Abstract: An inhalation therapy device includes an atomizer for atomizing a drug which is advantageously present in the form of a fluid into an atomization chamber so that an aerosol or mist is provided in the atomization chamber. The patient or user can inhale the aerosol produced by the atomizer from the atomization chamber via a mouthpiece. The ampoule is inserted into an ampoule holder holding the fluid-containing ampoule. The inhalation therapy device also includes an opening unit for opening the fluid-containing ampoule. The ampoule holder advantageously includes a first part, disposed displaceably in relation to the opening unit, thereby allowing an ampoule present in the ampoule holder to be displaced in the direction of the opening unit.

Abstract: A system for actuating a volume and/or pressure-controlled manual ventilator including a manual ventilator, a storage case, and an actuating mechanism. The manual ventilator includes a compressible body, an output one-way valve at an output end, and an input one-way valve at an input end. The storage case includes an inner housing surface configured to accommodate the manual ventilator. The actuating mechanism includes a power unit mechanically coupled to a linear rod mechanism and one or more applicator pads mechanically coupled to the linear rod mechanism and proximal to the compressible body. The linear rod mechanism is configured to convert a rotating motion of the power unit into an axial movement of the linear rod mechanism. The actuating mechanism is configured to apply pressure to the compressible body of the manual ventilator via the one or more applicator pads such that a volume of the compressible body is deflated.

Abstract: An inhaler article includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis from a mouthpiece end to a distal end and a capsule cavity defined within the body. The capsule cavity has a length extending along the longitudinal axis. A mouthpiece air channel extends from the capsule cavity to the mouthpiece end. An end cap is disposed within the distal end and extends to the capsule cavity. The end cap includes an air channel extending from the end cap distal end to the end cap inner end. A capsule is disposed within the capsule cavity and has a capsule length. The capsule length is in a range from about 25% to about 99% of the cavity length, or about 50% to about 95% of the cavity length, or about 70% to about 90% of the cavity length, or from about 75% to about 85% of the cavity length, or about 80% of the cavity length.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inhaler component for forming a vapor/air mixture or/and condensation aerosol by evaporation of a liquid material and, if appropriate, condensation of the formed vapor, comprising: an electric heating element for evaporating a portion of the liquid material; a wick with a capillary structure, which wick forms a composite with the heating element and automatically supplies the heating element with the liquid material; a carrier plate, preferably a printed circuit board, which carries the composite and on which the heating element is electrically contacted; a capillary gap formed at least partially by the carrier plate and automatically supplying the composite with the liquid material, by means of an end portion of the wick extending into the capillary gap; a liquid container which contains the liquid material and from which the capillary gap draws the liquid material.

Abstract: A delivery device for use in administering a dry powder to a biological subject's airway is provided. The device comprises (a) a housing having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet for delivering a flow of gas to the subject's airway; and (b) one or more cantilever structures located within the housing. Vibration of the one or more cantilever structures facilitates entry of the dry powder into the flow of gas, such that the dry powder can be delivered by the flow of gas through the outlet to the subject's airway. Also provided is a container for releasably storing a particulate composition, the container comprising a shell sealed by a seal in which the particulate composition is stored, wherein a puncturing device for rupturing the seal to release the particulate composition is housed within the shell. Further provided are associated methods for administering dry powder using the delivery device and/or container.

Abstract: According to some embodiments there is provided a device configured for releasing at least one substance from source material, comprising: a housing; a plurality of source material sections positioned at fixed locations with respect to the housing; a plurality of airflow paths, each airflow path associated with at least one source material section; each airflow path associated with at least one blocking element which prevents flow of air through the path; and an actuator operably coupled to the blocking element, the actuator configured for unblocking the airflow path of at least one selected source material section to allow flow of air to and through source material within the selected section.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering a dose, such as a medicament, for inhalation. A dose may be stored by a delivery device and dispersed and delivered in a metered fashion to a subject, such as by the subject inhaling via a mouthpiece of the delivery device. One or more chambers of the device may have a toroidal shape and may be arranged to be selectively opened for fluid communication with a flow path of the delivery device, such as by sliding the chamber relative to a portion of the flow path. The flow path may include a restriction that permits air to bypass the chamber, and/or the chamber may be arranged so that fluid entering the chamber interacts with fluid exiting the chamber so as to enhance dispersion of the dose.

