Abstract: A therapy system has a nasal cannula patient interface configured to deliver gas to a nasal cavity of a patient and a delivery system for delivering oxygen-enriched breathing gas, comprising air and enrichment oxygen, to the patient interface. A sensor is provided allowing arterial partial pressure of CO2, PaCO2 to be measured or estimated thereby to generate capnograph data, A parameter is determined from the capnograph data which is representative of CO2 washout, and the total flow rate, the oxygen flow rate or the air flow rate of the breathing gas delivered by the delivery system are iteratively adjusted while monitoring the determined parameter. A value of total flow rate, oxygen flow rate or air flow rate is used which maximizes CO2 washout or achieves a desired level of CO2 washout.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a cannula for use in high flow nasal therapy, comprising: a first tube for directing a first fluid from a nasal cavity of a subject to a location outside of the subject; a second tube for directing a second fluid from a supply of the second fluid to the nasal cavity of the subject; a flow sensor located within the first tube, the flow sensor configured to measure a flow rate of the first fluid moving through the first tube; and a humidity sensor located within the first tube, the humidity sensor configured to measure a humidity of the first fluid moving through the first tube; wherein the measured flow rate and the measured humidity are to be used by a processor to control a humidifier to adjust a humidity of the second fluid to be supplied to the subject.

Abstract: Provided are concepts for generating an indicator of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a subject. In particular, data from a plurality of sensors, including a pressure sensor, an airflow sensor, and a CO2 concentration sensor is captured from the breath of the subject received by a mouthpiece. The sensor data is then utilised by a processing unit to generate an indicator of COPD in the subject. By utilising airway pressure, airway flow rate and expiratory CO2 concentration data, an accurate indicator of the presence and/or stage of COPD may be obtained.

Abstract: Provided are concepts for controlling a high flow nasal therapy (HFNT) device used by a subject. In particular, physiological and movement parameter values of the subject are leveraged in order to generate a control signal for the HFNT device. These parameters may indicate an activity level of the subject, as well as the condition of the subject, providing information useful for setting appropriate operating conditions of the HFNT device. Thus, a means for automatically controlling a HFNT device based on needs of the subject may be provided, improving subject comfort during therapy, and ease of use of the HFT device.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a ventilator system. The ventilator system comprises: a mouthpiece, to be received within a user's mouth, wherein the mouthpiece comprises: a passage for permitting a flow of gases through the mouthpiece between a first side of the passage to be inside the user's mouth and a second side of the passage to be outside the user's mouth; a passage adjustment component for selectively adjusting a flow area of the passage; and one or more sensors mounted on the mouthpiece, wherein the sensors comprise a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure at the first side of the passage; and a controller configured to control: a flow rate and/or concentration of oxygen supplied to the user through a nasal cannula; a total flow rate of air and oxygen supplied through the nasal cannula; and/or the flow area of the passage, based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices and systems for respiratory therapy delivered by a therapy vest. A therapy vest is provided in which an independent body fitting function is provided by use of a body fit layer or compartment(s). The body fit layer or compartment(s) may be controlled independently from the therapy layer or compartment(s), such that the fit of the therapy vest is placed on more equal footing with the therapy delivering components of the therapy vest. Other examples are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for sputum conditioning and analysis. The apparatus comprises: a microfluidic device configured to receive a sputum sample and to separate the sputum sample into a plurality of droplets; a biosensor configured to analyze each of a predetermined number of droplets of the plurality of droplets to acquire measurements of a characteristic of each droplet of the predetermined number of droplets; and a processor configured to analyze the acquired measurements to determine a characteristic of the sputum.

Abstract: A method is for analysis of sputum samples of a subject, for use in monitoring respiratory health of the subject. The method comprises acquiring optical sensing data of a sputum sample at a plurality of spatial locations across the sample, and determining a respective color measurement for each of the spatial locations. The method further comprises determining a property associated with the sample, or determining health information related to the patient, based on the combination of color measurements from the plurality of locations. More detailed and precise analysis of the sputum can be achieved compared to acquiring a single color measurement, which allows for more precise monitoring of the patient progress. Additional information not attainable with a single color measurement can also be derived.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a wearable device, the wearable device comprising: an inflatable body configured to be mounted to a torso of a user; a first sensing device, wherein the first sensing device comprises a first sensor and a first actuator coupling the first sensor to the inflatable body; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause the wearable device to: inflate the inflatable body from a first state of the inflatable body to a second state of the inflatable body; actuate the first actuator from a first state of the first actuator to a second state of the first actuator, wherein actuating the first actuator from the first state of the first actuator to the second state of the first actuator reduces a volume of a first air gap between the torso and the first sensor; and while the inflatable body is in the second state of the inflatable body and the first actuator is in the second state of the first actuator receive a first signal from the first sensor.

Abstract: A method of detecting redispersion of particles into a solution using for example FTIR. The method including providing a sensor surface with dry particles; illuminating the sensor surface with light along a first optical path and detecting the light reflected by the sensor surface; providing a liquid to a volume in contact with the sensor surface; and detecting the reflected light while the dry particles redisperse into the liquid. The angle between the first optical path and the sensor surface fulfils the condition of total internal reflection. Further, an FTIR cartridge may be provided for use in said method. The cartridge including a sensor surface accessible for FTIR detection including at least one binding area wherein label particles are situated.

Abstract: A microfluidic reactor arrangement (100) for use in detecting an analyte in a fluid sample (106) is described. The reactor arrangement is provided with a reagent providing means such that the reagent can be introduced after assembly of the reactor arrangement. The latter can be performed by introducing the reagent in the form of a solution or a dispersion and fixing it on a holding means (118) by removal of the liquid, i.e. by drying, the holding means comprising the reagent in a solid version in the detector chamber. Prior to the introduction of the reagent, components of the reactor arrangement already present, such as the sample inlet can be hydrophilised by a wetting hydrophilising technique. The invention relates to a manufacturing technique as well as to the resulting product. The invention furthermore relates to functionalizing of the reactor arrangement with a particular reagent for particular applications.