Abstract: Provided is an endotracheal tube, which comprises a baffle, an endotracheal tube body and a pharyngeal suction catheter and is integrally formed. The pharyngeal suction catheter is fixedly connected with an outer wall of the endotracheal tube body. One end of the pharyngeal suction catheter is bent to form a front bent portion, a port of the front bent portion is closed and a side wall of the front bent portion is provided with two suction ports. In the case of oral endotracheal intubation, the pharyngeal suction catheter is introduced to the bottom of the pharynx as the endotracheal tube body is inserted into the weasand, and the pharyngeal suction catheter can stay there for a long period of time, enabling high efficiency of removal of pharyngeal secretions, the reduction of discomfort and adsorption injury of the patient, and the reduction of nursing workload.

Abstract: A mask assembly that includes a mask frame; a frame connector; a forehead support comprising a tube and a forehead cushion support plate, the forehead cushion support plate extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the tube; and an adjustment knob movably mounted to the frame connector, wherein the tube is movably mounted to the frame connector for linear movement with respect to said frame connector, and further wherein the tube includes at least one split that allows deflection of the tube when inserting the tube into the frame connector.

Abstract: An adjustable mask system (100) includes a cushion with a seal (130) having the ability to change size and/or shape. The seal is preferably a one-piece, continuous member without interruptions. To effect adjustment of the size and/or shape of the seal, an actuator may be provided, which may take the form of a dial (190).

Abstract: A ventilator that is small, lightweight, and portable, yet capable of being quickly adapted to operate in a plurality of different modes and configurations to deliver a variety of therapies to a patient. A porting system having a plurality of sensors structured to monitor a number of parameters with respect to the flow of gas, and a number of porting blocks is used to reconfigure the ventilator so that it operates as a single-limb or dual limb ventilator. In the single-limb configuration, an active or passive exhaust assembly can be provided proximate to the patient. The ventilator is capable of operate in a volume or pressure support mode, even in a single-limb configuration. In addition, a power control mechanism controls the supply of power to the ventilator from an AC power source, a lead acid battery, an internal rechargeable battery pack, and a detachable battery pack.

Abstract: A coupling for use in a system (2) for communicating a flow of gas from a pressure generating device (4) to an airway of a patient includes a first portion (16, 16?, 16?) adapted to be coupled in fluid communication with the pressure generating device and a second portion (10) selectively coupled to the first portion. The second portion is adapted to be coupled in fluid communication with the airway of the patient. At least one of the first portion and the second portion includes an illuminated portion (18, 20), the illuminated portion being adapted to be visible to a patient when the first and second portions are uncoupled and adapted to be not visible to a user when the first and second portions are coupled. The illuminated portion assists a user in locating and recoupling the first and second portions of the coupling in a darkened room.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly includes a housing that defines an inlet port and an outlet port. A jet pump receives pressurized gas flow from the inlet port and delivers the gas flow to the outlet port. A nebulizer is fluidly coupled to the outlet port and positioned to introduce medication into the gas flow and deliver medicated gas flow to a patient.

Abstract: An artificial respiration device for resuscitating a person in a state of cardiac arrest is provided that includes a tubular element, auxiliary channels continuously injecting jets of breathing gas, a deflection element that forces the jets of breathing gas to converge inside the tubular element, and a local restriction of the internal cross-section of the tubular element.

Abstract: Extra-urethral implants and methods of use are disclosed. Implants can treat disorders or diseases of the prostate by, for example, enlarging the lumen of the prostatic urethra.

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 airflow adaptor for a breath-actuated dry powder inhaler. The airflow adaptor includes a conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end allows fluid communication from a deagglomerator outlet port to the distal end of the conduit, and wherein the airflow adaptor further includes provisions for allowing air to flow from a proximal end of the adaptor to a distal end of the adaptor independently of the airflow in the conduit when a breath induced low pressure is applied to the distal end of the airflow adaptor.

Abstract: A device for enhancing the breathing efficiency of a patient is provided. The implantable device may include a deployed configuration with one or more helical sections with proximal end in a stand-off proximal end configuration. The stand-off proximal end configuration may reduce migration of the deployed device and may preserve implant tissue compression. Alternative configurations may include two or more helical sections with a transition section disposed between the two or more helical sections. A device may include a right-handed helical section and a left-handed helical section and the transition section comprises a switchback transition section. The switchback section may provide greater control of the device during deployment by limiting recoiling forces of a device comprising a spring material. The deployed device may compress the lung to increase a gas filling resistance of the compressed portion of the lung, and/or increase tension and elastic recoil in other portions of the lung.

