Abstract: A pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered to the airway of a subject in accordance with a therapy regimen. The therapy regimen calls for maintenance of an average tidal volume. The therapy ensures that the subject breaths at a therapeutic breath rate. The breath rate may be determined dynamically based on breathing of the subject early on in a therapy session and/or based on a detected wakefulness of the subject. Inspiration for spontaneous and non-spontaneous breaths may be supported at different levels. The therapy regimen further maintains a beneficial positive end expiratory pressure, to reduce respiratory obstructions and/or for other purposes.

Abstract: Nebulizer systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed. The apparatus includes a body, a breathing gas inlet and outlet, and a barrier. The body is sized to be positioned within an adaptor of the nebulizer system. The breathing gas inlet and the breathing gas outlet are at opposite ends of the body. The barrier is coupled to the body. A plurality of holes are formed in the barrier. The plurality of holes open in a direction orthogonal to the breathing gas inlet. The system employs the apparatus in conjunction with a nebulizer and an adaptor. The method includes generating an aerosolized medicament, providing the aerosolized medicament to the adaptor, passing the aerosolized medicament through the barrier of the apparatus, providing a breathing gas to the apparatus, and flowing the aerosolized medicament and the breathing gas through the breathing gas outlet of the apparatus.

Abstract: A cushion member (12, 12?, 12?) for a patient interface device (4) that includes a main body portion (34) including a plurality of chambers (48) and a self-sealing cap portion (36) coupled to the main body portion. The cap portion covers each of the chambers and forms a plurality of membrane members (52), with each membrane member being positioned over and sealing a respective one of the chambers. The cap portion is made of a self-sealing material such that that each of the membrane members is structured to self-seal responsive to having a needle inserted through and pulled out of the membrane member. Also, an apparatus and a method for selectively adjusting the internal pressure of the chambers of such a cushion.

Abstract: A connection assembly for rotateably and electrically coupling an accessory to a main device includes a housing portion, a rotatable port assembly, and a wire assembly. An end of the port assembly is coupled to the accessory. The port assembly includes an electrical connector member having a first connector end electrically coupled to the accessory. The wire assembly has an electrical wire member having a first end electrically coupled to a second connector end of the electrical connector member and a second end electrically coupled to a power supply. The wire member is spooled around the port assembly and encased in a chamber defined between the housing portion and the port assembly. Rotation of the port assembly in opposite directions causes the electrical wire member to spool more and less tightly around the port assembly without causing pinching or tangling of wires.

Abstract: A device for securing an oral airway device in place with a patient's oral cavity. The device comprises a V-clamp which is slid along its upper edge in the direction of the oral airway device. After making contact with the oral airway device with the V-clamp, the user may choose to manipulate a screw disposed on the device and bring its corresponding distal end into physical contact with the opposing surface or side of the oral airway device, thereby creating a compressive force on the oral airway device. Alternatively, the device may comprise a V-clamp on a first portion which is disposed on a sliding track. The first portion may be manipulated with the addition of a screw in order to create a compressive force on the oral airway device. Alternatively, the device may comprise two rotating portions coupled together via a pivot point.

Abstract: A flow cassette has a housing with an inlet and an outlet and a passage therebetween. The flow cassette also has a temperature sensor disposed within the passage and configured to measure the temperature of a fluid flowing through the passage, a flow rate sensor disposed within the passage and configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the passage, and a processor coupled to the temperature sensor and flow rate sensor. The processor is configured to accept measurements of temperature and flow rate from the temperature sensor and flow rate sensor, respectively, and provide a compensated flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual lumen endobronchial tube provided with a flexible wall dividing a cylindrical main tube into two lumens, where the outside wall of the main tube is reinforced, preferably by metal wire but alternately by a sufficiently rigid polymer ribbing which will achieve a desired reduction necessary outside wall thickness. The achievement of a reduction in necessary wall thickness enables sufficient hydraulic cross sectional area so that each lumen is capable independently of providing adequate ventilation to a patient even while a ventilation lumen is partly occluded when the insertion end of a bronchoscope or tube is inserted into the adjacent lumen to examine or treat the other lung.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator may rely on a pressure swing adsorption process to produce an oxygen enriched gas stream from canisters filled with granules capable of separation of oxygen from an air stream. The adsorption process uses a cyclical pressurization and venting of the canisters to generate an oxygen enriched gas stream. The oxygen concentrator system may operate in multiple modes, automatically determined or selected by the user, to take into account the different activity levels of the user.

Abstract: A reaction and distribution system may include a distributor securable near or in a path correspond to a breathing passage such as the nostrils or the mouth of a user for delivering nitric oxide therapy thereto. The distributor may contain an internal reactor for creating the nitric oxide from reactants. Alternative embodiments may include an inhaler for delivering nitric oxide into the mouth of a user. The inhaler may contain a reaction chamber monolithic or contiguous with the inhaler for creating the nitric oxide from reactants.

