Abstract: A mouthpiece having a vestibular shield overlapping a user's teeth and gums, a gases passageway extending through the vestibular shield allowing for the passage of the gases through the mouthpiece and an extra oral sealing member is associated with the gases passageway. The passageway in use causes gases to be diffused when exiting from the gases passageway. The mouthpiece may have a noseflap to seal the user's nose or provide a passageway for the user's nasal passages. The mouthpiece may have an adjustment arrangement to alter a distance between the vestibular shield and the extra-oral sealing member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for resuscitating a patient suffering from cardiac arrest or another condition in which normal circulation has been interrupted. A ventilator is used for delivering a gas mixture to the patient. The ventilator is configured to adjust the partial pressure of CO2 to one or more partial pressures high enough to slow expiration of CO2 from the patient's lungs and thereby maintain a reduced pH in the patient's tissues for a period of time following return of spontaneous circulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for humidifying breathable gas provided to a user includes providing a breathable gas, producing moisture or water derived from ambient environmental surroundings, e.g., via condensation and/or dehumidified air, and directing the breathable gas along an air flow path. The air flow path optionally includes access to at least a portion of the moisture or water for increased humidification of the breathable gas, for delivery to the user.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (600) for operating an exoskeleton disposed at least partially on a joint of a wearer's limb (118). The methods involve respectively aligning first apertures (310 or 312) of a first planar flexible element (304 or 306) of the exoskeleton with second apertures (310 or 312) of a second planar flexible element (304 or 306) of the exoskeleton. The first and second planar flexible elements abut each other. A toothed flexible element (302) is then caused to ratchetedly engage the first and second planar flexible elements by bending the joint.

Abstract: An exercise and gait-training apparatus has a framework adapted for location above a surface, a harness adapted to support a person relative to the framework, an orthosis adapted for attachment to a lower leg or foot of one leg of the person, a first pair of actuators that are angled with respect to one another and pivotally connected to the framework and connected on a common pivot axis to the harness, a second pair of actuators that are angled with respect to one another and pivotally connected to the framework and connected on a common pivot axis to the orthosis, and a controller that is adapted to control and to synchronize operation of the actuators such that the leg is moved in an arcing pathway simulating a natural movement of the leg.

Abstract: A swivel elbow for a mask assembly includes an elbow adapted to be provided to the mask assembly and a swivel detachably connected to the elbow. The elbow includes a plurality of spaced apart rings that provide a controlled clearance between the elbow and an interior surface of the swivel.

Abstract: A respiratory apparatus for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator that generates a supply of pressurized gas to be delivered to the patient; a humidifier for vaporizing water and delivering water vapor to humidify the gas; a gas flow path leading from the flow generator to the humidifier and from the humidifier to a patient interface; and a heater in thermal contact with the gas and/or the water, wherein the heater includes an elongate heating filament in the form of a tape. A humidifier for respiratory apparatus includes a first respiratory gas passage for receiving gas from a flow generator, a humidifier chamber, a second respiratory gas passage for delivering humidified gas to a patient interface, and a heater in thermal contact with the gas and/or the water, wherein the heater includes an elongate heating filament extending along at least part of both said first and second respiratory gas passages.

Abstract: The physiotherapeutic device provides periodic upward pulling to a user's legs by driving a sliding member back and forth within a shaft. The sliding member is joined to a suspension member where the user's legs are suspended in handle rings of the suspension member. As the sliding member moves downward, a cushion member provides safe and smooth relaxation to the user's spine.

Abstract: A bearing device for a beauty and health roller which presents no risk of bathwater or bathtub contamination, is hygienic, is less heavy than conventional ball bearings, is devoid of roller rattle, and exhibits a small rotational resistance of the rollers. The bearing device for a beauty and health roller is used in a beauty and health roller having a grippable body and a roller arranged at the end portion of the body, and rotatably supports the roller on a supporting shaft provided to the end portion of the body. The bearing device comprises a radial bearing 5 into which the supporting shaft is fitted and which rotatably supports the roller on the supporting shaft 2a.

Abstract: A CPAP system includes a flow generator (10), a patient interface (50), an air delivery conduit (20) that interconnects the flow generator and the patient interface, wherein the air delivery conduit has an internal diameter of less than 19 mm. Preferably the air delivery conduit has an internal diameter of between about 10 mm and about 18 mm. The CPAP system may also include a controller for compensating for pressure swings and/or increased impedance within the system. Preferably the blower includes a low inertia blower.

Abstract: Devices and methods for allowing for improved assisted ventilation of a patient by allowing blind insertion of a device that can allow ventilation regardless of whether the device is positioned within a trachea or an esophagus and allow for timed delivery of ventilations based on a condition of a thoracic cavity to increase the amount and efficiency of blood flow during a resuscitation procedure.

