Abstract: A method of identifying the occurrence of patient-ventilator asynchrony (PVA) includes using a cardiogenic index generated from a number of breath attribute signals measured by ventilators. The method can be implemented in a ventilator by a controller that includes a machine learning model trained to use the cardiogenic index and other features extracted from ventilator waveforms to identify the occurrence of PVAs. A ventilator equipped with such a controller can provide real-time alerts to a caregiver that a PVA has occurred so that the ventilator settings can be adjusted.

Abstract: A device for biofilm removal from an endotracheal tube is disclosed. Such a device may include a hollow catheter having a tip, wherein said device is inserted down an endotracheal tube of an orally intubated patient. Said tip may include a cylindrical central portion and a fin configured to dislodge biofilm from the inner lumen of the endotracheal tube as the device is rotated, either manually or mechanically, inside the endotracheal tube. The fin may be configured as a helix and positioned to spiral around said cylindrical central portion of the tip thereby forming a channel, defined by the pitch of said helix, about the circumference of the cylindrical central portion. Biofilm dislodged from the inner surface of the endotracheal tube by the rotational motion of the fin may be retained within the channel until the tip is removed from the endotracheal tube. The device may further comprise a motor for mechanically rotating the catheter and tip.

Abstract: An incision and dilation apparatus performs an incision in and dilates select tissue of a mammal. The apparatus includes a blade member, a dilator, and a frame. The blade member includes a blade having a cutting edge. The dilator is configured to dilate the select tissue. The frame includes a blade guide, and is adapted to position the blade guide over the select tissue. The blade guide retains the blade member in first and second perpendicular directions and allows substantially linear movement of the blade member in a third direction. The frame also supports the dilator and allows movement of the dilator in the third direction. The dilator includes a second blade guide that retains the blade member in first and second perpendicular directions and allow substantially linear movement of the blade member relative to the dilator in a third direction.

Abstract: Various control methods can indirectly determine incorrect connections between components in a respiratory therapy system. For example, incorrect connections can occur between a patient interface, a humidifier and/or a gases source. The methods can indirectly detect if reverse flow conditions or other error conditions exist. A reverse flow condition can occur when gases flows in a direction different from an intended direction of flow. The methods can be implemented at the humidifier side, at the gases source side, or both.

Abstract: A pulmonary expansion therapy (PXT) device may be a handheld or wearable device that covers specific lung fields and may generate negative pressure fields locally. The device also may provide vibratory/percussion therapy for airway clearance. The PXT may generate a localized negative pressure field non-invasively to the exterior of the chest wall, thereby increasing the functional residual capacity in underlying lung fields. As a result, increased ventilation and perfusion to the targeted internal lung field may be achieved by creating a decrease in the external barometric pressure relative to the more positive intrinsic airway pressures. The PXT device also may improve lung compliance by elevating the chest wall to compensate for the dysfunction of the respiratory musculature responsible for lifting the chest wall. In some embodiments, once a targeted functional residual capacity (FRC) has been established, vibration or percussion may be applied.

Abstract: A foam roller includes a cylindrical main body having a hollow interior extending in a first direction. The foam roller further includes a first portal and a second portal extending into said cylindrical main body in a second direction transverse to said first direction and inline with each other. The foam roller further includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is sized to fit within said first portal and the second arm sized to fit within the second portal. The foam roller can be rolled by way of the arms while a torso is held against the roller. The arms are fixedly or removably connected to the roller portion thereof and prevent the roller from rolling fully around which being rollable by way of pulling the arms. The foam roller may also include end caps on the roller to attach the arms thereto.

