Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for humidifying ventilation gas. Systems and methods may include a nasal interface apparatus for receiving ventilation gas from gas delivery tubing and for humidifying ventilation gas. The nasal interface apparatus may have one or more channels within the nasal interface to deliver gas from a gas delivery circuit to a patient's nose; one or more structures in fluid communication with the one or more channels to direct ventilation gas to the patient's nose; and a hygroscopic material within the nasal interface in the flow path of the ventilation gas.

Abstract: A non-invasive ventilation patient interface comprises a fresh gas entry port, an exhaust gas entry port, and a facial skin interface. Fresh gas entry port is configured for coupling with a fresh gas supply. The exhaust gas vent port is configured for allowing expulsion of exhaust gas from the patient interface. The facial skin interface is configured for eliminating fluid from within the patient interface and for eliminating fluid from facial skin which is covered by the patient interface.

Abstract: Described herein is a mask for delivery of gas, such as oxygen, to a patient and useable in a naso-gastric intubation procedure without disruption of the seal between the mask and the patient's face. The body of the mask includes a fenestration or opening through which the naso-gastric tube may be inserted. The fenestration is preferably shaped to support the tube in a manner that is comfortable for the patient and that eliminates or minimizes the amount of gas lost to the atmosphere outside the mask. In at least some embodiments, the fenestration is closed when a tube is not inserted therethrough so that the mask may be used normally without loss of the gas through the fenestration.

Abstract: A rehabilitation chair system, comprising: a seat adapted for sitting of a human thereon; at least one extender adapted to move relative to said seat; at least one sensor which generates an indication of a balance state of said human; and a controller configured to move said extender while measuring said balance state using said at least one sensor.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to a device for dosing and aerosolization of aerosolizable material. The device comprises: a body with an aerosolization channel with a distal attachment portion connectable to a source of carrier gas which provides pressure pulses to the aerosolization channel; a proximal attachment portion for outputting aerosolized material and a reservoir for receiving aerosolizable material. The reservoir comprises walls and is connected in a gas-tight manner to the body and in fluid connection with the aerosolization channel. At least part of the walls of the device are self-exciting membranes that can be put into oscillation by the pressure pulses.

Abstract: A mask for patient ventilation comprises a frame portion, a front portion, a retention strap, and a gas delivery orifice. The frame portion is for surrounding a respiratory opening of a patient. The front portion is coupled with the frame portion and covers the respiratory opening region. The retention strap is for maintaining positive pressure between the frame portion and the patient. The gas delivery orifice is coupled with the frame portion and configured such that the gas delivery orifice is lateral to the front portion.

Abstract: A patient support for supporting a patient includes an inflatable mattress defining a support surface and a pneumatic system for inflating the inflatable mattress. The pneumatic system includes a pressurized reservoir for holding pressurized air and selectively releases pressurized air from the reservoir to the mattress.

Abstract: A non-invasive ventilation patient interface comprises a fresh gas entry port, a frame, and a zygomatic facial interface. The fresh gas entry port is configured for coupling with a fresh gas supply. The frame is configured for coupling with a head strap system, wherein the head strap system is configured for supplying a securing force to secure the patient interface in a position over a respiratory opening of a patient. The zygomatic facial interface is coupled with the frame and configured for spreading the securing force away from a nasal bridge of the patient and onto left and right zygomatic arch regions of the patient.

Abstract: A control system for a high frequency oscillating ventilator (HFOV) includes an oscillator controller and a mean airway pressure (MAP) controller. The HFOV includes a reciprocating piston which is adapted to generate positive and negative pressure waves for delivery to a patient airway. The oscillator controller comprises a pair of closed loop control circuits including an oscillator pressure loop and a centering loop which are collectively adapted to regulate frequency and amplitude of piston reciprocations and centering of the piston. The MAP controller comprises a closed loop control circuit that is adapted for regulating MAP at the patient utilizing feedback in the form of patient circuit pressure. Likewise, the oscillator controller utilizes patient circuit pressure as well as piston displacement feedback in order to regulate movement of the piston.

