Abstract: A method of estimating a parameter indicative of respiratory flow of a patient being administered flow therapy, comprising: optionally administering a gas at a flow rate to the patient using a flow therapy apparatus with a patient interface, determining a terminal pressure in, at or proximate the outlet of the patient interface or in, at or proximate the nares of the patient, determining nasal RTF, determining a nasal flow parameter being or indicative of nasal flow based on the pressure and a nasal RTF, and optionally outputting the nasal flow parameter or parameter derived therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus or kit for a respiratory support system for delivering humidified gas to a user or patient. The apparatus comprising a humidifier chamber in pneumatic communication with a gases source, an inspiratory conduit in pneumatic communication with the humidifier chamber downstream of the humidifier chamber, a filter that is in pneumatic communication with the inspiratory conduit downstream of the inspiratory conduit, and a patient interface for delivering humidified gas to a user or patient, wherein the patient interface is in pneumatic communication with the filter downstream of the filter, or is configured to be placed in pneumatic communication with the filter downstream of the filter.

Abstract: A method of estimating respiratory demand of a patient being administered flow therapy can include: administering a gas flow rate to the patient through both nostrils using a flow therapy apparatus with a patient interface for each nostril, measuring a parameter associated with that nostril, the parameter being one or more of: respiratory demand of that nostril, indicative of respiratory demand of that nostril, or a parameter from which respiratory demand of that nostril can be derived, determining respiratory demand (or parameter indicative of respiratory demand) for the patient from the nostril parameter for each nostril.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a nasal cannula comprising a port configured for delivery of a medicament into a flow of a fluid being delivered by the nasal cannula to a user and/or configured for interfacing with a medicament delivery device or an instrument. The disclosure also relates to a nasal cannula comprising an asymmetric profile to reduce an amount of occlusion of one nare of a user to provide access for an instrument to the nare with the nasal cannula in use.

Abstract: Several methods of supporting respiratory function of a patient before, during and/or after a medical procedure are disclosed. In certain arrangements, supporting respiratory function while a patient is under general anaesthesia can include providing a high gas flow that is greater than 15 L/min while the patient is under general anaesthesia. In certain arrangements, a method of providing ventilation while a patient is under general anaesthesia involves providing only a gas flow delivered through a nasal interface that is greater than 15 L/min while the patient is under general anaesthesia.

Abstract: A conduit with a collapsible portion, and a nasal interface for providing a flow of gases to a user, is described. The interface comprises a manifold and at least one nasal prong or an outlet extending from the manifold to be received by a user's nare. A side member extends from each side of the manifold, each side member comprising a collapsible portion comprising a lumen. In an open configuration the lumen remains open and in a closed configuration the collapsible portion is pinched or flattened to occlude or substantially occlude the lumen. At least one of the side members is a conduit for a flow of gases from an inlet of the patient interface to the manifold.

Abstract: A user interface convertible between a nasal configuration and an oral configuration. The user interface has a nasal cannula and a mouthpiece. The nasal cannula has a body portion and at least one prong extending from the body portion, the prong being adapted to direct a flow of gas into a nare of a user's nose. The mouthpiece is adapted to engage the mouth of the patient and direct a flow of gas into a user's mouth. In the nasal configuration the prong of the nasal cannula is adapted to direct a flow of gases into a nare of the patient. In the oral configuration, the nasal cannula is engaged with the mouthpiece such that a gases flow is provided to at least the mouth of the user.

Abstract: A method of determining a duration of safe apnoea. Information is obtained relating to a respiratory indicator, and a duration of safe apnoea is determined from the obtained information. A respiratory therapy system has one or more patient interfaces. A processor is configured to determine a duration of safe apnoea based on obtained information relating to a respiratory indicator.

Abstract: An infant positive airway pressure (PAP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device and related patient interface and system, which can provide a flow of breathing gas to the patient interface. The device can be incorporated into the patient interface and includes at least one interior passage in the shape of a nozzle having a throat, a first portion upstream of the throat and a second portion downstream of the throat relative to the flow of breathing gas. The passage has a vent opening within the second portion and the interior passage defines a continuously curved surface extending between the throat and the vent opening. The second portion of the nozzle preferably is divergent and the first portion can be convergent or non-convergent (e.g., constant cross-section).

