Abstract: A PAP system for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator to generate a supply of breathable gas to be delivered to the patient; a humidifier including a heating plate to vaporize water and deliver water vapor to humidify the supply of breathable gas; a heated tube configured to heat and deliver the humidified supply of breathable gas to the patient; a power supply configured to supply power to the heating plate and the heated tube; and a controller configured to control the power supply to prevent overheating of the heating plate and the heated tube.

Abstract: A dry-powder inhaler may include a first casing portion, a second casing portion, and a hinge arrangement connecting the first casing portion and the second casing portion. The dry-powder inhaler may be assembled by folding the first casing portion and the second casing portion together. The first casing portion may include a cavity for receiving a dose blister foil, said cavity being adapted to contain a dry-powder medicament. The first casing portion and the second casing portion when folded together may be adapted to form an inlet for allowing a lidding foil extending out there from and an outlet for providing the medicament.

Abstract: Phyto material tablets, tablet vaporizers, methods and apparatus for forming phyto material tablets. The tablets are formed to increase vaporization efficiency. Tablets can include break regions to facilitate fracturing into multiple pieces for vaporization. The tablets can also include multiple layers of different phyto material mixtures. Compression molds are used to shape the tablets. The compression molds can be provided on a rotational assembly to facilitate rapid manufacturing of multiple tablets. The vaporizers include heating chambers that are configured to increase the surface area of the tablets exposed for vaporization. The heating chambers include compression or fracture members that compress and/or encourage fracturing of the tablets to assist vaporization.

Abstract: A spring bridge (40), for a spring bridge breathing bag plate system (80) of a closed-circuit respirator (100), includes a spring bridge carrier (42) for the arrangement of at least one spring element (82) of a spring bridge breathing bag plate system (80) and at least one fastening element (44) for holding the spring bridge (40) at the closed-circuit respirator (100). The at least one fastening element (44) is a rotating element and/or a sliding element for the rotatable and/or sliding movement of the spring bridge carrier (42) at and relative to the closed-circuit respirator (100). A spring bridge breathing bag plate system (80) is provided for a closed-circuit respirator (100) as well as for a closed-circuit respirator (100).

Abstract: The present invention provides a new inhaler device for the administration of inhalable liquids to a patient offering one or more advantages or improvements over known inhalers, particularly inhalers for the delivery of halogenated volatile liquids such as methoxyflurane for use as an analgesic.

Abstract: A respiratory therapy device generates a flow of breathable gas for therapy. The apparatus may include a flow generator in a housing to generate the breathable gas flow. The flow generator may have an operating voltage for such operations. The device may include a battery pack that is engageable with the housing. The battery pack may be configured to power the flow generator and may include a stand-by circuit configured to switch between stand-by and operating modes. The stand-by circuit may be configured to provide a stand-by operations voltage while in the stand-by mode that is less than an operating voltage of the flow generator and may be configured to detect current demand of the flow generator with the stand-by operations voltage while in stand-by mode such as for enabling an increase voltage from the battery pack to produce the operating voltage in the operating mode for the flow generator.

Abstract: A shroud for a mask system includes a retaining portion structured to retain a frame, a pair of upper headgear connectors each including an elongated arm and a slot at the free end of the arm adapted to receive a headgear strap, and a pair of lower headgear connectors each adapted to attach to a headgear strap. The retaining portion, the upper headgear connectors, and the lower headgear connectors are integrally formed as a one piece structure.

Abstract: Described herein is a respiratory care apparatus capable of performing multitude of therapy for secretion management and breath assistance therapy. The respiratory care apparatus comprises an electromechanical air router assembly (EARA) and an interfacing assembly. The EARA includes independent first and second pressure generating sources for assisted inhalation/insufflation and assisted exhalation/exsufflation process. The interfacing assembly includes a patient interface port and a patient interface tube. The and negative pressure at the patient interface port for assisted inhalation/insufflation and assisted exhalation/exsufflation processes respectively. The assisted inhalation/insufflation and assisted exhalation/exsufflation processes are carried out independently through separate conduits/passages to reduce contamination and infection.

Abstract: A shroud for a mask system includes a retaining portion structured to retain a frame, a pair of upper headgear connectors each including an elongated arm and a slot at the free end of the arm adapted to receive a headgear strap, and a pair of lower headgear connectors each adapted to attach to a headgear strap. The retaining portion, the upper headgear connectors, and the lower headgear connectors are integrally formed as a one piece structure.

