Abstract: An ultraviolet irradiation system includes a medical device having a central lumen, an optical fiber having a longitudinal length, and an ultraviolet wave generator, wherein ultraviolet waves generated by the wave generator are dispersed along the longitudinal length of the optical fiber to disinfect the central lumen of the medical device.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to generate stimulation control signals in response to a detection of a respiratory disorder. The system further includes at least one kinesthetic effector with a vibrating electromechanical transducer applied to a site on a patient's skin for delivering a kinesthetic stimulation energy determined by the control signals. The processor is further configured to determine the effectiveness of a stimulation by detecting a disappearance of the respiratory disorder. The processor is further configured to determine a therapy by selecting a stimulation strategy among several stimulation strategies according to a type of expected or detected disorder.

Abstract: Techniques for emergency apneic oxygenation include a cannula having a longitudinal inner passage with an inner diameter. A distal portion has a first outer diameter greater than the inner diameter, and is made of shape memory material shaped to bend in a first direction along the inner passage. A cannula base has a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter. A distance from a distal end of the cannula to a proximal end of the distal portion of the cannula is less than a distance from a surface of a throat of a subject to a distal surface of an airway of the subject. The inner passage is configured to pass a catheter connected at a proximal end to an oxygen source. In various embodiments, the cannula is used with a trocar and, optionally, a system base, or supplied in a kit with a catheter.

Abstract: A device includes a processor configured to detect a respiratory disorder episode and generate kinesthetic stimulation control signals in response to the detection of a respiratory disorder episode. The device further includes at least one kinesthetic effector adapted to be applied to a patient's outer skin site and includes a vibrating electromechanical transducer capable of receiving stimulation control signals and outputting a kinesthetic stimulation energy determined by the stimulation control signals. The processor is further configured to determine the effectiveness of stimulation by detecting a cessation of the respiratory disorder episode. The processor is further configured to determine a stimulation energy by selecting an initial energy value and varying the energy value as a function of the effectiveness of previous stimulation.

Abstract: A spacer may improve the effectiveness of medication delivery by an inhaler. The spacer may be configured to store the inhaler to improve compactness and/or portability of the spacer and inhaler. The inhaler may be coupled to a retaining device, inhaler container, and/or the like that restricts movement of the inhaler to predetermined positions and/or orientations. A user may be able to transition the inhaler between a stored position and an active position by moving the inhaler translationally and/or rotationally. The inhaler may be able to remain coupled to the retaining device and/or inhaler container, and the retaining device and/or inhaler container may be able to remain coupled to the spacer during transition from the stored position to the active position. The spacer may be sized to fit in a pants pocket in an embodiment.

Abstract: A gum soother with a bristle-less wand, an internal vibrating device, a power supply connected to the internal vibrating device, an on/off switch for activating the internal vibrating device, and a mouth guard connected to the bristle-less wand. The mouth guard can extend at a first angle from the bristle-less wand and a flex neck connected to the bristle-less wand can extend at a second angle from the mouth guard. A hollow membrane-free dual chew tip can be connected to the flex neck, wherein the hollow membrane-free dual chew tip can be configured to sustain a reduced temperature from room temperature of at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit, if needed.

Abstract: A bi-level positive airway pressure device includes a housing that has a patient port for connecting to an airway of a patient. Within the housing is a device that generates a positive airway pressure directed towards to patient port. Also within the housing is a system that mechanically detects exhalation (by the patient that is connected to the patient port) that enters into the patient port. Responsive to detecting exhalation, a blocking device occludes the device that generates positive airway pressure, thereby reducing or stopping the positive airway pressure until the system that mechanically detects exhalation no longer detects exhalation, at which time the blocking device is operated to no longer occlude the device for generating positive airway pressure, thereby providing positive airway pressure to the patient port during, for example, inhalation.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring a wearer of a breathing apparatus including a source of breathable gas which is supplied to a delivery device via a fluid line, the monitoring apparatus including a breathing detector arranged to determine if breathing using the breathing apparatus has commenced, and a mobile monitoring device arranged to be associated with the wearer and which can be activated to monitor the motion of the wearer. The monitoring apparatus is arranged to activate the mobile monitoring device when it is determined that breathing has commenced.

