Abstract: A passive valve for use as a fixed leak valve. The valve includes a body having an internal chamber, first and second body ports in fluid communication with the chamber with the first port configured for fluid communication with a patient connection and the second body port configured for fluid communication with a ventilator, a body passageway in fluid communication with the chamber and with ambient air exterior of the body, and a check valve seal positioned to seal the body passageway to permit the flow of gas within the chamber through the body passageway to the exterior of the body and to prevent the flow of ambient air exterior of the body through the body passageway into the chamber. In alternative embodiments, the valve is incorporated into the patient connection or constructed as a separate part connectable to the patient connection.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient. The patient has a patient connection connected, by a patient circuit, to a ventilator having a first ventilator connection and a different second ventilator connection. Each of the first and second ventilator connections are in fluid communication with the patient circuit. The method includes identifying, with the ventilator, initiation of an inspiratory phase of the breath, delivering a bolus of oxygen to the first ventilator connection before or during the inspiratory phase, and delivering breathing gases comprising air to the second ventilator connection during the inspiratory phase. The ventilator isolates the bolus of oxygen delivered to the first ventilator connection from the breathing gases delivered to the second ventilator connection.

Abstract: A passive valve for use as a fixed leak valve. The valve includes a body having an internal chamber, first and second body ports in fluid communication with the chamber with the first port configured for fluid communication with a patient connection and the second body port configured for fluid communication with a ventilator, a body passageway in fluid communication with the chamber and with ambient air exterior of the body, and a check valve seal positioned to seal the body passageway to permit the flow of gas within the chamber through the body passageway to the exterior of the body and to prevent the flow of ambient air exterior of the body through the body passageway into the chamber. In alternative embodiments, the valve is incorporated into the patient connection or constructed as a separate part connectable to the patient connection.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient. The patient has a patient connection connected, by a patient circuit, to a ventilator having a first ventilator connection and a different second ventilator connection. Each of the first and second ventilator connections are in fluid communication with the patient circuit. The method includes identifying, with the ventilator, initiation of an inspiratory phase of the breath, delivering a bolus of oxygen to the first ventilator connection before or during the inspiratory phase, and delivering breathing gases comprising air to the second ventilator connection during the inspiratory phase. The ventilator isolates the bolus of oxygen delivered to the first ventilator connection from the breathing gases delivered to the second ventilator connection.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient. The patient has a patient connection connected, by a patient circuit, to a ventilator having a first ventilator connection and a different second ventilator connection. Each of the first and second ventilator connections are in fluid communication with the patient circuit. The method includes identifying, with the ventilator, initiation of an inspiratory phase of the breath, delivering a bolus of oxygen to the first ventilator connection before or during the inspiratory phase, and delivering breathing gases comprising air to the second ventilator connection during the inspiratory phase. The ventilator isolates the bolus of oxygen delivered to the first ventilator connection from the breathing gases delivered to the second ventilator connection.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient having a patient connection connected by a patient circuit to a ventilator device. The method includes delivering both a bolus of oxygen and breathing gases including air to the patient circuit. The patient circuit conducts the bolus of oxygen and the breathing gases to the patient connection. The breathing gases are delivered before an end of the inspiratory phase of the breath. The bolus may be delivered at or before a beginning of an inspiratory phase of the breath, and the delivery of the bolus may be terminated before the end of the inspiratory phase of the breath. The bolus and breathing gases are delivered to the patient circuit via different ventilator connections that isolate the bolus from the breathing gases before they enter the patient circuit.

Abstract: A ventilator with an integrated cough assist for use with a patient circuit in fluid communication with a patient connection of a patient, and operable in a ventilation mode and in a cough-assist mode. The ventilator includes a user input for switching operation from ventilation mode to cough-assist mode without disconnecting the ventilator from the patient, and a controller operable in response to the user input and controlling operation of the ventilator in cough-assist mode to provide for at least one cough assist to the patient having an insufflation phase followed by an exsufflation phase. A cough-assist valve in a first state for the insufflation phase communicates a positive pressure to the ventilator connection and in a second state for the exsufflation phase communicates a negative pressure to the ventilator connection.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient having a patient connection connected by a patient circuit to a ventilator device. The method includes delivering both a bolus of oxygen and breathing gases including air to the patient circuit. The patient circuit conducts the bolus of oxygen and the breathing gases to the patient connection. The breathing gases are delivered before an end of the inspiratory phase of the breath. The bolus may be delivered at or before a beginning of an inspiratory phase of the breath, and the delivery of the bolus may be terminated before the end of the inspiratory phase of the breath. The bolus and breathing gases are delivered to the patient circuit via different ventilator connections that isolate the bolus from the breathing gases before they enter the patient circuit.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient. The patient has a patient connection connected, by a patient circuit, to a ventilator having a first ventilator connection and a different second ventilator connection. Each of the first and second ventilator connections are in fluid communication with the patient circuit. The method includes identifying, with the ventilator, initiation of an inspiratory phase of the breath, delivering a bolus of oxygen to the first ventilator connection before or during the inspiratory phase, and delivering breathing gases comprising air to the second ventilator connection during the inspiratory phase. The ventilator isolates the bolus of oxygen delivered to the first ventilator connection from the breathing gases delivered to the second ventilator connection.

