Abstract: Systems and methods for implanting a shunt for regulating blood pressure between a patient's left and right atria are provided. The shunt comprises an anchor having a neck region, first and second end regions, and a conduit affixed with the anchor formed of a biocompatible material that is resistant to transmural and translation tissue ingrowth and that reduces a risk of paradoxical embolism. The shunt may be advanced through the sheath until the first region protrudes from the sheath and self-expands within the left atrium. The shunt and the sheath may then be retracted until the first region contacts the left side of the atrial septum. The sheath may further be retracted until the counterforce exerted by shunt tension on the atrial septum overcomes the friction of the retained portions of the shunt such that the second region is exposed from the sheath and self-expands within the second atrium.

Abstract: A multimodal wearable band which uses mechanical vibrations to stimulate sensory neurons in the wrist or ankle in order to reduce the severity of tremors, rigidity, involuntary muscle contractions, and bradykinesia caused by neurological movement disorders and to free users from freezing induced by movement disorders. The device uses sensors to provide output used by a processing unit to determine the optimal stimulation pattern for each user and to determine when stimulation is necessary, and then uses one or more vibration motors to accordingly stimulate the user's neurological pathways to lessen the severity of a user's symptoms. The device can also be adapted to integrate with 3rd party devices.

Abstract: A method of controlling thermal transfer in a perfusion system heat exchanger of an extracorporeal fluid treatment device for conditioning an extracorporeal patient fluid for administration to a patient comprises a step of providing a perfusion system heat exchanger, wherein the perfusion system heat exchanger comprises a first fluid passage for a liquid heat transfer medium and a second fluid passage for the extracorporeal patient fluid to be temperature-controlled via exchange of thermal energy with the heat transfer medium, and a step of providing the heat transfer medium through the first fluid passage. The heat transfer medium comprises a component with anti-microbial properties, such as glycol. The provision of antimicrobial fluid reduces the risk of microbe contamination of the extracorporeal fluid, and hence the risk of clinical complications.

Abstract: A cushion for use in providing a regimen of respiratory therapy to a patient includes a base that defines a main cavity therein an aperture for receiving a flow of breathing gas. A pair of nasal pillows each extend from the base, each having a cone-shaped head that tapers inward and upward from a base portion, that extends directly from the base, to a top opening. Each head is formed to engage an inner portion of a nare of the patient. Each head defines a passage extending between the main cavity and the top opening for further conveying the flow of breathing gas from the main cavity to a nasal passage of the patient. Each base portion includes an inner edge positioned near the center of the cushion that merges with the hollow base and an opposite outer edge spaced upward from an outer surface of the hollow base.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling fluid flow of an inhalant anesthetic to expedite patient recovery are provided such that nitrous oxide flow and oxygen flow over different durations are output to a patient mask. In one exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a controller in an inhalant anesthetic system that outputs a nitrous oxide flow and an oxygen flow over different durations for output to a patient mask comprises sending, to a nitrous oxide flow control mechanism, an indication to enable the nitrous oxide flow for a first predetermined duration that corresponds to a certain amount of nitrous oxide. Further, the method includes sending, by the controller, to the oxygen flow control mechanism, an indication to enable the oxygen flow for a second predetermined duration that corresponds to a certain amount of oxygen.

Abstract: A compressor assembly for a portable oxygen concentrator includes a first compressor chamber having a first connector, a second compressor chamber having a second connector, and a tube having a first end having a first connection interface configured to connect to the first connector and a second end having a second connection interface configured to connect to the second connector. The first connection interface is shaped to maintain the connection between the first connector and the first connection interface in a fixed orientation and the second connection interface is shaped to maintain the connection between the second connector and the second connection interface in a fixed orientation. One or more of the first connector, the second connector, and the tube are compliant.

Abstract: A vascular access device may include a blood circuit having an arterial blood line and a venous blood line. The venous blood line is connected to a first access needle and the arterial blood line is connected to a second access needle. The venous blood line is connected to an access component affixed to the second access needle and configured such that when the second access needle is used to infuse blood into a patient, the access component is positioned to withdraw blood and convey it into the venous line. The withdrawn blood may also be conveyed to an air detector to detect withdrawal of the second access needle.

Abstract: A headgear portion or assembly for use in combination with a breathing apparatus in some configurations is at least substantially inelastic and is three dimensional in shape. The headgear portion or assembly can comprise a plastic core and a textile casing. The headgear, or part thereof, may also have integrally moulded labels, connectors, adjustment mechanisms and/or grips.

Abstract: A handheld lancing device having anesthetic feature includes a housing removably retaining a disposable lancet. A carriage suspended within the housing by an isolation assembly may receive the lancet. A motor in mechanical communication with the lancet produces vibrations transmitted to contact surface, which vibrate a target lancing site prior to and during piercing. The target site is vibrated for a predetermined period of time before deploying the lancet. The isolation assembly permits movement of the carriage and/or lancet within the housing in one direction while limiting movement in other directions, and further dampens the vibrations of the motor from the housing held by the user. A force sensor detects force applied by the pressing of the contact surface against the skin of the patient. An indicator(s) perceivable to the user identifies when predefined positions of the lancet are reached for initiating vibration then triggering the lancet.

Abstract: Disclosed are powered gait assistance systems that include a controller, sensors, and a motor coupled to a patient's thigh and lower leg and operable to apply assistive torque to the patient's knee joint to assist the patient's volitional knee pivoting muscle output during selected stages of the patient's gait cycle, such that the assistive torque applied by the motor improves the patient's leg posture, muscle output, range of motion, and/or other parameters over the gait cycle. The sensors can include a torque sensor that measures torque applied by the motor, a knee angle sensor, a foot sensor that measures ground contact of the patient's foot, and/or other sensors. The controller can determine what stage of the patient's gait cycle the patient's leg is in based on sensor signals and cause the motor to apply corresponding assistive torque to the knee based on the gait cycle stage, sensor inputs, and known patient characteristics.

