Abstract: A respiratory treatment apparatus generates an indication of inspiration or expiration based on a measure of motor current of a flow generator. In an example, first and second current signals are derived from the measurement. The first derived current signal may be a long term measure or average of current and the second derived current signal may be a short term measure or average of current. A processor (120) determines an indication of inspiration or expiration as a function of the first and second derived current signals. The function of the first derived current signal and the second derived current signal may be a comparison of the derived current signals. The derived signals may be determined by filtering. The indication of inspiration or expiration may serve as a trigger or cycle control for changing treatment pressure in synchrony with patient respiration without measured signals from pressure, flow or speed sensors.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser device having a reservoir; a valve; a cocking member movable between rest and primed positions and between primed and dispensing positions, the cocking member includes a set of teeth; a blocking device blocking the cocking member in the primed position; a trigger system controlled by inhaling to release the blocking device; a reservoir support element including a cam opening; and a meshing wheel having a toothed projection co-operating with the set of teeth and a cam projection co-operating with the cam opening. The toothed projection is centered relative to the wheel rotation axis, and the cam projection is offset relative to the axis. The meshing wheel completes a turn when the cocking member moves from its primed towards its dispensing position, such that the cam projection causes the reservoir support element to perform reciprocating axial movement for actuating and returning the valve into its rest position.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a medicinal inhaler, the inhaler comprising: a patient port; a canister actuable by the drive mechanism to deliver a dose of medicament to the patient port, the drive mechanism comprising: a follower which moves between a first position in which the mechanism is primed for use and a second position in which the follower engages the canister to deliver a dose of medicament to the patient port, the follower being carried on a rocker plate which pivots as the follower moves between its first and second position, wherein the rocker plate engages a switch when the follower is in its second position to indicate that a dose of medicament has been delivered to the patient port.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a respiratory protection device that includes a valve assembly operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In some exemplary embodiments, the respiratory protection device includes a mask body having a first air chamber, a second air chamber, and a breathable air zone. A valve assembly is operable to a closed configuration to prevent airflow from the first and second air chambers into the breathable air zone.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device for hypoxia training including a breathable gas source; a mask in fluid communication with the breathable gas source; a mask-state detector that uses one or more criteria to determine if the mask is being worn by a subject, wherein the mask-state detector is capable of communicating an indication of a mask-off state or a mask-on state; a flowmeter in fluid communication with the mask and coupled to the mask-state detector; and a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the mask and with the breathable gas source, and coupled to the mask-state detector, wherein the pressure regulator sets a first pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-off state or a second pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-on state.

Abstract: A method of removing exhaled material from a medical procedure field adjacent to a subject's nose and mouth. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of placing an isolation barrier at least partially surrounding the subject's nose and mouth to define the medical procedure field; controlling air flow into the medical procedure field with the isolation barrier; and evacuating air from the medical procedure field at an air evacuation rate greater than or equal to the subject's respiratory minute volume. The invention also provides a system for creating an isolated medical procedure field around a subject's nose and mouth.

Abstract: A powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) with an active heating system. The PAPR includes a powered air component designed to be carried by a user of the PAPR, the powered air component including a fan and a filter, wherein the fan draws air from a user's environment through the filter. The PAPR further includes an electronically controlled active heating element and a control system. The control system varies the power provided to the heating element and further disables the heating element when potential overheating of the heating element is detected. The present invention further includes a heating module for use with a PAPR. The heating module includes an electronically controlled active heating element. The heating element is disabled when the fan in the PAPR is not rotating.

Abstract: The embodied invention is a new inspiration/expiration ventilator flow design, with a constant inspiration flow and intermittent-concurrent expiratory flow based on lung pressure setpoints. This mode is possible by using a new dual lumen tube inserted into a patient Trachea. Additionally, the control provides support for patient initiated breathing which is initiated by a lung pressure drop. This control provides continuous and gentle recruitment of lung alveoli.

Abstract: Various implementations include a device for assisting with and controlling stretching of a limb of a patient. The device includes a limb support for receiving the limb, a base, and a coupling that rotatably couples the limb support and the base. The coupling allows the limb support to rotate through various axes of rotation individually, depending on the range of motion expected for the limb. For example, for a device designed for the foot, the coupling allows a foot support to rotate about a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis, wherein the three axes are orthogonal to each other. In other implementations, the device may be designed for other portions of limbs, such as the hand, the forearm, the upper arm, the lower leg, and the upper leg.

Abstract: A walking assistance apparatus includes a suit to be worn on a knee and waist of a user, a first wire that couples a portion included in the suit and worn above the knee to a portion included in the suit and worn on the waist, a second wire that couples a portion included in the suit and worn above a back of the knee to a portion included in the suit and worn on the waist, and motors coupled to the first and second wires. The motors are controlled to generate tensions so that each of the first and second wires has a stiffness greater than 200 N/m during a first period including a period of 95% or more and 100% or less of a first gait cycle of the user and a period of 0% or more and 50% or less of a second gait cycle subsequent to the first gait cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a face mask arrangement for alternately administering a gas I containing nitrous oxide and a gas II devoid of nitrous oxide to a patient, comprising a face mask, two inlet flow lines I and II for gas I and a gas II, respectively, which flow lines end in a breathing interface, and an outlet flow line for evacuation of exhaled gas. The two inlet flow lines merge into a common inlet part. Each of the inlet flow lines I and II comprises an inlet valve I and II, each of which is capable of opening in response to inhalation and of closing in response to exhalation. The arrangement comprises a switching means enabling switching between inhalation through inlet flow line I and inlet flow line II depending on the patient's immediate need of gas I or gas II.

