Abstract: A system provides warm, humidified gas to a patient via a patient interface. Horizontal connections can be used between the humidification chamber and conduit. To reduce the likelihood of condensate flowing back to the humidification chamber, or dead space or gases recirculation regions occurring within the gases flow path, a raised portion is positioned inside of the flow path to improve flow characteristics and to provide a barrier for condensate back flow. The raised portion also reduces the amount of condensate that is formed in the system and provides better flow characteristics for sensing purposes.

Abstract: A respiratory mask can have a frame supporting a sealing arrangement. Various features of the frame and sealing arrangement can improve comfort and reduce the occurrence of pressure sores. The frame can include cheek supports that have a large surface area configured to spread loads over a greater area of the patient's face and therefore reduce the forces applied to the face and the occurrence of point loads. The seal can have a main body that includes a spring with a silicone skin, wherein the spring applies a substantially constant force to the face and/or nares of the patient.

Abstract: This invention relates to a surgical smoke evacuation system for use in removing gases and smoke created in surgical procedures form within an insufflated surgical cavity.

Abstract: Breathing assistance apparatus includes a gases supply unit adapted to, in use, deliver a stream of pressurised gases from an outlet. The gases supply unit is adapted to vary the pressure of the stream of pressurised gases. A supply path includes a flexible self-supporting gases transportation pathway having a first end connected to the outlet so that the gases transportation pathway receives the stream of gases and conveys the gases to a patient. A patient interface is connected to the second end of the gases transportation pathway receives a stream of gases. At least one sensor measures at least one information parameter of the supply path. A control system associated with the gases supply unit receives the information parameter. The control system contains reference data, and compares the received data to reference data, and determines a supply path based on the comparison.

Abstract: An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly, a headgear assembly and a connection port assembly. The mask assembly comprises a seal member that has an upper portion movably connected to an integrated lower portion, wherein the upper portion rolls during hinging movement of the upper portion relative to the lower portion. The headgear assembly allows connection to the mask assembly in a direction substantially normal to a direction of strap tension. The connection port assembly includes a swivel elbow with a valve member that controls flow through a port that opens toward the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining water level in a humidifier chamber that is part of a humidified gases delivery apparatus and system. The method comprising the steps of delivering power to a heater plate, varying the power delivered to the heater plate, measuring the rate of change of temperature and determining the level of water based on the heating characteristics of the volume of water within the chamber, in particular determining the level of water within the chamber based on the rate of change of temperature and the supplied power.

Abstract: Condensation or “rain-out” is a problem in breathing circuits and especially neonatal breathing circuits. The subject patent provides an improved breathing tube component for managing rain-out particularly in neonatal applications. In particular the breathing tube has a smooth inner bore, and an outer insulating layer containing stagnant gas and a heater wire.

Abstract: A diffuser for use with a wound retractor and configured to deliver gases includes an interface tube for connecting to a gases supply and a diffuser interface positioned at a proximal end of the interface tube, the diffuser interface configured for delivering gases received from the gases supply through the interface tube, and the diffuser interface comprising a diffusion mechanism configured to deliver gases in a diffusion direction. A wound retractor with an integrated diffuser is also disclosed. The wound retractor includes an upper ring, a lower ring, a sleeve extending between and connecting the upper ring to the lower ring, and an integrated diffuser interface having a gases inlet and a diffusion mechanism.

Abstract: An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly, a headgear assembly and a connection port assembly. The mask assembly comprises a seal member that has an upper portion movably connected to an integrated lower portion, wherein the upper portion rolls during hinging movement of the upper portion relative to the lower portion. The headgear assembly allows connection to the mask assembly in a direction substantially normal to a direction of strap tension. The connection port assembly includes a swivel elbow with a valve member that controls flow through a port that opens toward the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining water level in a humidifier chamber that is part of a humidified gases delivery apparatus and system. The method comprising the steps of delivering power to a heater plate, varying the power delivered to the heater plate, measuring the rate of change of temperature and determining the level of water based on the heating characteristics of the volume of water within the chamber, in particular determining the level of water within the chamber based on the rate of change of temperature and the supplied power.

Abstract: Condensation or “rain-out” is a problem in breathing circuits and especially neonatal breathing circuits. The subject patent provides an improved breathing tube component for managing rain-out particularly in neonatal applications. In particular the breathing tube has a smooth inner bore, and an outer insulating layer containing stagnant gas and a heater wire.

Abstract: In general, the present invention is related to biopolymer and biocomposite materials and structures, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to oriented collagen based biocomposite materials and structures, and methods of making.

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: In general, the present invention is related to biopolymer and biocomposite materials and structures, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to oriented collagen based biocomposite materials and structures, and methods of making.

Abstract: An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly, a headgear assembly and a connection port assembly. The mask assembly comprises a seal member that has an upper portion movably connected to an integrated lower portion, wherein the upper portion rolls during hinging movement of the upper portion relative to the lower portion. The headgear assembly allows connection to the mask assembly in a direction substantially normal to a direction of strap tension. The connection port assembly includes a swivel elbow with a valve member that controls flow through a port that opens toward the user.

Abstract: There is disclosed system for oxygenating a patient in relation to anaesthesia using high flow gas delivery. The system has a flow source, and a controller for determining oxygenation requirements of the patient before or during anaesthesia. A method of oxygenating a patient in relation to anaesthesia using high flow gas delivery is also disclosed. The method determines oxygenation requirements of the patient before or during anaesthesia.

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: The present invention relates to a washing machine (7) and pump (8) for a washing machine (7). The pump is driven by a brushless DC motor (38). The pump can be controlled to improve the operation of the washing machine. In one aspect the invention comprises a washing machine (7) with a variable speed pump (8) for pumping out wastewater, a controller (50) for controlling the speed of the pump and a sensor (10) for determining the flow-rate of water being pumped from the washing machine, wherein the controller (50) controls the speed of the pump to maintain the flow-rate at a desirable level.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing bone material including a distal cutting instrument and a proximal cutting instrument. The distal cutting instrument has at least one first cutting edge, a shoulder, and a shaft portion. The shaft portion has an anti-rotation feature. The at least one first cutting edge removes bone material when moved in a first direction. The proximal cutting instrument is removably attached to the shaft portion, and has a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion contacts the shoulder of the distal reamer when the proximal reamer is mounted to the shaft portion. The proximal reamer has at least one second cutting edge and an aperture. The aperture is adapted to receive the anti-rotation feature of the shaft portion of the distal reamer. The at least one second cutting edge removes bone material when moved in a second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for removing bone material comprises a distal cutting instrument (12) and a proximal cutting instrument (14). The distal cutting instrument has at least one first cutting edge (30), a shoulder (20), and a shaft portion (22). The shaft portion (22) has an anti-rotation feature. The at least one first cutting edge (30) removes bone material when moved in a first direction. The proximal cutting instrument (14) is removably attached to the shaft portion (22). The proximal cutting instrument (14) has a first end portion (68) and a second end portion (66). The second end portion (66) contacts the shoulder (20) of the distal reamer (12) when the proximal reamer is mounted to the shaft portion (22). The proximal reamer (14) has at least one second cutting edge (32) and an aperture. The aperture is adapted to receive the anti-rotation feature of the shaft portion (22) of the distal reamer (12). The at least one second cutting edge (32) removes bone material when moved in a second direction.