Abstract: A respiratory assistance device 10 includes: a mask 13 having an expiratory hole 13a; an expiratory valve 15 provided in the mask 13, for opening and closing the expiratory hole 13a; and a control unit 17 for performing overall control on the entire device. The mask 13 and the expiratory valve 15 together form an opening and closing device. The expiratory valve 15 is deformable by deformation of a piezo element 15a. The expiratory valve 15 is disposed on an inner surface 13f so that a deformation direction thereof, i.e., a thickness direction thereof, extends along the inner surface 13f of the mask 13 and a side surface 15m slides along the inner surface 13f by the deformation thereof.

Abstract: A compliance monitoring module for a breath-actuated inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being pneumatically coupled to a flow channel through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to: receive a signal originating from a dosing mechanism of the inhaler indicating that medication has been released; receive data from a sensing element of the sensor; and based on said signal from said dosing mechanism and said data from said sensing element, make a determination that inhalation of a breath containing medication through said flow channel complies with one or more predetermined requirements for successful dosing; and a transmitter configured to, responsive to said determination, issue a dosing report.

Abstract: A nebulizer and a housing part comprising a blocking device as well as use of a blocking device are proposed. The blocking device blocks a rotatable element of a counter device in a defined rotational position until the nebulizer is closed.

Abstract: A flow sensor comprises a flow restriction disposed within a passage such that a fluid passing through the passage must pass through the flow restriction. The flow sensor also has an upstream pressure sensor coupled to the passage at a point upstream of the flow restriction and configured to measure and provide an upstream pressure of the fluid within the passage, a downstream pressure sensor coupled to the passage at a point downstream of the flow restriction and configured to measure and provide a downstream pressure of the fluid within the passage, and a temperature sensor coupled to the passage and configured to measure and provide a temperature of the fluid within the passage. The flow sensor also includes a flow sensor processor coupled to the upstream and downstream pressure sensors and the temperature sensor and configured to accept measurements therefrom and calculate a compensated flow rate based at least in part on the measured pressures and temperature.

Abstract: A mask system for delivery of respiratory therapy to a patient includes a nares portion and a mouth portion and an inlet conduit connected to at least one of the nares portion and the mouth portion to deliver the pressurized, breathable gas. The mask system is adapted to selectively utilize the nares portion and/or the mouth portion in a first mode utilizing both the nares portion and the mouth portion, and in a second mode utilizing the nares portion and not utilizing the mouth portion.

Abstract: A method for detecting sleep for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is disclosed. Discrete values of a control signal generated by a pressure controller to regulate delivered pressure at the patient are measured over a predefined time window encompassing one or more respiratory cycles. A baseline control signal value is generated from a weighted average of the measured discrete values of the control signal. Estimates of a respiratory cycle period, an inspiration control time, and an expiration control time are then generated. Estimates of one or more secondary control signal properties for each of the respective inspiration control time and expiration control time are generated. Pressure to the patient is increased in response to an evaluation of the estimates of the one or more secondary control signal properties being indicative of the patient reaching a sleep state.

Abstract: A respirator has one or more electrodes of e.g. conductive elastomer disposed on the surface of a face sealing member opposite to the surface which seals against the user's face. In use the integrity of the seal formed between the sealing member and the user's face is monitored by monitoring the electrical capacitance across that member between the electrode(s) and the user's face.

Abstract: An inhaler, preferably for insertion into a nostril, in particular a horse's nostril, with an inhalation valve, which has a movable valve element, whereby the valve element is designed in an annular manner and has an outer edge and an inner edge, whereby the valve element is fastened at the outer edge, the inner edge forms the boundary of an indentation of the valve element, and the inhalation valve has a valve body seat that corresponds to the inner edge.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for use of acoustic reflectometry information in ventilation devices. The system and method includes a speaker to emit sound waves into an intubated endotracheal tube (“ETT”) and a microphone to detect returning acoustic reflections. In addition, the system and method includes a reflectometry device in communication with a ventilation device for analyzing timings and amplitudes of the returning acoustic reflections to determine a size of a passageway around an ETT tip, location and size of ETT obstructions, and relative movement of the ETT tip within a trachea. The reflectometry device is also configured to determine a resistance parameter representative of resistance to actual flow of air through the ETT based upon a function of the diameter of the ETT, length of the ETT, and percent obstruction of the ETT, where the resistance parameter is used to calculate the tracheal pressure.

Abstract: A discharge device for a flowable substance includes at least one storage element having at least one reception chamber for a flowable substance. A carrier body including a discharge opening is provided with a pin having an axial channel and a transverse channel branching off from the axial channel. The storage element is guided on an outer side of the carrier body via at least one annular sealing lip. Discharge of the flowable substance is effected by sliding the storage element onto the pin so that the sealing lip skims over the transverse channel of the cylindrical pin and the cylindrical pin urges the flowable substance out of the reception chamber via the transverse and axial channels. In the area of the discharge opening, the carrier body includes an atomizing device that discharges the flowable substance in atomized form by a sliding of the storage element.

