Abstract: Apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining cardiac output using partial re-breathing techniques are disclosed in which the apparatus is constructed with an instantaneously adjustable deadspace for accommodating differences in breathing capacities of various patients. The apparatus is constructed of inexpensive elements, including a single two-way valve which renders the apparatus very simple to use and inexpensive so that the unit may be readily disposable. The method of the invention provides a novel means of estimating cardiac output based on alveolar CO2 values rather than end-tidal CO2 values as previously practiced. A program for calculating cardiac output is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for noninvasively measuring, or estimating, functional residual capacity or effective lung volume include obtaining carbon dioxide and flow measurements at or near the mouth of a subject. Such measurements are obtained during baseline breathing and during and shortly after inducement of a change in the subject's effective ventilation. The obtained measurements are evaluated to determine the amount of time required for exhaled carbon dioxide levels to return to normal—effectively an evaluation of carbon dioxide “washout” from the subject's lungs. Conversely, carbon dioxide and flow measurements may be evaluated to determine the amount of time it takes carbon dioxide to “wash in,” or reach peak levels within, the lungs of the subject following the change in the subject's effective ventilation. Apparatus for effective such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for applying a benefit composition to a fabric article during a fabric enhancement operation. The process may comprise the steps of selecting a desired one of two or more levels of a benefit to be provided by the benefit composition to the fabric article, and selecting one dosage amount for the benefit composition based on the selected benefit level.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reusable respiratory measurement device having a discardable flow tube in which a counter is included in a detachable (discardable) memory unit that removably engages the respiratory measurement device body. The memory unit includes a counter that tracks usage of the respiratory measurement device and disables the respiratory measurement device when usage has reached certain predetermined thresholds. The memory unit is then replaced with a new memory unit which re-enables the respiratory measurement device for further measurements. The memory unit is typically sold as part of a batch or lot of disposable flow tubes in which case the counter value is commonly the same as the number of flow tubes in the batch or lot.

Abstract: An apparatus for reversing inhaled anesthesia, which is configured to be positioned along a breathing circuit or anesthesia delivery circuit, includes a filter for removing one or more anesthetic agents from gases passing therethrough, as well as a component for elevating CO2 levels in gases that are to be inhaled by an individual. The apparatus is configured to be positioned between a Y-connector of the breathing circuit and the portion of the breathing circuit that interfaces with the individual. The CO2 level-elevating component facilitates an increase in the ventilation of the individual without resulting in a significant decrease in the individual's PaCO2 level and, thus, a decrease in the rate at which blood flows through the individual's brain. A method of reversing the effects of inhaled anesthesia includes increasing the rate of ventilation of an anesthetized individual while causing the individual to inhale gases with elevated amounts of CO2 and while filtering anesthetic agents from such gases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and methods for odor and fungal control in ballistic fabrics and other protective garments. The composition is essentially free of any material that would soil or stain fabric or react negatively with the ballistic fabric or other protective gear. The composition is preferably applied as small particle size droplets, especially from spray containers. The cyclodextrin/surfactant combination, either alone, or in combination with the other ingredients, provides improved antimicrobial and antifungal activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods that generate and transfer data representative of a subject's metabolism for subsequent use with one or more different exercise apparatus are provided. Exercise apparatus which are configured to receive such data, as well as to use such data to calculate exercise results which are tailored to a subject to whom the data applies, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices, methods and product for removing wrinkles and smoothing fabric, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery, using ultrasonic energy and an ultrasonic transmission fluid.

Abstract: A treating device for use with a fabric article drying appliance. The treating device dispenses a benefit composition into a chamber so as to provide benefits to fabric articles contained within the fabric article drying appliance. The treating device is comprised of at least two housings in communication with one another wherein at least one housing is located in the interior of a fabric article drying appliance and at least one housing is located outside of the fabric article drying appliance.