Abstract: An inner assembly and an outer assembly of a hypotrochoid apparatus with a spindle located inside the inner assembly where a spindle proximate end and a spindle distal end each employ at least one mechanical interface. An eccentric hub provides a central throughbore for receiving a spindle, where the spindle is rotatably engaged with the eccentric hub and the inner bore which enhances vibration when the spindle is rotating and the eccentric hub is engaged.

Abstract: A nasal inhaler for the inhalation of inhalable substances comprise: a canister having an interior reservoir containing pressurised inhalable substances including fluid; a metering valve including a metering chamber and a valve stem defining a communication path between the metering chamber and the interior reservoir, the communication path including an opening configured to permit flow between a transfer space inside the valve stem and the interior reservoir, the interior reservoir being arranged for orientation above the metering chamber whereby gas located within the metering chamber is replaced with liquid from the interior reservoir.

Abstract: An irrigating intraluminal suction inner cannula system for a tracheostomy tube may be a suction-powered system that may be used for suction alone or a combination of rinse and intraluminal suction for tracheostomy tubes in place of conventional catheter-based intraluminal suction. An inner cannula includes chambers, or regions, and holes that facilitate intraluminal suction and cleaning at multiple locations within the tracheostomy tube. It may be applied/actuated by a patient, healthcare worker, caretaker, or via an electronic system either on-demand or on regular or triggered intervals, in either inpatient/hospital or outpatient/ambulatory care setting.

Abstract: A device (1), for a ventilation system (100), includes an inhalation valve (10) with an inhalation opening (11) for flow (301) of breathing gas (300) into a pressure chamber (110) to provide breathing gas in the pressure chamber for ventilating a patient (200). A closing element (12) is arranged movably, to close the inhalation opening to flow in a closed position (320) and to at least partially release flow in an open position (310). A transmission device (13) is connected via a connection element (14) to the closing element, to hold the closing element in the closed position in a starting position of the transmission device, such that the inhalation valve is normally closed. A control pressure source (130) provides a control pressure (PS) in a control pressure chamber (15) for the transmission device to move the transmission device out of the starting position by the control pressure.

Abstract: A customizable drug delivery system and method utilizing a laser pattern generator (LPG) to define application of a drug delivery payload (DDP) contained within a drug delivery device (DDD) to a drug delivery target (DDT) is disclosed. A computer control device (CCD) supervises the LPG to select a drug payload pathway (DPP) from a drug pathway database (DPD) and writes the selected DPP to the DDD. This pathway patterning process (PPP) modifies the hydrophilic properties of the DDD and enables the DDD to selectively attract and absorb the DDP. The DDD is then injected with the DDP or exposed for drug exposure time (DET) by the CCD and DPD during which the DPP written to the DDD absorbs a controlled amount of DDP. The DDD when subsequently inserted into a drug delivery target (DDT) delivers the DDP to the DDT under controlled delivery rates defined by the DPP and the DET.

Abstract: A treatment force application device preferably for use on biological tissue includes a proximal end having a weight and having a support for a practitioner; a distal end having a treatment interface configured for applying a therapeutic treatment including at least a treatment force; and a connection between the support and the treatment interface. The connection is lockably adjustable by the practitioner to establish a placement of the treatment interface relative to the support. The weight is sufficient to substantially prevent movement of the treatment interface relative to the support when the connection is locked. The support enables movement of the practitioner to provide a practitioner force, and the practitioner force is transferred from the support to the treatment interface through the connection. The support includes at least one flexible brace against which the practitioner can press to provide the practitioner force.

Abstract: The massage machine includes a massage unit for treating a treatment target person, a first drive unit for driving the massage unit in a direction facing a treatment site of at least the treatment target person, and a control unit that controls driving of at least the first drive unit. The massage unit is configured to include a treatment unit in an articulated structure with at least two or more joints, and a second drive unit that drives the treatment unit in the direction facing the treatment target site of the treatment target person. The at least the two or more joints are shifted from each other in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the treatment target site.

Abstract: A suction catheter system is described with a suction extension interfaced with a guide catheter to form a continuous suction lumen extending through a portion of the guide catheter and through the suction extension. The suction extension can be positioned by tracking the suction nozzle through a vessel while moving a proximal portion of the suction extension within the lumen of the guide catheter. The suction extension can comprise a connecting section with a non-circular cross section for interfacing with the inner lumen of an engagement section of the guide catheter. The tubular body of the guide catheter can have a reduced diameter distal section the can be useful to restrain the movement of the suction extension.

Abstract: A percussive massage device includes a motor including a rotor, a push rod operatively connected to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor, a massage attachment coupled to a distal end of the push rod, a sensor configured to detect a rotor position of the rotor, and a controller configured to receive the rotor position, determine a rotational speed of the motor therefrom, and compare the rotational speed to a predetermined speed, wherein the controller is configured to increase operating power of the motor when the rotational speed is lower than the predetermined speed.

Abstract: A ventilation device includes a mechanical ventilator (10), respiratory sensors (30, 32) configured to acquire measurements of respiratory variables including at least measurements of airway pressure and airway flow, and an electronic processor (14) programmed to perform a ventilation method including: operating the mechanical ventilator to provide mechanical ventilation controlled using measurements acquired by the respiratory sensors; performing a pause maneuver comprising closing at least one of an inhalation valve (38) and an exhalation valve (40) for a pause interval and estimating a respiratory mechanics index from one or more respiratory system parameters estimated from measurements acquired by the respiratory sensors during or after the pause interval; and triggering a pause maneuver in response to detecting a change in the estimated respiratory mechanics index.