Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one post having a nasal engaging portion on about a first end thereof for delivering treatment gases to the nasal cavity of a patient. A mask having an inlet for receiving treatment gases from a fluid source and at least one receptacle for being sealably engaged with a respective one of the at least one post for delivering treatment gases from the inlet through the receptacle and into the nasal cavity of the patient is provided. The mask is configured for selective sealable engagement with the patient's mouth, patient's nose, or both the patient's mouth and the patient's nose.

Abstract: Systems and methods may include a gas source, a gas delivery circuit, and a nasal interface allowing breathing ambient air through the nasal interface. A gas flow path through the nasal interface may have a distal gas flow path opening. A nozzle may be associated with a proximal end of the nasal interface a distance from the distal end gas flow path opening. At least a portion of an entrainment port may be between the nozzle and the distal end gas flow opening. The nozzle may deliver gas into the nasal interface to create a negative pressure area in the gas flow path at the entrainment port. The nasal interface and the nozzle may create a positive pressure area between the entrainment port and the distal end gas flow path opening. Gas from the gas delivery source and air entrained through the entrainment port may increase airway pressure or lung pressure or provide ventilatory support.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a chemical oxygen generator for an emergency oxygen device, comprising an outer housing defining an interior space and comprising an outlet opening, a solid oxygen source within said interior space containing a material which is able to produce oxygen in a chemical reaction. According to embodiments of the invention, a hollow tube within said interior space is embedded in said solid oxygen source.

Abstract: The disclosed anesthesia systems provide an integrated, extendable clinical center and clinician/anesthesia office that accommodates for physical separation of clinical and clerical functions. The disclosed anesthesia systems allow for a portion of the system to be brought closer to the patient such that clinical controls can be accessed while tending to the patient airway, without compromising office space available to the clinician or crowding the patient area.

Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article (e.g., feminine care pad, sanitary napkin, tampon, etc.) is provided that employs a synergistic combination of an antimicrobial composition for inhibiting thegrowth of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, protozoa, yeast, fungi, etc.) and a pH sensor for signaling to the user when the antimicrobial composition is no longer operating at its full capacity. In this manner, the user can initially wear the article without fear of infection. After a certain period of time, the user can visually inspect the color of the pH sensor to obtain an indication of whether the antimicrobial composition is still active and effective in inhibiting microorganism growth, or whether it is time to replace or remove the article.

Abstract: An entrainment-based mechanical ventilator may be initially set to approximate the patient's spontaneous respiratory frequency, enabling the patient to entrain to the ventilator if the ventilator frequency matches the patient's spontaneous breathing frequency or is within a reasonable range from it. If the preset frequency of the ventilator is set too high or too low from the spontaneous frequency, the patient will fall out of phase and “fight” the ventilator. The ventilator phase relative to the patient's breathing effort indicates the difference between the ventilator frequency and spontaneous frequency. Based on the phase difference, a closed-loop control mechanism may continuously adjust the ventilator frequency to match the patient breathing frequency until the phase shift is within a preset limit. Patient-ventilator entrainment will occur when the ventilator frequency is within a certain range from the patient breathing frequency.

Abstract: Ventilation apparatus includes a hat having an axis of symmetry and composed of a top and sides extending down to a rim extending all around the hat. An elongated flexible panel encircles the rim. Securements secure the panel to the rim at spaced-apart locations therearound to provide a plurality of relatively long channels extending between the rim and the panel. Each channel extends parallel to the axis and is sized to slidably receive a tube. In use, a patient wears the hat and inlet and outlet tubes are retained in selected hat channels so as to stabilize a patient interface cannula connected to the tubes so that the cannula's nasal prongs remain properly positioned in the patient's nares.

Abstract: Low pressure oxygen or other breathable gas is supplied from a tank or other source to a patient or other person through a flexible plastic tube, and a safety valve system is connected between the source and the tube. The valve system includes a valve member having a tubular outlet portion and supported for axial movement within a valve body having an inlet connected to the gas source. Fluid passages are formed within the valve member and valve body, and the valve member shifts axially to an open position in response to connecting the flexible tube to the tubular outlet portion of the valve member. The valve member shifts to a closed position in response to removing the tube from the tubular outlet portion, and the supply gas holds the valve member in the closed position.

Abstract: A medicament-containing dispenser, such as an inhaler, comprises an outlet for dispensing medicament, e.g. a mouthpiece or a nasal adaptor. The dispenser also comprises a display for presenting indicia to a user. The dispenser further comprises an outlet cover movable between a first position in which it covers the outlet and a second position in which the outlet is uncovered, wherein, when the outlet cover is in the first position, indicia is visible in the display, and wherein, when the outlet cover is in the second position, indicia is out of sight to the user.

