Abstract: A respiration system includes a patient connection (1), an inspiratory branch (3), an expiratory branch (13), a rebreathing line (99), a reservoir (25), a CO2 absorber (29), a radial compressor respiration drive (33), a fresh gas supply unit (51), an oxygen flushing device (55), connected to the rebreathing line, a pressure sensor (31) and an actuatable control valve (21), arranged in the rebreathing line between a second end (17) of the expiratory branch and the CO2 absorber. The compressor, oxygen flushing device and fresh gas supply unit are arranged in the rebreathing line between the CO2 absorber and a second end (7) of the inspiration branch. The compressor inlet points towards the CO2 absorber and the outlet points towards the second end of the inspiratory branch. The pressure sensor is arranged in the rebreathing line between the compressor and the second end of the inspiratory branch.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a ventilation interface, which includes a cannula having one or more nasal prongs, a ventilation tube connected to the cannula and headgear. The cannula is secured onto the patient through one or more arced couplers positioned between the cannula and headgear. The cannula has a first side wall, a second side wall and a top wall which form a reservoir. The top wall includes a first portion, a second portion and a notch positioned between the first portion and second portion. The ventilation tube includes one or more bleed ports and provides breathable gas to a patient. The headgear includes a first strap and a second strap. The first strap includes a first portion and second portion that contains two or more slots to connect the second strap. Each portion of the first strap includes an inner layer and an outer layer.

Abstract: A valved holding chamber (2) includes a main chamber housing (49 and a mouthpiece assembly (6) removeably coupled to a first end of the main chamber housing, the mouthpiece assembly including a mouthpiece housing (24) having a mouthpiece portion (32) and a valve housing portion (30), a retaining ring (28) provided within and coupled to the valve housing portion, and a one-way inhalation valve (26) having an annular valve seat member (52), wherein the valve seat member is held between the retaining ring and an engagement surface of the valve housing portion. In one particular embodiment, a portion of the first end of the main chamber housing engages the bottom of the valve seat member and creates a seal between the main chamber housing and the one-way inhalation valve and between the one-way inhalation valve and the mouthpiece housing.

Abstract: A method for administering a gas containing oxygen to a patient. The method includes: measuring an oxygen-dependent physiological parameter in the patient; determining an optimal gas delivery parameter based on the oxygen-dependent physiological parameter; and administering the gas to the patient in accordance with the optimal gas delivery parameter. In some embodiment of the invention, the method also includes monitoring the oxygen-dependent physiological parameter.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing novel adaptive base flow scheduling during ventilation of a patient to optimize the accuracy of estimated exhaled tidal volume. Further, this disclosure describes systems and methods for providing novel adaptive inspiratory trigger threshold scheduling during the novel adaptive base flow scheduling.

Abstract: An airway device is provided for opening a patient's airway. The airway device provides dual tubes which allow the patient to breathe on his/her own, to be ventilated, or to be intubated. The airway device includes a camera which provides constant visualization of the patient's tissues during insertion of the airway device and during the entire medical procedure. A transmission lumen monitors heart and breath sounds. Information from the camera and the transmission lumen is relayed to a microprocessor to allow for monitoring which may be remote. An airway assist device may be used with the airway device for properly positioning the patient's tongue is also disclosed. The airway assist device is inserted into the patient's vallecula to manipulate the patient's tongue.

Abstract: A ventilator, or a breathing assistance apparatus, is disclosed to ventilate patients who may have breathing difficulties, said device comprising a inspiratory pressure control duct configured to be immersed in a first body of fluid; a positive end-expiratory pressure control duct configured to be immersed in a second body of fluid; at least one valve connected to the peak inspiratory pressure control duct and to the positive end-expiratory pressure control duct, and at least one controller communicably connected to the valve to control rate of cycling of the valve, thereby controlling number of breaths per minute, and to control the duration of peak inspiratory pressure also known as inspiratory time.

Abstract: A breathing filter system for a vaporizer system includes a connector comprising a first portion comprising a conduit manifold comprising having lumens; a second portion comprising an interface plug comprising a plug end; an external surface comprising ribs and grooves, the second portion further comprising openings in communication with the lumens of the conduits, each lumen communicating with a single opening, the openings being arranged in the grooves; and, a breathing filter system assembly comprising a housing comprising a first section including a first port, a second section including a second port, providing a bi-directional flow path between the ports; a gas reflection device, and a heat and moisture exchanging breathing filter, disposed in the housing across the fluid flow path, the breathing filter arranged in the first section, and the gas reflection device arranged in the second section; wherein the housing is in communication with the first portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing condensed humidifying agent in a humidification system by pulsing a delivery of humidifying agent into a respiratory circuit. During a non-pulsed interval, gas flowing through the respiratory circuit will evaporate the condensed humidifying agent present in the respiratory circuit. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for delivering humidified gas to a patient, wherein the delivery avoids the problems associated with a stationary water humidifier. In the method, the delivery of humidifying agent is precisely controlled to deliver a flow of humidifying agent to a volume of gas.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask insertable into a patient, an airway tube of the laryngeal mask having a bore extending from a proximal to a distal end of the airway tube, a connector provided at the proximal end of the airway tube, the connector comprising a connector body with a longitudinal bore, at least two wall portions extending longitudinally from a first continuous wall to a second continuous wall, and two parallel and opposite longitudinal wall cut-away portions intermediate the at least two wall portions, the length of the longitudinal wall cut-away portions being greater than the length of the first continuous wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure responsive respiratory valve apparatus for enabling positive pressure from a source of pressure to be applied to a user's airway, and allowing ingress of a breathable gas from an inlet port into a user's airway during inhalation and egress of expired tidal volume of air from the user's respiratory system to an exhalation port during exhalation. The invention minimises rebreathing of expired gas and optimizes delivery of pressurised breathable gas by venting gas only during exhalation, as well as addressing important user considerations including minimizing noise, pressure swing, and size.