Abstract: A respiratory mask (10) for delivering inspiratory gas to a wearer, the mask comprising a mask body (12) shaped to define a cavity adapted to fit about the mouth and nose of the patient, wherein the mask body comprises a nose cavity portion (18) and a mouth cavity portion (16), the nose cavity portion comprising an inspiratory gas inlet port (26) and wherein the mouth portion comprises an expiratory gas monitoring port (34) at a location spaced from the inlet port. The gas monitoring port and may comprise an integral connector for a monitoring line and may be used to monitor carbon dioxide levels.

Abstract: A forceps includes first and second shafts, each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one jaw member is configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. A trigger assembly includes a trigger and at least one linkage coupled to the trigger and to the blade such that rotation of the trigger translates the blade between the retracted and the extended position. An interference member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position is also provided. The interference member is configured to engage the linkage(s) when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted to the extended position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a respiratory circuit appliance with a respiratory line, a CO2 absorber (6) in the respiratory line, and a cooling device for cooling the respiratory gas after it exits the CO2 absorber. Provision is made that the cooling device cools a heating pump with a compressor (33) for compressing/condensing a cooling medium, a condenser (30), which receives the condensed cooling medium, and in so doing releases heat to the surroundings, and with a heat exchanger body (8) which receives the cooled cooling medium and is in heat-conducting contact with a section of the respiratory line.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a respiratory mask comprises a female part and a male part. The female part includes top and bottom walls and a curved vertical wall. The top wall is formed with a top pivot hole and a top guiding groove. The bottom wall is formed with a bottom pivot hole and a bottom guiding groove. The male part includes a hook section that has a free end formed with top and bottom pivot protrusions that are slidable respectively along the top and bottom guiding grooves into the top and bottom pivot holes, respectively, so as to bring the male part to pivot relative to the female part between a first angular position and a second angular position in which the curved vertical wall and the hook section hook to each other.

Abstract: A loading tool for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve into a delivery catheter, and for pushing the stent-mounted valve from the delivery catheter into a native heart valve orifice. The loading tool comprises at least one connector adapted for being removably connected to the stent of the stent-mounted valve. A crimping tool having a generally converging shape is adapted for use with the loading tool. Following connection of the loading tool to the stent-mounted valve, the loading tool operates to allow the stent-mounted valve to be drawn through the crimping tool, and loaded, in, a crimped state, into a delivery catheter. Also disclosed is a kit of the of the various components for effecting the delivery of the stent-mounted valve and a method for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve from a storage container into a delivery catheter for the performance of a transcatheter valve implantation procedure.

Abstract: A closed circuit breathing apparatus (2) and a method of operating the same, the method comprising: determining whether a sufficient amount of replenishing gas is being supplied to a breathing circuit (4); sensing pressure within the breathing circuit (4) using a pressure sensor (6); generating a pressure signal representative of the sensed pressure; determining whether the pressure signal is representative of breathing; and generating an alert if it is determined that both an insufficient amount of replenishing gas, such as oxygen, is being supplied to the breathing circuit (4) and that the pressure signal is representative of breathing.

Abstract: A device 10 for providing a breathing gas stream, which contains a therapeutically active substance, for the mechanical respiration and/or mechanical breathing assistance of a patient, wherein the device 10 has at least one first line 21, through which a first gas stream 31 flows during the operation of the device, and wherein the device 10 has at least one second line 22, wherein the first line 21 and the second line 22 have a common section 13, and wherein the first line 21 and the second line 22 are connected to one another by a water vapor-permeable membrane 24 in the area of the common flow section 13, the present invention provides for a second gas stream 32 to flow through the second line 22 during the operation of the device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a delivery apparatus for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to a native valve site via the human vasculature without the need for a separate introducer sheath. The delivery apparatus is particularly well-suited for advancing a prosthetic valve through the aorta (i.e., in a retrograde approach) for replacing a stenotic aortic valve.

Abstract: Intubation devices, systems, and methods in which the risk of leakage of nasopharyngeal secretions, esophageal reflux, and blood is reduced, or eliminated, by means of a backflow pressure gradient that is independent of PEEP. Contemplated configurations include (a) a flexible tube for the controlled delivery of air and other gases to the lungs, (b) distal and proximal inflatable seals that can close the annular space surrounding the tube, (c) means to inflate the seals, and (d) means to deliver gas under pressure to the annular chamber in between the two seals. Further configurations further comprise a processor and sensors, and methods are provided for automated backflow of contaminated fluids.