Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to devices, systems, and/or methods for collecting, processing, and/or displaying stroke volume and/or cardiac output data. For example, a device for assessing changes in cardiac output and/or stroke volume of a subject receiving airway support may comprise a processor; an airway sensor in communication with the processor, wherein the airway sensor is configured and arranged to sense pressure in the subject's airway, lungs, and/or intrapleural space over time; a blood volume sensor in communication with the processor, wherein the blood volume sensor is configured and arranged to sense pulsatile volume of blood in a tissue of the subject over time; and a display configured and arranged to display a representative of an airway pressure, a pulsatile blood volume, a photoplethysmogram, a photoplethysmogram ratio, the determined cardiac output and/or stroke volume, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for venting of a liquid tank with a valve, a primary compartment and a secondary compartment which are connected together via a bridge. The valve includes a chamber provided with a cover, which extends at least partly into the tank and is connected via an upper venting aperture to a venting circuit. A first device monitors a level of liquid in the primary compartment. A second device monitors a level of liquid in the secondary compartment. The valve configured to be closed when the first device detects that the level of liquid in the primary compartment is equal to or higher than a first predetermined filling level, and the second device detects that the level of liquid in the secondary compartment is equal to or higher than a second predetermined filling level.

Abstract: A plastic fuel tank and a process for manufacturing a fuel tank, the fuel tank including an upper wall, a lower wall, and at least one kiss point formed by welding together a multiplicity of contact points of the upper and lower walls and an accessory. Both the upper and lower walls show a concave recess in the kiss point area so that the weld of the kiss point is located in between planes defined by the upper and lower walls respectively; a bottom of the upper concave recess extends substantially beyond the weld of the kiss point, while a bottom of the lower concave recess does not; the accessory is at least partially located under the extension of the bottom of the upper concave recess.

Abstract: A medical device may include a gas delivery apparatus, a patient interface, a connection system, and an electrical circuit. The gas delivery apparatus may be configured to deliver gas to a patient. The patient interface may be configured to interface with the patient to deliver gas communicated by the gas delivery apparatus to the patient. The connection system may be configured to communicate gas from the gas delivery apparatus to the patient interface. The electrical circuit may be configured to communicate electrical signals between the patient interface and the gas delivery apparatus, and may including one or more first electrical conductors at least partially integral with the patient interface and one or more second electrical conductors at least partially integral with the connection system.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) or partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) of a patient being ventilated by a medical ventilator. The disclosure describes a novel approach of utilizing dynamic, real-time ventilator information in a closed-loop controller to determine the necessary FiO2 and flow commands for the medical ventilator.

Abstract: A vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a folding head restraint mechanism for pivoting a head restraint between use and folded positions. A head restraint is mounted to the folding head restraint mechanism. A controller for a convertible roof may be provided in electrical communication with the folding head restraint mechanism and configured for electrical communication with the convertible roof. The controller has computer executable instructions for producing a first output to actuate the convertible roof and for producing a second output to actuate the folding head restraint mechanism. An actuator may be provided and connected to the folding head restraint mechanism and to the convertible roof. The actuator has a first output to actuate the folding head restraint mechanism and a second output to actuate the convertible roof of the vehicle. A method for actuating a convertible roof and a folding head restraint assembly is provided.

Abstract: A breathing assistance system may include a patient interface configured to interface with a patient to communicate gas received from a gas delivery apparatus to the patient, and a securing system configured to secure the patient interface against the patient's face. The securing system may include one or more walls forming a generally tubular structure open at least at one end. At least a portion of the one or more walls may be elastic such that at least a portion of the generally tubular structure can be stretched over the patient's head.