Abstract: An outer covering sheet (4) of a pants-type disposable diaper (1) has a front part and a back part (403) to be positioned on a front side and a back side of a wearer, and a middle part lying between the front and back parts. An absorbent body (20) is attached on the outer covering sheet (4) to absorb excrement from the wearer. Both end portions of the absorbent body, positioned in the front part and the back part (403), are folded toward the inner surface (40) of the outer covering sheet (4) and bonded on the inner surface (40). It is therefore possible to prevent skin of the wearer from being irritated by edges (241) of the end portions of the absorbent body (20) when the disposable diaper (1) is worn.

Abstract: An inhaler, the inhaler including a body (104) and a cartridge (106), the cartridge comprising a dose storage portion (122) and an airway (124), the dose storage portion being suitable for containing a plurality of doses of an inhalable medicament, the airway including a mouthpiece (128) at an end thereof, the inhaler device configured and arranged such that a dose of inhalable medicament from the dose storage portion can be accessed and arranged in a delivery configuration for delivery to a user through the airway upon inhalation through the mouthpiece by the user, the inhaler characterized in that the cartridge is replaceably removable from the body.

Abstract: Lacrimal inserts such as punctal plugs may be utilized for delivery of medication to the eye. The plug includes a body portion sized to pass through a lacrimal punctum and be positioned within a lacrimal canaliculus of the eyelid. The plug may contain a core, or reservoir, at least partially within the body portion comprising a therapeutic agent that is configured for controlled, pulsatile release into the eye.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method to aid in administering inhaled pharmaceutical aerosol to a patient is configured to maintain a tongue in proper position and offset the patients upper and lower jaws during aerosol delivery. An adjustable member (26) is provided adjacent a mouthpiece and at least partially surrounds and moves with respect to the body of the apparatus. The adjustable member has a step structured (32, 34) to impart a selected amount of mandibular advancement to a patient during aerosol delivery. A tongue depressor (40) which may be integrally formed with the adjustable member configured to prevent a tongue from occluding a flow of aerosol is also provided.

Abstract: A speaking valve for management of a patient's airway comprising a body rotatably and removably attachable to a tracheotomy tube, the body having a first end communicable with the tracheotomy tube and a second end distal from the first end, an offset opening formed in the second end, a ramp disposed within the body, a ball having a diameter disposed within the chamber, the ball being adapted to be guided up and down the ramp and able to partially close the opening in the second end of the body, and the body and hence the chamber therein, at the option and control of the patient, wherein the ball is adapted to move up and down the ramp opening and partially closing the opening in the second end of the body and, as selected, exhalation by the patient proceeds through the patient's upper respiratory system and facilitates speaking by the patient.

Abstract: Condensation or “rain-out” is a problem in breathing circuits and especially neonatal breathing circuits. The subject patent provides an improved breathing tube component for managing rain-out particularly in neonatal applications. In particular the breathing tube has a smooth inner bore, and an outer insulating layer containing stagnant gas and a heater wire.

Abstract: A breathing system for ventilating a patient has a gas channel enclosing a gas channel volume (V), and a compliance (C). The system has a flow calculation unit operative to determine a gas flow estimate (Fe) at a flow estimate location in the gas channel. The gas flow estimate (Fe) is based on a relationship between a monitored gas flow (Fm) in the gas channel and a compressible gas flow (Fc) which depends on the compliance (C) in the gas channel. The monitored gas flow (Fm) is a gas flow at a monitoring location in the gas channel and the compressible gas flow (Fc) is a flow of gas in the gas channel between the flow estimate location and the monitoring location, and the flow estimate location is remote from the monitoring location.

Abstract: An inhaler device (1) contains, or is capable of accepting, a plurality of doses of a medicament to be dispensed from the inhaler (1). To ameliorate the problem of double dosing from the inhaler (1), the device further comprises prevention means (26, 28, 40) for preventing, at least temporarily, the dispensing of a dose of medicament, and detection means (32) for detecting the inhalation of a previously dispensed dose of medicament. When the detection means (32) detects the inhalation of the previously dispensed dose of medicament, it releases the prevention means (26, 28, 40), allowing the device to dispense a further dose of medicament. The detection means (32) may be a pressure sensor, and the prevention means (26, 28, 40) may operate by causing a disengagement of an actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A venturi connector includes a housing having a mixing chamber defined therein and at least one window that is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and is open to atmosphere to allow air to be entrained into the mixing chamber. The connector includes a nozzle actuator member includes a body having a plurality of discrete nozzles formed therein. The nozzles are defined by different sized venturi orifices through which gas flows, thereby allowing the concentration of the gas delivered to the patient to be varied. The nozzle actuator member is disposed within one window formed in the housing between the gas port and the mixing chamber such that the position of the nozzle actuator member within the housing can be adjusted so as to position one of the discrete nozzles into the gas flow path, thereby controlling the flow rate of the gas into the mixing chamber and ultimately the concentration of gas delivered to the patient.