Abstract: Methods for estimating the volume of the carbon dioxide stores of an individual's respiratory tract include determining a carbon dioxide store volume at which a correlation between corresponding signals of carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the content of carbon dioxide in blood of the individual is optimized. The estimate of the volume of carbon dioxide stores, which comprises a model of the respiratory tract, or lungs, of the individual, may be used as a transformation to improve the accuracy of one or both of the carbon dioxide elimination and carbon dioxide content signals. Transformation, or filtering, algorithms are also disclosed, as are systems in which the methods and algorithms may be used. The methods, algorithms, and systems may be used to accurately and noninvasively determine one or both of the pulmonary capillary blood flow and cardiac output of the individual.

Abstract: A differential Fick technique including a first phase in which baseline breathing parameters may be established and a second phase in which a change in the effective ventilation of a patient is induced. The durations of the first and second phases may be substantially the same, and may be abbreviated relative to the durations of comparable phases of previously known differential Fick techniques. The disclosed differential Fick technique also lacks a recovery period in which the respiratory parameters of a patient are permitted to return to “normal” levels.

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: A calorimeter configured to determine a metabolic rate of an individual based on measurements of the individual's respiration. The calorimeter includes an inlet, a flow sensor, a mixing chamber, a gas sensor, and a calibrator. Each of these elements is located along a flow path through the calorimeter. The calibrator of the calorimeter includes a fan that is configured to force calibration gases, such as room air, through or past the gas sensor. A cardiac rate monitor is associated with a processor of the calorimeter. The processor is configured to substantially simultaneously determine and establish a relationship between the cardiac rate of the individual and the measured respiratory parameters or the metabolic rate of the individual. Data representative of this relationship may be communicated to a processor or memory of a portable calorimeter to be subsequently used by the individual.

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: A peak flow monitoring system having a base unit and a flowhead. The flowhead is designed for roll and snap connection to the base unit so as to be easily removable therefrom after use for ease of cleaning and storage. A gasket compressed between the flowhead and a pressure transducer housed in the base unit forms a pneumatic seal between the two when the flowhead is connected to the base unit, providing a minimal dead volume therebetween. Pressure in the flowhead generated by patient exhalation therethrough is measured by the base unit pressure transducer and a microprocessor computes pulmonary function parameter values from the transducer output for storage and display. The base unit display function includes text-based, customizable, reconfigurable patient symptom and medication queries. Methods of system assembly, disassembly and operation are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated airway adapter capable of monitoring any combination of respiratory flow, O2 concentration, and concentrations of one or more of CO2, N2O, and an anesthetic agent in real time, breath by breath. Respiratory flow may be monitored with differential pressure flow meters under diverse inlet conditions through improved sensor configurations which minimize phase lag and dead space within the airway. Molecular oxygen concentration may be monitored by way of luminescence quenching techniques. Infrared absorption techniques may be used to monitor one or more of CO2, N2O, and anesthetic agents.

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: An intergrated airway adapter capable of monitoring CO2 concentration in real time, breath by breath, using infrared absorption techniques and monitoring respiratory flow with differential pressure flowmeters under diverse inlet conditions through improved sensor configurations which minimize phase tag and dead space within the airway adapter.

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: 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: 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: A method of non-invasively estimating the intrapulmonary shunt in a patient. The method includes non-invasively measuring respiratory flow, respiratory carbon dioxide content, and arterial blood oxygen content. A re-breathing process is employed to facilitate an estimate of the patient's pulmonary capillary blood flow. Any inaccuracies of the arterial blood oxygen content are corrected to provide a substantially accurate arterial blood oxygen content measurement. The respiratory flow, carbon dioxide content and arterial blood oxygen content measurements, and the pulmonary capillary blood flow estimate are employed to estimate an intrapulmonary shunt of the patient. The invention also includes a method of determining the total cardiac output of the patient which considers the estimated intrapulmonary shunt.

Abstract: A method of non-invasively estimating the intrapulmonary shunt in a patient. The method includes non-invasively measuring respiratory flow, respiratory carbon dioxide content, and arterial blood oxygen content. A re-breathing process is employed to facilitate an estimate of the patient's pulmonary capillary blood flow. Any inaccuracies of the arterial blood oxygen content are corrected to provide a substantially accurate arterial blood oxygen content measurement. The respiratory flow, carbon dioxide content and arterial blood oxygen content measurements, and the pulmonary capillary blood flow estimate are employed to estimate an intrapulmonary shunt of the patient. The invention also includes a method of determining the total cardiac output of the patient which considers the estimated intrapulmonary shunt.

Abstract: A method of compensating for non-metabolic changes in respiratory or blood gas parameters including generating a compensatory signal based on the magnitude of the non-metabolic change and the amount of time elapsed since the onset of the non-metabolic change. The method of the present invention is useful for compensating for non-metabolic changes in non-invasive carbon dioxide elimination measurements and, particularly, when carbon dioxide elimination is employed to determine cardiac output on a non-invasive, continuous basis.

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: A method of continuously, non-invasively determining the cardiac output of a patient. The method includes intermittently measuring the cardiac output, the volume of carbon dioxide exhaled by the patient per breath, and determining the arterial-venous gradient of the patient or a similar substantially constant value by dividing the volume of carbon dioxide exhaled by the measured cardiac output. The arterial-venous gradient or similar substantially constant value may then be employed to determine the cardiac output of the patient on a breath-by-breath basis. The carbon dioxide elimination, which is non-invasively measured as the volume of carbon dioxide exhaled by the patient per breath, is divided by the arterial-venous gradient or the substantially constant value to determine the cardiac output.

Abstract: A re-breathing method for determining pulmonary capillary blood flow that accounts for changes in the cardiac output or in the carbon dioxide content of the venous blood of a patient. The carbon dioxide elimination and partial pressure of end tidal carbon dioxide of the patient are non-invasively measured prior to re-breathing, during re-breathing, and after re-breathing. The carbon dioxide elimination and the carbon dioxide content of the alveolar blood of the patient at each of the before, during, and after re-breathing phases are then used to calculate the pulmonary capillary blood flow of the patient. A rate of change of carbon dioxide content of the venous blood of the patient may also be calculated and employed in calculating the pulmonary capillary blood flow of the patient.

Abstract: A re-breathing method for determining pulmonary capillary blood flow that accounts for changes in the carbon dioxide content of a patient. The carbon dioxide elimination and partial pressure of end tidal carbon dioxide of the patient are measured prior to re-breathing, during re-breathing, and after re-breathing. A rate of change of carbon dioxide content of the venous blood of the patient is then calculated. The rate of change is then employed in calculating the pulmonary capillary blood flow of the patient.

Abstract: A method of calculating the carbon dioxide elimination of a patient that includes counteracting any inaccuracy or inconsistency in respiratory flow measurements that may be caused by "noise", such as is attributable to respiratory circuit leaks, signal drift, a non-unity respiratory quotient, or another respiratory flow error-inducing factor. The method includes monitoring the respiratory flow and carbon dioxide of the patient during at least a portion of both inspiration and expiration; calculating an inspiratory tidal volume, an inspiratory volume averaged carbon dioxide fraction, an expiratory tidal volume, and an expiratory volume averaged carbon dioxide fraction; and selecting a tidal volume to replace at least one of the inspiratory tidal volume and the expiratory tidal volume. The carbon dioxide elimination of the patient is then calculated with the select tidal volume, the inspiratory volume averaged carbon dioxide fraction, and the expiratory volume averaged carbon dioxide fraction.