Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide compliance management tools such as for respiratory pressure therapy. In some versions, a respiratory pressure therapy system may include one or more processors, such as of a data server, configured to communicate with a computing device and/or a respiratory pressure therapy device. The respiratory pressure therapy device may be configured to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to a patient for a session. The computing device may be associated with the patient. The processor(s) may be further configured to compute a therapy quality indicator of the session from usage data relating to the session. The therapy quality indicator may be a number derived from contributions of a plurality of usage variables for the session in the usage data. The processor(s) may be further configured to present, such as by transmitting, the therapy quality indicator to the computing device. The therapy quality indicator may promote patient compliance.

Abstract: A method for producing an olefin product, including the steps of converting a hydrocarbon feedstock to an unsaturated hydrocarbon stream through a steam cracking process in an olefins production plant; combusting hydrogen to provide at least some of the heating duty to the steam cracking process, wherein the hydrogen has a carbon intensity less than about 1.0 kg CO2e/kg H2, wherein the hydrogen is produced using a hydrogen production process; providing at least some of the required energy for the hydrogen production process from a biomass power plant; and processing the unsaturated hydrocarbon stream to recover the olefin product. The olefin product may comprise ethylene having a well-to-gate carbon intensity less than about 0.6 kg CO2e/kg C2H4, or may comprise propylene having a well-to-gate carbon intensity less than about 0.6 kg CO2e/kg C3H6.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a CPAP apparatus. The apparatus has a blower, a patient interface, an air delivery conduit for delivering air from the blower to the patient interface, a sensor for determining the pressure in the patient interface, and a control mechanism that causes air to be delivered at a desired pressure to the patient interface and that detects transitions between inhalation and exhalation of a respiratory cycle of a patient in order to synchronise the blower output with the patient's efforts. In one form the CPAP apparatus provides pressure in accordance with a bi-level waveform with at least one characterising parameter of the waveform being automatically adjusted in accordance with indications of sleep disordered breathing. The indications of sleep disordered breathing can be one or more of snoring, apnea, hypopnea, and flow limitation.

Abstract: This invention discloses a connector device with a particular T shape, which allows for the connection of two pieces of lumber in a perpendicular fashion. A user secures the connector device to two pieces lumber and fit it within a truck bed, setting up three separate compartments for storage within the truck bed. By using two or more connector devices, and three or more pieces of lumber, at least four separate compartments can be created.

Abstract: A communication system for operation of respiratory pressure therapy devices for treating respiratory disorders of a plurality of patients includes one or more servers configured to communicate with the plurality of respiratory pressure therapy devices. The server(s) are configured to receive communications relating to respiratory therapy delivered to a patient via at least one respiratory pressure therapy device of the plurality of respiratory pressure therapy devices. The server(s) are configured to transmit one or more responsive communications for control of the at least one respiratory pressure device according to a selected action to improve the respiratory therapy. The selected action includes transmitting, from the server(s), a control command to the at least one respiratory pressure therapy device. The responsive communication(s) are generated in response to a compliance prediction that is a score indicating a probability that the patient will be compliant with a predetermined compliance rule.

Abstract: A system and method for patient data processing during diagnosis and therapy of a patient's sleep disorder breathing. The system and method includes providing diagnostic providers and therapy device providers with a simple and fast way to generate a clinical diagnosis from a diagnostic device and to transfer that patient's record and diagnostic data to the therapy provider responsible for the patient's ongoing care. The patient may be automatically assigned therapy devices having predetermined therapy settings that are based on the patient's record and diagnostic data.

Abstract: Methods and Systems implement patient management. In some cases, a patient management system may include one or more respiratory pressure therapy devices to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to patients, and generate therapy data relating to a therapy session for a patient. The patient management system may include a data server communicating with the therapy device(s). The data server may compute, from therapy data, therapy summary data for the session, the summary data may include one or more statistics summarising therapy data. The patient management system may include a therapy management server communicating with the data server. The therapy management server may apply one or more rules to the summary data, update or generate one or more workflow groups of patients, each workflow group corresponding to a rule, depending on results of the respective rule applications; and/or serve a graphical layout representing one or more workflow groups.