Abstract: An isolation barrier and method of using it. The isolation barrier includes a mask with a face opening and at least one access opening in front of the subject's nose and/or mouth and an enclosure having a first enclosure opening attached around the access opening, a second enclosure opening, and flexible material extending from the first enclosure opening to the second enclosure opening and defining an enclosure interior, the flexible material comprising at least one area through which the enclosure interior can be viewed, the mask and enclosure interior defining a medical procedure field extending from the subject's nose and mouth to the second enclosure opening when the isolation barrier is in place on the subject's face.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus provides high frequency oscillatory ventilation [HFO] to a patient by supplying breathing gas to the patient according to an oscillating pressure profile oscillating between a positive pressure and a negative pressure. The breathing apparatus has a patient circuit including an inspiratory line for conveying breathing gas to the patient, and an expiratory line for conveying gas away from the patient, and an inspiration valve for regulating a flow of pressurised breathing gas into the inspiration line, and a control computer that controls the inspiration valve. The control computer operates to cause the oscillating pressure profile by controlling the inspiration valve to oscillate between a top flow position in which the flow of breathing gas through the inspiration valve assumes a top flow value, and a minimum flow position in which the flow through the inspiration valve assumes a minimum flow value.

Abstract: A breathing tube for a patient ventilator system providing humidified breathable gas is provided, the tube including inhalation and exhalation pathways formed in part by inhalation and exhalation tubes. A coupler member is attached at one end to the exhalation tube and forms part of the exhalation pathway, the coupler member has an integrated coupler-member electrical heating device electrically connected to the tube-portion electrical heating device. A connecting piece is detachably attachable to the other end of the coupler member and forms a part of the exhalation pathway, the connecting piece and coupler member together forming a hollow space therewithin extending from within the connecting piece to within the coupler member. A filter element is within the hollow space and extends from within the connecting piece into the coupler member, the coupler-member heating device is along the hollow space, surrounding the filter element, and adapted to heat the filter element.

Abstract: A patient interface includes a cushion having a body with a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion has a lower opening structured to receive a flow of a treatment gas and a coupling mechanism. The rear portion is structured to engage a user's face and provide a generally continuous seal therewith. The patient interface further includes a frame having a torus shaped portion defining an opening. The opening has at least a portion of the coupling mechanism disposed therein.

Abstract: With the interaction of a medical measuring system (3) with a ventilator or anesthesia device (5) via a data network (60), data transmission security and mutual authentication between the medical measuring system (3) and the ventilator or anesthesia device (5) is improved in a medical system (1) by the use of asymmetric encryption pairs. A classification of the measuring systems (3) is possible on the basis of an identification/authentication provided by the asymmetric encryption pairs. The classification may be used to adapt a ventilation by the ventilator or anesthesia device (5) in respect to different defined measuring systems (3), for example, measuring systems (3) for detecting an oxygen saturation (SpO2).

Abstract: A combination anesthesia circuit holder and patient protection device apparatus configured to be worn on the head of a patient so as to cover at least the eyes and to temporarily secure an anesthesia circuit, the apparatus including a body having at least a perimeter portion and a pad configured at the perimeter portion for being positioned over the eyes of the patient, and at least two strap assemblies formed on the body, a front strap assembly positioned on a front outer surface of the body and a top strap assembly offset vertically from the front strap assembly and positioned on a top outer surface of the body, the strap assemblies cooperating to temporarily secure the anesthesia circuit, whereby placement of the apparatus on the head of the patient provides protection of at least the eyes while safely and effectively securing the anesthesia circuit in a relatively low-profile configuration with relatively minimal interference with a surgical site.

Abstract: Interfaces for positive pressure therapy having various vent designs are disclosed herein. The interfaces include a bias flow vent with design geometries that help reduce and/or minimize draft and noise levels of the fluids exiting the vents. Some of the vent designs include particular vent hole geometries, plenum spaces, diffusers and fibrous media.

Abstract: A respiratory mask, a mould for a respiratory mask, as well as to a method for producing a respiratory mask are disclosed, in which manufacturability and usability of respiratory masks are improved. A respiratory mask is disclosed for administering a breathable gas to a patient, the respiratory mask comprising a first component formed from a flexible material and a second component formed from a material that is more rigid than the flexible material, wherein the first component is formed onto the second component by an overmoulding process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, and in particular to a mixing channel with improved injection and mixing properties for injecting and mixing a liquid drug into an air flow streaming in the mixing channel, thereby producing an aerosol to be inhaled by a patient. One aspect of the invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, comprising an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and an injection zone located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, wherein the injection zone has a longitudinal center axis, wherein the injection zone comprises (a) a built-in nebulizer, or (b) a detachable nebulizer, or (c) a member adapted to receive a detachable nebulizer, wherein the effective cross sectional area of the mixing channel in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis is smaller in the injection zone than upstream of the injection zone.