Abstract: A spirometer turbine assembly is described, having a housing with a proximal end opening, a distal end opening and an airflow channel therebetween. A first flow director has a first plurality of flow director blades with distal edges that curve in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the airflow channel, and a vane is connected to an axel positioned distal to the first flow director. A spirometer turbine assembly having an anti-static material is also described.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for interfacing a subject to a respiratory measurement apparatus incorporates bite blocks and a tongue depressor such that when the bite blocks are clamped between teeth of the user's upper and lower jaws, the tongue depressor forces the user's tongue downward so as not to inhibit gas flow through a lumen of the mouthpiece. Also disclosed are cheek supports that can be coupled to the mouthpiece and where the space between adjacent cheek supports is selectively adjustable to fit the subject involved.

Abstract: A spirometer turbine assembly is described, having a housing with a proximal end opening, a distal end opening and an airflow channel therebetween. A first flow director has a first plurality of flow director blades with distal edges that curve in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the airflow channel, and a vane is connected to an axel positioned distal to the first flow director. A spirometer turbine assembly having an anti-static material is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid nitric oxide releasing solution (NORS) comprised of at least one nitric oxide releasing compound and at least one acidifying agent, wherein the NORS provides an extended release of a therapeutically effective amount of nitric oxide gas (gNO). The present invention also relates to a liquid NORS comprised of at least one nitrite compound having a concentration of no greater than about 0.5% w/v and at least one acidifying agent, wherein the NORS releases a therapeutically effective amount of gNO. The present invention also relates to a method for the treatment of a wound in a human, the method comprising administering to the human a liquid NORS comprised of at least one nitric oxide releasing compound and at least one acidifying agent, wherein the NORS provides an extended release of a therapeutically effective amount of gNO.

Abstract: Described is a dry powder inhaler for inhalation of a dry powder composition. The inhaler includes an external housing that defines an internal passage. The inhaler also includes a mouthpiece, a compartment for holding a dry powder capsule or powder reservoir, and a powder fluidization and deagglomeration apparatus for directing airflow to the dry powder to generate airborne powder particles within the internal passage. When a user inhales through the mouthpiece, a first airflow pattern is generated that has a first airflow resistance, during which the fluidization and deagglomeration apparatus generates airborne dry powder particles within the internal passage. Upon reaching a threshold negative pressure value within the internal passage of the inhaler, a second airflow pattern is generated having a second airflow resistance that is lower than the first airflow resistance, which pulls the airborne dry powder into the user's lungs during the inhalation. Embodiments of elastomeric valves are also described.

Abstract: A veterinary subject intranasal administration device, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. The veterinary subject intranasal administration device can include a first support member portion including a septum interface portion sized for insertion into a nasal passage of the veterinary subject; an actuation mechanism connected to the first support member portion; and a fluid conduit having a distal end opposite a supported end, the distal end sized for insertion into the nasal passage of the veterinary subject, the fluid conduit being flexible and configured to receive fluid from a fluid source and discharge the fluid through the distal end into the nasal passage, the distal end of the fluid conduit being unsupported and movable relative to the septum interface portion.

Abstract: A face mask includes an air-permeable body having a filter material having a proximal surface and a distal surface, the air-permeable body structurally configured for the proximal surface to cover the nose and mouth of a user when worn by the user, and a blower configured to generate a sub-peak inspiratory flow through the filter material.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices (10) for holding one or more vapor sources in a media inhaler. The devices permit vapor from the one or more vapor sources to be introduced and entrained into a stream of inhaled media. The vapor insert device includes a hollow cylinder (12) having a porous surface (11), an open anterior end (9), and an open posterior end. An anterior flange (14) is attached to the open anterior end, and a posterior flange (16) is attached to the open posterior end. The anterior flange and the posterior flange each have a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the hollow cylinder to form a circumferential space around the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides dry powder formulations comprising nicotine, methods of using the same, and methods for making the same. The dry powder formulations may further comprise excipients, therapeutic agents, and flavor components. The dry powder formulations may be manufactured by dry processes and wet processes.

Abstract: A spirometer turbine assembly is described, having a housing with a proximal end opening, a distal end opening and an airflow channel therebetween. A first flow director has a first plurality of flow director blades with distal edges that curve in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the airflow channel, and a vane is connected to an axel positioned distal to the first flow director. A spirometer turbine assembly having an anti-static material is also described.

Abstract: A gas regulator is described. The gas regulator includes a gas inlet having an attachment mechanism for attaching to a gas container, a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas inlet and further in fluid communication with a gas delivery system, a pressure regulator, a pressure sensor and a NFC sensor. A method of entering at least one information item relating to a gas source to a gas delivery system control unit. The method includes the steps of providing a gas source having a NFC tag that includes at least one information item stored in a memory of the NFC tag, attaching a regulator that includes a NFC sensor, wherein the NFC sensor is positioned to read the NFC tag when attached to the gas source, reading the at least one information item via the NFC sensor, and transmitting the at least one information item read by the NFC sensor to a gas delivery system control unit.

Abstract: A method of controlling or electing the harshness of inhaled nicotine powder formulations is described. The method includes the steps of identifying a concentration of nicotine for a subject to inhale to achieve a desired level of harshness per inhalation, identifying the total dose of nicotine to be inhaled by the subject, and providing the subject with an amount of a formulation comprising nicotine particles having the identified concentration of nicotine, such that the total amount of nicotine particles in the formulation equals the total dose of nicotine.

Abstract: The present invention provides for systems and methods for inhaled CO therapy to prevent, attenuate, or delay processes that accelerate the loss of organ or tissue function, thereby increasing the lifespan of transplanted organs or tissues, or slowing the decline of native organs or tissues, or delaying the need for replacement of diseased native organs with organ transplants. Such biological processes that are prevented, attenuated, or delayed include chronic persistent inflammation, fibrosis, scarring, as well as immunologic or autoimmune attack.

Abstract: A nebulizer device includes an air intake port positioned downstream of a nebulizer element, and a mouthpiece positioned upstream of the nebulizer element. A flow sensor is coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to integrate an inhaled air flow signal received from the flow sensor for determining an inhaled air volume. The controller is also configured to turn on the nebulizer element when the inhaled air volume reaches a first predetermined threshold, and turn off the nebulizer element when the inhaled air volume reaches a second predetermined threshold. A method for targeted delivery of aerosolized particles to the lungs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nasal interface is provided that can allow for delivery of flow of a gas to a patient for respiratory support while preventing injury or irritation to the patient. The nasal interface can include a nasal pillow set having a nasal pillow, which can engage against a nose, and relief port, which can permit a gas to be released from the nasal interface. A nasal cannula can include a cannula body to direct a gas through the nasal interface, and can have an opening to direct a gas out of the cannula body. The gas can be directed from the cannula body, through the opening, toward a nasal pillow and a patient's nare. The nasal interface can be coupled with a head harness, which can be worn on the patient's head, and can include a guide that extends toward the nasal interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides for systems and methods for inhaled CO therapy to prevent, attenuate, or delay processes that accelerate the loss of organ or tissue function, thereby increasing the lifespan of transplanted organs or tissues, or slowing the decline of native organs or tissues, or delaying the need for replacement of diseased native organs with organ transplants. Such biological processes that are prevented, attenuated, or delayed include chronic persistent inflammation, fibrosis, scarring, as well as immunologic or autoimmune attack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for delivery of nitric oxide to the upper respiratory tract without resulting in nitric oxide delivery to the lungs. In certain embodiments, the invention comprises the use of a flow sensor to sense the exhalation of the subject, and delivering a nitric oxide containing gas upon sensed exhalation.