Abstract: A patient interface device uses a pressure flap which extends inwardly from an outer edge of a mask of the device. The pressure flap is for contacting the skin of the patient to provide a seal or partial seal between the mask volume and the ambient surroundings. The pressure flap includes a cavity area which is exposed to a reduced pressure compared to the mask volume. This assists in keeping the pressure flap pressed against the patient's skin, and thereby maintain a large contact area. This in turn gives a reduction in local high pressure areas.

Abstract: A method of producing a flow of a fluid through a passage (24) defined in a rigid frame (22) comprises selectively actuating a flexible membrane (38) disposed across a midpoint of the passage (24) with an actuating system in a manner which produces a wave-like motion in the membrane (38) thereby causing a peristaltic movement of the fluid through the passage (24).

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a flow of gas comprises a frame having a passage defined therethrough. The passage extends a length along a central longitudinal axis from an inlet to an outlet and has a first side and a second side. A flexible pumping membrane is disposed within the passage. The membrane has a first edge coupled to the first side of the passage at a midline thereof and a second edge, disposed opposite the first edge, coupled to the second side of the passage at a midline thereof. The membrane segregates the frame into an upper portion and a lower portion. The apparatus also includes an actuating system which is structured to selectively move portions of the membrane toward either the upper portion or the lower portion of the frame in a manner which causes a wave-like movement in the pumping membrane and creates the flow of gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for monitoring asthma symptoms of a subject (12), comprising a monitoring unit (14) configured to monitor at least one objective asthma symptom of the subject, an analysis unit (16) configured to determine an asthma status of the subject based on the at least one objective asthma symptom monitored by the monitoring unit, a test unit (18) configured to provide a test for collecting subjective asthma symptoms from the subject, if the at least one objective asthma symptom monitored by the monitoring unit (14) has changed in a manner that the change reveals a deterioration of the asthma status of the subject. Further the system comprises a calibration unit (24) configured to calibrate the at least one objective asthma symptom gathered from the subject with respect to a calibration test, wherein the calibration unit (24) is arranged to perform calibration at least once during an initial phase of use of the system (10).

Abstract: A method of generating an algorithm for determining a condition of a patient. The algorithm is generated based on medical characteristics that are shared by a group of data sources. The group of data sources is obtained by clustering a plurality of data sources into groups based on the medical characteristics associated with each data source.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an activity monitor for measuring physical activity of a subject. The activity monitor is configured to obtain a first set of physical activity data over a first time period, for example during the day, and a second set of physical activity data over a second time period, for example during the night. A processor processes the data obtained by the activity monitor to calculate a physical activity ratio which is the ratio of the physical activity measured during the first time period to the physical activity measured in the second time period. The processor also calculates a first overall value which represents an activity level of the subject during the first time period. The physical activity ratio together with the first overall value may be used to assess the severity of symptoms of COPD displayed by a subject or to identify respiratory disease comorbidity information for example psychological issues such as low motivation, or sleep quality issues displayed by the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system for facilitating configuration modifications for a patient interface computer system based on an equivalent effort parameter. In some embodiments, the system obtains (i) one or more first measurements associated with a first subject, the first subject having a clinical coefficient, (ii) one or more second measurements associated with a second subject. The system determines (i) a first effort parameter based on the one or more first measurements, (ii) a second effort parameter based on the one or more second measurements, and (iii) an equivalent effort factor for the first subject based on the one or more first measurements, the one or more second measurements, and the clinical coefficient. The system causes a configuration of the patient interface computer system to be modified based on the equivalent effort factor.

Abstract: Various improvements are provided to breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance devices. A portable device is provided which optionally includes a gas canister, a feedback system for implementing pressure control, and a visual output for indicating adherence to a breathing exercise to the user. The pressure control may provide regulation of different pressures for inhalation and exhalation.

Abstract: Various improvements are provided to breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance devices. A portable device is provided which optionally includes a gas canister, a feedback system for implementing pressure control, and a visual output for indicating adherence to a breathing exercise to the user. The pressure control may provide regulation of different pressures for inhalation and exhalation.

Abstract: A breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance device is provided for home use. The device is for providing support and guidance during the training of breathing exercises. The device takes account of external data which relates to one or more of: the environmental conditions in which the device is being used; activity information in respect of the user; physiological sensor data about the user which is not related to breathing characteristics.

