Abstract: A mask includes a body having an interior surface defining a cavity shaped to receive a user's nose. An exterior surface of the body is exposed to an ambient environment. The body includes an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity and a one-way exhaust valve in fluid communication between the cavity and the ambient environment. A therapeutic substance dispenser is in fluid communication with the cavity. In one embodiment, a nasal aromatic decongestant is disposed in the therapeutic dispenser. A mask includes an upper nasal cavity separate from a lower oral cavity, with an inlet in fluid communication with only the upper nasal cavity. A medicament delivery assembly, and methods for the use thereof, are also provided.

Abstract: A mask includes a body having an interior surface defining a cavity shaped to receive a user's nose. An exterior surface of the body is exposed to an ambient environment. The body includes an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity and a one-way exhaust valve in fluid communication between the cavity and the ambient environment. A therapeutic substance dispenser is in fluid communication with the cavity. In one embodiment, a nasal aromatic decongestant is disposed in the therapeutic dispenser. A mask includes an upper nasal cavity separate from a lower oral cavity, with an inlet in fluid communication with only the upper nasal cavity. A medicament delivery assembly, and methods for the use thereof, are also provided.

Abstract: A patient respiratory interface for use in an aerosol delivery system is disclosed. The interface may provide a mechanism for introducing an aerosolized medicament to infants without the need for invasive intubation when treating issues in infants such as infant respiratory distress syndrome. The interface may include an outer body formed in the shape of a pacifier where the insertion portion of the pacifier may be hollow and have an opening to guide a catheter or other tubing that may be passed through a flange and the insertion portion of the interface. The catheter may be recessed from or extend slightly out of the tip of the insertion portion so that a flow of nebulized medicament may be delivered to the patient's oropharynx in aerosol form.

Abstract: A patient respiratory interface for use in an aerosol delivery system is disclosed. The interface may provide a mechanism for introducing an aerosolized medicament to infants without the need for invasive intubation when treating issues in infants such as infant respiratory distress syndrome. The interface may include an outer body formed in the shape of a pacifier where the insertion portion of the pacifier may be hollow and have an opening to guide a catheter or other tubing that may be passed through a flange and the insertion portion of the interface. The catheter may be recessed from or extend slightly out of the tip of the insertion portion so that a flow of nebulized medicament may be delivered to the patient's oropharynx in aerosol form.

Abstract: A mask includes a body having an interior surface defining a cavity shaped to receive a user's nose. An exterior surface of the body is exposed to an ambient environment. The body includes an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity and a one-way exhaust valve in fluid communication between the cavity and the ambient environment. A therapeutic substance dispenser is in fluid communication with the cavity. In one embodiment, a nasal aromatic decongestant is disposed in the therapeutic dispenser. A mask includes an upper nasal cavity separate from a lower oral cavity, with an inlet in fluid communication with only the upper nasal cavity. A medicament delivery assembly, and methods for the use thereof, are also provided.

Abstract: An oral appliance for use with a subject in his/her mouth includes a flexible tube having an input end and an output end and an electrode coupled to the flexible tube adjacent the output end. The flexible tube is adapted to be positioned in the subject's oral cavity with the output end positioned in a posterior region of the oral cavity. The electrode is adapted and configured to administer an electrical stimulation to the posterior region of the oral cavity. An electrode lead is disposed within the flexible tube and connected to the electrode. An electrical stimulation control unit is connected to the electrode lead. A method of administering an electrical stimulation to a posterior region of an oral cavity of a subject is also provided.

Abstract: An oral appliance for administering a stimulus, such as a substance, to the mouth of a user includes a flexible tube having an inlet portion, a first curved portion forming an ear loop connected to the inlet portion, a second curved portion forming a lip bend connected to the first curved portion, and an outlet portion extending from the second curved portion. Alternatively, a mouthpiece for delivering a substance to the mouth of a user includes a housing having an inlet portion, a riser portion extending upwardly from the inlet portion and a curved outlet portion. A flexible tube is coupled to the housing. A method of delivering a substance to a predetermined location in a user's mouth includes disposing a flexible tube between a row of teeth and an interior surface of a cheek. The flexible tube has an exit port positioned in a rear portion of the user's mouth.

