Abstract: Inhalation airflow regulation devices and inhalers are disclosed. Methods of making and using inhalation airflow regulation devices are also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: A manual emergency resuscitator uses a volume control system having pre-defined setting to accommodate patients of different sizes. An upper plate 305 is attached to a front hinge assembly 103 and a lower housing assembly is attached to the front hinge assembly. The lower housing assembly defines the lower portions of an accordion chamber 206. A selection void 300 is defined within the upper plate 305, with the selection void further defined by voids indexed to a closed position, infant position, child position and an adult position. A volume selector cord 201 has a first end attached to a volume selector, with the volume selector contained within the selection void. Placing the volume selector into one of the predefined positions regulates the amount of air delivered by the resuscitator.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly includes a housing that defines an inlet port and an outlet port. A jet pump receives pressurized gas flow from the inlet port and delivers the gas flow to the outlet port. A nebulizer is fluidly coupled to the outlet port and positioned to introduce medication into the gas flow and deliver medicated gas flow to a patient.

Abstract: An inhaler comprising a housing to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters is disclosed. Each blister has a puncturable lid and contains a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user. A mouthpiece is pivotally mounted to the housing through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user. The inhaler also has an actuating mechanism including a lever operable to sequentially move each blister into alignment with a blister piercing member depending from the mouthpiece. The actuating lever is also operable to cause the mouthpiece to pivot so that the blister piercing member punctures the lid of an aligned blister so that, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, an airflow through the blister is generated to entrain the dose contained therein and carry it, via the mouthpiece, into the user's airway.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus includes a filter, a motor and a blower driven by the motor. The filter is disposed ahead of the blower and the blower is configured to generate an air volume flow over the filter. A data storage unit has calibration curves for the air volume flow stored therein and the calibration curves are provided in characteristic line fields referenced to a known ambient pressure (p0, p1). Each of the characteristic line fields has a reference calibration curve referred to a predetermined operating state. A control unit is connected to the motor and the data storage unit. The control unit is configured to extrapolate one of the characteristic line fields for the operation of the motor by comparing a calibration curve ({dot over (V)}ox) for an unknown ambient pressure (px) recorded at a predetermined operating state with a reference calibration curve.

Abstract: An inhaler, particularly a powder inhaler, for administering a medicament in the form of inhalable substances, substance formulations or mixtures, with a mouthpiece (2) and a magazine that comprises a housing (3) having a plurality of cavities (32) for holding the medicament, the mouthpiece (2) being in flow connection with one of the cavities (32). The closed housing (3) has a cover (4) that covers at least one carrier (26, 27) comprising the unsealed cavities (32), the carrier (26, 27) being movable relative to the cover (4) for bringing a cavity (32) into flow connection with the mouthpiece (2).

Abstract: A feminine hygiene pad with releasable attachment is a conventional feminine hygiene pad having an absorbent upper layer and a liquid impermeable lower layer, at least one elastic element attached to the lower layer to maintain the feminine hygiene pad in a non-collapsed state, and a pair of releasable attachments (fasteners) for releasably securing the lower layer to an inner surface of an undergarment. The pair of releasable attachments are formed from just the hook portions of hook and loop fasteners, and are attached to respective longitudinally opposed ends of the lower layer. The material forming the undergarment, such as cotton or the like, acts as a corresponding loop portion for releasable securement thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for application of a transitory corrective modification to a hot-wire anemometer flow voltage and/or calculated flow rate to compensate for transient thermal response of the anemometer during a change in mixture of a mixed gas being measured. According to one embodiment a method of applying the transitory corrective modification is provided. An output signal of an exhalation flow sensor of a medical ventilator is received. The flow sensor includes a hot-wire anemometer. The output signal is indicative of a rate of flow of expired gas by a patient. Transient thermal response of the hot-wire anemometer is compensated for by applying a corrective modification to the output signal or a value based thereon. The corrective modification is based at least in part on a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) being supplied by the medical ventilator to the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to an incontinence article (2) in the form of underpants, wherein the crotch segment (8) overlaps the belly segment (4) in a front overlapping area (36) and the crotch segment (8) overlaps with the back segment (6) in a rear overlapping area (38), wherein the outside (86) of the crotch segment (8) is inseparably joined to the inside (41) of the belly segment (4) in a front connecting area (306) and the outside (86) of the crotch segment (8) is inseparably joined to the inside (41) of the back segment (6) in a rear connecting area (308), wherein the connecting area (306, 308) of the belly segment (4) and the rear segment (6) each comprise a first joining area (310), 312) and second joining areas (314a, 314b, 316a, 316b), wherein the first joining area (310, 312) extends at least in segment below the absorption body (7), and wherein the second joining areas (314a, 314b, 316a, 316b) are provided in an area (320a, 320b, 322a, 322b) crossing each longitudinal edge (48) of the crotch segment (