Abstract: A muscle memory training apparatus mitigates movement disorders by restoring muscle memories, aka motor learning, that have become aberrant. It restores reflex stabilization muscle memories thereby providing a stable platform upon which voluntary muscle memories are restored. It is based on the universally accepted fact that muscle memories may be improved with practice and the yet to be accepted fact that reflexes execute muscle memories that may likewise be improved. The muscle memory training apparatus is attached to the user and generates centrifugal forces of adjustable amplitude, frequency, duration, and direction, to emulate forces, perturbations, stabilization systems are designed to countervail. Each perturbation, applied several times per second, effectuates reflex muscle memories that contract muscles that countervail the perturbations. Reflex muscle memories and voluntary muscle memories are practiced concurrently as they interact with each other and are integral to the biological movement system.

Abstract: Introduced here are pressure-mitigation systems able to mitigate the pressure applied to a human body by the surface of an object. A system can include a pressure-mitigation device with chambers whose pressure can be varied by a controller that regulates the flow of fluid produced by a pump. The controller may be deployed as part of a closed loop system that autonomously infers information related to the health of a patient based on data related to the pressure of these chambers. For example, the data may be examined to determine whether the values indicate the patient is properly situated. A notification may be presented responsive to determining that the patient is not situated on the pressure-mitigation device, the patient has been improperly situated on the pressure-mitigation device for a certain amount of time, etc. Thus, real-time feedback may be provided to those responsible for monitoring the patient.

Abstract: A length-adjustable meandering masseur comprises motor lower cover, outer wall sliding connection part of motor lower cover-motor upper cover, outer wall rotating connection part of motor lower cover-head ornament, outer wall fixed connection part of head ornament-buckle position, outer wall rotating connection part of buckle position-swinging part, and inner wall setting part of motor lower cover-drive component. The drive component comprises a gear motor, its outer wall is fixedly connected with the inner wall of motor lower cover, its output end is fixedly connected with a rotary rod, and its outer wall is fixedly connected with the inner wall of motor upper cover. Through the cooperation between motor lower cover, gear motor, motor upper cover, head ornament, and swinging part, it is easier for users to customize the masseur length, so as to better massage the body fully, and provide more comfort and personalized massage experience.

Abstract: A respiratory obstruction removal device, which includes a face mask and a negative pressure generating device. The negative pressure generating device includes a grip section, an extendable tubular body, and an annular interface, connected in sequence. The extendable tubular body has a variable volume cavity. The face mask includes an upper part that fits with the annular interface, a lower part that corresponds to a face of a patient, and a connecting body that links the upper and lower parts. The respiratory obstruction removal device also includes a first one-way valve located on the annular interface and a second one-way valve for unidirectional expulsion of gas to the outside. The grip portion and the extendable tubular body are detachably connected. This design is efficient and easy to carry and transport, suitable for emergency use in different scenarios.

Abstract: A system for assisting an operator in a work station includes a collaborative robot, with a robot electronic controller, configured for conducting an operation in an open, non-protected space, adjacent and in cooperation with the operator, an exoskeleton including one or more actuators, wearable by the operator for receiving assistance in conducting one or more operations, a plurality of sensors associable to the body of the operator and configured for detecting at least one parameter.

Abstract: A device and a method for actuating a joint of a human, an animal or a robot are disclosed. An elongated, lengthwise flexible and torsionally elastic body is provided for transmitting torque. Based at least in part on torsional deformation information of the body, torque is transmitted via the body. In an embodiment, a flexible drive shaft is provided, whereby the flexible drive shaft comprises said body. Furthermore, use of a flexible drive shaft as compliant element and as torque transmission element in a rotary actuator for actuating a mechanical joint is disclosed. In addition, use of a flexible drive shaft for determining an impedance of a joint of a human or an animal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light therapy system is made up of a pressure cuff system having a cuff that is positionable on or near a body part of a user and that can receive pressurized air to selectively pressurize and depressurize the cuff and a light emitting system having a supporting structure and a light emitter positioned on the supporting structure, the light emitter being controllably powerable. The supporting structure is positionable on an interior surface of the cuff so that the light emitter can direct light onto the body part. The light therapy system can further include a controller capable of controllably powering the light emitter, wherein controller can adjust the intensity or duration of the light directed onto the body part in response to an input or measurement related to a condition of the body part. A photometer can be provided separately or integrally to measure the condition of the body part. A method of providing light therapy is also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing respiratory therapy are disclosed. One device includes a first lumen, a second lumen, and a bridge with at least one opening. The first lumen has a first inlet end to receive a first flow of breathing gas, a first outlet end to deliver the first flow, and a first bend between the first inlet end and the first outlet end. The second lumen has a second inlet end to receive a second flow of breathing gas, a second outlet end to deliver the second flow, and a second bend between the second inlet end and the second outlet end. The bridge separates the first lumen and the second lumen, attaches to the first lumen at the first bend and the second lumen at the second bend, and is configured to maintain the first flow of breathing gas separate from the second flow of breathing gas.

