Abstract: An oscillatory respiratory therapy device 100 has an opening 8 to atmosphere through which air passes to the user. The device has a visual indicator 20 including a paper indicator 25 and a dye reservoir 29 mounted at the opening. Before use, the opening 8 is covered by a removable cover strip 21 that prevents air flowing through the opening. The cover strip 21 is attached to the dye reservoir 29 so that the reservoir is pulled against the paper indicator 25 when the cover strip is removed, thereby the device to be used. This causes dye to flow gradually from the reservoir 29 and spread outwardly across the paper indicator 25, which is marked to indicate duration of use.

Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus includes an oscillating expiratory therapy device and pressure and flow sensors in the patient inlet connected to supply signals to a processor. The processor includes artificial intelligence software to correlate the output signals with prescribed values and control a feedback device that prompts the patient accordingly to adjust use of the device as necessary. The feedback device may be of a visual, audible or tangible kind. The processor may also automatically adjust a setting dial of the therapy device by means of an actuator.

Abstract: An oscillatory PEP therapy device (100) has valve (10) mounted at the end of a rocker arm (12) such that the valve is opened and closed during expiration through the device, thereby causing displacement of the rocker arm up and down. The housing (2) of the device (100) is transparent so that the camera (20) on a mobile phone (200) can be positioned to view displacement of the rocker arm (12) during use. The phone (200) is programmed to extract a signal indicative of the frequency of oscillation of the rocker arm (12) and this is displayed on the screen of the phone to provide feedback to the user.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube (1) has an inflatable sealing cuff (13) and an array of one or more RFID pressure sensors (120) around the cuff. A leakage unit (30) interrogates the sensors (120) to determine any regions around the cuff having incomplete contact with the tracheal wall indicative of potential leakage between the cuff and the wall of the trachea.

Abstract: An incentive spirometer has a housing (1) with a vertical cylinder (4) connected at its upper end to one end of a gas passage (8) that is connected at its opposite end to an inlet tube (10) and mouthpiece (11). A piston (20) in the cylinder is moved up when the patient inhales through the mouthpiece and thereby creates a reduced pressure at the upper end of the cylinder. The spirometer also includes a flow sensor (30) located in the gas passage (8) that generates a wireless signal indicative of gas flow along the passage. A monitor (40), such as a suitably programmed mobile phone, is located separately of the spirometer housing (1) and responds to the output of the sensor (30). The monitor (40) records and provides feedback to the user indicative of his use of the apparatus.

Abstract: An oscillatory therapy device has a nebulizer port (21) close to a patient inlet (12) and a first one way valve (31) between the nebulizer port and the oscillatory mechanism (20) arranged to allow expiratory flow from the patient inlet to the mechanism but to prevent flow in the opposite direction. The nebulizer port (21) includes a second one-way valve (32) arranged to open during inhalation but to close during exhalation so that nebulizer medication is not expelled during exhalation.

Abstract: A vibratory respiratory therapy device (100) has a valve element (11) on a rocker arm (12) that opens and closes an opening (10) during exhalation through the device and thereby generates sound. A mobile phone (20) with a microphone (21) picks up the sound generated and has a processor (22) that converts the sound signal into a sound energy signal in order to measure its frequency. The processor (22) computes a measure of pressure in the device (10) by multiplying the detected frequency by a fixed factor and adding a fixed constant to the product. The pressure data is used to monitor patient use of the device.

Abstract: Ventilator apparatus includes a pump (41) connected to supply pressurised air both to an air reservoir (23) and to an oxygen concentrator (70) that supplies pressurised oxygen to an oxygen reservoir (24). The outlet (50) of the air reservoir (23) is connected to the inlet of a breathing circuit (30) via an entrainment device (56) so that pressurised air from the reservoir entrains atmospheric air. The outlet (84) of the oxygen reservoir (24) is connected via oxygen tubing (99) to the patient end of the breathing circuit (30). A patient valve (90) at the patient end (93) of the breathing circuit (30) opens to allow the patient to exhale via openings (97) in the valve. The oxygen supply is switched to supply oxygen to the breathing circuit (30) during the expiratory phase so that oxygen in the circuit is inhaled during a subsequent inhalation phase.

Abstract: An expiratory, vibratory therapy device (100, 200 300, 400) includes a compliance meter (104, 204, 304, 404) having a cylinder (110, 210, 310, 410) with a piston (111, 211, 411) movable along its length. The piston is urged by a spring (116, 226) to one end of the cylinder. The opposite end of the cylinder has an air inlet (120, 123, 219) normally closed by a springloaded occluder (129). The occluder (129) is moved to open the air inlet when the patient exhales in the prescribed manner. This allows some air to enter the cylinder and enables the piston to be displaced. The piston is coupled to a flag (106, 206, 306, 406) visible to the patient. When the correct number of prescribed breaths have been made the piston displaces the flag to indicate completion of the therapy.

Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus has a short conduit (10) with a mouthpiece (13) at one end and open to atmosphere at its opposite end (11). One end of a cylinder (22), (110, 203) opens into the conduit (10) and contains a piston (21, 111, 205) slidable along the cylinder. The piston (21, 111, 205) carries a permanent magnet (24) that interacts with a magnetic field produced by electromagnetic coils (25, 26), 101-109 surrounding the cylinder. The coils are driven by a control unit (30) that receives inputs from pressure, flow and piston position sensors (40, 41) and (42) to cause the piston to oscillate in the cylinder and superimpose an oscillatory waveform on the normal tidal respiration along the conduit (10) at an amplitude sufficient to mobilize mucus in the patient's airway and produce a therapeutic effect.

Abstract: A respiratory therapy system includes a vibratory expiratory therapy device through which the patient exhales to set up vibrations within the chest. An array of piezoelectric vibration sensors is mounted on the patient's chest and supplies vibration outputs to a processor, which in turn provides an output to a display indicative of impedance of different regions of the chest.

Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus includes an oscillating expiratory therapy device (100) and pressure and flow sensors (20 and 21) in the patient inlet (7) connected to supply signals to a processor (24). The processor (24) includes artificial intelligence software to correlate the output signals with prescribed values and control a feedback device (26) that prompts the patient accordingly to adjust use of the device as necessary. The feedback device (26) may be of a visual, audible or tangible kind. The processor (24) may also automatically adjust a setting dial (5) of the therapy device (100) by means of an actuator (27).

Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus includes an expiratory therapy device (100) that produces an oscillating resistance to breathing. The device has a vibration sensor (20) mounted on its housing (2) that transmits signals to a receiver (200) indicative of operation of the device. An accelerometer (201) is secured to the chest of the patient; this also transmits signals to the receiver (200). The apparatus prompts the user to use the device (100) at each of its different settings and the receiver (300) monitors the effect of the different settings and computes which gives the most benefit. The receiver (300) then prompts the user to select the optimum set ting for further therapy.

Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus includes an expiratory vibratory therapy device (100) of the kind that produces an alternating resistance to expiration through the device. The apparatus also includes a sensor (30) that is strapped to the chest of the patient. The sensor (30) includes a three-axis accelerometer (36) responsive to vibration in the chest and a display (34) on which the frequency of chest vibration and the length of the therapy session are represented. The display (34) can be switched between an upright and inverted configuration so that it can be viewed by the patient looking down at the sensor (30).