Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering humidified breathing gas to a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a humidification system configured to deliver humidified breathing gas to a patient. The humidification system includes a vapor transfer unit and a base unit. The vapor transfer unit includes a liquid passage, a breathing gas passage, and a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage. The base unit includes a base unit that releasably engages the vapor transfer unit to enable reuse of the base unit and selective disposal of the vapor transfer unit. The liquid passage is not coupled to the base unit for liquid flow therebetween when the vapor transfer unit is received by the base unit.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for mitral valve repair. The devices and methods implant a plurality of distal anchors at an annulus of the mitral valve (e.g., the posterior annulus) and tension artificial chordae to pull the portion of the annulus toward an opposite edge and inward into the ventricle. This can effectively reduce the size of the orifice and increase coaptation. The delivery devices can be configured to be actuated to form a distal anchor made of a pre-formed knot. The delivery devices deliver the pre-formed knot in an elongate configuration. Actuation of the delivery device causes the pre-formed knot to transition from the elongate configuration to the deployed configuration by approximating opposite ends of a suture coupled to a coiled configuration to form one or more loops. After formation of the knot, the delivery device can be withdrawn.

Abstract: A humidification canister for humidifying a breathing gas, the humidification canister includes a fluid supply configured to supply a fluid and a first gas flow path in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A first gas flow path is configured to humidify the breathing gas with the fluid. A second gas flow path at least partially surrounds the first gas flow path. A method of insulating a breathing gas in a humidification canister using a gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering humidified breathing gas to a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a humidification system configured to deliver humidified breathing gas to a patient. The humidification system includes a vapor transfer unit and a base unit. The vapor transfer unit includes a liquid passage, a breathing gas passage, and a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage. The base unit includes a base unit that releasably engages the vapor transfer unit to enable reuse of the base unit and selective disposal of the vapor transfer unit. The liquid passage is not coupled to the base unit for liquid flow therebetween when the vapor transfer unit is received by the base unit.

Abstract: A humidification canister for humidifying a breathing gas, the humidification canister includes a fluid supply configured to supply a fluid and a first gas flow path in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A first gas flow path is configured to humidify the breathing gas with the fluid. A second gas flow path at least partially surrounds the first gas flow path. A method of insulating a breathing gas in a humidification canister using a gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: A humidification canister for humidifying a breathing gas, the humidification canister includes a fluid supply configured to supply a fluid and a first gas flow path in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A first gas flow path is configured to humidify the breathing gas with the fluid. A second gas flow path at least partially surrounds the first gas flow path. A method of insulating a breathing gas in a humidification canister using a gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for mitral valve repair. The devices and methods implant a plurality of distal anchors at an annulus of the mitral valve (e.g., the posterior annulus) and tension artificial chordae to pull the portion of the annulus toward an opposite edge and inward into the ventricle. This can effectively reduce the size of the orifice and increase coaptation. The anchor points of the artificial chordae can be offset from the apex of the heart to achieve a targeted force vector on the annulus. In addition, some embodiments include distal anchors implanted in the posterior leaflet in addition to those at the posterior annulus. This allows differential tensioning to be applied to provide for greater flexibility in treating various configurations of mitral valves to improve coaptation.

Abstract: Nebulizer systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed. The apparatus includes a body, a breathing gas inlet and outlet, and a barrier. The body is sized to be positioned within an adaptor of the nebulizer system. The breathing gas inlet and the breathing gas outlet are at opposite ends of the body. The barrier is coupled to the body. A plurality of holes are formed in the barrier. The plurality of holes open in a direction orthogonal to the breathing gas inlet. The system employs the apparatus in conjunction with a nebulizer and an adaptor. The method includes generating an aerosolized medicament, providing the aerosolized medicament to the adaptor, passing the aerosolized medicament through the barrier of the apparatus, providing a breathing gas to the apparatus, and flowing the aerosolized medicament and the breathing gas through the breathing gas outlet of the apparatus.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for coupling a tracheostomy tube to a source of humidified breathing gas are disclosed. An adaptor includes a housing, a tracheostomy tube connection device, and a baffle. The housing has an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a breathing gas port. The tracheostomy tube connection device is positioned within the housing and includes an input port for receiving a flow of humidified breathing gas from the breathing gas port and an output port for coupling with the tracheostomy tube. The tracheostomy tube connection device has an internal surface defining a breathing gas passage and an external surface spaced from the interior surface of the housing to create a condensation passage. The baffle may be positioned between the breathing gas port and the input port to cause controlled condensation from the flow of humidified breathing gas by disrupting the flow of humidified breathing gas.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for humidifying a breathing gas are presented. The system includes a source of pressurized breathing gas, a vapor transfer unit external to the source of pressurized breathing gas, a first gas tube connecting the source of pressurized breathing gas to the gas inlet of the vapor transfer unit and having a first length, a liquid supply having a heater that heats liquid, a first liquid tube coupling the liquid supply to the liquid inlet of the vapor transfer unit, and a second gas tube having a second length and connecting the gas outlet to a patient interface. The first length is greater than the second length. The vapor transfer unit includes a gas passage, a liquid passage, and a membrane separating the gas passage and the liquid passage. The membrane is positioned to transfer vapor from the liquid passage to the gas passage.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described for heating nebulizer adapters. In certain embodiments, a nebulizer adapter includes a cup having an interior wall defining a gas mixing chamber, an exterior wall, and a fluid cavity disposed between the interior wall and the exterior wall. The nebulizer adapter also includes an inlet port having a fluid lumen in fluid communication with the fluid cavity and a breathing gas inlet lumen in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. The nebulizer adapter further includes an outlet having a breathing gas outlet lumen, and a drain port in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and having a drain lumen that passes from the interior wall to the exterior wall of the cup.

