Abstract: Resuscitator devices including inflation control devices and the inflation control valves can prevent an excessive number of breaths per minute during manual resuscitation from being delivered to a patient. The inflation control valves are inlet valves for a resuscitator device having a flexible chamber that extends from a first end to a second end, the second end being configured to attach to an airway adjunct. The valve housing may be configured to be disposed about the first end and to receive air for inflating the flexible chamber, the valve housing being partially disposed within the flexible chamber. The inflation control member may be configured to control inflation rate of the flexible chamber, the inflation control member being disposed within the valve housing and movable with respect to the valve housing.

Abstract: A nasal delivery device for and method of delivering substance to a nasal airway of a subject, the delivery device comprising: a nosepiece (117) for fitting to a nasal cavity of a subject; a mouthpiece (119) into which the subject in use exhales; a delivery unit, which comprises an actuation part which is manually displaceable to actuate the delivery unit to deliver substance from the nosepiece; and a valve assembly (127) which is fluidly connected to the nosepiece and the mouthpiece, wherein the valve assembly comprises a body element (128) and a valve element (131) which is movably disposed to the body element between closed and open configurations by manual displacement of the actuation part of the delivery unit to provide for an air flow through the nosepiece simultaneously with delivery of substance.

Abstract: A method of opening an airway of a patient by a medical professional in a medical procedure using an airway device is provided. The airway device includes a ventilating tube and an intubating tube, and a camera lumen attached to one of the tubes. A camera is inserted into the camera lumen, and the camera provides visual information to the medical professional about the tissues of the patient during the medical procedure. The airway device is inserted into the throat of the patient and positioned proximally of the vocal folds under visual monitoring by use of the camera. The camera provides constant visualization of the patient's tissues during insertion of the airway device and during the entire medical procedure.

Abstract: A mask assembly for use as part of an apparatus for supplying a flow of respiratory gases to a user is disclosed. The mask assembly includes a mask body having an inlet through which said flow of respiratory gases are provided to the interior of said mask body. A mask seal assembly comprising a seal of flexible material and a clip of rigid material is attached to the body. The seal has a first side and a second side. The first side of the seal is shaped to approximately match the contours of a user's face and in use substantially seal against a user's face. The second side is attached to the clip. The clip provides an interface extending substantially the full perimeter or periphery of the mask seal assembly for releasably attaching the mask seal assembly to the mask body. The clip comprises a bridging portion spanning outwards from the perimeter or periphery of the mask body to space at least a portion of the second side of the seal outwards from the perimeter or periphery of the mask body.

Abstract: Described is a breathing system that covers a person's head with a flexible hood material. One aspect provides a protective hood, including: a flexible hood material having a closed top portion and a neck portion; a viewing window disposed within the flexible hood material; a breathing inlet disposed in the flexible hood material and providing for breathing air to enter into an interior of the protective hood; an exhalation valve disposed interior to the protective hood; and a sealing arrangement disposed at the neck portion of the flexible hood material; wherein at least a portion of expelled gas from the exhalation valve is released into an interior of the protective hood and rinses the interior of the protective hood.

Abstract: A patient interface system for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a patient interface structure configured to sealingly engage the face of the patient and a retaining element configured for application to the patient. The retaining element is configured to support the patient interface structure in sealing engagement with the face of the patient. The retaining element includes an adhesive and/or at least one strap. In addition, the patient interface structure is configured to be released from and re-engaged with the retaining element for re-positioning of the patient interface structure relative to the patient's face in a plurality of positions while the retaining element remains supported by the patient.

Abstract: A subglottic suctioning system with a tracheal tube having a ventilation lumen, a cuff inflation lumen, and a suction lumen are disclosed which may help reduce the incidence of ventilator associated (or acquired) pneumonia. The suction lumen communicates with the space in the trachea above the cuff where secretions accumulate. The suction lumen has a valve on the proximal end for connection to a source of vacuum. The valve is adapted to interrupt the supply of vacuum to the suction lumen to allow for the introduction of a rinsing fluid in its place and to automatically re-establish the connection to the source of vacuum upon completion of rinsing. The rinsing fluid aids in maintaining an open suction lumen and may include medicaments and mucolytic agents to enhance or promote healing or to alter the properties of the mucus to make removal easier. The user may easily and repeatedly alternate suction and rinsing fluid through the suction lumen, i.e.

Abstract: A portable handheld pressure support system (10) is configured to provide pressure support therapy to a subject. The pressure support system provides a pressurized flow of breathable gas that is delivered to the airway of the subject to treat COPD and/or dyspnea, hyperinflation, and/or other conditions. The system is configured to adjust an expiratory pressure level of the pressure support therapy responsive to identification of hyperinflation in the subject. The pressure support therapy provided to the subject is configured to be used as needed to rapidly alleviate shortness of breath, hyperinflation, and/or other symptoms. The pressure support system is configured to be small and lightweight so that the subject may carry the system and use the system as needed.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient having a patient connection connected by a patient circuit to a ventilator device. The method includes delivering both a bolus of oxygen and breathing gases including air to the patient circuit. The patient circuit conducts the bolus of oxygen and the breathing gases to the patient connection. The breathing gases are delivered before an end of the inspiratory phase of the breath. The bolus may be delivered at or before a beginning of an inspiratory phase of the breath, and the delivery of the bolus may be terminated before the end of the inspiratory phase of the breath. The bolus and breathing gases are delivered to the patient circuit via different ventilator connections that isolate the bolus from the breathing gases before they enter the patient circuit.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device comprises a dosing chamber configured to contain dry powder medicament, a transducer and a controller electrically coupled to the transducer. The medicament delivery device is capable of delivering a therapeutically effective dose of dry powder medicament in response to between 2-20 tidal inhalations, the dose preferably having a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of about 6 microns or less and a fine particle fraction of at least 30%.

