Abstract: The invention is a frameless, disposable cloth body for use with a respiratory mask, such as for continuous positive airway pressure therapy for those having sleep apnea. The cloth body is inflatable and moisture-vapor breathable and has an inner side having a nasal interface portion disposed on it and an outer side, and also has a circular aperture formed in a central location on the body, sized to sealingly receive an air delivery arrangement. The cloth body also has a pair of wings on opposite sides with slits arranged at optimal angles for receiving headgear straps.

Abstract: A passive inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip with a plurality of blister pockets is proposed. The inhaler includes an impaction element onto which the air stream can impact together with entrained inhalation formulation for better deagglomeration. Alternatively, the inhaler includes an oscillating and/or vibrating device for better de-agglomeration of the inhalation formulation. Alternatively or additionally, the inhaler includes one or two mixing means for generating swirls, preferably with opposite rotation directions.

Abstract: A cuff for providing compression to a limb includes an outer wall joined to an inner wall to form a bladder, the bladder being provided with means to separate the walls to maintain a path for fluid flow into and out of the bladder characterized in that the separating means are a spacer provided on the interior of at least one wall, which separates the walls when the bladder is deflated.

Abstract: A system for controlling medical devices, wherein this system can include a device having at least one wireless or cellular based communication module. The module can be in the form of a GPRS module associated with a SIM card, or a CDMA module. The SIM card can be adapted such that it contains additional memory for storing a program for controlling the device or the system. Multiple cellular communication modules can also be installed in this system. Additional communication modules such as wireless modules including but not limited to Bluetooth, IRDA, RF, or any other wireless module can also be incorporated into the system. Wired modules can also be used, for example these wired modules can be RS-232 modules, USB, Serial adapters, phone and fax modem.

Abstract: A non-invasive apparatus for rehabilitating a joint, limb, and muscles of a patient recovering from surgery on the joint, includes a continuous passive motion device having at least one support member for supporting the limb, at least one hinge coupled to the at least one support member, and at least one actuator for providing reciprocating motion of the at least one support member about the at least one hinge, a plurality of electrodes transmitting at least four modalities chosen from a group consisting of functional electrical stimulation (FES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), temperature therapy stimulation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylactic stimulation, venous blood flow monitoring, and pain monitoring, and a control unit controlling the at least one actuator and the plurality of electrodes according to a coordinated sequence of the reciprocating motion and transmission of the at least four modalities.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a dispenser housing, an indicating device connected to the dispenser housing and a container removably engaged with the dispenser housing. The container and the dispenser housing remain connected as the container is moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position relative to the dispenser housing. The dispenser housing includes an upper portion pivotally connected to a lower portion.

Abstract: A device for compressive treatment of a body part includes a compression member, adapted to at least partly encircle the body part, and an actuation unit, arranged to tighten the compression member to provide a compressive force to the body part. Methods are provided for its therapeutic, cosmetic and non-therapeutic use and operation.

Abstract: An aerosol transfer device for medical aerosol generators includes a body, fluidically coupled to a nebulizer and to a patient interface. An ambient air intake is formed into a lower body. The body is shaped and configured to optimize mixing of ambient air from the ambient air intake and the aerosol generated by the nebulizer, resulting in the formation of an aerosol plume having optimum characteristics for delivery of the aerosol to the patient's pulmonary system, such as the central or deep lung regions. The shape and dimensions of the body are further designed to minimize aerosol deposition, thus improving delivery efficiency.

Abstract: A therapeutic massage device, specifically a manual scalp massager that can both provide a soothing sensation to the user and also stimulate the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of a person's scalp, resulting in a healthier scalp and better looking hair. The device should efficiently, and without harm or discomfort to the user, be able to pinch the tightly drawn scalp of the user, thereby squeezing the sebaceous glands and improving oil production. The device should also be easy to use and should not require an inordinate amount of effort by the operator. In operation, the device can massage one's scalp by alternating between constricting and releasing the skin.

