Abstract: A headgear for securing a patient airway interface device to a patient's head comprising a concave partial helmet having an outer surface and an inner surface and having a left lateral element, a right lateral element, a top portion and a back portion, wherein the left lateral element and the right lateral element are separated at a front half of the concave partial helmet by a void between the front half top portion of the concave partial helmet and the left lateral element and the right lateral element; when on the patient's head the top portion of the concave partial helmet terminates at the forehead of the patient's head with a front face of the top portion of the concave partial helmet that is proximal to the forehead having a stabilizer for supporting a hub and wherein the left lateral element and the right lateral element is structured to terminate on either side of a patient's face near a cheek portion without directly touching the check portion and wherein a section of the right lateral element and t

Abstract: An apparatus for performing measurements in an artery includes a Doppler catheter, comprising a Doppler transducer and a wire connected to the Doppler transducer; and an elongated catheter body having a conduit therein for housing the wire of the Doppler catheter. The body has a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the wire is movable in the conduit relative to the catheter body so that the Doppler transducer and the wire are capable of being threaded into said conduit at the proximal end after the distal end of the catheter has been inserted into the artery, until the Doppler transducer emerges outside the conduit at the distal end of said body for performing ultrasound measurements in the artery. Another embodiment employs at least an additional side transducer for measuring the cross-sectional dimension of the artery useful for computing blood flow.

Abstract: A headgear for securing a patient airway interface device to a patient's head comprising a concave partial helmet having an outer surface and an inner surface and having a left lateral element, a right lateral element, a top portion and a back portion, wherein the left lateral element and the right lateral element are separated at a front half of the concave partial helmet by a void between the front half top portion of the concave partial helmet and the left lateral element and the right lateral element; when on the patient's head the top portion of the concave partial helmet terminates at the forehead of the patient's head with a front face of the top portion of the concave partial helmet that is proximal to the forehead having a stabilizer for supporting a hub and wherein the left lateral element and the right lateral element is structured to terminate on either side of a patient's face near a cheek portion without directly touching the check portion and wherein a section of the right lateral element and t

Abstract: A gastric feeding tube and method of use where the tube is of sufficient length for insertion into an esophagus of a subject via the nose or mouth. The gastric feed tube comprises a tube having a distal portion, a middle portion and a proximal portion, an outer surface and an inner surface forming a wall of the tube having a thickness and wherein the wall of the tube defines a lumen of a defined geometry, the lumen having an opening at a distal end of the tube for positioning in a stomach or jejunum of the subject and an opening at the proximal end of the tube for positioning outside of the nose or mouth of the subject wherein the lumen extends longitudinally through the tube connecting the opening at the distal end of the tube and the opening at the proximal end of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing measurements in an artery includes a Doppler catheter, comprising a Doppler transducer and a wire connected to the Doppler transducer; and an elongated catheter body having a conduit therein for housing the wire of the Doppler catheter. The body has a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the wire is movable in the conduit relative to the catheter body so that the Doppler transducer and the wire are capable of being threaded into said conduit at the proximal end after the distal end of the catheter has been inserted into the artery, until the Doppler transducer emerges outside the conduit at the distal end of said body for performing ultrasound measurements in the artery. Another embodiment employs at least an additional side transducer for measuring the cross-sectional dimension of the artery useful for computing blood flow.

Abstract: Devices disclosed herein relate to humidification systems for making humidified ventilator air. The humidification system provides an elongated air path that increases both the surface area and time for air-water interaction, and thus increases efficiency of humidification. The humidification system also enables even distribution of heat and inhibition of bacterial growth within the system, thus improves comfort and safety for patients receiving respiratory therapy. Device disclosed herein also relates to tubing for delivering humidified ventilator air. The tubing includes an air passage and a heat blanket that envelops and warms up the air passage. The tubing thus prevents or decreases water condensation and loss of humidity of humidified air.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing measurements in an artery includes a Doppler catheter, comprising a Doppler transducer and a wire connected to the Doppler transducer; and an elongated catheter body having a conduit therein for housing the wire of the Doppler catheter. The body has a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the wire is movable in the conduit relative to the catheter body so that the Doppler transducer and the wire are capable of being threaded into said conduit at the proximal end after the distal end of the catheter has been inserted into the artery, until the Doppler transducer emerges outside the conduit at the distal end of said body for performing ultrasound measurements in the artery. Another embodiment employs at least an additional side transducer for measuring the cross-sectional dimension of the artery useful for computing blood flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing measurements in an artery includes a Doppler catheter, comprising a Doppler transducer and a wire connected to the Doppler transducer; and an elongated catheter body having a conduit therein for housing the wire of the Doppler catheter. The body has a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the wire is movable in the conduit relative to the catheter body so that the Doppler transducer and the wire are capable of being threaded into said conduit at the proximal end after the distal end of the catheter has been inserted into the artery, until the Doppler transducer emerges outside the conduit at the distal end of said body for performing ultrasound measurements in the artery. Another embodiment employs at least an additional side transducer for measuring the cross-sectional dimension of the artery useful for computing blood flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing measurements in an artery includes a Doppler catheter, comprising a Doppler transducer and a wire connected to the Doppler transducer; and an elongated catheter body having a conduit therein for housing the wire of the Doppler catheter. The body has a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the wire is movable in the conduit relative to the catheter body so that the Doppler transducer and the wire are capable of being threaded into said conduit at the proximal end after the distal end of the catheter has been inserted into the artery, until the Doppler transducer emerges outside the conduit at the distal end of said body for performing ultrasound measurements in the artery. Another embodiment employs at least an additional side transducer for measuring the cross-sectional dimension of the artery useful for computing blood flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing measurements in an artery includes a Doppler catheter, comprising a Doppler transducer and a wire connected to the Doppler transducer; and an elongated catheter body having a conduit therein for housing the wire of the Doppler catheter. The body has a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the wire is movable in the conduit relative to the catheter body so that the Doppler transducer and the wire are capable of being threaded into said conduit at the proximal end after the distal end of the catheter has been inserted into the artery, until the Doppler transducer emerges outside the conduit at the distal end of said body for performing ultrasound measurements in the artery. Another embodiment employs at least an additional side transducer for measuring the cross-sectional dimension of the artery useful for computing blood flow.