Abstract: A reservoir and a nebulizer having such a reservoir are proposed. The reservoir comprises a closure for a fluid chamber with a medicament formulation that is formed by two closure members welded together. The closure comprises a particle barrier for preventing the ingress into the fluid chamber of any weld particles that may potentially be formed during the welding of the two closure members. The fluid chamber is preferably broadened in the shape of a beaver tail and is sealed lengthways with an additional strip of material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering humidified breathing gas to a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a humidification system configured to deliver humidified breathing gas to a patient. The humidification system includes a vapor transfer unit and a base unit. The vapor transfer unit includes a liquid passage, a breathing gas passage, and a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage. The base unit includes a base unit that releasably engages the vapor transfer unit to enable reuse of the base unit and selective disposal of the vapor transfer unit. The liquid passage is not coupled to the base unit for liquid flow therebetween when the vapor transfer unit is received by the base unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a respiratory mask comprising a mask body and an articulated connection piece that can be connected to a respiratory tube. On the mask body, at least one exhalation gap is located in the vicinity of a connection that holds the articulated connection piece. Preferably, the exhalation gap terminates in an umbrella-shaped outflow channel that runs away from the patient. Preferably, at least two components of the respiratory mask are interconnected without play.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a pressurized water stream for cleaning gums and teeth includes a base unit defining a cavity. The cavity contains a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. The pump may be secured within the cavity by at least one vibration reduction mount. Fluid may flow from the reservoir and ultimately into the tip to provide oral irrigation and/or cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue. The base may include a plurality of footings that elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit. Also, the base may include a basin for receiving a reservoir. The basin may include a reservoir valve initially biased to a closed position and operationally attached to the reservoir, and a tube projection connected to the base unit and opening the valve when the reservoir is received within the basin. The basin and the reservoir are configured to guide the reservoir valve adjacent to the tube projection.

Abstract: There is provided a phototherapy apparatus, in which the therapeutic light is delivered through one or more massage components. The massage component provides mechanical massage to the subject biological tissue and modifies the properties of the subject tissue in thickness, density, etc. to facilitate the absorption of the therapeutic light and enhance the effect of the phototherapy procedure. The light source of the phototherapy apparatus is actively cooled by a synthetic jet cooler.

Abstract: A delivery device for and method of delivering a powdered substance, in particular a triptan, such as sumatriptan, to the posterior region of a nasal cavity of a subject, in particular for the treatment of headaches, for example, cluster headaches and migraine, and neuropathic pain, the delivery device comprising: a nosepiece for insertion into a nasal cavity of a subject through which the powdered substance is delivered to the posterior region of the nasal cavity of the subject, in particular the upper posterior two thirds of the nasal cavity; and a substance supply unit which is operable to deliver the powdered substance through the nosepiece.

Abstract: A trans-fill method and system comprising obtaining therapeutic gas from a therapeutic gas source, compressing the therapeutic gas from the therapeutic gas source in at least two stages to create an intermediate therapeutic gas stream and a high pressure therapeutic gas stream, supplying therapeutic gas to a patient from the intermediate therapeutic gas stream, and filling a cylinder with the therapeutic gas from the high pressure therapeutic gas stream substantially simultaneously with supplying therapeutic gas to the patient.

Abstract: A snorkel and a mouthpiece assembly of the snorkel are disclosed, in which the mouthpiece assembly includes a main body, a mouthpiece and a whistle. The mouthpiece is connected to the main body; and the whistle has a pivoting portion and a blowing portion opposite to the pivoting portion, in which the pivoting portion is pivotally connected to the main body. The snorkel further includes a tube connected to the main body and communicating with the mouthpiece. In this way, the user can rotate the whistle against the main body for making the whistle face the mouth of the user, instead of greatly rotating the mouthpiece assembly against the tube.

Abstract: A support surface system provides alternating pressure therapy and low air loss therapy simultaneously using a single pump. The system includes a plurality of cells. Each cell has a foam-filled lower chamber and an upper chamber. Fluid communication between the lower and upper chambers is controlled by a normally closed valve that opens if the pressure within the lower chamber exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. Pressurized air is alternatingly supplied to the lower chambers of a first subset of cells and the lower chambers of a second subset of cells, thereby providing alternating pressure therapy. When the pressure in the lower chamber exceeds the threshold, the valve opens to allow air from the lower chamber to flow into the upper chamber. Air is expelled from the upper chamber through perforations therein, to remove moisture and humidity and possibly reducing the temperature of the micro-climate beneath a patient.

Abstract: A device for dispensing individual doses of powder from respective pockets of a disc-shaped carrier by outwardly rupturing a lidding foil by means of pressure on an opposite side surface, the device providing individual respective deaggregation flow paths for each pocket, split airstreams allowing improved entrainment of powder, a cam mechanism for outwardly rupturing the pockets, an indexing mechanism linked to the cam mechanism and a dose counter.

Abstract: A massage device includes an outer housing, a first transmission mechanism, a second transmission mechanism, a massage seat and at least one massage unit. The first transmission mechanism drives the massage seat to reciprocate moving in the outer housing. The massage unit includes a sway arm having a hole at a center thereof to receive a sway wheel. One of side surfaces of the sway wheel is slanted. The second transmission mechanism drives the sway wheel to rotate and the slanted side surface of the sway wheel presses against the sway arm, thereby driving the sway arm to sway. Massage members are disposed on a top of the sway arm. Through reciprocating movement of the massage seat, swaying of the sway arm and spinning of the massage members, the massage device provides reciprocating pressing and kneading massages on a user's body.