Abstract: Dispenser (1) for liquids comprising an applying nozzle constituted by a bell-shaped body (2) extending along a central axis (A) and provided, at the bottom, with an annular collar (3) and, at the top, with a convex cap (4); the bell-shaped body (2) having a first axial hole (5) whose cross-section decreases from the collar (3) towards said cap (4); a valve (7) for nebulizing the solution being housed inside the first hole (5) in a matching manner; an expansion device (9) being provided at the exit of said first hole (5).

Abstract: A nasal powder delivery device having a container containing a dose of powder, a nasal delivery head, and an air discharge system generating a flow of compressed air for delivering a dose of powder into the nostril. An air chamber is arranged in a skirt, and a piston sealingly slides in the air chamber to compress the air. The piston is connected to an actuating member, in which, before actuation, at least one breakable bridge is provided between the skirt and the actuating member, wherein each breakable bridge is formed on the skirt and cooperates with a radial projection formed on the actuating member. Each radial projection has an axial extension greater than that of the respective breakable bridge and forms an inclined axial ramp on either side.

Abstract: A system to provide physical therapy in the form of heating, cooling and/or percussion, comprising: a device that contains a battery, a motor, and a switch to turn the device on or off or put the device in heating mode or put the device in cooling mode or put the device in percussion mode; wherein the device contains a motor and a pushing rod that supply the movement that results in percussion of a removable heating/cooling attachment and a removable percussion attachment; wherein the front of the device connects to the removable heating/cooling attachment that contains an electronic component to control heating or cooling and a cooling fan; wherein the removable heating/cooling attachment can be used for heating or cooling; wherein a housing shell for the heating/cooling attachment is made of plastic, foam, or metal, or any combination of plastic, foam and metal; wherein the front part of the heating/cooling attachment is made of metal that has the capability to be in contact with human skin in order to prov

Abstract: The present invention provides an inhaler comprising a housing which contains a blister strip having a plurality of blisters which contain powdered medicament for inhalation, a mouthpiece mounted to the housing through which the medicament is inhaled by a user, an indexing and opening mechanism for indexing the blister strip and for opening the blisters which is operated by an actuator, wherein the blister strip is indexed by forward motion of the actuator from a first position to a second position, such as by opening a cover, and is also indexed in the same direction by reverse motion of the actuator from the second positon to the first position, such as by closing the cover.

Abstract: A negative-pressure cup structure includes a negative-pressure cup body and a light therapy module. The negative-pressure cup body has a rim. The light therapy module is received in the negative-pressure cup body and includes a circuit board and multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on the circuit board and irradiating corresponding to the rim. Therefore, the negative-pressure cup structure further has functions of light therapy and skin care.

Abstract: An adherence-monitoring and tracking device captures usage of a metered dose inhaler (MDI). The device includes an enclosure for enclosing a metered dose inhaler (MDI), and an electro-mechanical system forming a part of enclosure to sense and log the operation of the MDI. The electro-mechanical system includes at-least one transducer to capture one or more parameters pertaining to an operation of the MDI by the user. A microcontroller processes the captured parameters, and an output-unit renders data pertaining to operation of the MDI.