Abstract: An arm restraint for restricting movement of a person's arm during sleep. The arm restraint includes a lower strap, an extension part coupled to the lower strap at one end of the extension part, the extension part including an adjusting unit for adjusting a length of the extension part, and an upper strap coupled to the extension part at another end of the extension part. The lower strap is wrapped around a lower part of a person's body. The upper strap is wrapped around an arm of the person's body. The extension part is sized by way of the adjusting unit such that the arm cannot abduct above a shoulder level of the person.

Abstract: A cushion includes a substantially triangularly shaped frame from which extends a membrane. The frame has a scalloped edge by which the cushion is affixed to a mask body. The membrane has an aperture into which the wearer's nose is received. The membrane is spaced away from the rim of the frame. The wearer's nose is received through the aperture into the chamber within the mask body. The shape of the seal forming portion is particularly suited to effectively seal the difficult region of the facial contour that is the crease between the sides of the nose and the face.

Abstract: Propellant gas inhaler fitted with a valve or valve system through which at least two clouds of aerosols or at least two jet streams are produced that travel towards one another at an angle from 0° to 180°, so that the individual aerosol particles at least partially impact with one another and lose kinetic energy thereby.

Abstract: A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient's face.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for detecting the respiratory activity of a person and for controlling the time progression of breathing gas pressure, especially in accordance with physical parameters and considering parameters indicating the momentary physiological condition of the breathing person. The device for detecting the respiratory activity of a person has at least one sensor that provides a first signal indicating the breathing gas flow, wherein at least one signal processing device is provided for processing the first signal. The signal processing device is configured in such a way that said device determines a reference-relation on the basis of the first signal detected during a first time interval. On the basis thereof, the device determines a correlation-relation between the reference-relation and the first signal.

Abstract: A swivel elbow includes a conduit pathway separated from a vent airflow pathway for conducting respective gas flow streams in use. The swivel elbow further includes baffle structure that separates the respective gas flow streams so that they do not interfere with each other within an interior (e.g., breathing chamber) of a mask to which the elbow is connected in use.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly adapted to be connected to a gas supply pump to deliver pressurized breathable gas to the inlet of a patient's respiratory system includes a patient interface structured to provide a seal with the patient and at least one inlet tube provided to the patient interface. Each inlet tube includes a substantially flat lower side wall to face the patient and a substantially arcuate upper side wall.

Abstract: The invention is directed to devices and methods for electrohydrodynamic (EHD) aerosolization of liquids utilizing a dissociated discharge electrode and an electric field shield disposed between the nozzle and the discharge electrode. Preferred embodiments are designed as inhalers suitable for administration of therapeutic compounds to the respiratory tract of a patient, preferably the lungs.

Abstract: An apparatus for clearing mucus from the pulmonary system, utilizing two different types of external excitation applied concurrently to the thorax, the first type of excitation consisting of vibrational stimulations, and the second type of excitation consisting of compressive stimulations, with control means provided to regulate the two excitation means.

Abstract: A medical ventilator includes a pressure generator for increasing a pressure of gas that produces heat during the operation thereof. A heat sink spaced from the pressure generator is provided for absorbing heat from the pressure generator. A bacteria filter requiring heating in excess of an ambient temperature for the effective operation thereof is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink. A heat pipe is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink and the pressure generator for conveying at least part of heat produced by the pressure generator to the bacteria filter via the heat sink.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a device that treats sleep disordered breathing (SDB) during successive treatment sessions; where the device provides continuous positive airway pressure during sleep. The method comprises the steps of applying a constant treatment pressure during a first session (20) and deriving a sleep disorder index (SDI) (22) representative of the number of SDB episodes that occurred during the first session. If the treatment pressure should be increased based on the SDI, it is increase during a second, subsequent session (24).

Abstract: A device for delivering a drug by inhalation is disclosed. The device includes a body defining an interior flow-through chamber having upstream and downstream chamber openings, and a drug supply unit contained within the chamber for producing, upon actuation, a heated drug vapor in a condensation region of the chamber. Gas drawn through the chamber region at a selected gas-flow rate is effective to form drug condensation particles from the drug vapor having a selected MMAD between 0.02 and 0.1 MMAD or between 1 and 3.5 ?m. A gas-flow control valve disposed upstream of the unit functions to limit gas-flow rate through the condensation region to the selected gas-flow rate. An actuation switch in the device activates the drug-supply unit, such that the drug-supply unit can be controlled to produce vapor when the gas-flow rate through the chamber is at the selected flow rate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic compression of venous tissue enable improved blood movement in the extremities. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a pressure pad provides a compressive force to the venous plexus region of the foot. The pressure pad is successively withdrawn and re-pressed against the foot. Improved blood circulation may reduce the occurrence of undesirable complications such as deep vein thrombosis, ulcers, and the like.