Abstract: A system for sensing respiratory pressure includes a portable pressure transducer configured to be carried by or proximate to a respiratory conduit, such as a breathing circuit or a nasal canula. The portable pressure transducer may removably couple with a pneumotach, in the form of an airway adapter, disposed along the respiratory conduit. The pneumotach may include two pressure ports positioned at opposite sides of an obstruction, which partially blocks flow through a primary conduit of the pneumotach. Corresponding sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer removably couple with the pressure ports. The pressure ports may have sealing elements which are configured to seal against piercing members of the sample conduits upon introduction of the piercing members therethrough. Upon removal of the piercing members, the sealing elements substantially reseal. Methods for using the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining the cardiac output or pulmonary capillary blood flow of a patient using partial re-breathing techniques. The apparatus includes a substantially instantaneously adjustable deadspace volume for accommodating differences in sizes or breathing capacities of various patients. The apparatus may be constructed of inexpensive elements, including one or more two-way valves, which render the apparatus very simple to use and inexpensive so that the unit may be employed as a disposable product. The method of the invention includes estimating the cardiac output or pulmonary capillary blood flow of a patient based on partial pressure of alveolar CO2, rather than on the partial pressure of end tidal CO2, as previously practiced. A computer program for calculating the cardiac output or pulmonary capillary blood flow of a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining cardiac output using partial re-breathing techniques are disclosed in which the apparatus is constructed with an instantaneously adjustable deadspace for accommodating differences in breathing capacities of various patients. The apparatus is constructed of inexpensive elements, including a single two-way valve which renders the apparatus very simple to use and inexpensive so that the unit may be readily disposable. The method of the invention provides a novel means of estimating cardiac output based on alveolar CO2 values rather than end-tidal CO2 values as previously practiced. A program for calculating cardiac output is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for sensing respiratory pressure includes a portable pressure transducer configured to be carried by or proximate to a respiratory conduit, such as a breathing circuit or a nasal canula. The portable pressure transducer may removably couple with a pneumotach, in the form of an airway adapter, disposed along the respiratory conduit. The pneumotach may include two pressure ports positioned at opposite sides of an obstruction, which partially blocks flow through a primary conduit of the pneumotach. Corresponding sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer removably couple with the pressure ports. The pressure ports may have sealing elements which are configured to seal against piercing members of the sample conduits upon introduction of the piercing members therethrough. Upon removal of the piercing members, the sealing elements substantially reseal. Methods for using the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for inducing changes in the effective ventilation of an individual by varying one or more respiratory parameters to derive measurements which may be utilized to calculate measures of hemodynamic performance, e.g., pulmonary capillary blood flow and cardiac output, are provided. The methods of the present invention are used to attain measurements under the wide array of ventilatory modes available with modem ventilation machines to calculate indicators of hemodynamic performance using a differential form of the carbon dioxide Fick equation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining the cardiac output or pulmonary capillary blood flow of a patient using partial re-breathing techniques. The apparatus includes a substantially instantaneously adjustable deadspace volume for accommodating differences in sizes or breathing capacities of various patients. The apparatus may be constructed of inexpensive elements, including one or more two-way valves, which render the apparatus very simple to use and inexpensive so that the unit may be employed as a disposable product. The method of the invention includes estimating the cardiac output or pulmonary capillary blood flow of a patient based on partial pressure of alveolar CO2, rather than on the partial pressure of end tidal CO2, as previously practiced. A computer program for calculating the cardiac output or pulmonary capillary blood flow of a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining cardiac output using partial re-breathing techniques are disclosed in which the apparatus is constructed with an instantaneously adjustable deadspace for accommodating differences in breathing capacities of various patients. The apparatus is constructed of inexpensive elements, including a single two-way valve which renders the apparatus very simple to use and inexpensive so that the unit may be readily disposable. The method of the invention provides a novel means of estimating cardiac output based on alveolar CO2 values rather than end-tidal CO2 values as previously practiced. A program for calculating cardiac output is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for noninvasively determining the pulmonary capillary blood flow or cardiac output of a patient includes measurement of respiratory flow and carbon dioxide pressure of the patient's breathing. These measurements are used to calculate carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the carbon dioxide content of the patient's blood. A geometric relationship between the carbon dioxide elimination data and the data of the indicator of carbon dioxide content is determined. At least one set of the data is modified and at least one other determination of a geometric relationship between the data is made to find the most accurate data set. The data may be modified by filtering or clustering. A slope of at least a portion of the geometric relationship is then used to determine the pulmonary capillary blood flow or cardiac output of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reusable respiratory measurement device having a discardable flow tube in which a counter is included in a detachable (discardable) memory unit that removably engages the respiratory measurement device body. The memory unit includes a counter that tracks usage of the respiratory measurement device and disables the respiratory measurement device when usage has reached certain predetermined thresholds. The memory unit is then replaced with a new memory unit which re-enables the respiratory measurement device for further measurements. The memory unit is typically sold as part of a batch or lot of disposable flow tubes in which case the counter value is commonly the same as the number of flow tubes in the batch or lot.

Abstract: A conduit for use in establishing flow communication between a breathing apparatus, such as a mouthpiece of mask, and a metabolic analyzer, such as that used for determining the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of an individual. At least a section if the conduit may be bent or otherwise manipulated into a desired configuration and substantially retain the desired configuration until being remanipulated. Such a desired configuration may at least partially support the breathing apparatus while an individual is in a resting position. Manipulable regions of the conduit may be formed by longitudinally collapsible and expandable tubing, such as corrugated tubing, from tubing that carries elongate compliant members that may be bent and will retain a desired configuration, from viscoelastic tubing, or otherwise, as known in the art. Methods for establishing communication between an individual's airway and a metabolic analyzer are also disclosed, as are methods for effecting RMR analyses.

Abstract: A method of noninvasively determining the pulmonary capillary blood flow or cardiac output of a patient, including the use of rebreathing techniques to measure the respiratory flow and carbon dioxide pressure of the patient's breathing. These measurements are used to calculate carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the carbon dioxide content of the patient's blood, such as the end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide (PetCO2), CaCO2, or pCO2. The location and orientation of a best-fit line through the carbon dioxide elimination data and the data of the indicator of carbon dioxide content is determined by linear regression or by plotting the carbon dioxide elimination data against the data of the indicator of carbon dioxide content. At least one set of the data is modified and at least one other determination of the best-fit line made to find a data set that correlates most closely to the best-fit line. The data may be modified by filtering or clustering.