Abstract: An oxygen concentrator comprises an oxygen reservoir and adsorbent columns that each have an inlet, an outlet, and a bed of adsorbent material. The concentrator also comprises an air inlet, an exhaust outlet, and a vacuum pump for pumping nitrogen rich gas from one of the column inlets to the exhaust outlet. A product control pump pumps oxygen rich gas from one of the column outlets to the oxygen reservoir. A control valve controls flow in and out of the columns by selectively connecting the air inlet to one column inlet, connecting the vacuum pump to another column inlet, and connecting the product control pump to a column outlet. A motor drives the vacuum pump and control valve to produce vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) cycles in which oxygen-rich product gas is separated and accumulated in the reservoir.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator provides ambulatory oxygen utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) oxygen separator powered by a power pack. The separator has a plurality of nitrogen-selective adsorbent beds, each operating in VSA cycles including feed, evacuation and repressurization phases. The concentrator also contains a delivery system for receiving oxygen produced by the VSA separator.

Abstract: Concentrated oxygen product gas is produced and delivered to a patient. Product gas is produced by (a) introducing ambient air into a first end of a column containing an adsorbent material that preferentially adsorbs nitrogen and removes oxygen-rich product gas out a second end of the column; (b) evacuating the column through the first end to remove adsorbed gas from the column; (c) repressurizing the column by introducing ambient air into the first end of the column until the column is near 1.0 atmosphere; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c). Product gas is delivered as needed to the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for separation of gases from ambient air that has at least one separation column with an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, a buffer column having a single inlet at a first end, a vacuum pump, and a valve system that connects the vacuum pump to the outlet at the first end of the separation column, and that connects the outlet at the second end of separation column to the single inlet at the first end of the buffer column.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing oxygen rich gas. Oxygen is separated from ambient air with an oxygen separator in discrete pulses, one pulse at a time. The start of the pulse is synchronized with the beginning of an inhalation of a person. The oxygen rich gas in each pulse is separated from the ambient air in real time during a nitrogen adsorption step concurrent with each inhalation.

Abstract: A method of controlling a fluid pump. The pump has a plurality of oscillating pistons that travel along a central axis of a piston sleeve. A plurality of pistons is of similar mass within a piston sleeve are provided, and adjacent pistons are positioned to be 180 degrees apart in phase oscillations. An electric coil is provided for each piston, and the position of adjacent pistons is determined. The current to one of the electric coils for a piston is adjusted to maintain the 180 degree difference in phase between oscillations of adjacent pistons.

Abstract: A gaseous fluid pump having at least one cylinder having a wall defining an inner volume and containing a central axis. First and second pistons that both move along the central axis, wherein the first piston and second piston have similar mass. The first and second pistons are propelled by magnetic forces in an oscillating motion with a 180 degree phase difference between the first and second pistons.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator comprises a plurality of adsorbent columns, each having an inlet, an outlet and abed of adsorbent material. The oxygen concentrator also includes a vacuum pump for removing separated nitrogen rich gas from the column inlets, a control valve for controlling flow of fluids in and out of the columns, and a breakthrough sensor for signaling the position of a mass transfer zone (MTZ), the breakthrough sensor controlling operation of the control valve as a function of the breakthrough sensor signal. An electric control module (ECM) receives the signal from the breakthrough sensor, and adjusts the control valve based on the signal.

Abstract: A method of providing concentrated oxygen product gas to a patient. The method comprises producing product gas by a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) process with an oxygen concentrator comprising a plurality of separation columns connected to a vacuum source driven by a motor. Separated product gas is then pumped to a product reservoir. The pressure of the reservoir is monitored and used to adjust the speed of the motor based on the reservoir pressure. The separated gas is then delivered to the patient.

Abstract: An air pulse generator for providing high frequency chest wall oscillation therapy to a patient is provided. The air pulse generator has a housing and first and second diaphragms supported in the housing. The air pulse generator further has a crankshaft assembly coupled to the first and second diaphragms to reciprocally move the diaphragms back and forth to produce oscillating pressure pulses. The crank shaft assembly includes a motor with an output shaft that rotates about a first axis, a flywheel mounted on the shaft to rotate therewith, a first member coupled to the first diaphragm and pinned to the flywheel by a first stub shaft that is offset from the first axis, a second member coupled to the second diaphragm, and a cam interposed between the first member and the second member. The first member is pinned to the cam by the first stub shaft and the second member is pinned to the cam by a second stub shaft.

Abstract: An air pulse generator includes a housing having a front wall and a back wall defining an interior region and a shell having a front portion and a back portion defining an air chamber. The front wall of the housing has first and second air openings. The front portion of the shell has first and second air ports in communication with the air chamber. The first and second air ports are aligned with the first and second air openings when the shell is mounted within the interior region of the housing.

Abstract: A removable gas separation cartridge which includes a housing containing three columns, each having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a bed of adsorbent material. The cartridge is removable from an oxygen concentrator which separates oxygen from ambient air by using a vacuum swing absorption process.

Abstract: An oxygen separator for separating oxygen from ambient air utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption process has a mass of less than 2.3 kg. A carrier is mountable on a person to support the oxygen separator for ambulatory use.

Abstract: An improved air pulse generator produces high frequency chest wall oscillations (HFCWO) and has an improved air pulse generator. The air pulse module has a reduced size and improved shape for ease of use by a patient.

Abstract: An improved method of producing high frequency chest wall oscillations (HFCWO) includes generating oscillating pneumatic pressure and applying an oscillating force to a patient's chest that corresponds to the oscillating pneumatic pressure. The frequency of oscillations changes according to a prescribed treatment regimen.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator comprises a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) gas separation system which includes a cartridge containing a mass of adsorbent material for producing oxygen, a drive which activates the gas separation system, and a power source comprising a mass. A ratio of the mass of the power source to a flow rate of oxygen produced by the oxygen concentrator is between 0.047 and 0.29 kg/LPM·hr.

Abstract: An improved air pulse generator produces high frequency chest wall oscillations (HFCWO) and has an improved user interface. The user interface allows the patient to select from a plurality of modes, which correspond to stored treatment protocols. Once selected, the air pulse generator performs the protocol corresponding to the selected mode.

Abstract: A product pump for pumping separated product gas from an oxygen concentrator which produces oxygen-rich product gas by utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) process. The oxygen concentrator comprises a cartridge containing an adsorbent material for separating the product gas from ambient air, a vacuum pump which provides a vacuum source, a valve for selectively connecting the vacuum pump to the cartridge and product pump, and a reservoir. The product pump comprises a pumping chamber having a product gas inlet and a product gas outlet, a piston movable in the chamber, a vacuum inlet in the chamber on an opposite side of the piston from the product gas inlet and outlet for providing a vacuum to cause the piston to draw product gas through the product gas inlet into the chamber, and a spring for providing a spring force to force the product gas out the product gas outlet.

Abstract: An improved air pulse generator produces high frequency chest wall oscillations (HFCWO) and includes means for internal heat dissipation. Internal heat generated by an internal diaphragm motor is dissipated by having a portion of the air chamber associated with the diaphragm motor being comprised of metal, by shaping a support associated with the diaphragm motor to allow increased air circulation around the diaphragm motor and positioning a vent in the housing of the air pulse generator that maximizes the release of heat from the diaphragm motor. Internal heat generated by internal electronic circuitry on a control board is dissipated by a heatsink attached to the control board.

Abstract: An oscillatory chest compression device includes an oscillatory air flow generator and a positive air flow generator. A first feedback system controls the oscillation rate of the oscillatory air flow generator, and a second feedback system controls the peak pressure created by the positive air flow generator.