Abstract: A controller or processor (s) implements detection of respiratory related conditions that may serve as control logic to synchronize pressure treatment delivery with a patient's respiratory cycle. Based on data derived from sensor signals associated with the respiratory treatment, a monitoring device, detector or respiratory treatment apparatus may evaluate flow measures from a flow sensor and distinguish flow attributable to the respiratory treatment apparatus and flow attributable to patient respiratory muscles. The determination may serve as a basis of synchronization criteria that controls pressure levels from a pressure treatment apparatus, such as by evaluating the determined patient generated flow or a relationship between total flow and apparatus flow. In some embodiments, data for the cycling conditions is determined in preliminary treatment cycles during which synchronized pressure changes are controlled according to other cycling criteria.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mask for achieving positive pressure mechanical ventilation (inclusive of CPAP, ventilator support, critical care ventilation, emergency applications), and a method for a operating a ventilation system including such mask. The mask of the present invention includes a piloted exhalation valve that is used to achieve the target pressures/flows to the patient. The pilot for the valve may be pneumatic and driven from the gas supply tubing from the ventilator. The pilot may also be a preset pressure derived in the mask, a separate pneumatic line from the ventilator, or an electro-mechanical control. Additionally, the valve can be implemented with a diaphragm or with a flapper.

Abstract: A PAP system adapted for treatment of respiratory disease or sleep disordered breathing includes headgear adapted to engage a patient's head, a patient interface adapted to be secured to and sealed against a portion of a patient's face, in use, by the headgear, a flow generator adapted to be connected to the patient interface, and wherein the flow generator is adapted to be secured by a portion of the headgear to the patient's head, and an outlet tube to interconnect the flow generator and the patient interface. The patient interface includes a frame and a sealing arrangement supported by the frame. The sealing arrangement includes a seal portion, a body portion, and an inlet tube in communication with the outlet tube. The frame and the outlet tube are constructed of a relatively rigid material.

Abstract: A portable, rechargeable, discontinuous positive airway pressure (DPAP) device for use by an individual as a breathing assist device. The DPAP device comprises a sensor for tracking an exhalation phase of a respiration cycle of the individual relative to a stimulation period, E0. A stimulation source responsive to a sensor determination that the exhalation phase has entered the stimulation period, E0, to discontinuously deliver a stimulation, during the stimulation period, E0. A controller regulates the delivery of the stimulation by the stimulation source. A rechargeable power cell for power the controller. The rechargeable power cell includes a Seebeck element that is placed in contact with the individual's body for thermoelectrically converting the individual's body heat into an electrical current that recharges the power cell.

Abstract: A medical carbon monoxide generator provides for a solid carbon material that may be heated at substantially normal atmospheric pressure to provide a source of medical quality carbon monoxide. The heating source may be an electrical filament or laser controllable by a microcontroller to provide accurate delivery rates and amounts. In one embodiment, a replaceable cartridge holding the carbon material may be used.

Abstract: A vortex tube with an arcuate hot leg. A vortex tube include a vortex chamber couple to a first tube, a cold leg, to carry a cold air stream and a second tube, the hot leg, to cause the separation of hot and cold air. The hot leg bends in an arc to allow a longer and more efficient hot leg in reduced linear space.

Abstract: A patient interface device (2) includes a frame member (4) and a cushion (6) having a main body, a sealing portion, and first and second posts extending from the main body. The frame member defines a first orifice and a second orifice. The first post of the cushion is rotateably received within the first orifice and the second post is rotateably received within the second orifice in a manner that permits the cushion to rotate relative to the frame member.

Abstract: A respiratory interface device (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80) comprising a main body (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82) that includes a fluid conduit adapted to be connected to a breathing circuit, and a sealing member (15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85) adapted to engage a surface of a patient, such that the fluid conduit is in fluid communication, in use, with an airway of the patient, wherein the sealing member (15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85) includes a plasticizing agent, and a barrier member (18, 28, 38, 48, 58, 68, 78, 88) is provided between the sealing member (15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85) and the main body (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82) of the device (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80), the barrier member (18, 28, 38, 48, 58, 68, 78, 88) at least impeding the migration of plasticizing agent from the sealing member (15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85) to the main body (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82) of the device (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80).

Abstract: In certain example embodiments, a system and/or method of guiding transitions between therapy modes in connection with the treatment and/or diagnosis of a patient for a respiratory disorder is/are provided. Respiratory disorder treatment according to a first therapy mode is provided. Input indicating a second therapy mode to be transitioned to following provision of the first therapy mode is received, with the second therapy mode being different from the first therapy mode. At least one default treatment parameter suitable for the second therapy mode is assigned or calculated. Each default treatment parameter of the second therapy mode is presented, with each default treatment parameter being adjustable by an operator during the presenting. Transitioning from the first therapy mode to the second therapy mode is performed by providing respiratory disorder treatment in accordance with the second therapy mode and each default treatment parameter and any adjustments made thereto prior to the transitioning.

Abstract: The present application includes an independent and redundant measurement of anesthetic concentration, based on acoustic time-of-flight measurements, added to an anesthetic vaporizer. The redundant anesthetic concentration measurement is used to make the vaporizer inherently safe by design and monitor true vaporizer empty. Further, using an acoustic wave splitting technique and the time-of-flight measurements, the flows at the vaporizer inlet and outlet are computed. The flow measurements are used to monitor carrier gas loss, anesthetic consumption, and anesthetic delivery time remaining and provide such information to the vaporizer operator.

Abstract: A patient interface device (8) includes a cushion member (10), a frame member (16), and nasal pillows (18,20). A first side (12) of the cushion member forms a seal with a patient's mouth. The nasal pillows are structured to form a seal with the patient's nares. The nasal pillows are attached to the frame member. The frame is attached to a second side (14) of the cushion member. The frame member includes a connecting portion (228), a first aperture (240), and a second aperture (242). The nasal pillows include a first nasal pillow element (218) and a second nasal pillow element (220). The first nasal pillow element is at least partially removably disposed in the first aperture. The second nasal pillow element is at least partially removably disposed in the second aperture. The connection portion is connected to the second side of the cushion member.