Abstract: A gas delivery apparatus configured for use with a mechanical ventilator having an atmospheric inlet for drawing in atmospheric gas includes a connecting device configured to connect to an oxygen supply and an air supply and to deliver mixed air and oxygen gas to the atmospheric inlet of the mechanical ventilator. The connecting device further includes a user control for adjusting a fraction of oxygen in the mixed air and oxygen gas. The connecting device comprises a reservoir configured to hold a volume of the mixed air and oxygen gas.

Abstract: A humidifier (12) of a heated pass-over type for use in a respiratory therapy device (54) comprises a heater plate (70), a water reservoir (62), one or more sensors (86), and a controller (88). The water reservoir (62) houses a volume of water (66) and includes one surface for contacting the heater plate (70). The sensors (86) generate output signals conveying information about an operating status of the humidifier (54) and ambient conditions. The controller (88) controls an evaporation rate of the volume of water housed in the water reservoir (62) with a power control according to a power control algorithm for humidifying the flow of breathable gas (60) received at the breathable gas inlet (72) of the water reservoir (62) into a flow of humidified breathable gas (78) at the humidified breathable gas outlet (74) of the water reservoir (62).

Abstract: A system for delivering oxygen comprises an oxygen source; a ventilator operatively connected to the oxygen source to receive a supply of oxygen therefrom; a valve having a) an open position in which the ventilator receives the supply of oxygen from the oxygen source and b) a closed position in which the ventilator is not in fluid communication with the oxygen source; a sensor configured to measure breath flow information for the patient; and a computer system to: determine a volume of gas delivered to the patient during a breath cycle of the patient and an inspiratory volume of gas delivered to the patient during an inspiration phase of the breath cycle by using the breath flow information; and provide input to the valve based on the determined volumes, the provided input causing a movement of the valve between the open and the closed positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to inexsufflate a subject and provide cough-by-cough feedback during treatment and/or therapy of the subject. Through sensors that are included in the systems, various gas and/or respiratory parameters maybe measured and/or determined in real-time, such as, for example, peak cough flow and/or inspiratory tidal volume.

Abstract: A patient interface for use in delivering a flow of a breathing gas to an airway of a patient includes an inner mask having an inner cushion with an inward curving inner sealing portion that is structured to sealingly engage the face of the patient, and an outer mask coupled to the inner mask. The outer mask has an outer cushion with an outward curving outer sealing portion that is structured to sealingly engage the face of the patient completely around, and outward from, the inner sealing portion of the inner mask. The inner mask is sized and configured to define a positive pressure cavity for receiving the flow of breathing gas and convey the flow to the airway of the patient. The outer mask is sized and configured to define a negative pressure cavity that encompasses the inner mask and capture any gases escaping the inner mask.

Abstract: A gas delivery apparatus configured for use with a mechanical ventilator having an atmospheric inlet for drawing in atmospheric gas includes a connecting device configured to connect to an oxygen supply and an air supply and to deliver mixed air and oxygen gas to the atmospheric inlet of the mechanical ventilator. The connecting device further includes a user control for adjusting a fraction of oxygen in the mixed air and oxygen gas. The connecting device comprises a reservoir configured to hold a volume of the mixed air and oxygen gas.

Abstract: A system for delivering oxygen comprises an oxygen source; a ventilator operatively connected to the oxygen source to receive a supply of oxygen therefrom; a valve having a) an open position in which the ventilator receives the supply of oxygen from the oxygen source and b) a closed position in which the ventilator is not in fluid communication with the oxygen source; a sensor configured to measure breath flow information for the patient; and a computer system to: determine a volume of gas delivered to the patient during a breath cycle of the patient and an inspiratory volume of gas delivered to the patient during an inspiration phase of the breath cycle by using the breath flow information; and provide input to the valve based on the determined volumes, the provided input causing a movement of the valve between the open and the closed positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a pressure support system (10) configured to deliver a pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airway of a subject (12), the pressure support system comprising: a pressure generator (14) configured to generate the pressurized flow of breathable gas; one or more sensors (18) configured to generate output signals conveying information related to whether the subject is ready to receive breath stacking therapy; and one or more processors (20) configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising: —a control module (52) configured to control the pressure generator to generate the pressurized flow of breathable gas according to a pressure control therapy regime, —an event module (54) configured to determine breath stacking events responsive to the output signals indicating that the subject is ready to receive breath stacking therapy, and —a breath stacking module (56) configured to, responsive to the determination of a breath stacking event, con

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to detect the presence of secretions in a subject's airway during respiratory therapy. The system can determine whether the subject requires airway clearance. A pressure generator generates a pressurized flow of breathable gas. Sensors generate output signals relating to one or more gas parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas. The system can determine a first parameter that is an indication of the volume of breathable gas within the airway of the subject and a time derivative of the first gas parameter to generate a plot of these parameters. The plot includes a perimeter and an area that can be used to determine whether to effectuate initiation of airway clearance based on a complete breathing cycle that includes at least one inhalation and exhalation.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a nasal therapy system. In one embodiment, the nasal therapy system includes at least one flow sensor is configured to determine a flow rate of a gas flow to be provided to a patient via a nasal interface; at least one pressure sensor configured to determine an amount of pressure of the gas flow based, at least in part, on a prescribed pressure; a valve operable to control an amount of the gas flow being provided to the nasal interface; and a controller configured to determine a flow rate difference between a prescribed flow rate and the flow rate, and cause an output setting of the valve to be adjusted to control the amount of the gas flow being provided to the nasal interface such that the amount of the gas flow is maintained at the prescribed flow rate and the prescribed pressure.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to detect the presence of secretions in a subject's airway during respiratory therapy. The system can determine whether the subject requires airway clearance. A pressure generator generates a pressurized flow of breathable gas. Sensors generate output signals relating to one or more gas parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas. The system can determine a first parameter that is an indication of the volume of breathable gas within the airway of the subject and a time derivative of the first gas parameter to generate a plot of these parameters. The plot includes a perimeter and an area that can be used to determine whether to effectuate initiation of airway clearance based on a complete breathing cycle that includes at least one inhalation and exhalation.