Abstract: An aerosol generator for an aerosol dispenser is presented where, the aerosol generator has a housing having an inlet part comprising a liquid inlet configured to guide a liquid jet (L) into the housing and an air inlet configured to guide an air flow into the housing. The housing further having an outlet part having an aerosol outlet configured to guide an aerosol (C) of liquid mixed with air out of the housing. The air inlet is configured such that at least part of the air flow entering the housing through the air inlet is obstructed at a distance from the liquid jet (L) entering the housing through the liquid inlet, thereby creating a source of turbulence in the housing to interact with droplets of the liquid jet (L) to prevent coalescence of the droplets.

Abstract: Discloses is a micro-pump that includes a pump body having a compartmentalized pump chamber, with plural inlet and outlet ports and a plurality of membranes disposed in the pump chamber to provide compartments. The membranes are anchored between opposing walls of the pump body and carry electrodes disposed on opposing surfaces of the membranes and walls of the pump body. Also discloses are applications of the micro-pump including as a heat remover and a self-contained continuous positive airway pressure breathing device.

Abstract: A tub is configured to contain a supply of water and is configured to be inserted into a chamber of a humidifier. The tub includes a tub base configured to contain the supply of water. The tub also includes a tub lid and a flow plate provided between the tub base and the tub lid. The flow plate includes a water level indicator configured to indicate a level of the supply of water in the tub base. In addition, the water level indicator includes a generally rectangular portion and a generally triangular portion.

Abstract: A nebulizer unit includes a housing, which includes an aerosol generator with a feed chamber disposed at one side, an ampoule receiver, an opening device with at least one opening, which is in communication with the feed chamber, and an ampoule with liquid, which comprises at least one opening, with which it can be inserted or used in the ampoule receiver, wherein the ampoule has a connection region, which interacts with a connector of the ampoule receptacle in order to hold the ampoule firmly in the ampoule receiver and to connect the openings and such that they are leak tight.

Abstract: Provided is a method for treating animals, such as livestock, by exposing the animals to an airborne suspension of finely divided mineral salts. Treatment is effected upon inspiration of the mineral salts or skin contact with the mineral salts. The animals are accommodated in a treatment chamber with a substantially sealed limited confined volume and has a pressure difference airflow means, a dispensing means for the mineral salts and desiccant(s) in the walls and on the floor of the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber is a stationary installation or adapted as a trailer to treat animals during a journey or to transport the treatment chamber to the animals location, for example, a zoo or to apiaries.

Abstract: An air delivery system for providing a supply of air from a source of air at positive pressure to an interfacing structure located at the entrance to the airways of a patient includes a manifold adapted to connect with the supply of positive air pressure and at least one tube connected to the manifold and adapted to deliver the supply of air to the interfacing structure. Each tube is structured to allow movement between an open phase in which the tube allows the passage of air and a collapsed phase in which the tube is collapsed. Each tube is structured such that weight of a typical patient's head against bedding apparel is sufficient to collapse the tube from the open phase to the collapsed phase.

Abstract: An adjustable tracheostoma valve is disclosed. The adjustable tracheostoma valve includes a passageway for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve disk is provided in the passageway. The disk is moveable to allow for inhalation and exhalation through the passageway and is configured to close in response to pressure to direct air to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.

Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of body exudates in contact with a wearer's skin and can minimize the incidence of leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article. In one example, the article can include an outer cover, a body facing material, and an absorbent body. The body facing material can include a plurality of projections with a land area disposed between the plurality of projections, wherein the land area has an open area greater than about 10% open area in a chosen area.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing having a gas flow generator for generating a flow of breathing gas and a humidifier disposed therein having a chamber for housing a volume of water. The chamber has a top opening for providing the volume of water therein. The apparatus further includes a lid coupled to the housing that is movable between a first position wherein the lid covers the top opening and a second position wherein the lid does not cover the top opening. The apparatus also includes a passage which extends from a first end positioned and structured to receive the flow of breathing gas from the gas flow generator to an opposite second end positioned on the lid and structured to expel the flow of breathing gas into the chamber. An outlet for conveying the flow of breathing gas from the chamber out of the housing is positioned on the housing.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having one or more air inlets. The chamber is sized to receive a capsule which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. The aerosolization apparatus further comprises a puncturing mechanism within the housing. The puncturing mechanism comprises an alignment guide and a puncture member, wherein the alignment guide comprises a surface adapted to contact the capsule while the puncture member is advanced into the capsule to create an opening in the capsule. At least a portion of the surface is sloped relative to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. Alternatively or additionally, the surface may comprise one or more protrusions. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the capsule through the opening created in the capsule.

Abstract: A mask system including a frame module and a cushion module provided to the frame module and adapted to form a seal with the patient's face. The cushion module includes a main body defining a breathing chamber and adapted to interface with the frame module and a cushion adapted to form a seal with the patient's face. The main body and the cushion are comolded with one another.