Abstract: A patient interface and a patient interface system comprise a responsive material and a method for preventing the formation of red marks due to wearing a patient interface that is pressing against the skin of a patient for a longer time and/or for reducing air leakages of the patient interface that may result from an unintended shift of the patient interface on the patient's face. The responsive material is configured for alternating the pressure exerted by the cushion element on the patient and/or the area on the patient where the pressure is exerted by the cushion element in response to a physical quantity acting on the responsive material. The formation of red marks and of air leakages can be reduced or even avoided by means of the responsive material.

Abstract: A number of user interface device embodiments are disclosed that provide for increased cooling of the skin covered by the mask and/or increased flushing of gasses, including CO2, from the mask.

Abstract: A device and method for increasing a patient's compliance with a therapy relating to an upper airway disorder are presented. The device comprises a receiving unit for receiving for receiving vital sign data including glucose level data of the patient, and therapy data including information regarding the therapy of the patient; a processing unit configured to process the therapy data and the vital sign data in order to determine feedback information based on the therapy data and the vital sign data; and a display unit for displaying the feedback information based on the therapy data and the vital sign data.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes an elastomeric contacting portion that is structured to directly engage the skin of the user. The contacting portion has an engineered surface that includes a plurality of non-random, predesigned surface features designed to reduce friction and improve user comfort. In one implementation, the pitch between each immediately adjacent pair of the surface features is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum pitch value, and the height of each of the surface features is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum height value.

Abstract: A power supply system comprises a fuel cell and a battery, each for supplying electrical power to a load. The system is controlled to use the fuel cell for a first period of time (82) to supply electrical power to the load, wherein the power demand is constant over a first time period (82). The battery is used simultaneously with the fuel cell for a second supply time of electrical power to the load, wherein the power varies (84). In this way, fluctuating output is provided by the battery, and the fuel cell output is maintained as constant as possible to prolong the lifetime. During the second supply time, the power to the load (80) can be provided as a constant contribution from the fuel cell and a variable contribution from the battery.

Abstract: An elongate device, such as a catheter, for interventional MRI has one or more passive LC-circuits attached to its distal tip portion for position tracking. The LC-circuits includes an inductor winding and a three-dimensional “trench” capacitor. The LC-circuits are integrated in a piece of silicon. Optical fibers may be included in the device for optical probing of tissue surrounding the distal tip portion.

Abstract: An apparatus structured to contact external tissue, such as skin, of a user includes an elastomeric contacting portion that is structured to directly engage the external tissue. The contacting portion has an engineered surface (64A, 64B) that includes a plurality of non-random, predesigned surface features (70, 74B, 76B, 78B) designed to reduce friction and improve user comfort. In one implementation, the pitch (P) between each immediately adjacent pair of the surface features (70, 76B) is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum pitch value, and the height (H) of each of the surface features (70, 76B) is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum height value.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical, health care and non-medical devices comprising a rubbery or elastomeric polymer material taking up more than 5% by weight of water and at most 500% by weight of water after immersion in demineralized water at room temperature for a sufficient time to reach saturation. The material may be in the form of a foam, or in the form of a coating adapted for adhesion to a substrate, or in the form of a sheet, or in the form of a fiber, and may comprise: —repeating units from one or more hydrophobic organic monomers, and —repeating units from one or more monomers (a) being modified with one or more hydrophilic side groups.

Abstract: Skin-contact products with a transpiration function such as medical devices or medicinal products, of which face masks, aspirators, ventilators, breast pumps or wound dressings are examples are described especially a skin-contact product with a transpiration function with an improved microclimate at a patient interface material-skin contact area. In an embodiment a material system is described that comprises a hydrophobic silicone base material and a hydrophilic silicone material that is combined with the hydrophobic base material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a member (14, 24, 26) of a patient interface (10) for providing a flow of breathable gas to a self-ventilating patient (12). The member (14, 24, 26) comprises a wear-out indicator (32) for indicating a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) to the patient (12). The wear-out indicator (32) comprises an elastic structure (34) that appears in a first colour in an unstressed condition and is configured to reversibly change its apparent colour when being stretched and returned to its unstressed condition again. The elastic structure (34) is configured to indicate a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) by appearing in a second colour in its unstressed condition when the structure (34) has lost at least a part of its elasticity, wherein the second colour is different from the first colour.