Abstract: Increasing blood circulation, lowering intracranial pressure, and increasing cerebral perfusion pressure during the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation by gravity-assist due to elevation of one or both of the torso and head of an individual.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering the delivery of an aerosol. The apparatus has a variable acoustic source and a microphone, both acoustically coupled to a volume having a fluid region and an air region. The apparatus may also include a processor to determine a volume of the air region based on signals received from the microphone and the variable acoustic source. A fluid valve is coupled to the processor, and is configured to allow an amount of fluid to exit the fluid region associated with the volume of the air region. An atomizer, coupled to the fluid region, is configured to aerosolize at least a portion of the fluid.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir is attachable to an aerosol generation device for guiding a fluid from a fluid container to the aerosol generation device. The fluid reservoir has an interface portion arranged at the fluid reservoir for attaching the fluid reservoir to the aerosol generation device. The interface portion has a locking element configured to non-detachably lock the fluid reservoir to the aerosol generation device after attachment of the fluid reservoir to the aerosol generation device. The locking element is breakable to enable detachment of the fluid reservoir from the aerosol generation device. A combination includes the fluid reservoir and a primary fluid package, wherein the primary fluid package has at least one chamber containing a fluid therein. An aerosol generation device is configured for use with the fluid reservoir has an attachment portion for receiving the interface portion of the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A mask assembly is provided for delivering gas to a patient that includes a mask body and a breathing circuit interface. The mask body includes an opening for reception of the gas and includes a seal structure for sealingly engaging with the face of the patient and surrounding at least the nose and mouth of the patient. The breathing circuit interface includes a first portion rotatably connected with the mask body and a second portion that is constructed and arranged to releasably connect with a conduit for delivering the gas to the patient through the opening.

Abstract: There is provided a phototherapy apparatus, in which the therapeutic light is delivered through or in proximity to one or more massage components. The massage component provides mechanical massage to the subject biological tissue and modifies the properties of the subject tissue in thickness, density, etc. to facilitate the absorption of the therapeutic light and enhance the effect of the phototherapy procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a garment system including at least one sensor and at least one actuator that operates responsive to sensing feedback from the at least one sensor to cause a flexible compression garment to selectively constrict or selectively dilate, thereby compressing or relieving compression against at least one body part of a subject. Such selective constriction or dilation can improve muscle functioning or joint functioning during use of motion-conducive equipment, such as an exercise bike or rowing machine.

Abstract: Ventilator circuit aerosol delivery systems used to administer medication to a patient are disclosed. In one implementation, a metered dose inhaler (“MDI”) ventilator assembly may include a housing that defines an interior space, an inhalation port that defines an inhalation passageway in communication with the interior space, an exhalation port that defines an exhalation passageway in communication with the interior space, a patient port that defines a patient passageway in communication with the interior space, and a MDI receptacle positioned on the housing and in communication with the interior space. The MDI receptacle is operative to receive a MDI container and dispense an aerosolized medication within the MDI container into the interior space so that during inhalation, an inhalation flow including the aerosolized medication may flow through the inhalation port, the interior space, and the patient port.

Abstract: A nasal cannula assembly is disclosed having a face mount part, in use resting against a user's face, which includes at least one nasal prong capable of being fitted into a person's nares. The cannula assembly also includes a manifold part, in fluid communication with the face mount part, having a single horizontal side gases entry. In particular, this cannula assembly is for supplying heated, humidified gases to a patient suffering from COPD. A tie or lanyard is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus such as a nasal cannula, face or nasal mask or tracheostomy connector. The tie or lanyard transfers the weight of the conduits supplying gases to the breathing assistance apparatus from the breathing assistance apparatus and distributes it onto the neck of the patient.

Abstract: A nasopharyngeal cannula comprising a body formed by a tubular portion that is curved so as to be inserted into a patient's nostril and a collar for resting on the base of the patient's nostril is described. The cannula also comprises a main channel forming a fluid passage between the collar and the tubular portion of the body and two auxiliary channels formed in the body and extending from the collar into the main channel. Each auxiliary channel opens into the collar at an inlet/outlet port oriented radially in relation to the axis of the main channel such as to be oriented laterally on each side of the patient's nostril when the cannula is in place on the patient.

Abstract: A wearable sun-shade consisting of a headband with an adjustable, sliding visor. The visor attaches to the headband via a combination ball joint and sliding linear-motion guide. The visor slides and pivots along the length of the headband so as to shade specific areas of the face and neck.

Abstract: A dual chamber nebulizer apparatus for atomizing and administering a first and second liquid medicine includes a housing having first and second chambers for holding the first and second liquid medicines. An atomizer member is situated in the housing and configured to atomize liquid into vapor. An air flow member is coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the atomizer, the flow member having an inlet port for receiving a compressed air flow to the atomizer member. First and second aspiration tubes are in communication with the atomizer member and extend into first and second chambers, respectively. The atomizer member includes a junction in communication with the first and second aspiration tubes, the valve selectively allowing both of the liquid medicines to be drawn through respective aspiration tubes and directed to the atomizer member when the compressed airflow is directed to the atomizer member.

Abstract: A drumming device for delivering a repetitive percussive strike to muscles below a skin surface comprises a main housing enclosing an electric motor with a shaft having a fixed rotational speed, a drive pulley, a toothed belt encircling the drive pulley and a driven pulley with an integral cam mounted on the pulley such that the rotating shaft causes the driven pulley to rotate at a predetermined number of cycles per second, the assembly causing a repetitive, reciprocal movement of a plunger body a fixed distance and at 16.6 cycles/sec, the plunger movable in a downward direction following contact with the cam, such that the plunger reciprocates within the housing when the cam member contacts the plunger causing the plunger shaft to move laterally outward. When the massaging device is properly position in contact with the skin the moving plunger causes muscle spindles to vibrate at their resonant frequency.