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: An elbow configured to connect to a positive pressure ventilation mask and to a ventilator circuit that provides a source of pressurized air. The elbow includes an access valve that opens to provide access to the mouth of the patient without removing the mask and seals from ventilator pressure pushing the valve to the closed position.

Abstract: A process and a signal processing unit determine a pneumatic parameter (Pmus) for the spontaneous breathing of a patient. The patient is ventilated mechanically by a ventilator. A lung-mechanical model (20) and a gradient model (22) are preset. The lung-mechanical model (20) describes a relationship between the pneumatic parameter (Pmus) as well as a volume flow signal (Vol?), a volume signal (Vol) and/or a respiratory signal (Sig), which can be measured. The gradient model (22) describes a value for the pneumatic parameter (Pmus) as a function of N chronologically earlier values of the pneumatic parameter (Pmus) or of a variable correlating with the pneumatic parameter (Pmus). N values for the correlating variable are determined at first. At least one additional value is subsequently determined for the pneumatic parameter (Pmus). N chronologically earlier values of the correlating variable, current signal values, the lung-mechanical model (20) and the gradient model (22) are used for this purpose.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a vaporizer that vaporizes at least one active ingredient of a plant material. In response to receiving a first input to the vaporizer, the plant material is heated, in a first heating step. An indication of the temperature of the plant material is detected, and, in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material is at a first temperature, the first heating step is terminated, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material. The first temperature is less than 95 percent of the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient. Subsequently, a second input is received at the vaporizer. In response thereto, the plant material is heated to the vaporization temperature, in a second heating step. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A filtration arrangement includes a filtration element and a housing disposed around, and retaining the filtration element therein. The housing includes: a first and second ends and a wall portion extending therebetween. An outlet is defined in the housing proximate the first end, a primary inlet is defined in the housing proximate the second end, and a plurality of secondary inlets are defined in the wall portion. The first end of the housing is adapted for coupling to a main housing of a flow generating device encircling an air inlet thereof. The primary and secondary inlets are positioned and structured to communicate ambient air from the surrounding environment to the filtration element. the outlet is positioned and structured to communicate the ambient air that has passed through the filtration element from one or more of the primary and secondary inlets to the air inlet of the flow generating device.

Abstract: A system for determining a parameter of respiratory mechanics in the presence of an intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure during a ventilator support of a patient is provided. The system includes a computer system that comprises one or more in physical processors programmed with computer program instructions which, when executed cause the computer system to: determine breath segmentation data from airway flow information of the patient and airway pressure information of the patient; and determine the parameter of respiratory mechanics in the presence of the intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure using the determined breath segmentation data. The parameter of respiratory mechanics includes one or more of the following: respiratory resistance, respiratory elastance, respiratory compliance, the intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure, a pressure inside the alveoli, and an equivalent pressure generated by the respiratory muscles of the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and, more particularly, to a gas mixing system for a medical ventilator. A gas mixer is provided to adjust the oxygen concentration of environmental air for a blower-based ventilator, by adjusting the mix of air upstream of the ventilator and providing the mixed air to the ventilator's environmental air inlet.

Abstract: A modular, low profile PAPR system includes a blower, a filter rail chassis removably attachable to an inlet of the blower, a hose system removably attachable to the outlet of the blower, and a removable battery pack. The hose system comprises an ovular outer tube that maintains a generally flat profile for the hose as it extends across or along the operator's body. Two circular air carrying conduits are sealed within such ovular outer tube against outside contamination and provide a flat, small profile tube system that resists hoop stress applied to the outside of the hose, provides low resistance against bending, that will not inadvertently kink or seal in low radius turns, and that results in a low profile, non-collapsing hose system for delivering air from a remotely carried blower and filter assembly to the operator's protective mask.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a portable oxygen concentrator (POC). Specifically, this disclosure relates to a method and a system configured for use with an oxygen delivery system that includes nasal fitting which does not include nostril prongs. Because the nasal fitting does not include nostril prongs, user comfort is dramatically increased relative to prior designs. That said, because the fitting is free of nostril prongs, changes in pressure associated with the user's breathing register less than in oxygen delivery systems with traditional fittings (i.e., those that include nostril prongs). As such, the method and system of this disclosure is configured to associate relatively small changes in pressure with a breathing cycle of a user, thereby permitting effective and efficient POC operation.

Abstract: An airway pressure support system (2) includes a housing (4) having an air inlet opening (54), and a filter assembly (50) coupled to a plurality of receiving portions of the housing. The filter assembly is in fluid communication with the air inlet opening. The filter assembly includes a housing portion (62), a first filter media portion (64) attached to the housing portion, and first and second spring members (84, 86) attached to the housing portion, wherein the first and second spring members each have a floating portion and engage the plurality of receiving portions and cause a sealing force to be exerted against the filter assembly.

Abstract: A ventilator system includes a first air tank, a plurality of second air tanks communicated with the first air tank, a plurality of breathing devices respectively communicated with the second air tanks, a plurality of first vacuum tanks respectively communicated with the breathing devices, and a second vacuum tank communicated with the first vacuum tanks. The first air tank has a positive pressure relative to the second air tanks. The second vacuum tank has a negative pressure relative to the first vacuum tanks.

