Abstract: A non-invasive ventilation system may include at least one outer tube with a proximal lateral end of the outer tube adapted to extend to a side of a nose. The at least one outer tube may also include a throat section. At least one coupler may be located at a distal section of the outer tube for impinging at least one nostril and positioning the at least one outer tube relative to the at least one nostril. At least one jet nozzle may be positioned within the outer tube at the proximal lateral end and in fluid communication with a pressurized gas supply. At least one opening in the distal section may be adapted to be in fluid communication with the nostril. At least one aperture in the at least one outer tube may be in fluid communication with ambient air. The at least one aperture may be in proximity to the at least one jet nozzle.

Abstract: An adapter for use with a flow generator includes a conduit attachable to the outlet of the flow generator and an identifying element supported by the conduit and providing an identifying feature unique to a specific peripheral component attachable to the flow generator. The identifying feature is communicatable to the flow generator so that appropriate operating parameters of the flow generator may be automatically selected by the flow generator to coordinate with the specific peripheral component.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a corresponding method for intubating a human or non-human animal patient. In some embodiments, the present invention is used in the field of anesthesia and emergency medicine. In some embodiments, the present invention provides an intubation tube that includes an integrated Blaine Bafflex System having a plurality of blaines for sealing the trachea, wherein the intubation tube is formed from a single material. In some embodiments, the shape and outer circumference of each blaine of the system is selected according to the desired use of the intubation tube (e.g., for intubating a pediatric patient or an adult patient or for intubating a small animal or a large animal). In some embodiments, the distance between successive blaines is selected such that, when the intubation tube is inserted into the patient and the blaines bend, none of the blaines overlap with their nearest neighbor.

Abstract: A respiration system includes a pressure regulator including a housing, an inlet for connection to a pressurized gas comprising oxygen, and a first data communication system, and a respiration facepiece including an interface to which the pressure regulator is removably attachable, at least one seal system to form a sealing engagement with the face of a user to encompass the nose and mouth of a wearer; an inspiration port in fluid connection with the pressure regulator interface and in fluid connection with the interior of the facepiece and at least one display within a volume of sealing engagement with the face of the user that is within the field of view of the user. The pressure regulator interface includes a second data communication system to receive data from the first data communication system to control the at least one display. A sealing attachment may, for example, be formed between the pressure regulator and the interface of the facepiece.

Abstract: An adjustable laryngeal airway or airflow control apparatus and method to control air flow into and out of the body including a tube having an inner surface and an outer surface including a threaded portion. The adjustable laryngeal airway (ALA) includes at least one arm having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is laterally spaced apart from the second portion. The arms include structure such as grooves, threads, or slots operable to connect with the threading on the outer surface of the tube. A mask is fitted around the outer surface of the tube to create a seal in the system. The tube engages the thread on the outer surface of the tube to allow the at least one arm to pivot about the first portion allowing the arms to rotate away from the tube.

Abstract: A urinary catheter connector system having a housing; a catheter connector port supported by the housing and configured to attach to a urinary catheter; a urine exit port supported by the housing and configured to connect to a urine collection device; an irrigation port supported by the housing and configured to receive an irrigation syringe; a channel in the housing fluidly connecting the catheter connector port, the urine exit port and the irrigation port; and a valve supported by the housing and adapted to cooperate with the irrigation syringe to shut off flow of fluid and air to the urine exit port when the irrigation syringe is inserted and allow for flow of fluid and air to the urine exit port when the irrigation syringe is removed. The invention also includes methods of using the system.

Abstract: A CPAP device includes a humidifier including humidifier tub having a heat conducting base plate; and a cradle to support the humidifier tub in an operative position. The cradle may also support a flow generator in operative relation to the humidifier tub. The cradle includes a heater plate in communication with the heat conducting base plate of the humidifier tub in use. The cradle further includes a retaining mechanism to retain the humidifier tub in the cradle, the retaining mechanism being structured to force the base plate into engagement with the heater plate. The humidifier and/or flow generator may include various features to manage inadvertent back-spill of water from the humidifier to the flow generator.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery system is disclosed that is a single-use (disposable) continuous nebulizer system designed for use with mechanically ventilated patients to aerosolize medications for inhalation with a general purpose nebulizer, or for connection with devices usable in endoscopic procedures. The system separates the liquid reservoir from the nebulization process taking place either at the adapter hub, where it fits into an endotracheal tube (ETT), or a gas humidifier, where the aerosol may treat a gas used in an endoscopic procedure, with a multi-lumen tube configured to nebulize liquid and air at its distal end. The refillable liquid reservoir is mounted away from the immediate treatment zone, avoiding orientation issues associated with other types of nebulizers having a self-contained reservoir. The system can produce aerosols having a wide range of droplet sizes, depending upon central lumen diameter, with values of MMAD that range from 4 to 30 ?m.

Abstract: An aerosol generating device includes a membrane for atomizing a liquid; an actuating device, which is coupled to the membrane so that this membrane is set in oscillatory motion when activated by electric signals; and a flexible substrate, which has electric lines for supplying electric signals to the actuating device and is designed for fastening the aerosol generating device to a fastening area of an inhalation therapy unit, and on which the membrane and the actuating device are held.

Abstract: A device for vaporizing and delivering an aerosol agent includes a heat generator, a heat conductor in fluid (airflow) communication with the heat generator, and a substrate holder in heat conducting relation with the heat conductor. The heat generator is a handheld, portable torch and the heat conductor defines an annular heat conducting chamber surrounding a substrate disposed within the substrate holder that supports the aerosol agent and an aerosol forming agent. Another device is a handheld, battery-powered heat generator including a heating element in heat conducting relation with a substrate holder. The heating element is a nichrome heating coil wound about the substrate disposed within the substrate holder and electrically coupled to the battery. Another device further includes an auxiliary heat generator having an auxiliary heating element formed by a finely woven wire mesh positioned adjacent the substrate and electrically coupled to the battery.

