Abstract: A pressure support device implements compensation for variations in air density of its operating environment. A pressurized flow of breathable gas is generated for delivery to the airway of a subject. One or more parameters associated with the ambient environment of the pressure support device are determined. These parameters can include one or more of an ambient barometric air pressure, an ambient air temperature, or ambient air humidity. In some embodiments, one or more assumed parameters associated with the ambient environment of the pressure support device are determined based on typical sleeping conditions of the subject. An ambient air density of the ambient environment of the pressure support device is estimated based on one or more of the parameters and/or assumed parameters. A flow rate of the pressurized flow of breathable gas is adjusted based on the estimated ambient air density of the ambient environment of the pressure support device.

Abstract: The invention provides improved medical devices, therapeutic treatment systems, and treatment methods for treatment of the lung. A lung volume reduction system includes an implantable device having an elongate body that is sized and shaped for delivery via the airway system to a lung airway of a patient. The implant is inserted and positioned while the implant is in a delivery configuration, and is reconfigured to a deployed configuration so as to locally compress adjacent tissue of the lung, with portions of the elongate body generally moving laterally within the airway so as to laterally compress lung tissue. A plurality of such implants will often be used to treat a lung of a patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating long term sensitivity drift of catalytic type electrochemical gas sensors used in systems for delivering therapeutic nitric oxide (NO) gas to a patient by compensating for drift that may be specific to the sensors. In at least some instances, the long term sensitivity drift of catalytic type electrochemical gas sensors can be addressed using calibration schedules, which can factor in the absolute change in set dose of NO being delivered to the patient that can drive one or more baseline calibrations. The calibration schedules can reduce the amount of times the sensor goes offline. Systems and methods may factor in actions occurring at the delivery system and/or aspects of the surrounding environment, prior to performing a baseline calibration, and may postpone the calibration and/or rejected using the sensor's output for the calibration.

Abstract: An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly, a headgear assembly and a connection port assembly. The mask assembly comprises a seal member that has an upper portion movably connected to an integrated lower portion, wherein the upper portion rolls during hinging movement of the upper portion relative to the lower portion. The headgear assembly allows connection to the mask assembly in a direction substantially normal to a direction of strap tension. The connection port assembly includes a swivel elbow with a valve member that controls flow through a port that opens toward the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule for receiving a preferably powdered pharmaceutical preparation and an inhaler in which, for inhalation, the preparation is expelled from the capsule through at least one hole. A capsule according to the invention comprises as capsule elements a capsule cap and a capsule body, at least one of which comprises at least one prefabricated hole. Systems according to the invention comprising inhalers and capsules are described, in which the prefabricated hole in the capsule is sealed off in the transporting state of the system and is open in the usage state. The hole is exposed by actuation of a pushing or pulling mechanism. Prior to this the hole is closed off by part of the capsule itself or by a capsule receptacle belonging to the inhaler. In one embodiment the capsule may be present in two different states, for example in different insertion positions of the capsule elements. In the first state the prefabricated hole is closed off and in the second it is exposed.

Abstract: A delivery device is provided which has a container containing a dose of a powder, a chamber adapted to receive the container, at least one gas inlet by which gas may enter the chamber, and at least one gas outlet by which gas and entrained powder may exit the chamber for inhalation. The delivery device has a pre-use configuration in which the container is accommodated, at least partially, within a storage enclosure in a wall of the chamber. The delivery device has a deployment member adapted to put the delivery device in an operative configuration by displacing the container from the storage enclosure into the chamber, such that the container is movable within the chamber, in use, the deployment member being adapted to at least partially occupy the storage enclosure in the operative configuration.

Abstract: A device for providing positive expiratory pressure therapy to a patient wherein exhaled air is at a comparatively higher pressure than atmospheric pressure, said device including a container to hold liquid, an air inlet means to allow entry of air into the container and an air outlet to allow air to vent from the container. The air inlet means includes a conduit to discharge the exhaled air. The conduit is fixed in position so that the exhaled air is discharged at or substantially adjacent the base of the container. In use liquid is introduced into the container to a predetermined level and the bottom of the conduit is below the predetermined level of liquid to provide a desired level of positive pressure and the air outlet is above the predetermined level of liquid.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a frame member and a cushion having a main body, a sealing portion, and first and second posts extending from the main body. The frame member defines a first orifice and a second orifice. The first post of the cushion is rotateably received within the first orifice and the second post is rotateably received within the second orifice in a manner that permits the cushion to rotate relative to the frame member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing respiratory therapy with varying flow rates are disclosed. A system comprises a source of breathing gas, a patient interface, and a flow control device. The flow control device is configured to automatically change a rate of the flow of breathing gas. The flow control device may vary the rate of the flow of breathing gas at a frequency slower than a frequency of breathing of the patient. A method comprises coupling a patient interface to the patient, providing the flow of breathing gas to an inlet port of the patient interface, and automatically changing a rate of the flow of breathing gas with a flow control device in communication with the flow of breathing gas. The method may also comprise varying the rate of the flow of breathing gas at a frequency slower than a frequency of breathing of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture through tissue to a vessel includes an elongate occlusion member including an expandable member, a cartridge carried on the occlusion member, and a sealant carried within the cartridge. The cartridge includes an outer member and a pusher member within the outer member. The sealant is disposed within the outer member adjacent the expandable member distal to the pusher member. During use, the occlusion member is introduced into a puncture until the expandable member and the sealant extend from the puncture into the vessel. The expandable member is expanded, and withdrawn until the expanded expandable member contacts the vessel wall, thereby withdrawing the sealant back into the puncture. The outer member is withdrawn to expose the sealant within the puncture, while the pusher member prevents removal of the sealant, and then the cartridge, occlusion member, and pusher member are successively removed.