Abstract: A medical supportable variable tracheal tube ventilation device, having a tracheal tube main body having a telescopic length; the tracheal tube main body comprises a telescopic tracheal tube main tube achieved by compressible sections and a variable tracheal tube head coupled to one end of the tracheal tube main tube; the tracheal tube head is made of a material shapable according to different temperatures; the variable tracheal tube head is a compressed cone, and by airflow inflation, the compressed cone of the variable tracheal tube head expands and opens to the cylindrical shape; an outer side of the tracheal tube main body is sleeved with a tracheal tube sealing cuff, and the tracheal tube sealing cuff is disposed proximal to the variable tracheal tube head; another end of the tracheal tube main tube is connected with a tracheal tube connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valveless spacer device for a metered dose inhaler (MDI), the spacer device comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet opposed from the inlet, a demountable, flexible bag attached to the body, the bag and body together defining a chamber, such that the inlet and outlet are in fluid flow communication with an interior of the chamber, wherein the inlet is configured to be connected to an MDI containing a drug to be inhaled and wherein the flexible bag, following actuation of the MDI, serves as a reservoir allowing for the formation of a cloud or mist of the drug therewithin which is then ready for inhalation, the flexible bag being configured to be at least partially deflatable and at least partially inflatable commensurate with a single breath and/or rebreathing.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly having an improved support for use in securing a patient interface device to the head of a patient overcomes the shortcomings of conventional headgear. The improved support provides a self-adjusting anchor point situated anterior to the ear of the patient that provides enhanced stability in mounting the patient interface device to the patient.

Abstract: Humidifier apparatus for a respiratory apparatus includes a housing providing a gas flow path, a heater apparatus, and a water supply distribution member configured and arranged to deliver water vapour to the gas flow path. The water distribution member is provided to the housing and in thermal communication with the heater apparatus.

Abstract: A flap (20) for an inhalation actuated mechanism (18) of a powder inhaler (1) comprises a base member (29), a skirt structure (24) projecting from a surface of the base member (29), and a coupling portion (21) to be coupled to a resilient member (40?) of the inhalation actuated mechanism (18).

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for preparing, managing, and/or administering metered doses of substances for vaporized administration. In some embodiments, dose cartridges comprising at least one botanical substance include a heating element integrated into the cartridge in close contact with the botanical substance. In some embodiments, cartridge-mounted doses are stored in a magazine, optionally in carousel form, before use. Transport of a cartridge from a magazine to an electrically operated vaporizing chamber which activates the heating element is provided by a mechanical pickup means.

Abstract: Dose delivery device with partially or fully surrounding cover may be removed to open fluid communication with a dose chamber. The cover may allow an inhaler to be stored in sterile or otherwise in a controlled environment prior to use, and removal of the cover may automatically prepare the inhaler for use.

Abstract: Improved skin-adhesive compositions for bonding a substrate, such as an absorbent article, to skin are disclosed. More particularly, the skin-adhesive composition has an improved, yet gentle, adhesion to the skin of a user, while maintaining strong, effective bonding to various inanimate, non-skin substrates. In one embodiment, the skin-adhesive composition can provide one or more skin benefit agents to the user. The skin-adhesive composition may applied to an absorbent article, such as a panty-liner, sanitary napkin, or an incontinence article, for directly adhering the article to the skin of a user.

Abstract: A mask includes: an intake valve panel comprising one or more intake valves, the intake valve panel further comprising an intake filter configured to filter the user's intake breath, the intake valve panel positioned in a center of the mask; one or more exhaust tubes, at least one of the one or more exhaust tubes comprising at least one of the exhaust valves, at least one of the exhaust tubes configured to conduct the user's exhale breath through the at least one of the exhaust valves and then out of the mask, at least one exhaust tube holding the at least one exhaust valve tightly while allowing the at least one exhaust valve to open and close freely; and a soft foam lining configured to tightly hold the mask against the user's face.

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: A pressure support system for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient includes a base unit structured to generate the flow of breathing gas and including a heating control unit, a conduit coupled to the base unit and structured to carry the flow of breathing gas, a thermistor disposed in the conduit, and first and second resistive wires extending along the conduit from the base unit to the thermistor. The heating control unit is structured to selectively operate in a first mode to heat the conduit using the first and second resistive wires and a second mode to sense a temperature of airflow in the conduit with the thermistor via the first and second resistive wires.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a central body defining a first waist end region including a first end edge, a second waist end region spaced longitudinally from the first waist end region and including a second end edge, and a crotch region positioned therebetween. An absorbent core is situated between the end edges, and includes a plurality of elastics incorporated therewith such that the core is substantially laterally contracted in a narrowed region about the elastics. The absorbent core includes at least one end region that is substantially non-elasticized and has a lateral width substantially wider than that of the narrowed region.

Abstract: A wearable face covering may include a mask including a filter and a cap, wherein the cap is configured to prevent any gas passing through the filter in a first direction from exiting the mask in the first direction; and a face shield including a partially-transparent screen, wherein the face shield is pivotally coupled to the mask.