Abstract: Devices disclosed herein relate to humidification systems for making humidified ventilator air. The humidification system provides an elongated air path that increases both the surface area and time for air-water interaction, and thus increases efficiency of humidification. The humidification system also enables even distribution of heat and inhibition of bacterial growth within the system, thus improves comfort and safety for patients receiving respiratory therapy. Device disclosed herein also relates to tubing for delivering humidified ventilator air. The tubing includes an air passage and a heat blanket that envelops and warms up the air passage. The tubing thus prevents or decreases water condensation and loss of humidity of humidified air.

Abstract: A gastric feeding tube and method of use where the tube is of sufficient length for insertion into an esophagus of a subject via the nose or mouth. The gastric feed tube comprises a tube having a distal portion, a middle portion and a proximal portion, an outer surface and an inner surface forming a wall of the tube having a thickness and wherein the wall of the tube defines a lumen of a defined geometry, the lumen having an opening at a distal end of the tube for positioning in a stomach or jejunum of the subject and an opening at the proximal end of the tube for positioning outside of the nose or mouth of the subject wherein the lumen extends longitudinally through the tube connecting the opening at the distal end of the tube and the opening at the proximal end of the tube.

Abstract: A method for funding and paying for medical expenses that are not otherwise covered by an insurance plan, particularly elective medical procedures. The funding and payment program includes a managing organization that assists a consumer with identifying what medical services are available, which medical providers provide those services, the costs of the desired services and the potential funding sources to pay for those services. The managing organization works through the consumer's employer and directs the consumer to participating financial institutions who can loan funds to pay for the medical services and directs the consumer to participating medical providers who have the desired qualifications. The financial institution issues a pre-approved debit card or other payment mechanism to the consumer so the medical provider can be paid as soon as the services are provided. Under the program, the consumer has control over which services to obtain and which provider provides those services.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for supporting orotracheal tubing in the mouth and trachea of pediatric patient (e.g., infant) during prolonged intubation. In general, the system comprises an intraoral component and an extraoral component, each of unitary construction. The intraoral components includes a base portion and an alveolar ridge cushioning flap portion. The base portion has a longitudinal extent, a bore formed along the longitudinal extent for passage and support of a first selected portion of the endotracheal tubing, and a palate facing surface made of a soft resilient material for cushioning the palate of the infant during intubation. The extraoral component of the system includes a flexible lip cushioning flap portion and a tubing clasping portion. A centrally disposed hole is formed in the lip cushioning flap portion for releasable receipt of a projection extending from the alveolar ridge cushioning portion.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for supporting orotracheal tubing in the mouth and trachea of pediatric patient (e.g., infant) during prolonged intubation. In general, the system comprises an intraoral component and an extraoral component, each of unitary construction. The intraoral components includes a base portion and an alveolar ridge cushioning flap portion. The base portion has a longitudinal extent, a bore formed along the longitudinal extent for passage and support of a first selected portion of the endotracheal tubing, and a palate facing surface made of a soft resilient material for cushioning the palate of the infant during intubation. The extraoral component of the system includes a flexible lip cushioning flap portion and a tubing clasping portion. A centrally disposed hole is formed in the lip cushioning flap portion for releasable receipt of a projection extending from the alveolar ridge cushioning portion.

Abstract: A method of using a Doppler-tipped catheter to produce an indication of the blood flow through an artery can be used for determining shunt fractions through the ductus arteriosus of a neonatal patient. Alternately, this information can be used in the optimizing of a ventilation perfusion match for the patient. Also disclosed is a method of producing a continuous real-time display of the blood flow in an artery with the use of a computer program which can continually produce an indication of the blood flow through an artery.

Abstract: The electrical impedance between two selected points on a person's chest will change in response to spontaneous respiration. The rising edge of the impedance signal is detected to indicate the onset of spontaneous inspiration. The supply of gas by the respirator is synchronized with a selected point during the spontaneous inspiration time period. Apnea conditions are detected to trigger a backup system for supplying gas to the patient periodically despite the lack of spontaneous respiration. If so desired, the triggering and turning off of the respirator need not be synchronized to be simultaneous with the onset of inspiration and exhilation; instead, these may be accomplished at selected times after the initiation of inspiration or exhilation. The triggering and turning off of the respirator can also be accomplished in a manner so that the effects of a wandering baseline are minimized.