Abstract: A sealing interface includes an inner cushion and an outer sheath. The outer sheath substantially seals against the facial contours of the user. The inner cushion and the outer sheath each have a nasal bridge region, left and right cheek regions and either one of an upper lip region or a chin region. In use these regions are aligned with the corresponding nasal bridge region, left and right cheek regions and either the upper lip region or the chin region of a user. The inner cushion includes a hinged region. The hinged region is adapted to flex substantially independently of the inner cushion cheek regions.

Abstract: The subject invention provides an improved bypass circuit for use in adult and especially pediatric cardiac surgery. The auto regulating capability of this circuit design simplifies its operation and combines the benefits of both VAVD and KAVD systems while eliminating the need for multiple blood pumps. Advantageously, this system occupies less space than existing systems, requires the use of less blood, reduces the contact between blood and tubing, reduces damage to blood cells, eliminates the need for multiple blood pumps and also reduces the incidence of gaseous emboli.

Abstract: An artificial oral airway, an esophageal blocker, and a pharyngeal airway assembly are disclosed. The artificial oral airway includes a main body and an airway. The airway penetrates the main body, and the main body has a body front end. The esophageal blocker is slidably connected to the artificial oral airway and penetrates the main body to contact the esophagus of a patient. The esophageal blocker has an opening portion, an esophageal blocking portion, and a slice body. The opening portion touches the body front end, and the esophageal blocking portion is used for blocking the esophagus of the patient. The slice body is used for connecting the opening portion and the esophageal blocking portion.

Abstract: An inhaler device having an air canister with a nozzle aperture and a nozzle shaft, the nozzle shaft has a first and second end, the first end is external to the canister and the second end protrudes into the canister, wherein a lip is at the second end, a gasket sandwiched between the nozzle aperture and shaft, a gasket extension extending downwardly, a spray orifice in the shaft at the first end, an external ventilation hole in the shaft external to the canister, an internal ventilation hole in the shaft, and an air channel in the nozzle shaft fluidly connected to each spray orifice, external and internal ventilation hole, wherein the nozzle shaft can move between an open and closed position, the nozzle shaft is biased in the closed position.

Abstract: A connector is configured to be connected to a syringe assembly provided with at least one syringe having an outer cylinder with a protruding tube-shaped port, and a holder which holds the syringe. The connector includes a connector main body mountable on a container containing a medical solution; a tube-shaped fitting section protruding from the upper section of the connector main body for receiving the syringe to connect the inside of the syringe and the inside of the container when the syringe port is fitted in the fitting section; and fixing means having a lock mechanism that fixes the syringe assembly to the connector main body when the syringe port is fitted in the fitting section, an operating section to release the fixed state provided by the lock mechanism, and a push-out section that pushes out the syringe assembly when the fixing releasing operation is performed.

Abstract: An implantable drainage device is provided. The device is adapted to move body fluid from one part of the body of a patient to another part of the body.

Abstract: The female urination device assists a female in urinating from a standing position and directs the urine a suitable distance from the female. The device comprises a first end having a first opening for discharging urine and a second end having a second opening for receiving the urine. The second opening is larger than the first opening. The device further comprises a retractable tip to extend the length of the device.

Abstract: Inhalation airflow regulation devices and inhalers are disclosed. Methods of making and using inhalation airflow regulation devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus includes a filter, a motor and a blower driven by the motor. The filter is disposed ahead of the blower and the blower is configured to generate an air volume flow over the filter. A data storage unit has calibration curves for the air volume flow stored therein and the calibration curves are provided in characteristic line fields referenced to a known ambient pressure (p0, p1). Each of the characteristic line fields has a reference calibration curve referred to a predetermined operating state. A control unit is connected to the motor and the data storage unit. The control unit is configured to extrapolate one of the characteristic line fields for the operation of the motor by comparing a calibration curve ({dot over (V)}ox) for an unknown ambient pressure (px) recorded at a predetermined operating state with a reference calibration curve.

Abstract: An inhaler, particularly a powder inhaler, for administering a medicament in the form of inhalable substances, substance formulations or mixtures, with a mouthpiece (2) and a magazine that comprises a housing (3) having a plurality of cavities (32) for holding the medicament, the mouthpiece (2) being in flow connection with one of the cavities (32). The closed housing (3) has a cover (4) that covers at least one carrier (26, 27) comprising the unsealed cavities (32), the carrier (26, 27) being movable relative to the cover (4) for bringing a cavity (32) into flow connection with the mouthpiece (2).

Abstract: An air delivery device (ADD) for applying fluid pressure pulses (FPP) to the mouth cavity of a patient at a predetermined frequency according to a protocol The ADD, comprises: a) an air blower for blowing air into a pressure chamber via a first opening (inlet); b) airflow occluding means (AOM) provided in fluid communication with said pressure chamber; said AOM located between said first opening and a second opening (outlet) of said pressure chamber; c) a patient mouthpiece or Face Mask, in fluid communication with said second opening (outlet); and, d) means for controlling AOM, adapted to interrupt and release said airflow at a predetermined frequency and pressure, thereby applying said FPPs to the mouth cavity of a patient according to a predetermined protocol during operation.