior cavity, and the second shell member defines a second interior cavity. The housing is configurable in a first orientation where the first shell member is secured to the second shell member and a second orientation where the first shell member is decoupled from the second shell member.

Abstract: The wound dressing apparatus facilitates administration of combined negative pressure and positive pressure treatment at a wound site. The wound dressing apparatus includes a wound dome having a substantially hollow dome interior, a manifold that is in fluid communication with the dome interior, a first passage adapted to connect to a negative pressure source to the dome interior, and a second passage adapted to connect to a positive pressure source to the manifold.

Abstract: An adjustably tensioned roller massage system provides a pair of roller massage assemblies in opposed adjustable tensioned or spaced relation to allow engagement of each one of a pair of roller massage assemblies on a corresponding massageable portion of a body.

Abstract: A respiration assistance device includes a nasal respiration assisting section for supplying a gas to the nasal cavity of a living body. The nasal respiration assisting section includes: a first gas supplying portion which supplies a gas below one of the nostrils of the living body; a second gas supplying portion which supplies the gas below the other nostril of the living body; a first tube connecting portion to which a tube for supplying the gas to the first gas supplying portion is connectable; and a second tube connecting portion to which a tube for supplying the gas to the second gas supplying portion is connectable.

Abstract: A ventilator, for the automated ventilation of a patient, includes a breathing gas delivery unit, at least one volume flow sensor for detecting a volume flow of the breathing gas, at least one breathing gas sensor for detecting a carbon dioxide concentration in the breathing gas, at least one pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of the breathing gas, as well as at least one computer. The computer is configured to actuate the breathing gas delivery unit as a function of the detected pressure and of a preset desired pressure value. The computer is further configured to perform an adaptation of the desired pressure value and an adaptation of a ventilation rate as a function of the detected volume flow and as a function of the detected carbon dioxide concentration.

Abstract: A breathing filter assembly for filtering breathing air includes a breathing unit that includes a mouthpiece that can be placed in a user's mouth. The breathing unit includes a pair of nose tubes that can each be positioned in a respective one of the user's nostrils when the mouthpiece is positioned in the user's mouth. A filter is removably insertable into the breathing unit. The filter is made of an air permeable material to pass air therethrough for breathing. The filter extends into the mouthpiece and each of the nose tubes to filter air inhaled through the user's mouth or the user's nose.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for humidifying a breathing gas are presented. The system includes a source of pressurized breathing gas, a vapor transfer unit external to the source of pressurized breathing gas, a first gas tube connecting the source of pressurized breathing gas to the gas inlet of the vapor transfer unit and having a first length, a liquid supply having a heater that heats liquid, a first liquid tube coupling the liquid supply to the liquid inlet of the vapor transfer unit, and a second gas tube having a second length and connecting the gas outlet to a patient interface. The first length is greater than the second length. The vapor transfer unit includes a gas passage, a liquid passage, and a membrane separating the gas passage and the liquid passage. The membrane is positioned to transfer vapor from the liquid passage to the gas passage.

Abstract: A blower unit for use as part of an integrated blower/humidification system is described. The blower unit has an outer casing, which encloses and forms part of the blower unit, the casing including an air inlet vent. The blower unit further includes a humidifier compartment for receiving a humidifier unit with a separate gases inlet and outlet, the compartment having a heater base for heating the contents of the humidifier unit. The compartment also has a blower inlet port which aligns with the humidifier unit inlet in use, the blower providing a gases path through the casing between the inlet vent and the inlet port. The blower unit also includes a fan for providing a pressurised gases stream along the gases path, and a power supply unit for powering the fan. The gases path is routed over the power supply unit in order to provide a cooling air flow.

Abstract: A patient interface includes: a plenum chamber; a seal-forming structure; a positioning and stabilising structure; a plenum chamber insert configured to be positioned and retained within the plenum chamber; and a vent structure; wherein the plenum chamber insert has a plenum chamber insert port; wherein the plenum chamber insert has an exterior surface configured to be positioned adjacent to an interior surface of the plenum chamber; wherein when the plenum chamber insert is positioned and retained within the plenum chamber, a radial channel is formed by the interior surface of the plenum chamber and the exterior surface of the plenum chamber insert such that gas is able to pass between a patient-proximal side plenum chamber insert and a patient-distal side of the plenum chamber insert via the radial channel during use.