Abstract: A system and method for patient data processing during diagnosis and therapy of a patient's sleep disorder breathing. The system and method includes providing diagnostic providers and therapy device providers with a simple and fast way to generate a clinical diagnosis from a diagnostic device and to transfer that patient's record and diagnostic data to the therapy provider responsible for the patient's ongoing care. The patient may be automatically assigned therapy devices having predetermined therapy settings that are based on the patient's record and diagnostic data.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide compliance management tools such as for respiratory pressure therapy. In some versions, a respiratory pressure therapy system may include one or more processors, such as of a data server, configured to communicate with a computing device and/or a respiratory pressure therapy device. The respiratory pressure therapy device may be configured to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to a patient for a session. The computing device may be associated with the patient. The processor(s) may be further configured to compute a therapy quality indicator of the session from usage data relating to the session. The therapy quality indicator may be a number derived from contributions of a plurality of usage variables for the session in the usage data. The processor(s) may be further configured to present, such as by transmitting, the therapy quality indicator to the computing device. The therapy quality indicator may promote patient compliance.

Abstract: Methods and Systems implement patient management. In some cases, a patient management system 200 may include one or more respiratory pressure therapy devices to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to patients, and generate therapy data relating to a therapy session for a patient. The patient management system may include a data server communicating with the therapy device(s). The data server may compute, from therapy data, therapy summary data for the session, the summary data may include one or more statistics summarising therapy data. The patient management system may include a therapy management server communicating with the data server. The therapy management server may apply one or more rules to the summary data, update or generate one or more workflow groups of patients, each workflow group corresponding to a rule, depending on results of the respective rule applications; and/or serve a graphical layout representing one or more workflow groups.

Abstract: Methods or systems (7000) are implemented for treatment with or monitoring use of respiratory pressure therapy device(s). The device may be for a respiratory disorder. A processor, such as a processor of a server communicating with the therapy device, may analyse data relating to respiratory therapy delivered by the device. The processor may generate data in the processor representing a prediction, such as compliance prediction(s), about progress of therapy based on the analysis. The processor may select an action to improve therapy based on data representing the prediction. The processor may take or prompt selected action to improve the therapy. In some cases, a processor may analyse usage data concerning a period of days with a therapy device and generate compliance prediction indicators based on the analysis. The indicators indicate whether compliance will be likely. The processor may recommend engagement action to improve compliance based on evaluation of the indicators.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide compliance management tools such as for respiratory pressure therapy. In some versions, a respiratory pressure therapy system may include one or more processors, such as of a data server, configured to communicate with a computing device and/or a respiratory pressure therapy device. The respiratory pressure therapy device may be configured to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to a patient for a session. The computing device may be associated with the patient. The processor(s) may be further configured to compute a therapy quality indicator of the session from usage data relating to the session. The therapy quality indicator may be a number derived from contributions of a plurality of usage variables for the session in the usage data. The processor(s) may be further configured to present, such as by transmitting, the therapy quality indicator to the computing device. The therapy quality indicator may promote patient compliance.

Abstract: This invention discloses a connector device with a particular T shape, which allows for the connection of two pieces of lumber in a perpendicular fashion. A user secures the connector device to two pieces lumber and fit it within a truck bed, setting up three separate compartments for storage within the truck bed. By using two or more connector devices, and three or more pieces of lumber, at least four separate compartments can be created.

Abstract: A flow generator for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a processor coupled with operation sensors and a user interface. The processor is programmed to generate at least one of time-based or event-based messages relating to at least one of flow generator operation, flow generator service, flow generator use, patient health, peripheral devices and services, patient treatment, and reminders. Time-based messages are generated at predetermined time intervals based on either time of use or elapsed time. The event-based messages are generated based on signals from the operation sensors. The user interface is configured to deliver the messages to at least one of a display, a flow generator service provider, the patient and a physician. By this system, operation of the flow generator is facilitated and enhanced.