Abstract: Systems and methods for respiratory therapy are disclosed. The system may include a nebulizer, an adaptor, and a nasal cannula. The nebulizer is operable to generate an aerosolized medicament and pass the aerosolized medicament through a nebulizer outlet port. The adaptor has a nebulizer coupling port configured to be coupled to the nebulizer outlet port. The nasal cannula is configured to provide a flow of breathing gas from a breathing gas source to the patient. The nasal cannula comprises at least one nasal prong and an attachment device positioned adjacent the at least one nasal prong. The attachment device is configured to secure the adaptor outlet port adjacent an outlet of the nasal prong. The method includes securing a nasal cannula to the patient, attaching an adaptor to the nasal cannula, generating an aerosolized medicament, transferring the aerosolized medicament into the adaptor, and providing a flow of breathing gas to the patient.

Abstract: Devices for providing respiratory therapy to a patient are disclosed. One device includes first and second elongated lumens and a nosepiece. The elongated lumens each have a constant internal diameter. The nosepiece portion has a third lumen and a fourth lumen. The third and fourth lumens have constant internal diameters equal to those of the first and second lumens. The third and fourth lumens have inlet ends adapted to be connected to the outlet ends of the first and second lumens without constricting the internal diameter of the first and second lumens. The third and fourth lumens are configured to receive first and second flows of breathing gas from the first and second lumens and deliver the flows of breathing gas to outlets end of the third and fourth lumens. The second flow of breathing gas is maintained separate from the first flow of breathing gas within the nosepiece portion.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for coupling a tracheostomy tube to a source of humidified breathing gas are disclosed. An adaptor includes a housing, a tracheostomy tube connection device, and a baffle. The housing has an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a breathing gas port. The tracheostomy tube connection device is positioned within the housing and includes an input port for receiving a flow of humidified breathing gas from the breathing gas port and an output port for coupling with the tracheostomy tube. The tracheostomy tube connection device has an internal surface defining a breathing gas passage and an external surface spaced from the interior surface of the housing to create a condensation passage. The baffle may be positioned between the breathing gas port and the input port to cause controlled condensation from the flow of humidified breathing gas by disrupting the flow of humidified breathing gas.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for humidifying a breathing gas are presented. The system includes a source of pressurized breathing gas, a vapor transfer unit external to the source of pressurized breathing gas, a first gas tube connecting the source of pressurized breathing gas to the gas inlet of the vapor transfer unit and having a first length, a liquid supply having a heater that heats liquid, a first liquid tube coupling the liquid supply to the liquid inlet of the vapor transfer unit, and a second gas tube having a second length and connecting the gas outlet to a patient interface. The first length is greater than the second length. The vapor transfer unit includes a gas passage, a liquid passage, and a membrane separating the gas passage and the liquid passage. The membrane is positioned to transfer vapor from the liquid passage to the gas passage.

Abstract: Devices for providing respiratory therapy to a patient are disclosed. One device includes first and second elongated lumens and a nosepiece. The elongated lumens each have a constant internal diameter. The nosepiece portion has a third lumen and a fourth lumen. The third and fourth lumens have constant internal diameters equal to those of the first and second lumens. The third and fourth lumens have inlet ends adapted to be connected to the outlet ends of the first and second lumens without constricting the internal diameter of the first and second lumens. The third and fourth lumens are configured to receive first and second flows of breathing gas from the first and second lumens and deliver the flows of breathing gas to outlets end of the third and fourth lumens. The second flow of breathing gas is maintained separate from the first flow of breathing gas within the nosepiece portion.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue using locking sutures. The locking sutures can be configured to receive suture ends that are interweaved through portions of the locking sutures. In a pre-deployment configuration, a locking suture can slide along suture tails and can be positioned at a target location within a target region. Once a desired position and/or tension is achieved, the locking suture can be transitioned to a post-deployment configuration where the locking suture constricts around the suture tails to inhibit relative movement between the suture tails and the locking suture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for respiratory therapy are disclosed. The system may include a nebulizer, an adaptor, and a nasal cannula. The nebulizer is operable to generate an aerosolized medicament and pass the aerosolized medicament through a nebulizer outlet port. The adaptor has a nebulizer coupling port configured to be coupled to the nebulizer outlet port. The nasal cannula is configured to provide a flow of breathing gas from a breathing gas source to the patient. The nasal cannula comprises at least one nasal prong and an attachment device positioned adjacent the at least one nasal prong. The attachment device is configured to secure the adaptor outlet port adjacent an outlet of the nasal prong. The method includes securing a nasal cannula to the patient, attaching an adaptor to the nasal cannula, generating an aerosolized medicament, transferring the aerosolized medicament into the adaptor, and providing a flow of breathing gas to the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering humidified breathing gas to a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a humidification system configured to deliver humidified breathing gas to a patient. The humidification system includes a vapor transfer unit and a base unit. The vapor transfer unit includes a liquid passage, a breathing gas passage, and a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage. The base unit includes a base unit that releasably engages the vapor transfer unit to enable reuse of the base unit and selective disposal of the vapor transfer unit. The liquid passage is not coupled to the base unit for liquid flow therebetween when the vapor transfer unit is received by the base unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing respiratory therapy with varying flow rates are disclosed. A system comprises a source of breathing gas, a patient interface, and a flow control device. The flow control device is configured to automatically change a rate of the flow of breathing gas. The flow control device may vary the rate of the flow of breathing gas at a frequency slower than a frequency of breathing of the patient. A method comprises coupling a patient interface to the patient, providing the flow of breathing gas to an inlet port of the patient interface, and automatically changing a rate of the flow of breathing gas with a flow control device in communication with the flow of breathing gas. The method may also comprise varying the rate of the flow of breathing gas at a frequency slower than a frequency of breathing of the patient.