Abstract: An airway pressure support system (2) includes a housing (4) having an air inlet opening (54), and a filter assembly (50) coupled to a plurality of receiving portions of the housing. The filter assembly is in fluid communication with the air inlet opening. The filter assembly includes a housing portion (62), a first filter media portion (64) attached to the housing portion, and first and second spring members (84, 86) attached to the housing portion, wherein the first and second spring members each have a floating portion and engage the plurality of receiving portions and cause a sealing force to be exerted against the filter assembly.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler (10) having a chamber (26) divided into first and second blister compartments (28, 30) for storing unused and used portions (34, 36) of a blister strip (12) is provided. A moveable dividing wall (32) separates the first and second blister compartments. One or more arcuate supporting surfaces (38, 40, 42) are disposed in either the first and/or the second blister compartments and these surfaces support the used or unused blister strip during successive actuations of the inhaler. Use of the arcuate supporting surfaces facilities compact coils of unused and used portions of blister strip, thereby reducing the size of the chamber required for the inhaler.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pneumatic delivery device having three successively-arranged chambers, a membrane element arranged in the third chamber so as to ensure a tight separation of the third chamber into a lower chamber and upper chamber, a membrane element arranged between the second chamber and the lower chamber of the third chamber so as to ensure a tight separation between said lower chamber and second chamber, a stem integrally fixed to the first membrane element and to the second membrane element, a valve cooperating with an outlet orifice arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a flow adjustment element arranged on a gas conduct in fluid communication with the gas outlet of the second chamber, said flow adjustment element being operable by a user for setting a quantity of gas circulating in said gas conduct.

Abstract: An anesthesia delivery and monitoring system for use during outpatient surgery performed under sedation level anesthesia that includes a ventilatory system, a system for supplying sedation anesthesia, a respiratory sensor adapted to detect a respiration parameter of such a patient, and a system for supplying a timed back-up breath to such a patient through the ventilatory system. The timed back-up breaths are supplied in response to the respiration parameter falling outside a preset threshold and at a positive pressure exceeding a base operating pressure of the respiratory system. The system for supplying sedation anesthesia is an intravenous supply system for anesthesia, a ventilatory system coupled to the patient, a needle and syringe, or any combination thereof. The respiratory system includes a PC-based physiologic monitor with user modified feedback control signal.

Abstract: Described here are closed-circuit breathing devices and methods for their use. In general, the closed-circuit breathing device is configured to achieve a steady-state equilibrium, whereby therapeutic gas is introduced into the breathing circuit in small, controlled volumes until a steady state concentration of the therapeutic gas is reached. During this time, the closed-circuit breathing device is operated in a true closed circuit, such that the therapeutic gas is not lost to the atmosphere. Safety measures are built into the closed-circuit breathing device so that a hypoxic mixture is not delivered to the subject. The therapeutic gas may be xenon.

Abstract: A flow member (200) is for a flow assembly (100) of a pressure support system (2). The pressure support system includes a patient interface device (6), a flow generator (4), and a coupling conduit (8). The flow assembly includes a cover (102) and a sensing assembly (110). The sensing assembly has a flow sensor (114) having flow sensing components (118,120). The flow member comprises: a body (202) comprising: a mounting portion (204) connected to the cover, thereby enclosing the sensing assembly, a gas conduit (206) at least partially overlaying the mounting portion, the second conduit fluidly coupling the first conduit to the flow generator, and a number of flow conduits (208,210) each extending transverse to the gas conduit (206) and receiving a corresponding flow sensing component.

Abstract: A reusable respirator including a mask adapted for covering and conforming to the face around the nose and a mouth of a user, a strap configured to secure the mask to a face of the user, and a filter component. All components of the respirator are capable of being cleaned, disinfected and sterilized at temperatures in excess of 50° C. An outer surface of the mask is substantially smooth and wettable for easily disinfecting and is shaped with a pair of outer shield portions for housing particulate air filters. The outer shield portions each include a closeable vent through the outer surface that is adapted to provide a user seal check and direct air flow through the outer surface for filtering by the respective particulate air filter, which is adapted to filter at least 95% of airborne particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a particulate delivery device capable of facilitating both respiratory delivery of compositions under negative pressure and positive pressure. The device comprises an actuator, movable by negative pressure or positive pressure, to allow for gas flow through the device and simultaneously assist with delivery of the particulate into a vortex chamber prior to delivery to the airway of a subject.

Abstract: A portable breathing machine includes a body case (100), wherein: a fan box (101), a cut-off device (108) and a control device (113) are arranged in the body case (100); a fan (8) is arranged in the fan box (101) through a fan noise reduction device (102); an air outlet of the fan box (101) is connected with an internal breathing tube (107); the cut-off device (108) is arranged on the internal breathing tube (107); an air outlet of the cut-off device (108) is connected with an external breathing tube (104) and a mask (105); the fan noise reduction device (102) includes a lower flexible cover (3) and an upper flexible cover (5); the lower and upper flexible covers cooperate to form an enclosed cavity for containing the fan (8). A working noise of the breathing machine is decreased to below 15 decibel.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating system is provided, including an aerosol-generating device including a heater element; an aerosol-generating article, including a medicament source and a volatile delivery enhancing compound source; and at least one resilient member provided in the aerosol-generating device or the aerosol-generating article and being resiliently biased against the heater element, wherein at least one of the medicament source and the volatile delivery enhancing compound source contacts the at least one resilient member, and the aerosol-generating system is configured to heat the medicament source and the volatile delivery enhancing compound source of the aerosol-generating article so that the medicament source has a higher temperature than that of the volatile delivery enhancing compound source.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler with a blister folding device can include a housing to receive a single blister containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, and a mouthpiece through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user and a blister opening device. The blister opening device can include a blister support element for supporting a blister containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, and a blister folding element co-operable with the blister support element. The blister folding element and the blister support element can be movable relative to each other between a first position, for insertion of the blister into or onto the blister support element, and a second, burst, position in which the blister folding element has co-operated with the blister support element.

Abstract: The present invention provides in part dry powder inhaler (DPI) devices for dispensing dry powder and methods for using the same. The DPI devices feature exchangeable cartridges having drum mechanisms that prepare metered doses of dry powder, and are able to direct air in a turbulent manner sufficient to entrain and deagglomerate a dose of dry powder for delivery into a user's lungs. The DPI devices feature a reservoir of dry powder advanced by a plunger, as well as a gauge that advances with the plunger to indicate the amount of dry powder remaining in the reservoir.