Abstract: A blower unit for use as part of an integrated blower/humidification system is described. The blower unit has an outer casing, which encloses and forms part of the blower unit, the casing including an air inlet vent. The blower unit further includes a humidifier compartment for receiving a humidifier unit with a separate gases inlet and outlet, the compartment having a heater base for heating the contents of the humidifier unit. The compartment also has a blower inlet port which aligns with the humidifier unit inlet in use, the blower providing a gases path through the casing between the inlet vent and the inlet port. The blower unit also includes a fan for providing a pressurised gases stream along the gases path, and a power supply unit for powering the fan. The gases path is routed over the power supply unit in order to provide a cooling air flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved percutaneous dilation tracheostomy device. The device is configured to include all of the required components to perform a percutaneous tracheotomy. The device includes a retractable needle and an extendable j-wire rather than having separate components as in typical percutaneous tracheostomy devices. The device includes a dilator section to expand the diameter of a patient's stoma. The device is further configured to allow an operator to perform a bubble test to alert the user that the tube is in the trachea. In addition, the device is generally more compact than typical emergency tracheostomy devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the integration of drug dispersion methods into a drug or medicine delivery system. The drug dispersion methods used include shear (e.g., air across a drug, with or without a gas assist), capillary flow or a venturi effect, mechanical means such as spinning, vibration, or impaction, and turbulence (e.g., using mesh screens, or restrictions in the air path). These methods of drug dispersion allow for all of the drug in the system to be released, allowing control of the dosage size. These methods also provide for drug metering, fluidization, entrainment, deaggragation and deagglomeration. The present invention also provides for the integration of a drug sealing system into the device. The drug sealing system provides a way of blocking the migration of drug from one area of the package to another.

Abstract: A vibration device is provided. The vibration device includes one or more of an aluminum tube of cylindrical disposition, with exterior and interior surfaces, a foam roller, coupled to and disposed around the exterior surface of the tube and of a similar length as the tube, a pair of end caps, coupled to each end of one or more of the tube and foam roller, a power source, disposed within the tube, and a motor, coupled to the interior surface and centrally disposed within the tube. The motor is configured to impart vibration to the tube and the foam roller in response to the motor energized by the power source.

Abstract: A method of method of high flow oxygen therapy (HFOT) and carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring includes delivering high flow oxygen therapy (HFOT) via a central lumen of a nasal cannula, the nasal cannula comprising a proximal end, a distal end positioned within a pharynx region of a patient's airway, and the central lumen and a sampling lumen formed within a wall of the nasal cannula. The method also includes receiving sampled exhaled breath of the patient via the sampling lumen at a CO2 monitor, wherein the sampling lumen is configured to sample the exhaled breath at the pharynx region through the CO2-permeable membrane and direct the sampled exhaled breath to a CO2 monitor fluidly coupled to the sampling lumen and determining a level of CO2 in the exhaled breath using the CO2 monitor.

Abstract: Aspects of various embodiments herein may be implemented as follows. An apparatus has a material shell that conforms to a user's face, and a securing portion connected to the shell that may operate to secure a filter to the user's face with the filter covering the user's nose and mouth. A securing force may be applied to the filter via the first material portion in a direction toward the user's face, thereby sealing the filter around the user's nose and mouth. Various implementations involve elastic and other material that facilitate sealing of the filter around the user's nose and mouth.

Abstract: A device is provided for delivering a predetermined volume of at least one substance within a body cavity of a subject. The device contains a) a capsule for containing the predetermined volume of substances; b) a delivery end, having at least one orifice of diameter D, for placement in proximity to the body cavity; c) a valve mechanically connectable to the capsule, having at least two configurations: (i) an active configuration in which the valve enables delivery of the substances; and (ii) an inactive configuration, in which the valve prevents delivery of the substances from the capsule to the body cavity; and d) a fluid tight chamber configured to contain predetermined volume Vgas of pressurized gas at a predetermined pressure, Pgas. The capsule further contains at least one mixing mechanism that mixes the substances and the pressurized gas after the valve is reconfigured to the active configuration.

Abstract: A nasal device for filtering breathing air includes an elongated support member, and two rounded holder members, each arranged at a respective end of the elongated support member. The holder members are adapted to be inserted into a nostril with a distal end directed into the nostril, and a proximal end adjacent the nostril openings. The holder members include a bell-shaped cross-section in at least one plane in a distal-proximal extension.

Abstract: A device for stimulating at least one cranial nerve and/or spinal nerve is described. The device includes a vibratory motor, and an earpiece, wherein the earpiece is molded substantially to fit within the external ear canal and contacting the concha of a subject's ear. A method of reducing migraine headache and trigeminal neuropathy pain is also described. The method includes positioning a vibratory earpiece within an ear of a subject, applying vibrational energy to at least a portion of the skin of at least one of the auditory canal, auricle and concha of the ear, thereby stimulating at least one sensory fiber of at least one of cranial nerve 5, cranial nerve 7, cranial nerve 9, cranial nerve 10, spinal nerve C2, and spinal nerve C3. A method to normalize breathing, normalize blood pressure, induce sleep, increase salivation, and improve vertigo, nausea, and visual dysfunction accompanying migraine is also described.