Abstract: An oral appliance for use with a subject in his/her mouth includes a flexible tube having an input end and an output end and an electrode coupled to the flexible tube adjacent the output end. The flexible tube is adapted to be positioned in the subject's oral cavity with the output end positioned in a posterior region of the oral cavity. The electrode is adapted and configured to administer an electrical stimulation to the posterior region of the oral cavity. An electrode lead is disposed within the flexible tube and connected to the electrode. An electrical stimulation control unit is connected to the electrode lead. A method of administering an electrical stimulation to a posterior region of an oral cavity of a subject is also provided.

Abstract: A patient respiratory interface for use in an aerosol delivery system is disclosed. The interface may provide a mechanism for introducing an aerosolized medicament to infants without the need for invasive intubation when treating issues in infants such as infant respiratory distress syndrome. The interface may include an outer body formed in the shape of a pacifier where the insertion portion of the pacifier may be hollow and have an opening to guide a catheter or other tubing that may be passed through a flange and the insertion portion of the interface. The catheter may be recessed from or extend slightly out of the tip of the insertion portion so that a flow of nebulized medicament may be delivered to the patient's oropharynx in aerosol form.

Abstract: An oral appliance for administering a stimulus, such as a substance, to the mouth of a user includes a flexible tube having an inlet portion, a first curved portion forming an ear loop connected to the inlet portion, a second curved portion forming a lip bend connected to the first curved portion, and an outlet portion extending from the second curved portion. Alternatively, a mouthpiece for delivering a substance to the mouth of a user includes a housing having an inlet portion, a riser portion extending upwardly from the inlet portion and a curved outlet portion. A flexible tube is coupled to the housing. A method of delivering a substance to a predetermined location in a user's mouth includes disposing a flexible tube between a row of teeth and an interior surface of a cheek. The flexible tube has an exit port positioned in a rear portion of the user's mouth.

Abstract: An oral appliance for administering a stimulus, such as a substance, to the mouth of a user includes a flexible tube having an inlet portion, a first curved portion forming an ear loop connected to the inlet portion, a second curved portion forming a lip bend connected to the first curved portion, and an outlet portion extending from the second curved portion. Alternatively, a mouthpiece for delivering a substance to the mouth of a user includes a housing having an inlet portion, a riser portion extending upwardly from the inlet portion and a curved outlet portion. A flexible tube is coupled to the housing. A method of delivering a substance to a predetermined location in a user's mouth includes disposing a flexible tube between a row of teeth and an interior surface of a cheek. The flexible tube has an exit port positioned in a rear portion of the user's mouth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for indicating breathing cycle of a patient using an aerosol delivery device. In one aspect, an aerosol delivery device includes a visual indicator that is moveable in response to a patient's breathing cycle and is positioned away from an inspiration path of the aerosol. In another aspect, a method of cycling a visual indicator between a first position and a second position in response to a patient's breathing cycle is described.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a catheter to create a medicated atmosphere in an organ, or body cavity is disclosed. The system comprises a catheter, such as an aerosolization catheter, that can be manipulated during use and an introduction device for the introduction and manipulation, by rotational and/or axial positioning, of the aerosolization catheter. The method includes inserting the catheter into a body cavity via an introducer apparatus and adjusting an angle or orientation of the exit end of the catheter so that a substance provided to the catheter will be controllably applied to the body cavity at desired locations.

