Abstract: An assistance apparatus includes first to eighth wires that couple an upper body belt to be worn on an upper body of a user to a first knee belt and a second knee belt to be worn above a left knee and a right knee of the user, respectively, and a motor. In a case of assisting the user in moving to turn left, the motor generates a tension larger than or equal to a first threshold in each of the second wire, the third wire, and the fourth wire at an identical timing in a swing phase of a left leg of the user, and generates a tension larger than or equal to the first threshold in each of the fifth wire, the sixth wire, and the eighth wire at an identical timing in a swing phase of a right leg of the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for inserting a tracheostomy tube, comprising a guide element and a dilator, wherein the guide element has a shield, wherein, according to the invention, the guide element has a first securing means and the dilator has a corresponding second securing means, whereby the guide element can be detachably connected by positive locking to the dilator in a position in which a distal end of the dilator is engaged with an inner surface of the shield when the latter is in the first state.

Abstract: A therapeutic endotracheal tube assembly is provided for insertion into a patient's trachea to ventilate, to maintain patency of the patient's airway, and to deliver therapeutic electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to the patient. The therapeutic endotracheal tube assembly has an endotracheal tube and an EMR delivery system. The EMR delivery system has an EMR source for emitting non-ultraviolet, therapeutic EMR having intensity sufficient to activate desired therapeutic properties within the patient and an EMR conduction line conducive to the propagation of EMR from the EMR source along the endotracheal tube. The EMR conduction line is removably insertable into the endotracheal tube. The therapeutic endotracheal tube assembly may be custom made or may be constructed by retrofitting a removably insertable EMR delivery system to an existing endotracheal tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, and in particular to a mixing channel with improved injection and mixing properties for injecting and mixing a liquid drug into an air flow streaming in the mixing channel, thereby producing an aerosol to be inhaled by a patient. One aspect of the invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, comprising an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and an injection zone located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, wherein the injection zone has a longitudinal center axis, wherein the injection zone comprises (a) a built-in nebulizer, or (b) a detachable nebulizer, or (c) a member adapted to receive a detachable nebulizer, wherein the effective cross sectional area of the mixing channel in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis is smaller in the injection zone than upstream of the injection zone.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a connector for a powered air-purifying respirator (“PAPR”). A powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) connector may comprise a tab extending from the PAPR connector, wherein the tab is positioned to contact an inner surface of a housing; and a flange extending from the PAPR connector, wherein the flange is configured to receive an attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to attach the PAPR connector to the housing; wherein the PAPR connector is rotatable within the housing.

Abstract: A filter device includes a distal housing comprising a distal inner port and a distal outer port; a proximal housing comprising a proximal inner port and a proximal outer port, the proximal housing being sealingly affixed to the distal housing to form an inspiratory pathway between the distal inner port and the proximal inner port and to form an expiratory pathway between the distal outer port and the proximal outer port that is fluidly sealed from the inspiratory pathway, the inspiratory pathway being laterally adjacent the expiratory pathway; and a first filter in the inspiratory pathway or in the expiratory pathway to filter gases flowing through the inspiratory pathway or the expiratory pathway.

Abstract: Described is a dry powder inhaler for inhalation of a dry powder composition. The inhaler includes an external housing that defines an internal passage. The inhaler also includes a mouthpiece, a compartment for holding a dry powder capsule or powder reservoir, and a powder fluidization and deagglomeration apparatus for directing airflow to the dry powder to generate airborne powder particles within the internal passage. When a user inhales through the mouthpiece, a first airflow pattern is generated that has a first airflow resistance, during which the fluidization and deagglomeration apparatus generates airborne dry powder particles within the internal passage. Upon reaching a threshold negative pressure value within the internal passage of the inhaler, a second airflow pattern is generated having a second airflow resistance that is lower than the first airflow resistance, which pulls the airborne dry powder into the user's lungs during the inhalation. Embodiments of elastomeric valves are also described.

Abstract: The described knee rehabilitation device can include any suitable component. In some implementations, however, it includes a sitting surface that is configured to support a user; a knee arm that comprises a leg coupling mechanism, that is pivotally coupled to the rehabilitation device, and that is configured to pivot through a range of motion; and a drive mechanism that is configured to force the knee arm through the range of motion. In some cases, the drive mechanism includes a first hard stop that prevents the knee arm from extending past a first set point, and the drive mechanism further includes a second hard stop that prevents the knee arm from being retracted past a second set point. In some cases, the device is further configured to be programmed to electronically limit the knee arm's range of motion. Other implementations are discussed.

Abstract: A system for assisting a rescuer in providing resuscitative treatment to a victim is described. An example of the system includes a processor configured to detect compression waveform features characteristic of manual chest compressions, automated chest compressions, and mechanically assisted active compression-decompression (ACD) chest compressions, an output device communicatively coupled to the processor, and a motion sensor, communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to generate signals indicative of motion of the victim's chest during chest compressions.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, a method, and/or a system of targeted myofascial release through use of a rolling track. In one or more embodiments, an apparatus for targeted myofascial release of a human body, muscles, and fascia includes a rolling track with one or more supports forming a support contour permitting a ball to roll along the rolling track while the body exerts force against the ball. The support contour transitions into a rolling surface so the ball can be guided out of the rolling track to the rolling surface and then guided back in. A friction means such as a lip and/or friction surface retains the ball in the rolling track. The rolling track is securable relative to the rolling surface via a mount. The adjustment track may have two or more adjustment positions for repositioning along the rolling surface and/or a pivot to adjust a track orientation.