Abstract: This invention concerns a breathing assistance apparatus capable of operating in alternating inhalation and expiratory phases wherein; a) the control means of the apparatus comprise selection means (152) capable of selecting a pressure parameter or a flow rate parameter to define; b) the said reference value for the gas source, the said selection means are controlled by an automatic control unit (51), the said control unit being: I) connected to pressure and flow rate sensors situated on the inhalation duct to form a direct closed regulation loop for selecting a reference value parameter, II) associated to a program allowing the selection to be made in real time from a pressure or flow rate signal, so that the association of a direct closed regulation circuit for the selection of a reference value parameter with a valve permitting proportional operation, allows real time control of barometric and volumetric operating modes of the apparatus, between the inhalation and expiratory phases and during these phases.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel atomizers for generating particles over a broad range of MMAD size distributions, the eliminating the requirement for an impaction baffle in generating the desired particle sizes. In particular aspects, the atomization means communicates with a remote particle filter member configured and positioned to provide for particle size filtering. In additional aspects, the atomization means communicates with a particle dispersion chamber suitable to impart a desired particle flow pattern to particles within and exiting the dispersion chamber. In further aspects, the atomization means communicates with a nasal, ocular, oral or ‘vicinity’ adapter. The novel devices provide for targeted (e.g., nasal, ocular, oral, local vicinity), systemic, and/or topical delivery of an atomized liquid (e.g., via the nasal cavity, olfactory region, and mouth). Further exemplary aspects relate to aerosolization and delivery of perfume, fragrance, essential oil or cosmeceutical agents and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supporting and retaining a tracheal cannula or a similar appliance on a person's neck. The device comprises wings on the cannula projecting in opposite directions from the cannula. Fastening means connected with the wings comprises an element having an adhesive surface for attachment to the skin of the neck.

Abstract: A diving mask which includes a face-piece having, formed therein, one or more openings for housing one or more lenses, means for fixing the lenses inside the face-piece, and means for connecting the mask to the diver's head. The face-piece is formed by at least two portions which are stably connected together, where the two portions are respectively made using two materials which are different at least from the point of view of the rigidity, with one of the two materials being more rigid than the other one.

Abstract: An ankle-foot orthosis comprising a leg member 12; a foot member 14; a frame 16 connecting the leg member to the foot member, wherein the frame comprises a first revolute joint 18 that rotates about a first axis 20 and a second revolute joint 22 that rotates about a second axis 24, wherein the first and second axes are non-parallel. The frame can further comprise a foot member segment 30 secured to the foot member 14 and extending to the second revolute joint 22. The orthosis can comprise a first force-torque sensor 36 located on the leg member, a second force-torque sensor 38 located on the foot member, and an encoder positioned on one of the revolute joints. The invention includes a method of measuring ankle-foot-related forces comprising positioning a subject's leg and foot in an ankle-foot orthosis; collecting data from the first and second force-torque sensors; and analyzing the collected data to determine the motion of the subject's ankle.

Abstract: An anti-pooling vest to be worn by a patient undergoing a hemodialysis procedure is disclosed for inhibiting intradialytic hypotensive symptoms in the patient during the course of hemodialysis treatment. The anti-pooling vest includes an inflatable bladder for applying a compressive pressure on the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient during the hemodialysis procedure to reduce the pooling of blood within the patient's internal organs. A pump, such as, for example, a manually compressible bulb or an electrically powered pump, in fluid communication with the bladder is operable to inflate the bladder to a predetermined pressure and a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the bladder is operable to decrease the pressure within the bladder to the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A respiratory suction catheter assembly includes a manifold supporting a rotatable swivel member for engagement with an endotracheal tube, and a seal support body disposed on a boss of the manifold opposite the part supporting the swivel for supporting a catheter tube seal and a porous filter for filtering air flowing into and out of a flexible elongated sheath enclosing the catheter tube. The sheath includes opposed tapered ends secured to the seal support body and to a boss on a suction control valve housing. The valve housing supports a tapered plug closure member engageable with a resilient actuator and a slide-lock member. Certain components, including the sheath, the seal support body, the filter, the catheter tube seal and the catheter tube may be treated with an anti-microbial agent.