Abstract: There is provided a regulation valve for a life support system for use in an aircraft cabin. The valve may have a gas inlet, an air mask supply outlet connected to the gas inlet, and a pressure vest branch interconnected between the gas inlet and an opening. The valve may further have a decompression valve adapted to inhibit gas flow from the pressure vest branch to the air mask supply outlet if pressure in the aircraft cabin decreases below a predetermined value, a one-way valve adapted to inhibit gas flow from the pressure vest branch to the air mask supply outlet at a predetermined pressure difference between the pressure vest branch and the gas inlet, and a one-way dump valve adapted to direct gas from the pressure vest branch to the environment at the predetermined pressure difference between the pressure vest branch and the gas inlet.

Abstract: A patient interface structure for delivery of respiratory therapy to a patient includes a front plate configured to conform to the shape of the patient's face; a mouth cushion defining a breathing chamber and provided to the front plate and configured to seal around the patient's mouth; and a nasal cushion configured to seal the patient's nasal airways. The nasal cushion is supported by the mouth cushion, does not contact a bridge of the patient's nose in use, and extends at least partially into the breathing chamber. A patient interface system includes a patient interface structure and a patient interface structure positioning system configured to position, stabilize and secure the patient interface structure in sealing engagement with the patient's face.

Abstract: A flow generator for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a processor coupled with operation sensors and a user interface. The processor is programmed to generate at least one of time-based or event-based messages relating to at least one of flow generator operation, flow generator service, flow generator use, patient health, peripheral devices and services, patient treatment, and reminders. Time-based messages are generated at predetermined time intervals based on either time of use or elapsed time. The event-based messages are generated based on signals from the operation sensors. The user interface is configured to deliver the messages to at least one of a display, a flow generator service provider, the patient and a physician. By this system, operation of the flow generator is facilitated and enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solution for controlling the pressure/flow of breathing gas to a mechanical ventilator (4) by using an energy of breathing analysis and further to provide a pressure relief during exhalation and a trigger determination when to start the pressure relief using energy content of breathing in analysis for determining a pressure curve form during at least a portion of the expiration phase.

Abstract: A nasal delivery device for and method of delivering substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the delivery device comprising: a nosepiece for fitting to a nostril of a subject, wherein the nosepiece comprises a tip element which includes a delivery aperture from which substance is in use delivered into the nasal cavity, and the tip element is at least in part tapered such as to be inclined to a longitudinal axis of the nosepiece, with the delivery aperture extending both laterally across the tip element and along a longitudinal extent of the tip element; a nozzle through which substance is in use delivered, preferably substantially axially to a longitudinal axis of the nosepiece, to the respective nasal cavity; and a delivery unit for delivering substance through the nozzle of the nosepiece.

Abstract: A nebulizer includes an insertable container and a securing mechanism for holding the container in the nebulizer such that the container can move back and forth but can not be separated. The securing mechanism is formed by a metal unitary part. The securing mechanism forms a transportation lock for holding the container unmovable in the housing in a delivery state of the nebulizer. The securing mechanism forms a cage which encompasses the container.

Abstract: A forehead support for a mask assembly includes a frame connector provided to a mask frame, a forehead cushion support movably mounted to the frame connector for generally linear movement between retracted and extended positions with respect to the frame connector, and an adjustment knob movably mounted to the frame connector and threadably engaged with the forehead cushion support such that turning movement of the adjustment knob causes the forehead cushion support to be moved between the retracted and extended positions. The adjustment knob includes a resilient prong having a ratchet bump. The ratchet bump is adapted to selectively engage a series of ridges provided to the frame connector to provide indexed incremental adjustment.

Abstract: A respiration system includes a regulator including an inlet for connection to a source of pressurized gas and an outlet for delivery of the gas to the user, and a respiration facepiece for use in connection with the regulator including an interface removably attachable to the regulator, at least one seal system adapted to form a sealing engagement with the face of a user, an inhalation port in fluid connection with the regulator interface and with the facepiece interior, an inhalation check valve in fluid connection between the inhalation port and the facepiece interior; an exhalation port in fluid connection with the facepiece; an exhalation check valve in fluid connection with the exhalation port; and an ambient port separate from the inhalation port and from the exhalation port, which is in fluid connection with the facepiece interior without an intervening check valve.

Abstract: A forehead support for a mask assembly includes a frame connector provided to a mask frame, a forehead cushion support movably mounted to the frame connector for generally linear movement between retracted and extended positions with respect to the frame connector, and an adjustment knob movably mounted to the frame connector and threadably engaged with the forehead cushion support such that turning movement of the adjustment knob causes the forehead cushion support to be moved between the retracted and extended positions. The adjustment knob includes a resilient prong having a ratchet bump. The ratchet bump is adapted to selectively engage a series of ridges provided to the frame connector to provide indexed incremental adjustment.

Abstract: A process is provided for the automatic control of a respirator for changing over (triggering) between consecutive phases of respiration (inspiration and expiration phases), wherein a pneumatic breathing activity signal upneu(t) and a non-pneumatic breathing activity signal unon-pneu(t) of a patient are picked up. The intervals ?pneu(t) and ?non-pneu(t) to the associated threshold variables are respectively determined starting from a preset reference point in time since the beginning of the present phase of respiration. The intervals are standardized to one another at ?pneu(t) and ?non-pneu(t), such that the intervals have equal interval values at a preset reference point in time. The standardized intervals ?pneu(t) and ?non-pneu(t) are averaged to a mean interval indicator and a changeover is made into the next phase of respiration when the combined interval indicator is 0.