Abstract: Techniques for single lung ventilation (SLV) include a hollow main tube with outer diameter sized to fit inside a bronchus of a patient. The length of the main tube is sufficient for a distal end of the main tube to reach a first side bronchus from a proximal end configured to be located in a vicinity of a mouth of the patient. The hollow main tube has a ventilating orifice separated from the distal end at a location that corresponds to a different second side bronchus. A hollow tubular sleeve is moveably disposed inside and longitudinally aligned with the main tube. The sleeve is configured to be positioned in at least two positions: a first position that does not block the ventilating orifice; and, a second position that does block the ventilating orifice.

Abstract: A stent delivery device comprises a guide member having a proximal end and a distal end, and a stent mounted to the guide member. A restraining member positioned about the stent comprises two or more portions that are held together by one or more actuating members. The one or more actuating members can be positioned by a user in a proximal direction, since the one or more actuating members extend to the proximal end, or handle, of the guide member. When a user moves the one or more actuating members in a proximal direction, the one or more actuating members slide away from the two or more portions, allowing the stent to expand. The stent delivery device can further be configured to include an embolic protection component.

Abstract: A method for reducing a loss of medication from a nebulizer includes the steps of entraining a liquid medication into a first flow of a pressurized gas into a nebulizer chamber and also entraining an additional amount of the liquid medication into a second flow of ambient air drawn into the nebulizer chamber through an opening when a patient inhales through the nebulizer chamber. When the patient exhales, a portion of the exhaled breath is directed into the outlet of the nebulizer chamber, thereby increasing a backpressure within the outlet and substantially stopping the second flow of ambient air into the nebulizer chamber, thereby decreasing the amount of medication lost to the ambient environment while the patient is not inhaling.

Abstract: CPAP treatment apparatus is disclosed having a controllable positive airway pressure device. A sensor generates a signal representative of patient respiratory flow that is provided to a controller. The controller is operable to determine the occurrence of an apnea from a reduction in respiratory airflow below a threshold determined from long term ventilation. When an apnea or hypopnea has occurred the calculation of the threshold is suspended until the end of that event.

Abstract: A drug delivery apparatus includes a mouthpiece portion having an internal conduit for delivering an aerosol including the drug to the patient. The internal conduit has an inlet end and a mouthpiece end that is structured to be received in the patient's mouth. The mouthpiece portion is structured to operate at a substantially fixed inhalation flow rate when the patient inhales through the mouthpiece end. The apparatus further includes an aerosol generator for generating the aerosol from a drug supply and injecting the aerosol into a first region within the mouthpiece portion located between an outlet of the aerosol generator and the inlet end of the conduit. The mouthpiece portion also includes a flow accelerating mechanism that causes a localized flow rate at the first region to be greater than the inhalation flow rate. A method is also provided that increases the local flow rate within the mouthpiece portion.

Abstract: A full-face cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient includes a frame connector adapted to attach the cushion to a mask frame and an interface provided to the frame connector. The interface is constructed of foam and defines a cushion cavity. The interface includes a foam contact surface adapted to interface or contact with surfaces of the patient's face in use.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a catheter which includes an inflatable balloon operable to retain the catheter in position during use, and which is located and configured to both reduce discomfort during use by preventing contact between the end of the catheter and the urinary tract/bladder wall, and reduce the force required to remove the catheter by reducing cuffing of the collapsed balloon.

Abstract: A method for producing pant-type absorbent articles, each article including a chassis structure having at least one elastic panel and an integrated absorbent core component, the method including a continuous pant-forming process including forming the chassis structure and incorporating the absorbent core component into the chassis structure. The at least one elastic panel is formed by a) separately producing a two-layer laminate having a first non-elastic fibrous nonwoven web and an elastic film, b) activating the two-layer laminate by incremental stretching in at least one activation direction to render the two-layer laminate elastically stretchable, c) stretching the activated two-layer laminate by 10-200% in the activation direction, d) introducing the two-layer laminate) in the pant-forming process, and e) laminating the elastic film of the stretched two-layer laminate to an elastic or nonwoven chassis component. An absorbent pant-type article produced in accordance with the method.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a tracheal tube may include a pressure monitoring lumen configured to provide information related to the pressure in the tracheal space. By measuring pressure in the lumen, a tracheal pressure may be estimated. The pressure monitoring lumen may be in fluid communication with a pressure transducer that provides pressure measurements. An opening of the lumen may be covered with a distal shoulder of an inflatable cuff.

Abstract: A suction apparatus evacuates the surgical smoke. For example, the suction apparatus may be arranged adjacent to an electrocautery electrode, which may generate smoke during operation, for evacuating smoke from a surgical site. The suction apparatus may have a ring manifold having an inner perimeter for receiving the surgical instrument. A plurality of suction intake ports may be arranged about the outer perimeter of the ring manifold for evacuating smoke that may be generated by the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A connector arrangement joining a respiratory mask and headgear is adapted for single-handed disengagement by the patient. A first, rigid connector part is formed into the rigid mask frame, with a mating second connector attached to a strap of the headgear. The connectors are held away from the patient's face by the connection to the mask frame.

