Abstract: Inter-patient networks, in particular virtual environments such as an online forum, may foster a sense of community and help promote user adherence to a (positive airway pressure) therapy regimen, despite various practical limitations. Systems and methods are provided to alleviate such limitations by providing a virtual environment in which users are matched (anonymously) in pairs or groups based on usage information of their respective therapeutic devices.

Abstract: A patient ventilation system including a ventilation interface and a ventilation source pneumatically coupled to a patient over the ventilation interface is disclosed. There is a controller that regulates airflow delivery from the ventilation source to the patient according to one or more predefined treatment configuration settings. The controller has an inactive ventilation state, a ventilation initiation state, a treatment state, a treatment suspension state, and a ventilation deactivation state. A display interface is coupled to the controller and configured to generate, exclusively, a device activation user element with the pressure controller in the inactive ventilation state, a fitment feedback indicator and a treatment screen in a ventilation initiation state, the fitment feedback indicator and a treatment status screen in the treatment state, a treatment suspension screen in the treatment suspension state, and a treatment conclusion screen in the ventilation deactivation state.

Abstract: Respiratory assistance is provided to a subject in the form of a pressurized flow of breathable gas. The pressure of the gas is eased during expiration and increased during inspiration. Changes in pressure are triggered and/or cycled based on the monitoring of tidal volume. Volume thresholds that cause triggering and/or cycling are adjusted based on an observed or measured breath rate.

Abstract: Indicating fit status of a mask in communication with a respiratory assistance device is disclosed. Upon initiating a therapeutic gas delivery from the respiratory assistance device to the mask, one or more measurements from respective one or more sensors of the respiratory assistance device is received. A leakage value from these measurements is derived, and a mask fit index is assigned. This is based at least upon a correlation of the leakage value to a particular sub-range of predetermined leakage values that corresponds to the mask fit index. The particular sub-range of predetermined leakage values is one among a plurality of sub-ranges, which together comprises an overall mask fit range defined at least by an ideal mask fit region, a loose mask fit region, and a tight mask fit region. A mask fit status based upon the assigned mask fit index is output to an indicator interface.

Abstract: A respiratory assistance device is disclosed. There is a variable speed blower with an output, and a patient ventilation interface configured for fitment on a patient respiratory passageway. A gas passage conduit couples the output of the blower to the patient ventilation interface. A pilot line from the gas passage conduit is coupled to a piloted exhalation valve of the patient ventilation interface. A pressure sensor measures a mask pressure in the patient ventilation interface, and a blower speed sensor measures a speed of the blower. A pressure controller in communication with the pressure sensor and the blower speed sensor detects a patient inspiratory phase and a patient expiratory phase from at least one of the measured speed of the blower and a set speed of the blower. The pressure controller adjusts an operating speed of the blower and actuates the piloted exhalation valve based upon the measured mask pressure.

Abstract: A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus for respiratory assistance of a pattern is disclosed. There is a blower having an output connectible to a ventilation mask wearable by the patient. A first pressure sensor measures blower pressure at the output of the blower, and a second pressure sensor that is connectible to the ventilation mask measures mask pressure therein. A pressure controller is connected to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, and a patient inspiratory phase and a patient expiratory phase is be detectable by the pressure controller to regulate therapeutic pressure at the patient mask, based upon pressure differentials between the mask pressure and the blower pressure.

Abstract: A wake-to-sleep transition for a subject is detected based on responsiveness to breathing cues provided to the subject. A pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airway of subject having one or more gas parameters that are adjusted to provide breathing cues to the subject. Based on a detected conformance of the respiration of the subject to the breathing cues, a determination is made as to whether the subject is awake or asleep.

Abstract: The lung compliance of a subject that is at least partially self-ventilating is determined. The quantification of lung compliance may be an estimation, a measurement, and/or an approximate measurement. The quantification of lung compliance may be enhanced over conventional techniques and/or systems for quantifying lung compliance of self-ventilating subjects in the lung compliance may be quantified relatively accurately without an effort belt or other external sensing device that directly measures diaphragmatic muscle pressure, and without requiring the subject to manually control diaphragmatic muscle pressure. Quantification of lung compliance may be a useful tool in evaluating the health of the subject, including detection of fluid retention associated with developing acute congestive heart failure.

Abstract: The lung compliance of a subject that is at least partially self-ventilating is determined. The quantification of lung compliance may be an estimation, a measurement, and/or an approximate measurement. The quantification of lung compliance may be enhanced over conventional techniques and/or systems for quantifying lung compliance of self-ventilating subjects in the lung compliance may be quantified relatively accurately without an effort belt or other external sensing device that directly measures diaphragmatic muscle pressure, and without requiring the subject to manually control diaphragmatic muscle pressure. Quantification of lung compliance may be a useful tool in evaluating the health of the subject, including detection of fluid retention associated with developing acute congestive heart failure.

Abstract: A swimming exercise and training apparatus having a flotation member constructed of a generally lightweight, semi-rigid, buoyant material and sized and shaped so that it may be positioned against a portion of a person's upper torso, a plurality of straps structured to removably secure the flotation member to the person's upper torso and a pair of cords structured to retain the flotation member, and consequently, the swimmer wearing the flotation member, substantially in place. Each cord includes a first end attached to the flotation member and an opposite second end attached to a suction cup or a stake member having a generally flat horizontal surface on its upper portion and a hook on its lower portion.