Abstract: A percussive pulsing therapy device configured for delivering pulsating or intermittent airflow to a patient device, such as a patient vest. The percussive pulsed air device may have an airflow generator for controlling amplitude of the percussive pulsed air and a pulse frequency control module for controlling frequency of the percussive pulsed air. In some embodiments, the pulse frequency control module may have a rotatable fan blade, such as a circular fan blade having one or more cutout portions. In some embodiments, the rotating fan blade may have one or more channels configured to redirect percussive pulsed air. Moreover, a percussive pulsed air device of the present disclosure may have a dampening element flowably coupled to an inlet of the pulse frequency control module. In some embodiments, at least one inlets of the pulse frequency control module may be arranged on a different airflow plane than one or more outlets.

Abstract: A percussive pulsing therapy device configured for delivering pulsating or intermittent airflow to a patient device, such as a patient vest. The percussive pulsed air device may have an airflow generator for controlling amplitude of the percussive pulsed air and a pulse frequency control module for controlling frequency of the percussive pulsed air. In some embodiments, the pulse frequency control module may have a rotatable fan blade, such as a circular fan blade having one or more cutout portions. In some embodiments, the rotating fan blade may have one or more channels configured to redirect percussive pulsed air. Moreover, a percussive pulsed air device of the present disclosure may have a dampening element flowably coupled to an inlet of the pulse frequency control module. In some embodiments, at least one inlets of the pulse frequency control module may be arranged on a different airflow plane than one or more outlets.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for improving patient adherence with respect to HFCC therapy. A therapy system of the present disclosure may include a percussive pulsing therapy device configured for delivering pulsating or intermittent airflow to a patient device, such as a patient vest worn by a patient. The airflow delivered to the patient vest may have an air pressure and a frequency, each of which may be adjustable in some embodiments. A therapy system of the present disclosure may additionally include a controller, a database, and one or more sensors. The controller and/or one or more sensors may record therapy data for a therapy session. Based on the recorded therapy data, the system may provide encouragement, advice, motivation, and/or options or information to a user by way of skills training, goal setting, feedback, reinforcement, environmental prompts, social support, and/or other patient interventions.

Abstract: A method of pressure regulation and a ventilator are provided. The ventilator includes a positive relative pressure gas supply, a negative relative pressure gas supply, and a diverter valve. The diverter valve includes a positive pressure port connected to the positive relative pressure gas supply, a negative pressure port connected to the negative relative pressure gas supply, and a gas supply port communicating with a gas delivery device. The ventilator preferably further includes a feedback sensor that detects a gas supply difference between a gas supply and a predetermined gas supply and generates a feedback signal that is substantially related to the gas supply difference. The ventilator preferably further includes a diverter valve actuator communicating with the diverter valve and operating the diverter valve to communicate the positive relative pressure gas supply and the negative relative pressure gas supply to the gas supply port of the diverter valve based upon the feedback signal.

Abstract: An online auction process for derivative securities is used to determine a fair market value of an asset or benefit provided to others, such as employee stock options. In one embodiment, the derivative securities track the intrinsic value realized by employees when exercising the employee stock options granted to them by their employers. The derivative securities may include rules for handling modifications to an employee stock option grant and/or rules for handling forfeitures of some or all of the employee stock options.

Abstract: A split-night sleep diagnostic system is provided for diagnosing and treating sleep apnea in a single night. The diagnostic system includes a blower, a respiratory interface and a conduit connected between the blower and the respiratory interface. Also included is a valve disposed along the conduit. The valve includes an aperture formed in the conduit between the blower and the respiratory interface, and a valve member movable between a first position partially occluding the conduit so that air flows through the aperture and a second position blocking the aperture so that continuous positive airway pressure is provided to a patient. Both diagnosis and titration can be performed using a single system at a single location over the course of a single night.

Abstract: A warming device includes a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting a convective apparatus with separately-inflatable sections, each adapted to enable a particular mode of warming. Each section has a surface or region with a permeability that varies from the permeability of a surface or region in another section.

Abstract: A method of pressure regulation and a ventilator are provided. The ventilator includes a positive relative pressure gas supply, a negative relative pressure gas supply, and a diverter valve. The diverter valve includes a positive pressure port connected to the positive relative pressure gas supply, a negative pressure port connected to the negative relative pressure gas supply, and a gas supply port communicating with a gas delivery device. The ventilator preferably further includes a feedback sensor that detects a gas supply difference between a gas supply and a predetermined gas supply and generates a feedback signal that is substantially related to the gas supply difference. The ventilator preferably further includes a diverter valve actuator communicating with the diverter valve and operating the diverter valve to communicate the positive relative pressure gas supply and the negative relative pressure gas supply to the gas supply port of the diverter valve based upon the feedback signal.

Abstract: A method of pressure regulation and a ventilator are provided. The ventilator includes a positive relative pressure gas supply, a negative relative pressure gas supply, and a diverter valve. The diverter valve includes a positive pressure port connected to the positive relative pressure gas supply, a negative pressure port connected to the negative relative pressure gas supply, and a gas supply port communicating with a gas delivery device. The ventilator preferably further includes a feedback sensor that detects a gas supply difference between a gas supply and a predetermined gas supply and generates a feedback signal that is substantially related to the gas supply difference. The ventilator preferably further includes a diverter valve actuator communicating with the diverter valve and operating the diverter valve to communicate the positive relative pressure gas supply and the negative relative pressure gas supply to the gas supply port of the diverter valve based upon the feedback signal.