Abstract: A waterproof hand-held electric breast massager includes a casing, a driving motor, a power supply element and a massaging member. The sealing cover is disposed at one end of the tubal body and at least one a protrusion at another end of the tubal body. The bottom body further has a conductive sheet, and at least one a positioning slot around a hollow portion of the bottom body. When the positioning slot of the bottom body is aligned with the protrusion, the bottom body can be inserted into the tubal body. The driving motor is mounted in the tubal body, and the driving motor has a first and a second conductive parts. The first conductive part and the conductive sheet make contact with each other. The massaging member has a bowl-like shape and a lip with an elastic curved surface at a circumference edge such that the casing is disposed perpendicular with the lip of the massaging member.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an enhanced eductor element that significantly increases the amount of pressure generated at the siphon tube without significantly increasing the flow resistance through the eductor. The invention further provides for breath-actuated inhalation devices comprising the enhanced eductor element as an actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A humidifier has a base unit with an engagement face that is configured to interface with a flow generator. The humidifier also has a tank configured to be removably received by the base unit and hold a volume of liquid. The tank has a side wall with an air inlet. The humidifier further has an air flow passage configured to receive an air connector of the flow generator at the engagement face of the base unit. The air flow passage is axially offset from a tank inlet. In addition, a cross-section of the airflow passage inlet and a cross-section of the tank air inlet are substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane. In addition, a flexible face seal is positioned at an end of the air flow passage. An end of the face seal is configured to abut a side wall of the tank that includes the tank inlet when the tank is received in the base unit.

Abstract: A system for biomechanically protecting a person carrying a structure on their back includes a body portion carried about the person's back and shoulders. A shoulder area pad is connected to the body portion and covers a portion of the person's shoulder area. A scapula area pad spaces the structure from the person's spine of the scapula area and covers a portion of the person's back adjacent the spine of the scapula. A para-spinal pad spaces the structure from the person's spinous processes and extends substantially the length of the person's spine, covering a portion of the person's para-spinal musculature. Protection from the structure is also provided by a lateral pad that covers a lateral portion of the person's back, a kidney pad that covers a portion of the person's back to protect the kidneys, and a sacrum pad that covers a portion of the person's sacrum area.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a breathing apparatus that is particularly well suited for use by water sports enthusiasts. The device provides a breath of air to a swimmer or surfer at depth without the use of compressed air tanks. Physically innocuous to the wearer, the device can be repeatedly recharged with minimal interruption to the sports activity.

Abstract: An apparatus for administering pain relief has at least one quartz crystal disposed proximate an energizable vibratory element in a support structure for positioning the quartz-crystal-and-vibratory-element combination proximate the head region of an individual. A pair of support structures each having a quartz-crystal-and-vibratory-element combination is mounted upon a shoulder harness in spaced-apart relationship with respect to one another. An energizable lighting structure having a substantially linear series of illuminating elements is disposed in an arced relationship with respect to the quartz-crystal-and-vibratory-element combination. In a method of administering pain relief the apparatus is positioned proximate the head region of an individual, and the vibratory element and the lighting structure are both energized.

Abstract: A servoventilator control slowly changes the target ventilation over a period of time, according to a preprogrammed schedule adapted to be set by the physician. Preferably, the target ventilation stays constant at an initial target ventilation for an initial hold time, and then increases at a constant rate until it reaches a final target ventilation, whereupon it stays constant thereafter. If the pressure support level is too high, possibly indicating glottic or upper airway closure, the rate of increase of target ventilation may be lowered or the final target ventilation not reached.

Abstract: A gas delivery system, having a gas identification, by which a gas supplied to the gas delivery system is identified, a blender, blending oxygen and the gas to provide a gas mixture with an oxygen flow rate set up by an operator, and at least one flow sensor, to measure a flow rate of the gas mixture. The blender is driven by an actuator motor to various blender positions with the blender positions being calibrated based on the specific heat ratio and the gas constant of the gas. The flow sensor can be installed at the inspiratory circuit, the proximal circuit and the expiratory circuit of the gas delivery system. The flow sensor output is corrected based on the actual conditions, including the temperature, pressure and humidity, and characteristics of the gas mixture.

Abstract: The Active Knee Rehabilitation Orthotic System (ANdROS) is a wearable and portable assistive tool for gait rehabilitation and monitoring of people with motor control deficits due to a neurological ailment, such as stroke. ANdROS reinforces a desired gait pattern by continually applying a corrective torque around the knee joint, commanded by a impedance controller. A sensorized yet unactuated brace worn on the unimpaired leg is used to synchronize the playback of the desired trajectory based on the user's intent. The device is mechanically grounded through two ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) rigidly attached to the main structure, which helps reduce the weight perceived by the user.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems to provide a liquid oxygen delivery system that efficiently delivers therapeutic oxygen in accordance with a patient's respiratory cycle. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a portable liquid oxygen delivery system having a liquid oxygen device, an oxygen conserving device, and an accumulator device. The portable liquid oxygen delivery system has a collective gaseous oxygen volume and the accumulator device is enabled to actuate and reduce the collective gaseous oxygen volume.

Abstract: One embodiment describes an insulin formulation that is specifically adapted for aerosolization. The formulation includes a major amount of water and a minor amount of insulin. Further, the formulation is preservative free, without meta-cresol, cresol or phenol, to permit the formulation to be aerosolized using a vibrating aperture plate without substantial foaming of the insulin formulation.