Abstract: A system (10) for measuring subject flow in a respiratory therapy device. The system may include a primary pressure generator (12) connected to a subject circuit (18), and a secondary pressure generator (30) connected to a sensor circuit (36). The sensor circuit and subject circuit may be in fluid communication such that gas form the sensor circuit is introduced into the subject circuit. A measurement of flow parameters of gas through the sensor circuit may convey information related to flow parameters of gas in the subject circuit. The system may be configured such that contaminates from subject flow in the subject circuit do not flow into the sensor circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a pressure support system (10) configured to deliver a pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airway of a subject (12), the pressure support system comprising: a pressure generator (14) configured to generate the pressurized flow of breathable gas; one or more sensors (18) configured to generate output signals conveying information related to whether the subject is ready to receive breath stacking therapy; and one or more processors (20) configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising:—a control module (52) configured to control the pressure generator to generate the pressurized flow of breathable gas according to a pressure control therapy regime,—an event module (54) configured to determine breath stacking events responsive to the output signals indicating that the subject is ready to receive breath stacking therapy, and—a breath stacking module (56) configured to, responsive to the determination of a breath stacking event, contro

Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to inexsufflate a subject and provide cough-by-cough feedback during treatment and/or therapy of the subject. Through sensors that are included in the systems, various gas and/or respiratory parameters maybe measured and/or determined in real-time, such as, for example, peak cough flow and/or inspiratory tidal volume.

Abstract: A noninvasive photoplethysmographic sensor platform for mobile animals such as small rodents, namely rats and mice is useful such as in a laboratory research environment. The noninvasive photoplethysmographic sensor platform may be a collar which provides an easily affixed, adjustable attachment mechanism that encircles the animal, such as the neck. The neck of the animal provides several particular advantages as a sensor mounting platform for photoplethysmographic sensors. For pulse oximetry, the neck location will provide significant blood flow under all conditions. For small mammals, such as rats and mice, transmittance pulse oximetry through the neck of the subject remains possible. The neck mounted collar also offers inherent bite resistance to the sensor platform.

Abstract: Several techniques are disclosed for isolating either heart or breath rate data from a photoplethysmograph, which is a time domain signal such as from a pulse oximeter. The techniques involve the use of filtering in the frequency domain, after a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) has been conducted on a given photoplethysmograph also references as a given set of discrete time-domain data. The filtering may be applied to an identified fundamental frequency and one or more harmonics for heart related parameters. The filter may be truncated to the frequency data set and further applied multiple times to improve roll off. After filtering, an Inverse FFT (IFFT) is used to reconstruct the time-domain signal, except with undesirable frequency content eliminated or reduced. Calculation or measurement of parameters is then conducted on this reconstructed time-domain signal.

Abstract: Medical devices and techniques derive breath rate, breath distention, and pulse distention measurements of a subject from a pulse oximeter system coupled to a subject. These parameters, together with the conventional physiologic parameters obtained from a pulse oximeter system, can be used to assist in controlling the ventilation levels and the anesthesia levels of the subject. The development has human applications and particular applications for animal research.

Abstract: Several techniques are disclosed for isolating either heart or breath rate data from a photoplethysmograph, which is a time domain signal such as from a pulse oximeter. The techniques involve the use of filtering in the frequency domain, after a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) has been conducted on a given photoplethysmograph also references as a given set of discrete time-domain data. The filtering may be applied to an identified fundamental frequency and one or more harmonics for heart related parameters. The filter may be truncated to the frequency data set and further applied multiple times to improve roll off. After filtering, an Inverse FFT (IFFT) is used to reconstruct the time-domain signal, except with undesirable frequency content eliminated or reduced. Calculation or measurement of parameters is then conducted on this reconstructed time-domain signal.

Abstract: A noninvasive photoplethysmographic sensor system for mobile animals such as small rodents, namely rats and mice is useful such as in a laboratory research environment. The noninvasive photoplethysmographic sensor for mobile animals such as small rodents utilizes multiple FFT's in the processing of the phtotoplethysmograophic signal, where each FFT has a different time record of the signals such as a number of points, or a zero padded FFTs. The noninvasive photoplethysmographic sensor for mobile animals provides actigraphy measurements for the animal.

Abstract: An integrated blood pressure monitor and pulse oximeter system includes a blood flow occlusion member configured to selectively occlude blood flow through an appendage of the animal (e.g., the neck or tail); a sensor coupled to the blood flow occlusion member detecting a degree of operation thereof; Light sources coupled to the tail closer to the distal end of the tail than the tail blood flow occlusion member, and selectively directing light of two different wavelengths into the appendage; a light receiver coupled to the appendage and selectively receiving a signal associated with light directed into the appendage from the light sources; and a controller configured to selectively determine blood pressure parameters from the data and pulse oximeter parameters from the data.