Abstract: Wearable disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, having elastically extensible fastening members (also sometimes known as fastening “ears”) with particular features, extending from a chassis or main portion of the articles, are disclosed. The fastening members may be highly extensible and have an overall geometry characterized by greater length nearer the chassis or main portion and lesser length nearer the distal end. Examples disclosed may have a fastener zone having a Stiffness of at least about 1,500 N/m, and shape and dimensional characteristics, that help avoid problems of buckling and/or flipping of edges of the fastening members, dishing of fastener components, and fastening member tearing, while the articles are applied and worn.

Abstract: A chassis of a diaper includes a first outer sheet defining a front waist region and a part of a crotch region, a second outer sheet defining a rear waist region and a part of the crotch region and a middle sheet connecting these sheets and defining a part of the crotch region. To the skin-facing side of the chassis, a liquid-absorbent structure is attached. The liquid-absorbent structure is provided with first and second elastic sheets overlapping front and rear ends of the liquid-absorbent structure, respectively. The first elastic sheet is attached under tension in a transverse direction and in contractible manner between a bottom surface of the liquid-absorbent structure and the first outer sheet and the second elastic sheet is located on a skin-facing surface of the liquid-absorbent structure and attached thereto under tension in the transverse direction and in contractible manner.

Abstract: A therapeutic patch for treating pain capable of compressing a tender area up to a boundary thereof and/or an entire induration with metallic grains or crushed stones by a treatment method in accordance with a classification determined after clarifying a site of pain by pressing a skin with a pressing bar or fingers (first to fourth fingers) to classify the cause of pain, thereby finding the presence of a geographical tender area and/or the presence of an induration on a skin as the cause of pain.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent wearing article constructed with an absorbent core that may be deformed to form absorbent barriers against body waste and thereby an absorbent chassis that includes the absorbent core may be kept in contact with the wearer's torso with good fitness to improve appearance of the article put on the wearer's body and to prevent leak of body waste. The disposable absorbent wearing article comprising an absorbent chassis and an annular elasticized waist panel wherein the absorbent core of the absorbent chassis is formed with deformation guides so that at least opposite lateral regions of said absorbent core may be deformed along the deformation guides toward the wearer's torso under elastic contraction of at least a front waist panel constituting the annular waist panel.

Abstract: A system for detecting incontinence is configured to discern when a patient has eliminated and communicate a signal to a control center. The system includes an undergarment that is sufficiently sized to be worn around a waist of the patient. A disposable sensor assembly is mechanically coupled to the undergarment. The disposable sensor assembly can transmit the signal when the patient has eliminated. A wireless transmitter is communicatively coupled to the disposable sensor assembly which receives the signal from the disposable sensor assembly and communicates the signal. A wireless receiver is communicatively coupled to the wireless transmitter which receivers the signal and communicates the signal to the control center. In this manner, personnel in the control center can treat the patient upon receipt of the signal.

Abstract: A system for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject includes an applicator for applying the moisturizing liquid to the lips supported by a support structure so that at least a part of applicator is deployed so as to engage a recess between the lips of subject without obstructing contact between the subject's upper and lower lips. The proximity of the applicator to the lips allows the use of simple contact-based implementations of the applicator. At the same time, disruption of speech and other normal oral movement is minimized by avoiding any obstruction to contact between the lips.

Abstract: A modular powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) which is comprised of a fan, motor, scroll, and power source mounted within one housing, and which accepts either traditional or conformal filters. Ambient air is drawn into the PAPR module through the attached filter by a fan, which is driven by direct connection to a motor. The pressurized air is then accelerated by an optimized scroll to the outlet in the PAPR housing. The PAPR module can be employed in multiple use configurations. The PAPR module further comprises a removable battery pack module that is easily retained to/removed from the PAPR module, enabling a user to be able to quickly remove a spent battery pack module and install a fresh battery pack module, thereby replacing the batteries within one breath cycle.

Abstract: Disposable pant like garments are disclosed. Pant like garments of the present invention generally comprise a main absorbent portion and a pair of side portions. One or more sections of the pant-like garments are provided with one or more cohesive areas which allow for cohesive fastening and refastening of portions of the garment. The cohesives chosen may have the same properties or may be of the selective adhesive type. Pant like garments may be provided with cohesive fasteners and not other types of refastening means. In other variations, cohesive fasteners may be supplemented with one or more frangible bonds. Also disclosed are side portions having cohesive areas which may be converted in use from an abutting facing relationship to an overlapping facing relationship. Multiple cohesive areas of varying types for providing differential bond properties during use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dispensing device and a storage device for dispensing a formulation as a spray. The storage device has multiple separate and pre-metered doses of the formulation in receptacles or cavities. In order to allow a very compact arrangement, the receptacles or cavities are arranged in a first group and a second group axially offset, and preferably, forming a double ring arrangement, and the storage device is rotatable and axially moveable for dispensing the doses one after the other.