Abstract: A mouthpiece having a vestibular shield overlapping a user's teeth and gums, a gases passageway extending through the vestibular shield allowing for the passage of the gases through the mouthpiece and an extra oral sealing member is associated with the gases passageway. The passageway in use causes gases to be diffused when exiting from the gases passageway. The mouthpiece may have a noseflap to seal the user's nose or provide a passageway for the user's nasal passages. The mouthpiece may have an adjustment arrangement to alter a distance between the vestibular shield and the extra-oral sealing member.

Abstract: An elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes a base and an upper support pivotably coupled to the base. The upper support is configured to elevate the individual's upper back, shoulders and head when pivoted. The upper support is expandable lengthwise. The upper support includes a neck support that is configured to support the individual's spine in a region of the individual's C7 and C8 vertebrae throughout elevation of the upper back, shoulders and head.

Abstract: The invention relates to an emergency oxygen device for passenger of an aircraft, including a chemical oxygen generator including a chemical oxygen source and an activation unit for initiating a chemical reaction of the chemical oxygen source producing oxygen, at least two oxygen masks each connected with the chemical oxygen generator for receiving an oxygen fluid flow from the chemical oxygen generator after the activation unit has initiated the chemical reaction, and a mechanical activation assembly for activating the activation unit. The activation unit is activated by a mechanical force exerted onto an activation element of the activation unit and the mechanical activation assembly includes for each of the at least two oxygen masks a first mechanical connection from the activation element to a fixation element releasably mounted to the emergency oxygen device and a second mechanical connection from the fixation element to the oxygen mask.

Abstract: Devices and methods for allowing for improved assisted ventilation of a patient. The methods and devices provide a number of benefits over conventional approaches for assisted ventilation. For example, the methods and devices described herein permit blind insertion of a device that can allow ventilation regardless of whether the device is positioned within a trachea or an esophagus. In addition, the methods and device allow for timed delivery of ventilations based on a condition of a thoracic cavity to increase the amount and efficiency of blood flow during a resuscitation procedure.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes a flexible tube (1, 1?) and a flexible introducer (2, 2?) within the tube, the introducer having a passage (22) along its length for receiving a guidewire (9) inserted into the trachea (7) through a tracheostomy (6). The tube (1) has an inwardly-projecting collar (17, 17?) at its patient end (11), which engages an outwardly-projecting shoulder (24, 24?) on the introducer (2, 2?) so that the tube does not ride rearwardly along the introducer during insertion. The flexibility of the assembly is such that it can be inserted through the tracheostomy (6) while straight and then curves to follow the guidewire (9) as its patient end enters the trachea (7).

Abstract: An electronic oxygen conserving device for controlling a flow of oxygen from an oxygen storage container to a user. When a conserve setting is selected, a flow of oxygen travels through an oxygen regulating valve that has an open state and a closed state. A temporary electrical charge or current is provided to the oxygen regulating valve during the initial inhalation of oxygen by an individual, opening the regulating valve opens to delivery oxygen to the user. The oxygen regulating valve remains open even after termination of the electric current. After a predetermined timed delivery dose or upon exhalation by the individual, a subsequent temporary electric charge or current is provided to oxygen regulating valve, closing the regulating valve closes to prevent delivery of oxygen to the user, thus conserving oxygen. The oxygen regulating valve remains closed even after termination of the subsequent electric current.

Abstract: A method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes elevating the heart of an individual to a first height relative to a lower body of the individual. The lower body may be in a substantially horizontal plane. The method may also include elevating the head of the individual to a second height relative to the lower body of the individual. The second height may be greater than the first height. The method may further include performing one or more of a type of CPR or a type of intrathoracic pressure regulation while elevating the heart and the head. The first height and the second height may be determined based on one or both of the type of CPR or the type of intrathoracic pressure regulation.

Abstract: A laryngeal-mask airway device including provision for drainage of the esophagus including an inflatable main-cuff and a backplate having a laryngeal-side and a pharyngeal-side. The backplate also has an external tube joint adjacent to the proximal region of the main-cuff. The backplate is hermetically bonded to the periphery of the main-cuff establishing separation between a laryngeal-chamber region and a pharyngeal region. A distally open evacuation tube includes a distal portion which longitudinally traverses the interior of the distal region of the main-cuff in sealed relation therewith for operative engagement and communication with the inlet of the oesophagus. The evacuation tube traverses the laryngeal-chamber region generally adjacent to the laryngeal-side of the backplate and passages through a proximally located tube-joint to the pharyngeal region.

Abstract: A handheld skin exfoliating apparatus has handle and head portions with two drums having different abrasiveness mounted on opposite sides of the head portion. A drive motor and gears are mounted to the handle and/or head portions and operatives to rotate the drums for exfoliate skin when a respective outer surface of one drum contacts the skin.