Abstract: An oral appliance for administering a stimulus, such as a substance, to the mouth of a user includes a flexible tube having an inlet portion, a first curved portion forming an ear loop connected to the inlet portion, a second curved portion forming a lip bend connected to the first curved portion, and an outlet portion extending from the second curved portion. Alternatively, a mouthpiece for delivering a substance to the mouth of a user includes a housing having an inlet portion, a riser portion extending upwardly from the inlet portion and a curved outlet portion. A flexible tube is coupled to the housing. A method of delivering a substance to a predetermined location in a user's mouth includes disposing a flexible tube between a row of teeth and an interior surface of a cheek. The flexible tube has an exit port positioned in a rear portion of the user's mouth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a nebula or aerosol to a patient. In one aspect, a nebulizer is pressure sensitive so that nebulization is coordinated with a breathing cycle of the patient. The nebulizer includes a movable gas diverter that diverts pressurized gas across a liquid outlet. The diverter is moved in response to the patient's breathing cycle. In one aspect, a biasing member moves the diverter. According to another aspect of the nebulizer, an annular liquid orifice disperses an aerosol in a radial direction in response to a pressurized gas flow from an orifice located concentrically thereto. Multiple liquid orifices may be provided. In a further aspect of the nebulizer, a reservoir includes an upper, wide portion and a lower narrow portion to apply relatively uniform pressure at a liquid orifice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a medicine to a patient via the patient's respiratory system with control and efficiency. A nebulization catheter is positioned in the patient's respiratory system so that a distal end of the nebulization catheter is in the respiratory system and a proximal end is outside the body. In a first aspect, the nebulization catheter may be used in conjunction with an endotracheal tube and preferably is removable from the endotracheal tube. The nebulization catheter conveys medicine in liquid form to the distal end at which location the medicine is nebulized by a pressurized gas or other nebulizing mechanism. The nebulized medicine is conveyed to the patient's lungs by the patient's respiration which may be assisted by a ventilator. By producing the aerosol of the liquid medicine at a location inside the patient's respiratory system, the nebulizing catheter provides for increased efficiency and control of the dosage of medicine being delivered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a medicine to a patient via the patient's respiratory system with control and efficiency. A nebulization catheter is positioned in the patient's respiratory system so that a distal end of the nebulization catheter is in the respiratory system and a proximal end is outside the body. In a first aspect, the nebulization catheter may be used in conjunction with an endotracheal tube and preferably is removable from the endotracheal tube. The nebulization catheter conveys medicine in liquid form to the distal end at which location the medicine is nebulized by a pressurized gas or other nebulizing mechanism. The nebulized medicine is conveyed to the patient's lungs by the patient's respiration which may be assisted by a ventilator. By producing the aerosol of the liquid medicine at a location inside the patient's respiratory system, the nebulizing catheter provides for increased efficiency and control of the dosage of medicine being delivered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a medicine to a patient via the patient's respiratory system with control and efficiency. A nebulization catheter is positioned in the patient's respiratory system so that a distal end of the nebulization catheter is in the respiratory system and a proximal end is outside the body. In a first aspect, the nebulization catheter may be used in conjunction with an endotracheal tube and preferably is removable from the endotracheal tube. The nebulization catheter conveys medicine in liquid form to the distal end at which location the medicine is nebulized by a pressurized gas or other nebulizing mechanism. The nebulized medicine is conveyed to the patient's lungs by the patient's respiration which may be assisted by a ventilator. By producing the aerosol of the liquid medicine at a location inside the patient's respiratory system, the nebulizing catheter provides for increased efficiency and control of the dosage of medicine being delivered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for indicating breathing cycle of a patient using an aerosol delivery device. In one aspect, an aerosol delivery device includes a visual indicator that is moveable in response to a patient's breathing cycle and is positioned away from an inspiration path of the aerosol. In another aspect, a method of cycling a visual indicator between a first position and a second position in response to a patient's breathing cycle is described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a nebula or aerosol to a patient. In one aspect, a nebulizer is pressure sensitive so that nebulization is coordinated with a breathing cycle of the patient. The nebulizer includes a movable gas diverter that diverts pressurized gas across a liquid outlet. The diverter is moved in response to the patient's breathing cycle. In one aspect, a biasing member moves the diverter. According to another aspect of the nebulizer, an annular liquid orifice disperses an aerosol in a radial direction in response to a pressurized gas flow from an orifice located concentrically thereto. Multiple liquid orifices may be provided. In a further aspect of the nebulizer, a reservoir includes an upper, wide portion and a lower narrow portion to apply relatively uniform pressure at a liquid orifice.