Abstract: A system for reducing airway obstructions of a patient may include a ventilator, a control unit, a gas delivery circuit with a proximal end in fluid communication with the ventilator and a distal end in fluid communication with a nasal interface, and a nasal interface. The nasal interface may include at least one jet nozzle, and at least one spontaneous respiration sensor in communication with the control unit for detecting a respiration effort pattern and a need for supporting airway patency. The system may be open to ambient. The control unit may determine more than one gas output velocities. The more than one gas output velocities may be synchronized with different parts of a spontaneous breath effort cycle, and a gas output velocity may be determined by a need for supporting airway patency.

Abstract: The specification describes anesthesia systems with 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 method and associated system are provided for cutting and placing individual nose wires in a facemask production line. A continuous wire is supplied from a supply source to a cutting station in the facemask production line where the continuous wire is cut into individual nose wires having a defined length. A first web is conveyed to a vacuum conveyor, and the individual nose wires are deposited from the cutting station onto the vacuum conveyor such that the nose wires are drawn by vacuum against the first web at a defined spacing and orientation. With the vacuum conveyor, the first web and attached nose wires are conveyed to a folding station wherein the first web and nose wires are combined with a second web such that the nose wires are encapsulated between the first and second webs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining water level in a humidifier chamber that is part of a humidified gases delivery apparatus and system. The method comprising the steps of delivering power to a heater plate, varying the power delivered to the heater plate, measuring the rate of change of temperature and determining the level of water based on the heating characteristics of the volume of water within the chamber, in particular determining the level of water within the chamber based on the rate of change of temperature and the supplied power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the control of the breathing gas supply, in particular of the oxygen supply, from a pressure-leading supply conduit (1) to one or more breathing masks (3) of an oxygen emergency supply device in an air vehicle, in particular in an aircraft, with which an on/off valve (2) is arranged between the supply conduit (1) and the one or the several breathing masks (3), with which valve the conduit connection can be blocked or released, with which a desired mass flow dependent on cabin pressure is set and the actual mass flow is detected, wherein in a first method step the valve (2) is activated in an opening manner until the error between the actual mass flow and the desired mass flow and which is summed over time exceeds a previously fixed maximal error value (4), whereupon the valve (2) in a second method step is activated in a closing manner until the error between the actual mass flow and the desired mass flow and which is summed over time exceeds of a previously fixed minimal

Abstract: A mouthpiece (10) for an inhaler or inhalation device (100) includes an elongated body (12) having a substantially oval opening (14) at a first end and a substantially round opening (18) at a second end opposite from the first end, a plurality of depending arms (24), extending from the elongated body forming at least one air passageway (26) between two depending arms (24), and at least one flexible gripping finger (32) coupled to an inner surface of each depending arm (24), extending inwardly into the medicament delivery passageway of the mouthpiece at or near the substantially round opening (18) at the opposite end. Once coupled with an inhaler or inhalation device, the mouthpiece functions as a “pass through” mouthpiece to improve the consistency of inhaled medicament/drug delivery.

Abstract: Condensation or “rain-out” is a problem in breathing circuits and especially neonatal breathing circuits. The subject patent provides an improved breathing tube component for managing rain-out particularly in neonatal applications. In particular the breathing tube has a smooth inner bore, and an outer insulating layer containing stagnant gas and a heater wire.

Abstract: A floatable coupling between a patient interface device and a frame body is provided. The floatable coupling includes a number of elastic bands extending between the patient interface device and the frame body. The elastic bands couple the patient interface device and the frame body in a manner that allows the patient interface device to float relative to the frame body.

Abstract: A mask apparatus for a respiratory treatment can permit delivery of breathable gas to a user. In one example, the mask may employ a frame and cushion to form a seal for both mouth and nose. The frame may be adapted for coupling with a respiratory treatment apparatus so as to permit communication of a pressurized gas from the respiratory treatment apparatus. The cushion, which may be foam, may have a substantially under the nose configuration or over the nose configuration. The mask may have a common plenum chamber for both nose and mouth. The cushion may further define a centrally open lip superior region. The cushion may be adapted to couple with the frame directly or to the frame in conjunction with a cushion support clip. Various features of the cushion may further promote sealing and comfort for the under the nose design.

Abstract: A surgical mask for administering and/or scavenging medical gases includes a nasal mask and an oral mask that envelops the nasal mask. The nasal mask is secured to the oral mask and may be removable from it.