Abstract: A ventilator with an integrated cough assist for use with a patient circuit in fluid communication with a patient connection of a patient, and operable in a ventilation mode and in a cough-assist mode. The ventilator includes a user input for switching operation from ventilation mode to cough-assist mode without disconnecting the ventilator from the patient, and a controller operable in response to the user input and controlling operation of the ventilator in cough-assist mode to provide for at least one cough assist to the patient having an insufflation phase followed by an exsufflation phase. A cough-assist valve in a first state for the insufflation phase communicates a positive pressure to the ventilator connection and in a second state for the exsufflation phase communicates a negative pressure to the ventilator connection.

Abstract: Display information is revealed from behind a metal film that can be cleared upon effective contact with a clearing agent. The metal film, while opaque, is generally less than 1000 Angstroms thick and can be cleared by exposure to innocuous agents including food or other household products.

Abstract: Display information is revealed from behind a metal film that can be cleared upon effective contact with a clearing agent. The metal film, while opaque, is generally less than 1000 Angstroms thick and can be cleared by exposure to innocuous agents including food or other household products.

Abstract: Display information is revealed from behind a metal film that can be cleared upon effective contact with a clearing agent. The metal film, while opaque, is generally less than 1000 Angstroms thick and can be cleared by exposure to innocuous agents including food or other household products.

Abstract: Printed electrochemical cells including both power cells and display cells are arranged in a partially assembled condition to extend shelf life of the cells. The partially assembled condition is also used as a switching mechanism for controlling activation of some of the cells. The active components of the cells include two electrodes and an electrolyte layer that is maintained out of contact with at least one of the electrodes for interrupting an ionically conductive pathway between the electrodes. The electrolyte is preferably an electrolytic adhesive that is protected by a release layer until the cells are needed for service.

Abstract: An electrolyte is formulated as a printing ink and laid down by an in-line press for manufacturing printed electrochemical cells. A curing station transforms the electrolyte to perform additional functions such as separating electrodes, preventing leakage, bonding cell layers, and resisting evaporation.

Abstract: An electrolyte is formulated as a printing ink and laid down by an in-line press for manufacturing printed electrochemical cells. A curing station transforms the electrolyte to perform additional functions such as separating electrodes, preventing leakage, bonding cell layers, and resisting evaporation.

Abstract: Display information is revealed from behind a metal film that can be cleared upon effective contact with a clearing agent. The metal film, while opaque, is generally less than 1000 Angstroms thick and can be cleared by exposure to innocuous agents including food or other household products.

Abstract: A metal layer cleared by contact with a chemical clearing agent to reveal an underlying graphics layer is at least partially covered by a buffer material that delays contact with the clearing agent. The buffer material can be applied in a pattern that forms a temporary image in the metal layer prior to more completely revealing the underlying graphics layer.

Abstract: Electrochemical displays have electronic or ionic pathways between electrodes interrupted to control activation. Electrochemical erosion of one of the electrodes reveals an underlying graphic image. Game assemblies are constructed by dividing electrochemical components between a main substrate and one or more mounting pieces that can be assembled on the main substrate to activate the display cells.

Abstract: A clear/printed hang tag, a hanging system for suspending a package of products from a single wire hanger and/or a double wire hanger, automatic labeling of product packaging on a billboard, and the process for making hang tags. The hang tag has an opening for receiving a single or a double wire hanger cut near the top of a billboard region containing printed matter. The hang tag is made from a continuous web of polyester film with a process including, printing graphics on the back side of the upper portion using reverse image flexographic printing, coating the printed image with a UV cured, opaque ink coating, a lower portion of the front side with a clear, pressure sensitive adhesive, combining and adhering the continuous web of polyester film to a release liner, die cutting the hang tag shape and the hanger opening, stripping the waste material from the liner, and rewinding the combined hang tags and liner on a reel for shipment to a customer.