Abstract: Atomizer for a ventilation machine with a ventilator, including a body with a first connection for connecting the atomizer to a ventilator and a second connection for connecting the atomizer to a line leading to a patient, wherein the body forms a flow channel from the first connection to the second connection; and an atomizing device for atomizing a fluid; wherein the atomizing device is disposed between the first connection and the second connection in the flow channel and adapted so that the fluid can be atomized substantially parallel to, and preferably in, the flow direction from the first connection to the second connection.

Abstract: A method of acclimatizing a user to provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, including operating a device for treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB) during successive treatment sessions, wherein the device provides continuous positive airway pressure during sleep, includes determining a clinically-derived full therapeutic pressure, applying a sub-therapeutic treatment pressure for the duration of a first session, obtaining responses to a series of pre-programmed patient and/or bed partner feedback questions before the start of a second session, and, based on the responses, either incrementally increasing the treatment pressure for the second session if the responses indicate that the patient is adjusting to therapy, or maintaining the treatment pressure for the second session if the responses do not indicate that the patient is adjusting to therapy.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus (26) for condensing water from a flow of respiratory gas is disclosed. The apparatus (26) comprises a first portion having an inlet (28) and a second portion having an outlet (30), the inlet (28) and outlet (30) being connectable to a breathing system (10) and the first and second portions being arranged in flow series, wherein the first portion comprises a condenser (64) and the second portion comprises a heater (64) downstream of the condenser for increasing the temperature of the respiratory gas flow prior to the outlet (30).

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a patient sealing assembly having a cushion and a frame member having a faceplate portion and an extension portion extending from the faceplate portion. The cushion is coupled to the faceplate portion. A forehead member engages the forehead of the patient, and a flexible elongated member is coupled to the extension portion. A drive assembly selectively causes the second end portion of the flexible elongated member to move relative to the extension portion in a first direction. Movement of the flexible elongated member relative to the extension portion in the first direction causes movement of the frame member relative to the forehead member in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: A device provides respiratory treatment such as for sleep disordered breathing and other respiratory conditions in a discreet configuration to provide a minimally invasive system. The system may include a flow pressurizer apparatus configured to generate a pressurized flow of air through a fine bore delivery conduit toward a patient interface. The system may further include a treatment compensator coupled with the fine bore delivery conduit. The treatment compensator may be configured at the patient interface to reduce pressure for patient inspiration. A processor may control adjustments to the pressure generated by the flow pressurizer apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a regulation device for a source of breathable gas, comprising a reaction medium adapted to perform an exothermic reaction for the production of breathable gas, the reaction medium surrounding an interior reaction volume having a breathable gas outlet. The invention further relates to a chemical oxygen generator system for the provision of breathable gas in an aircraft as well as to a method for regulating a source of breathable gas comprising the step of initiating an exothermic reaction of a reaction medium for the production of breathable gas, the reaction medium surrounding an interior reaction volume having a breathable gas outlet, wherein the breathable gas is flowing through the breathable gas outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a mixture suitable for a hyperthermal inhalational treatment of an upper portion of respiratory tract is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vertical wall defining an interior compartment, wherein a mixture of mist and vapors of an inhalant is formed. A preferably added module for a hyperthermal inhalational treatment combined with administration of pharmaceuticals and/or saline is disclosed as well.

Abstract: A dry snorkel for diving comprises a snorkel tube, a float valve and a dry-type top discharge head. A soft plastic waterproof ring is mounted on a top end of the snorkel tube. The soft plastic waterproof ring has an air inlet communicating with the snorkel tube. A curved part is formed on the top end of the snorkel tube. The float valve is pivotally connected to a lower portion of the curved part. When a snorkel is under water, the float valve is turned up by the buoyancy of water to close the air inlet. When the top of the snorkel is above water, the float valve is turned down to open the air inlet. This design is simple and easy to assemble. It has few components and decreases the occurrence of choking on water efficiently whereby the diver breathes easily and comfortably and prolongs the diving time.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a ventilator to automatically adjust ventilation assistance to an active or passive subject. The method includes determining volume and flow rate of gas to the patient during inspiration on an ongoing basis, and generating control signals in proportion to the volume and flow rate of gas to the patient wherein proportionality factors, and support levels for the elastic and resistive components of pressure are automatically adjusted by the ventilator. The ongoing pressure applied by the ventilator is a sum of elastic and resistive pressures that are automatically controlled by the system. When the patient breathes spontaneously, the support levels are automatically adjusted based on the patient's requirements. If the patient does not breathe spontaneously, the ventilator provides ventilation at an optimal level and rate. The method may be used in weaning or in a management phase of ventilation.

Abstract: According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a medical facial mask having intubation port to insert an endotracheal tube; air ventilation port to perform artificial ventilation during intubation procedure; and a display device to display image of a patient's airway, wherein the image is transmitted from an image acquisition device which is inserted in the patient's airway.