Abstract: A respiratory assistance system can provide high flow therapy to patients. The respiratory assistance system can include a patient interface that can deliver a gas flow to a patient and a gas source that can drive the gas flow towards the patient interface at an operating flow rate. The system can include a controller for controlling the operating flow rate of the gas. The controller can apply multiple test flow rate values in a range as the operating flow rate. For each of the test flow rate values, the controller can measure a patient parameter. The controller can determine a new flow rate value based on the measured patient parameters. Patient parameters can include respiration rate, work of breathing, or any other parameters related to the respiratory circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to determining a corrected exhaled gas measurement during high flow respiratory therapy. Measuring exhaled gas concentration during high flow respiratory therapy is difficult and inaccurate due to a phenomenon known as flushing. The high flows delivered to the patient flush the dead space in the conducting airways, which causes a dilution effect that results in underestimated or overestimated exhaled gas measurement depending on the gas composition delivered by the high flow system. This can lead to incorrect clinical measurements and diagnoses. Various algorithms are disclosed herein to account for the dilution effect caused by flushing, allowing for the method of measuring gas concentrations to still be used accurately for clinical measurements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a respiratory system comprising a first patient interface for delivery of a first flow of gases to a patient, a second patient interface for delivery of a second flow of gases to the patient, and a device and/or sensing arrangement that is configure to facilitate a switching of the system between a first respiratory mode where the device allowing delivery of the first flow of gases to an outlet of the first patient interface when the second patient interface is absent from the patient, and a second respiratory mode where the device reducing or stopping delivery of the first flow of gases to the outlet of the first patient interface when the second patient interface is located together with the first patient interface upon the patient.

Abstract: This invention relates to a patient interface comprising at least one nasal prong or an outlet of said patient interface to be received by a user's nare(s) or mouth; a gases delivery side member extending from a side of the at least one nasal prong or said outlet; and wherein the gases delivery side member comprises of a lumen for a flow of gases from an inlet of the patient interface to the at least one nasal prong or said outlet; a collapsible portion; at least one elbow portion or flexible portion, located substantially at or toward one or both of a downstream end of said gases delivery member or an upstream end of said gases delivery member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a respiratory therapy system comprising a first patient interface for delivery of a flow of gas to a patient, and a second patient interface for delivery of a flow of gas to the patient, or devices or interfaces for use in such systems.

Abstract: A respiratory therapy system configured to deliver gases to a patient can have a non-sealed gas flow generating arrangement configured to deliver a high flow of positive gas to an airway of a patient and a negative flow of gas away from an airway of the patient. The positive and negative flows of gas can be generated simultaneously. The flow of positive and negative gases reduces exhaled gases in anatomical dead spaces of the patient.

Abstract: A respiratory assistance system can provide high flow therapy to patients. The respiratory assistance system can include a patient interface that can deliver a gas flow to a patient and a gas source that can drive the gas flow towards the patient interface at an operating flow rate. The system can include a controller for controlling the operating flow rate of the gas. The controller can apply multiple test flow rate values in a range as the operating flow rate. For each of the test flow rate values, the controller can measure a patient parameter. The controller can determine a new flow rate value based on the measured patient parameters. Patient parameters can include respiration rate, work of breathing, or any other parameters related to the respiratory circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to determining a corrected exhaled gas measurement during high flow respiratory therapy. Measuring exhaled gas concentration during high flow respiratory therapy is difficult and inaccurate due to a phenomenon known as flushing. The high flows delivered to the patient flush the dead space in the conducting airways, which causes a dilution effect that results in underestimated or overestimated exhaled gas measurement depending on the gas composition delivered by the high flow system. This can lead to incorrect clinical measurements and diagnoses. Various algorithms are disclosed herein to account for the dilution effect caused by flushing, allowing for the method of measuring gas concentrations to still be used accurately for clinical measurements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a respiratory system comprising a first patient interface for delivery of a first flow of gases to a patient, a second patient interface for delivery of a second flow of gases to the patient, and a device and/or sensing arrangement that is configure to facilitate a switching of the system between a first respiratory mode where the device allowing delivery of the first flow of gases to an outlet of the first patient interface when the second patient interface is absent from the patient, and a second respiratory mode where the device reducing or stopping delivery of the first flow of gases to the outlet of the first patient interface when the second patient interface is located together with the first patient interface upon the patient.

Abstract: An infant positive airway pressure (PAP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device and related patient interface and system, which can provide a flow of breathing gas to the patient interface. The device can be incorporated into the patient interface and includes at least one interior passage in the shape of a nozzle having a throat, a first portion upstream of the throat and a second portion downstream of the throat relative to the flow of breathing gas. The passage has a vent opening within the second portion and the interior passage defines a continuously curved surface extending between the throat and the vent opening. The second portion of the nozzle preferably is divergent and the first portion can be convergent or non-convergent (e.g., constant cross-section).

Abstract: Nasal cannula assemblies for providing respiratory therapy to patients are provided. A nasal cannula assembly can include a cannula, an optional manifold which may be removable, a gas supply tube, and a securement mechanism. Securement mechanisms can include headgear straps, cheek pads, or an adhesive nose strip. A nasal cannula assembly can also include a lanyard, lanyard clip, and/or lanyard connector to help support the weight of a main gas delivery conduit.