Abstract: A hood for a sterilization system including a return line (132) to provide for airflow between first and second ends; a hood (116) having an opening situated in a top wall and configured to be coupled to a tube; and couplers (126) configured to couple the hood to adjacent ones of a plurality of support struts (114) to configure the hood to form an opening (128) leading to a cavity (129), wherein the cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of a head of a subject (101) receiving respiratory gas from a ventilator (170) such that the plurality of support struts are situated outside of the cavity, wherein the hood is configured to enable ambient air into the airflow while over the portion of the head of the subject.

Abstract: A method of providing a gas flow for delivery to an airway of a subject, which includes the steps of generating a gas flow that facilitates respiration of the subject, receiving a selection of an adjustment from the subject for a property of the gas flow, and making the selected adjustment to the gas flow if the gas flow will remain within a predetermined range after the selected adjustment is made. The method also includes the step of declining to make the selected adjustment to the gas flow if the gas flow would not remain within the predetermined range after the selected adjustment.

Abstract: A ventilator (10) that pressurizes gas from a body of gas to provide a flow of gas to an airway of a subject (14) such that the gas flow mechanically facilitates the respiration of the subject (14). In order to enhance the comfort of the subject (14) during ventilation by the ventilator (10), the ventilator (10) enables the subject (14) to make unsupervised adjustments to one or more of the properties of the gas flow, within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A ventilator (10) that pressurizes gas from a body of gas to provide a flow of gas to an airway of a subject (14) such that the gas flow mechanically facilitates the respiration of the subject (14). In order to enhance the comfort of the subject (14) during ventilation by the ventilator (10), the ventilator (10) enables the subject (14) to make unsupervised adjustments to one or more of the properties of the gas flow, within predetermined limits.