Abstract: A forced air warming unit has a casing with inlet and outlet openings. The casing encloses a scroll housing with a curved inside surface in which a blower is disposed. A circuit board in the casing encloses the blower in the scroll housing. At least one opening penetrates the circuit board. A heater plate is disposed between the circuit board and the blower. The blower draws air through the inlet opening, along a first side of the circuit board through the at least one opening into the scroll housing. The blower also forces air along a second side of the circuit board which faces the scroll housing, through air passages in the circuit board, along the first side through the at least one opening, into the scroll housing. The blower accelerates air along the curved inside surface and past the heater plate. Heated, pressurized air exits through the outlet opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for embedding information in an image during relative movement between a print medium and an ink jet print head is provided. A plurality of first lines are printed and a plurality of second lines are printed. Each of the first lines includes a plurality of first dots and a plurality of second dots offset from the first dots by a first amount, and each of the second lines includes a plurality of third dots and a plurality of fourth dots offset from the third dots by a second amount different than the first amount. The information is encoded in the image using an encoding scheme in which the first lines represent a first value in the encoding scheme and the second lines represent a second value in the encoding scheme.

Abstract: A warming device includes a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting a convective apparatus with separately-inflatable sections, each adapted to enable a particular mode of warming. Each section has a surface or region with a permeability that varies from the permeability of a surface or region in another section.

Abstract: A forced air warming unit has a casing that encloses a scroll housing with a curved inside surface. A blower is disposed in the scroll housing inside the curved surface. Inlet and outlet openings are provided in the casing. A circuit board is mounted in the casing, against the scroll housing so that the blower is enclosed in space between the scroll housing and the circuit board. At least one opening is provided through the circuit board into the space in which the blower is disposed. A tapered, elongate, arcuate heater plate is disposed in the scroll housing between the circuit board and the blower, with a relatively wide end near the outlet opening and a second, relatively narrower end near the curved inside surface. Air is conducted in response to operation of the blower through the inlet opening, along a first side of the circuit board through the one or more openings in the circuit board into the scroll housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a customized respiratory mask without contacting a facial area of the subject is provided according to the invention. The apparatus includes an image capturing device for capturing an image of the facial area as a three-dimensional representation without contacting a facial area of the subject, a cutting machine, and at least one computer capable of receiving the three-dimensional representation of the image and storing the three-dimensional representation in an associated memory, and which is further capable of converting the three-dimensional representation into a set of commands and controlling the cutting machine using the set of commands to cut a mask blank to form the customized respiratory mask.

Abstract: A respirator hose for connection between a ventilator and a breathing appliance during respiratory therapy includes a tubular body defining a first lumen for conveying a breathing gas from the ventilator, and a helical reinforcement member with a hollow core coiled around the tubular body to define a second lumen for conveying a second fluid in support of the respiratory therapy. The helical reinforcement member has a configuration to resist kinking and crushing of the tubular body that would close-off flow of the breathing gas. A fitting at one end of the hose can be keyed to simplify connections between the lumens and fluid communication ports of the ventilator.

Abstract: A method of pressure regulation and a ventilator are provided. The ventilator includes a positive relative pressure gas supply, a negative relative pressure gas supply, and a diverter valve. The diverter valve includes a positive pressure port connected to the positive relative pressure gas supply, a negative pressure port connected to the negative relative pressure gas supply, and a gas supply port communicating with a gas delivery device. The ventilator preferably further includes a feedback sensor that detects a gas supply difference between a gas supply and a predetermined gas supply and generates a feedback signal that is substantially related to the gas supply difference. The ventilator preferably further includes a diverter valve actuator communicating with the diverter valve and operating the diverter valve to communicate the positive relative pressure gas supply and the negative relative pressure gas supply to the gas supply port of the diverter valve based upon the feedback signal.

Abstract: A respirator mask includes an inner plenum with a gas inlet and a manifold adapted to fit under the nose of a wearer, a pair of nasal inserts projecting from the manifold to define primary seals with the nasal passages of the wearer, an outer plenum adapted to surround at least the nose of the wearer, a secondary seal mounted on an outer edge of the outer plenum and adapted to contact the face of the wearer around the nose in air tight relation, and at least one opening formed in the inner plenum to permit gas to flow into the outer plenum. By pressurizing the outer plenum, the mask decreases the pressure differential between the interior of the mask and the outside atmosphere to reduce the gas flow rate out of the mask in the event of a leak. Diversion of gas into the outer plenum also allows use of an inflatable secondary seal to maintain air-tight contact with the face of the user.

Abstract: A ventilator system using an implantable respiration sensor ventilator and a method for providing a proportional respiration assist are provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The implantable respiration sensor includes a respiration sensor element capable of being implanted in a patient. The respiration sensor element generates a respiration signal related to a respiration of the patient. The implantable respiration sensor further includes a respiration signal relay device capable of being implanted in the patient and in communication with the respiration sensor element. The respiration signal relay device is capable of communicating the respiration signal to a ventilator that is external to the patient. Using the implantable respiration sensor, a predetermined gas charge may be delivered to the patient based on the respiration signal.