Abstract: The present invention provides a delivery device for intranasal administration of topical therapeutic agents to a desired site within a nasal cavity. The delivery device, in some embodiments, comprises a housing defining an interior and adapted to contain a supply of at least one therapeutic agent. The delivery device further includes a flexible connector, which is in fluid communication with the supply in the housing. A distributor, which is also integrally formed with the connector, is also provided. The distributor includes a proximal end that is in fluid communication with a distal end of the connector, and is adapted to receive the supply of the at least one therapeutic agent delivered by way of a conduit. The distributor further includes a distal end defining an outlet configured to diffuse the therapeutic agent when delivered to the treatment site.

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: A stylet is disclosed for insertion into an endotracheal tube for guiding the tube during intubation. The stylet has a body (3) with a pivotable tip portion (5) at its distal end which is movable in either of two opposing directions away from the axis of the stylet. The tip portion (5) may carry an image acquisition device for video imaging. A control mechanism for controlling the pivot angle of the pivotable tip has a hand-operated actuator (7) at the proximal end of the stylet and flexible control wires (23) extending down the stylet to connect the actuator to the pivotable tip portion (5). Also disclosed is an endotracheal tube (100) usable with the stylet and having a bending portion (103), defined by a concertina or thinned portion, at its distal end to facilitate bending of its tip portion (104) by the stylet tip portion (5).

Abstract: A face mask uses a neck hanger to facilitate the flow of filtered fresh air inside the face mask for inhaling. The neck hanger is a lightweight tube that has a U shape and hangs from the neck of a user. The neck hanger houses a fan with a filter at either side, and a battery with a controller circuit. Two flexible pipes connect the face mask to the neck hanger from either side. The neck hanger sucks the air from the environment using a fan and filters it before being blown into the face mask through a flexible pipe. The face mask's contaminated interior air through another flexible pipe is sucked be another fan and filtered by a filter before being released into the environment.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for providing humidity in a positive airway pressure (PAP) device. In one embodiment, a humidifier is configured to periodically provide vapor to a flow of pressurized gas to produce flows of pressurized gas with added humidity. Each of the flows of pressurized gas with added humidity may be timed to reach a user interface primarily during a first portion of a breath cycle (e.g., during inspiration). Portions of the flow of pressurized gas that reach the user interface during a second portion of the breath cycle (e.g., during expiration) may include little or no added humidity.

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 breathing assistance apparatus is designed for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a patient. The breathing assistance apparatus includes a patient interface, having a body section adapted to cover the nose, or nose and mouth of a patient and a sealing interface. The sealing interface includes at least an outer sealing member. The outer sealing member (201) is adapted to attach to the body section in a sealing manner and has a substantially thin section (203) in at least its nasal bridge region. The thin section is substantially thinner than the rest of the outer sealing member.

Abstract: A respiratory apparatus is configured to deliver breathable gas to a patient's airways and includes a flow generator configured to pressurize the breathable gas and a humidifier configured to vaporize water and deliver water vapor to humidify the breathable gas. The respiratory apparatus further includes a gas flow path leading from the flow generator to the humidifier and from the humidifier to a patient interface. A continuous heater is positioned within the gas flow path and includes multiple separately controllable heating zones.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cushion for a respiratory mask includes providing a mold with at least two mold halves and at least one core therein, closing the mold, and injecting a first material into the mold to form the cushion. The at least one core is enclosed by the cushion thereby forming at least one cavity. The method also includes opening the mold, removing the at least one core from the cushion to provide the at least one cavity within the cushion, and sealing the cavity. The cushion includes a support plane configured to be supported on the patient's face in use. The at least one core is arranged in the cushion with a C-shape on a plane substantially parallel to the support plane.

Abstract: An interface for positive pressure respiratory therapy includes a mask assembly having a mask seal and a mask shell. The mask assembly is positioned lower than and exposes a bridge of the user's nose. The mask seal includes first and second portions on respective first and second sides of a nasal region that contact opposing sides of the user's nose. The first and second portions each include supports that help maintain a shape of the mask seal. A pair of covers can be supported relative to the mask assembly and adjacent a respective one of the first and second portions of the mask seal. The covers limit expansion of the first and second portions of the mask seal in response to pressurized air within the mask seal. The supports of the first and second portions can transfer load from the mask seal to the covers.

Abstract: Dispensing systems for a ventilator circuit having a ventilator flow circuit with a normal inhalation flow path with a heat and moisture exchanger (HME), a flow sensor in communication with the ventilator circuit, an automated drug dispensing system with an actuator and a pressurized canister residing upstream of the HME, a bypass inhalation flow path residing downstream of the pressurized canister, and at least one electromechanical valve residing in the inhalation flow path to selectively open the valve which can be normally closed to define a closed bypass path. At least one controller opens the at least one electromechanical valve to open the bypass inhalation flow path and close the normal inhalation flow path through the HME only when the flow sensor indicates air flow is in an inhalation direction. Once the valve is open, the actuator dispenses medication through the bypass inhalation flow path to the patient.