Abstract: The present ventilator system, for detecting and treating concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA event(s)) overlap syndrome, comprises a pressure generator for generating a pressurized flow of breathable gas for delivery to an airway of a subject; sensor(s) for generating output signals conveying information related to breathable gas parameters; and processor(s) operatively connected to the sensor(s) and the pressure generator, configured to: detect presence of OSA event(s) and/or expiratory flow limitation (EFL) in the subject based on the output signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing oxygen concentration. An example system includes an oxygen valve configured to be coupled to an oxygen source, an oxygen plenum coupled to the valve, and a mixing valve. The mixing valve includes an oxygen inlet coupled to the oxygen plenum, an ambient-air inlet, and an outlet configured to be attached to an inlet of a blower of a ventilator. The system also includes a pressure sensor, coupled to the oxygen plenum, and a control device communicatively coupled to the pressure sensor and the oxygen valve. The control device receives a differential pressure, measured by the pressure sensor, and based on the measured differential pressure, generates a control signal to control the oxygen valve to maintain a target pressure of gas within the oxygen plenum.

Abstract: Provided is a rotatable surgical apparatus and accompanying method for processing a specimen via the rotatable surgical apparatus. The surgical apparatus may include a base member and a platform member where the platform member and base member abut. Each of the base member and platform member may define one or more channel. The one or more base channels may be in fluid communication with the one or more platform channels. A nozzle may be disposed on the top surface of the platform member, in fluid communication with the at least one platform channel and may administer anesthetic to a specimen.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for completing a fit test on a respiratory mask A method may comprise installing a speaker within an interior cavity of the face mask, wherein the speaker communicates with an electronics unit; installing a microphone within the interior cavity of the face mask, wherein the microphone communicates with the electronics unit; generating, by the speaker, a sound during the fit test; detecting, by the microphone, sound generated by the speaker during the fit test; comparing, by the electronics unit, a detected signal from the microphone to a baseline expected sound; when the detected signal is within a certain range of the baseline expected sound, indicating to the user that the fit test is completed and passed; and when the detected signal is not within a certain range of the baseline expected sound, indicating to the user that the fit test is completed and failed.

Abstract: A data processing method and device based on a positive pressure ventilation therapy machine is described. The method comprises: acquiring a current operating parameter and a current pressure value of a draught fan in the positive pressure ventilation therapy machine; finding a target relational expression corresponding to the current pressure value in a preset list according to the current pressure value, wherein the preset list comprises a plurality of pressure values and relational expressions corresponding to the plurality of pressure values, and each of the relational expressions corresponding to the plurality of pressure values is a relational expression between operating parameters of the draught fan and a gas flow output by the positive pressure ventilation therapy machine; and determining a current gas flow output by the positive pressure ventilation therapy machine according to the current operating parameter and the target relational expression.

Abstract: An anti-explosion gas generator for health use is provided. The anti-explosion gas generator for health use includes an electrolysis device for electrolyzing water to produce a gas mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. The gas generator for health use further includes a gas mixing system coupled to the electrolysis device for receiving the gas mixture. The gas mixing system mixes the gas mixture with water vapor, an atomized medicine, a volatile essential oil or a combination thereof to produce a health gas. The health gas is provided for being inhaled by a user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for administering oxygen therapy, and particularly high-flow oxygen therapy is disclosed herein. A respiratory monitoring system may non-invasively determine average peak inspiratory flow rate of a patient based on biofeedback response received from the patient. Medical air, oxygen, or a combination of both may be delivered to the patient at a flow rate equal to greater than the determined average peak inspiratory flow rate of the patient to meet or exceed inspiratory demand of the patient. Fraction of oxygen inspired by the patient may be determined based on the average peak inspiratory flow rate and may be adjusted through high-flow oxygen therapy meeting inspiratory demand to prevent entrainment of ambient air or through low-flow oxygen therapy by accounting for entrainment of ambient air based on the average peak inspiratory flow rate to address medical needs of the patient.

Abstract: A resuscitation device is described that can include an electronic circuit board, a shaft that is operably coupled with the electronic circuit board and has a head, a gas-bag adjacent to the head and configured to store gas, and a valve operably coupled to the gas-bag. The electronic circuit board can actuate the shaft to move. The moving of the shaft can cause the head to compress the gas-bag. The compression of the gas-bag can cause the gas-bag to release gas. Related apparatuses, systems, methods, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly includes an elastomeric piece configured to receive a flow of pressurized respiratory gas and sealingly engage the patient's face. The elastomeric piece forms a plenum and includes a mouth sealing portion, a nasal sealing portion, and an anterior surface with an air inlet opening configured to be coupled to a connector and/or an air delivery tube. The patient interface assembly also includes a stiffening structure that is attached to the anterior surface of the elastomeric piece. The stiffening structure comprises a central aperture that is sized so that the air inlet opening and a portion of the anterior surface surrounding the air inlet opening remain exposed through the central aperture. The stiffening structure is configured so that the entirety of the stiffening structure is inferior to the patient's nose in use.