Abstract: A housing for an inhalation device and an inhalation device. The inhalation device includes a container unit having a medium container and an outlet stub. The outlet stub is displaceable relative to the medium container for a delivery operation. The housing includes a main housing having a first end forming a mouthpiece, a second end angled in an L-shaped manner with respect to the first end and forming an air inlet, and an attachment piece. The attachment piece has a duct with an attachment opening receiving the outlet stub of the container unit, a nozzle opening, and a pressure chamber arranged between the attachment opening and the nozzle opening. The housing also includes a sensing device for recording a delivery operation, and a diaphragm reversibly deformable depending on a pressure in the pressure chamber. The diaphragm cooperates with the sensing device for actuation thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a method and system configured for detecting a gas delivery malfunction in a spontaneous mechanical ventilation mode. In some embodiments, the system comprises a pressure generator, a subject interface, one or more sensors, one or more processors, electronic storage, a user interface, and/or other components. The detection of a gas delivery malfunction in a spontaneous mechanical ventilation mode is implemented by generating a test flow of gas for delivery to an airway of a subject, and monitoring a responsive flow of gas in the subject interface. If one or more parameters associated with the responsive flow of gas demonstrate inconsistencies with a reference flow of gas responsive to the test flow under a condition that there is no gas delivery malfunction, the system determines that there is a gas delivery malfunction.

Abstract: A respiratory device for delivering gas to a patient comprises a gases passageway having proximal and distal ends, and a supplementary gas inlet in a side wall of the gases passageway. The supplementary gas inlet is adapted to direct gas along an interior surface of the gases passageway, such that the gas follows a generally helical path towards the distal end of the gases passageway.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating system is provided, including an aerosol-generating device including a heater element; an aerosol-generating article, including a medicament source and a volatile delivery enhancing compound source; and at least one resilient member provided in the aerosol-generating device or the aerosol-generating article and being resiliently biased against the heater element, wherein at least one of the medicament source and the volatile delivery enhancing compound source contacts the at least one resilient member, and the aerosol-generating system is configured to heat the medicament source and the volatile delivery enhancing compound source of the aerosol-generating article so that the medicament source has a higher temperature than that of the volatile delivery enhancing compound source.

Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring flow in a cuffed endotracheal tube device is disclosed. The system comprises: a connector panel having at least three connectors adapted for establishing fluid communication with proximal ends of at least a first fluid line, a second fluid line and a cuff inflation line of the endotracheal tube device. The system can further comprise a processing unit and a control unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to instruct the control unit to execute various operations, including at least a rinsing procedure, a suctioning procedure, a cuff inflation procedure, a leak detection procedure and a venting procedure, and to select any of the first and the second fluid lines for any of the rinsing, suctioning, leak detection and venting procedures. In some embodiments, the system exploits the cuff as sensor to sense pulmonary data.

Abstract: A portable breathing machine includes a body case (100), wherein: a fan box (101), a cut-off device (108) and a control device (113) are arranged in the body case (100); a fan (8) is arranged in the fan box (101) through a fan noise reduction device (102); an air outlet of the fan box (101) is connected with an internal breathing tube (107); the cut-off device (108) is arranged on the internal breathing tube (107); an air outlet of the cut-off device (108) is connected with an external breathing tube (104) and a mask (105); the fan noise reduction device (102) includes a lower flexible cover (3) and an upper flexible cover (5); the lower and upper flexible covers cooperate to form an enclosed cavity for containing the fan (8). A working noise of the breathing machine is decreased to below 15 decibel.

Abstract: A device for assisting the realignment of the pelvis comprises a pair of arms (3,5) connected together at one end of each arm by a connection member (7) allowing relative rotation of the two arms in a plane passing through the longitudinal axes of both arms and also about an axis passing through the connected ends of the arms. A method of using such a device is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a nebula or aerosol to a patient is described. In one aspect, the nebulizer is composed of a minimum number of parts to reduce complexity for automated or human assembly. The nebulizer may include an inhalation valve, exhalation valve and biasing member integrated into a single diaphragm structure that may be connected with an actuator and inserted into a housing for controlling nebulization of a medicine to a patient in response to the patient's breathing or in a continuous nebulization mode.

Abstract: The present invention is a wearable device for comprehensive bio-monitoring of physiologic metrics to determine metabolic, pulmonary and cardiac function and oxygen saturation measurements from breathing mask apparatuses. The device non-invasively monitors the physiologic profile of the subject, and is capable of detecting physiologic changes, predicting onset of symptoms, and alerting the wearer or another person or system. In some embodiments, the device comprises both a wearable sensor suite and a portable gas composition and flow analysis system. In preferred embodiments, it comprises a miniaturized non-invasive sensor suite for detecting physiologic changes to detect dangerous breathing or other health conditions. The system utilizes advanced fast-response sensors with improved efficiency and lifespan, and provides rapid analysis for substantially real-time monitoring of the subject's present condition to predict, mitigate and/or prevent the onset of dangerous conditions.

Abstract: A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine storage stand. The CPAP machine storage stand includes a base having a lip extending perpendicularly away from a periphery of the base defining an interior portion of the base. The interior portion can receive a CPAP machine therein. A U-shaped frame having a first end and a second end is hingedly affixed to opposing sides of the lip at the first and second ends thereof. The U-shaped frame can selectively move between a deployed position and a collapsed position, wherein the U-shaped frame rests flush against the base within the interior portion when in the collapsed position.