Abstract: A system and method for conserving oxygen in a breathing assistance device are disclosed. A method may include delivering breathable gas with a first average oxygen concentration during a first portion of an inhalation phase for a patient. The method may also include delivering breathable gas with a second average oxygen concentration during a second portion of an inhalation phase for a patient.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for conducting and terminating spontaneous breathing trials on patients receiving mechanical ventilation. The disclosure describes a novel spontaneous breathing trial manager for a medical ventilator with rapid initiation and continuous monitoring of a patient's tolerance of the spontaneous breathing trial and displaying of that tolerance as a function of time, which provides for bedside adjustment of the spontaneous breathing trial parameters and automatic termination of a spontaneous breathing trial based on a time interval expiration or poor patient tolerance of the SBT.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing polystyrene. The method includes the steps: using at least one scrapped surface heat exchanger (160) to heat a solution of polystyrene dissolved in an organic solvent to provide a heated solution of polystyrene dissolved in the organic solvent, and separating the dissolved polystyrene from the organic solvent. The apparatus includes: a holding tank at least partly filled with a solution of polystyrene dissolved in an organic solvent, at least one scrapped surface heat exchanger (160), and a separator.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for automatically initiating ventilation, controlling ventilation, transitioning a ventilator to subject controlled ventilation, and weaning a subject from ventilation. The disclosure describes that the method for automatically initiating ventilation includes inputting a physical characteristic of the subject into a ventilator. The physical characteristic may be ideal body weight, height, or age. Based on the inputted physical characteristic, one or more ventilation parameters are calculated. The disclosure describes initiating ventilation based on the calculated parameters. During ventilation at least one physiological parameter of the subject is monitored. At least one ventilation parameter may be adjusted based on the monitoring of the physiological parameters and the inputted physical characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ventilator that, in one embodiment, uses one or more valve banks having precalibrated orifices to perform real time control of flow metering devices and, in a second embodiment, uses a choked flow orifice and upstream gas pressure regulator to generate a desired flow trajectory.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for adjusting a determination of the amount of breathing assistance a patient requires while on a ventilator. In general, in determining the amount of breathing assistance required, the ventilator takes into account an airflow resistance attributable to the tube used to deliver ventilation to the patient's lungs. A tube compensation factor is calculated using a tube compensation algorithm, or similar equation. In particular, the tube compensation factor represents the resistance to airflow attributable to the breathing tube itself based on, inter alia, frictional drag, turbulence, and an internal diameter of the tube. Changes in the tube during ventilation impact the calculation of the breathing assistance required by the patient and are accounted for when compensating for the breathing tube.

Abstract: A vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a folding head restraint mechanism for pivoting a head restraint between use and folded positions. A head restraint is mounted to the folding head restraint mechanism. A controller for a convertible roof may be provided in electrical communication with the folding head restraint mechanism and configured for electrical communication with the convertible roof. The controller has computer executable instructions for producing a first output to actuate the convertible roof and for producing a second output to actuate the folding head restraint mechanism. An actuator may be provided and connected to the folding head restraint mechanism and to the convertible roof. The actuator has a first output to actuate the folding head restraint mechanism and a second output to actuate the convertible roof of the vehicle. A method for actuating a convertible roof and a folding head restraint assembly is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing polystyrene. The method includes the steps: using at least one scrapped surface heat exchanger (160) to heat a solution of polystyrene dissolved in an organic solvent to provide a heated solution of polystyrene dissolved in the organic solvent, and separating the dissolved polystyrene from the organic solvent. The apparatus includes: a holding tank at least partly filled with a solution of polystyrene dissolved in an organic solvent, at least one scrapped surface heat exchanger (160), and a separator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing polystyrene. The method includes the steps: using at least one scrapped surface heat exchanger (160) to heat a solution of polystyrene dissolved in an organic solvent to provide a heated solution of polystyrene dissolved in the organic solvent, and separating the dissolved polystyrene from the organic solvent. The apparatus includes: a holding tank at least partly filled with a solution of polystyrene dissolved in an organic solvent, at least one scrapped surface heat exchanger (160), and a separator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to devices, systems, and/or methods for collecting, processing, and/or displaying stroke volume and/or cardiac output data. For example, a device for assessing changes in cardiac output and/or stroke volume of a subject receiving airway support may comprise a processor; an airway sensor in communication with the processor, wherein the airway sensor is configured and arranged to sense pressure in the subject's airway, lungs, and/or intrapleural space over time; a blood volume sensor in communication with the processor, wherein the blood volume sensor is configured and arranged to sense pulsatile volume of blood in a tissue of the subject over time; and a display configured and arranged to display a representative of an airway pressure, a pulsatile blood volume, a photoplethysmogram, a photoplethysmogram ratio, the determined cardiac output and/or stroke volume, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A treadmill apparatus comprising a rigid member movably supported overhead of a user wherein the rigid member has guiding arrangement for guiding a handle of the rigid member through a path having a vertical component, and wherein said handle has a biasing arrangement for biasing the handle toward an upper end of the path.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for controlling the delivery of a breathing gas to a patient. The method may include regulating the fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) of the breathing gas delivered to the patient, determining a blood oxygenation level of the patient, determining a ventilation parameter, and automatically adjusting the FiO2 of the breathing gas delivered to the patient based on the determined blood oxygenation level and the determined ventilation parameter.

Abstract: A mechanical ventilator is provided with a piston-cylinder for performing an air displacement function and a buffer volume and associated output valve for providing an air metering function. The piston-cylinder may comprise a reciprocating arrangement, in which compressed air is supplied to the buffer volume with each stroke of the piston.