Abstract: A flow generator for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a processor coupled with operation sensors and a user interface. The processor is programmed to generate at least one of time-based or event-based messages relating to at least one of flow generator operation, flow generator service, flow generator use, patient health, peripheral devices and services, patient treatment, and reminders. Time-based messages are generated at predetermined time intervals based on either time of use or elapsed time. The event-based messages are generated based on signals from the operation sensors. The user interface is configured to deliver the messages to at least one of a display, a flow generator service provider, the patient and a physician. By this system, operation of the flow generator is facilitated and enhanced.

Abstract: A rotary introducer is provided for introducing a trackable element and/or contaminant onto a flow path of a food-transit system without adjusting a flowrate. The introducer comprises an inlet and an outlet which is communicable with a food-transit conduit; and a pair of rotatable driving/drivable members. In a trackable-element receiving condition, the inlet is open to receive a trackable element in the device cavity, and the outlet is closed by at least one of the driving/drivable member. However, in a discharge condition, the outlet is open such that a trackable-element discharge force is directed radially inwardly through the outlet to discharge the trackable element from the device cavity, thus enabling outlet to close. A food-transit system using the rotary introducer and a method of introducing a trackable element and/or contaminant into food-transit system without adjusting a flowrate of foodstuffs therethrough are also provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a CPAP apparatus. The apparatus has a blower, a patient interface, an air delivery conduit for delivering air from the blower to the patient interface, a sensor for determining the pressure in the patient interface, and a control mechanism that causes air to be delivered at a desired pressure to the patient interface and that detects transitions between inhalation and exhalation of a respiratory cycle of a patient in order to synchronise the blower output with the patient's efforts. In one form the CPAP apparatus provides pressure in accordance with a bi-level waveform with at least one characterising parameter of the waveform being automatically adjusted in accordance with indications of sleep disordered breathing. The indications of sleep disordered breathing can be one or more of snoring, apnea, hypopnea, and flow limitation.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a CPAP apparatus. The apparatus has a blower, a patient interface, an air delivery conduit for delivering air from the blower to the patient interface, a sensor for determining the pressure in the patient interface, and a control mechanism that causes air to be delivered at a desired pressure to the patient interface and that detects transitions between inhalation and exhalation of a respiratory cycle of a patient in order to synchronize the blower output with the patient's efforts. In one form the CPAP apparatus provides pressure in accordance with a bi-level waveform with at least one characterizing parameter of the waveform being automatically adjusted in accordance with indications of sleep disordered breathing. The indications of sleep disordered breathing can be one or more of snoring, apnea, hypopnea, and flow limitation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a solution of nanosheets, comprising the step of contacting an intercalated layered material with a polar aprotic solvent to produce a solution of nanosheets, wherein the intercalated layered material is prepared from a layered material selected from the group consisting of a transition metal dichalcogenide, a transition metal monochalcogenide, a transition metal trichalcogenide, a transition metal oxide, a metal halide, an oxychalcogenide, an oxypnictide, an oxyhalide of a transition metal, a trioxide, a perovskite, a niobate, a ruthenate, a layered III-VI semiconductor, black phosphorous and a V-VI layered compound. The invention also provides a solution of nanosheets and a plated material formed from nanosheets.

Abstract: A removable self-centring magnetically-clampable food-inspection pipe apparatus comprising: a food-inspection pipe with a through-bore having a tubular pipe body through which the through-bore passes, and a first connector part at each end of the pipe body defining first seating surfaces; and second connector parts which each define second seating surfaces and on which each first connector part is respectively slidably demountably seatable, one of the first and/or second connector parts having at least in part a magnetically-attractable material, and the other of the corresponding first and/or second connector parts having a plurality of magnetic elements equi-angularly spaced about a bore axis of the pipe body, poles of consecutive magnetic elements being opposite to each other, so that, as the food-inspection pipe is introduced laterally to the bore axis, the first and second connector parts slidably engage and self-centre the food-inspection pipe.