Abstract: The systems and methods include providing, displaying, and/or utilizing leak estimation during ventilation of a patient with a ventilator. The systems and methods include providing, displaying, and/or utilizing internal leak estimation, total leak estimation, and/or external leak estimation during ventilation of a patient with a ventilator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements made in the blister advancement mechanism of dry powder inhaler devices. A dry powder inhaler device mechanism comprising an actuator plate and a transmission wheel is provided.

Abstract: A respiratory apparatus may employ ultrasonic welds. The ultrasonic welding may be used to join a variety of headgear, mask and accessory components. This process may enhance comfort, fit and/or performance of the joined components and/or overall mask assembly. A component may be a single layer component such as a textile or fabric, or a composite or multiple layer component such as fabric and foam composites, or outer fabric layers and inner spacer fabrics. Further, a component may be a strap, some other headgear component, a mask component, an accessory component or the like.

Abstract: It is discloses a patient interface 3000 comprising a seal forming portion 11, a pad 10, and a cushion 20. The seal forming portion 11 may comprise a base surface 111 and a plurality of fibers 112 fixed to and extending away from said base surface 111 for contacting a patient's skin. The cushion 20 may comprise at least along a portion of the circumference a first structure 22 having an elongate section 24 joined with at least one end section 26 oriented substantially perpendicular or at an angle to the elongate section 24. A first end A of the elongate section 24 may be connected or connectable to a frame member 30. The end section 26 may be provided at an opposing second end B of the elongate section 24. The pad 10 may comprise a resilient foam material layer with the seal forming portion 11. The pad 10 may be adapted to be connected to the cushion 20.

Abstract: A system and a method for generating a respirable dry powder aerosol (15) from a liquid solution or liquid suspension at a respirable dry powder aerosol volume flow (91). A liquid aerosol generating nozzle (3) generates from the liquid solution or liquid suspension a liquid aerosol (13) that is diluted by dilution gas (4) and dried in a cylindrical evaporation chamber (6) to generate a dry powder aerosol (14) that is subsequently concentrated by a cylindrical single linear slit aerosol concentrator (9). The system and method may include heliox as a gas, specifically dilution gas (4), for enhancing both the drying process in the cylindrical evaporation chamber (6) and for enhancing the concentration efficiency, but also as a nozzle gas (2) for enhancing generating the liquid aerosol (13) from the liquid solution or liquid suspension.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for leaks in a ventilation system based on data obtained during periods within a breath in which the patient is neither inhaling nor exhaling. The methods and systems described herein more accurately and quickly identify changes in leakage. This information is then to estimate leakage later in the same breath or in subsequent breaths to calculate a more accurate estimate of instantaneous leakage based on current conditions. The estimated leakage is then used to compensate for the leak flow rates, reduce the patient's work of breathing and increase the patient's comfort (patient-ventilator breath phase transition synchrony).

Abstract: An epidural space is cleared of fat and scar tissue in preparation for implantation of a medical lead by utilizing a clearing tool. The clearing tool has multiple links that allow the creation of a deflection angle. A wire passes through the links and once the links are positioned with the desired deflection angle, tension is placed on the wire to lock the links into the current position. The clearing tool is inserted through a window into the epidural space, and once the tension is applied to the wire, the clearing tool becomes rigid to allow advancement of the clearing tool within the epidural space. The clearing tool is then removed from the epidural space, and the medical lead is inserted through the window and cleared epidural space until reaching the target site.

Abstract: A blower includes a housing including an inlet and an outlet, a stationary component provided to the housing, an impeller positioned between the inlet of the housing and the stationary component, and a motor adapted to drive the impeller. The stationary component includes a tube portion structured to retain and align a pair of bearings that rotatably support a rotor to which the impeller is coupled. The tube portion includes a diameter in a side closest to the impeller that is sufficient size to accommodate adhesive to retain one of the bearings.

Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin, oxyntomodulin and glucagon-like peptide.

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a nebulizer, the method comprising controlling an actuator in the nebulizer to operate in a pulsed operation mode; measuring the sound produced by the nebulizer during operation; and using the measurement of the sound as an indication of the performance of the nebulizer. A control unit for a nebulizer that is configured to perform this method is also described.