Abstract: An exoskeleton includes a first support, a second support, and a joint connecting the first and second supports. An actuator causes relative rotation between the first and second supports at the joint. The actuator includes a motor, a ball screw, a ball nut, and a yoke. The motor causes translation of the yoke via the ball screw and the ball nut. In some embodiments, the actuator further includes a roller and a joint cam having a track. Translation of the yoke causes movement of the roller within the track, and movement of the roller within the track causes rotation of the joint cam. In other embodiments, the actuator further includes a linkage and a joint crank. Translation of the yoke causes movement of the linkage, and movement of the linkage causes rotation of the joint crank. Rotation of the joint cam or the joint crank causes relative rotation between the first and second supports.

Abstract: An improved head/neck support device has a disc base that is attached to a hollow tube that in turn receives a first cylindrical component that has a sleeve attached to its outside wall. The device further has a spring coil disposed in the gap between the first cylindrical component and a second cylindrical component, that has a lower portion that has a diameter equal to the spring coil's and a smaller diameter upper portion. The device also has a second hollow tube that engages with the second cylindrical component and constrains the second cylindrical component from sliding out and through the second tube. The device also has a horseshoe shaped elastic band attached to the outer wall of the second tube. The device further has a chin rest that has a third hollow tube, a disc, and a top pad.

Abstract: Devices manipulate a hand of a user to provide pronation or supination assistance. Embodiments include an anchor; a hand engagement member operatively attached to the anchor and configured to receive and engage the hand of the user; a force applicator having a member portion and an anchor portion opposite the member portion, the force applicator attached to the hand engagement member proximate its member portion and attached to the anchor proximate its anchor portion; and a force application mechanism attached to the anchor and configured to cause a force to be applied to the force applicator causing the hand engagement member to manipulate the hand of the user to provide pronation or supination assistance. In some embodiments, the force application mechanism includes a non-incremental rotary mechanism. In some embodiments, a flexible tethering member attaches the anchor to the hand engagement member.

Abstract: A breathing assistance apparatus is disclosed, for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a patient. The breathing assistance apparatus includes a patient interface, having a body section adapted to cover the nose, or nose and mouth of a patient and a sealing interface. The sealing interface includes at least an outer sealing member. The outer sealing member is adapted to attach to the body section in a sealing manner and has a substantially thin section in at least its nasal bridge region. The thin section is substantially thinner than the rest of the outer sealing member. The patient interface comprises a mask body and a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a flexible seal, and a rigid seal clip, the seal assembly being removably attached to the mask body via the rigid seal clip. The mask body and rigid seal clip are profiled to match the contours of a user's face so that the seal has a substantially constant wall depth.

Abstract: Described are methods of administering therapeutic gases comprising high concentrations of nitric oxide, particularly concentrations above 2,000 ppm. The therapeutic gas may be administered at a certain dosing rate, such as less than 166 micrograms of nitric oxide per second. Also described are methods of administering a therapeutic gas comprising nitric oxide to a patient, wherein a dose of nitric oxide is administered from a portable device that includes a delivery system and a mini-cylinder. Methods of intermittent administration of nitric oxide pulses are also described.

Abstract: A physical therapy massage ball device includes an elongated tubular sleeve having a massage ball receiving cavity defined between the ends of the sleeve, at least one massage ball, and generally two to six massage balls, received within the massage ball receiving cavity, and a pair of handles extending from each end of the massage ball receiving cavity. The massage ball receiving cavity may include an opening for the user to selectively add or remove massage balls from the massage ball receiving cavity. The tubular sleeve may be formed from elastic material such as spandex and be used to form both the massage ball receiving cavity and the handles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus deliver a variable flow of oxygen to a patient. The apparatus may include a flow control valve, a pressure sensor to detect a patient's breathing pressure and ambient pressure, an oxygen flow analyzer to measure oxygen flow to the patient, and a processor to analyze the breathing pressure values, ambient pressure value, and oxygen flow rate values and to determine when a patient is inhaling. When the processor determines the patient is inhaling, the processor calculates an optimal oxygen flow rate to deliver to a patient, which may depend on a pre-selected flow rate and an oxygen backlog, and the processor sends a signal to the flow control valve to deliver the optimal oxygen flow rate to the patient.

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.

Abstract: A lower jaw thrusting (LJT) mandibular protracting oral airway device including an elongate member with a distal end and a proximal end defining an air passageway channel. The elongate member includes a lip flange, a curved main body, and a bite block. The lip flange is located at the proximal end and has an outwardly projecting surface. The curved main body extends to the distal end. The bite block is disposed between the lip flange and the curved main body. The bite block includes an upper dorsal surface having a first bite portion for maxillary incisor teeth engagement and a lower ventral surface having a second bite portion for mandibular incisor teeth engagement. The bite block includes a mandibular flange projecting downwards from the lower ventral surface located distal to the second bite portion for mandibular incisor teeth engagement and proximal to the first bite portion for maxillary incisor engagement.