Abstract: A respiratory mask system is provided, in which while wearing a respiratory mask system, force generated by movement of a user's head and the like to induce laterally slipping a mask cushion may be reduced or absorbed. The respiratory mask system is provided with a mask cushion covering a nose, a nose and a mouth, or a full face. A first frame is connected with the mask cushion to supply respiratory gas under positive pressure. A second frame is connected with a headgear strap, in which the mask cushion is placed on a face side of the first frame and the first frame is placed on a face side of the second frame. The first frame is connected slidably with the second frame along a slide surface.

Abstract: A protective diapering system is provided for the prevention of migration and introduction of stool with a male's genital area. The protective diapering system including a diaper having an anterior flap, a posterior flap, and a fenestrated flap disposed between the anterior and posterior flaps.

Abstract: A respiration appliance, system, and method for supporting the airway of a subject as the subject breathes. The flow of gas from the lungs of the subject during exhalation is leveraged to provide support to the airway. In particular, a body that encloses one or more external orifices of the subject provides a resistance differential between inhaled gas flows and exhaled gas flows that supports the subject's airway.

Abstract: A transdermal permeant delivery system for delivery of at least one permeant composition into a tissue membrane of a subject including a disposable substrate having at least a portion of a bottom surface of a first release liner connected to an upper surface of the substrate and a patch having a backing layer and a reservoir that is selectively removable from the top surface of the first release liner. In a connected position, a first portion of the backing layer of the patch is releaseably mounted to a top surface of the first release liner in spaced registration with a poration area of the substrate.

Abstract: Method and devices for the prevention or treatment of hair loss, particularly male pattern baldness (MPB), are provided. The pressure on the hair follicles is reduced.

Abstract: A surgical fastener system includes a plurality of fasteners having a throughbore with an internally threaded portion. The fasteners may engage with a threaded mandrel that passes through the throughbore of the fasteners. A rotator may rotate the fasteners relative to the mandrel to move at least one of the fasteners along the mandrel, e.g., along the mandrel's longitudinal axis. A distal end of the mandrel may be inserted into a material, such as a tissue, prosthetic or other, and a fastener may be deployed from the distal end of the mandrel while the distal end is positioned in the material. The throughbore of the fasteners may include a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion, may include an angled face or other feature to aid in fastener deployment and/or have curved depressions in the head portion.

Abstract: A single-fire clip applier with disposable jaws and re-usable handles is provided. The first jaw member is coupled to a second jaw member by a connector spring. The connector spring biases the jaws to an open at rest position. The jaws are releasably mountable to a post on the handles. Actuation of the handles produces a corresponding actuation of the jaws. After use, the jaws may be disposed and the handles re-sterilized. Different sized jaws for different sized clips may be used with one common re-usable handle.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided for sealing a vascular puncture tract by forming the autologous plug within the puncture tract, and extruding that plug into the puncture tract. The apparatus of the present invention forms an autologous blood plug by drawing blood into the apparatus from a vessel, mixing a blood congealing agent with the drawn blood, and ejecting a plug formed from the clotted blood within the puncture tract. Also provided are various closure elements (22) to isolate the drawn blood from the vessel during mixture with the blood congealing agent, and to facilitate placement of the apparatus relative to the vessel.

Abstract: A suture anchor for anchoring a suture in the selected portion of an anatomical portion for fixing a suture thereto. The suture anchor including an anatomical engaging portion and a suture engaging portion wherein both the anatomical engaging portion and a suture engaging portion are adapted to be substantially disposed below an exterior of the anatomical portion after implantation. Suture eyelets are provided in the suture engaging section and a suture passage is formed to interconnect the eyelets to allow a suture to be easily threaded in the suture engaging section from the first eyelet to the second eyelet.

Abstract: A medical forceps has a shaft, a handle at the proximal end of the shaft, which handle has at least one movable grip part which is pivotable about a pivot axis, at least one movable tool at the distal end of the shaft, and a force transmission element, which runs in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft and is axially movable and with one end is in operative connection with the at least one movable tool and with the other end is in operative connection with the at least one movable grip part. The force transmission element is connected to a slide which is guided linearly with an exact fit in a sliding bearing and is axially movable in the direction of the force transmission element, the slide being connected to the movable grip part by means of an articulated lever, which is articulated with one end on the slide and with another end on the movable grip part.