Abstract: The gases temperature supplied to a patient when the patient is undergoing treatment such as oxygen therapy or positive pressure treatment for conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is often measured for safety and to enable controlling of the humidity delivered to the patient. The invention disclosed is related to measurement of properties, particularly temperature (thermistor), of gases flowing through a heated tube, supplying gases to a patient, which utilises the heating wire within the tube.

Abstract: A nasal cannula assembly is disclosed having a face mount part, in use resting against a user's face, which includes at least one nasal prong capable of being fitted into a person's nares. The cannula assembly also includes a manifold part, in fluid communication with the face mount part, having a single horizontal side gases entry. In particular, this cannula assembly is for supplying heated, humidified gases to a patient suffering from COPD. A tie or lanyard is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus such as a nasal cannula, face or nasal mask or tracheostomy connector. The tie or lanyard transfers the weight of the conduits supplying gases to the breathing assistance apparatus from the breathing assistance apparatus and distributes it onto the neck of the patient.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for the simple and rapid measurement of an analyte, such as sulphur dioxide, in liquid samples, including beverages such as wine or beer. The systems and methods utilize voltammetry with a particulate carbon or copper electrode, and may be conducted outside of a laboratory in ten to sixty seconds using a small portable instrument or mobile device using, for example, 2nd harmonic Fourier Transform (FT) AC voltammetry.

Abstract: There is provided a device for measuring a user's oxygen-consumption. The device includes a tubular member with a first tapered portion through which an exhalation of air enters into the device, a second tapered portion, and a constriction between the portions thereof. The devices includes a flow sensing mechanism in communication with the first tapered portion of the tubular member. The device includes an oxygen sensor in communication with the first tapered portion of the tubular member. The device is configured such that the oxygen sensor is passively supplied a portion of the exhalation of air by means of positive or negative differential pressure referenced between the first tapered portion and at least one of ambient air and the constriction of the tubular member.

Abstract: An orientation sensor that includes a user input device that is configured to transition a mode of the orientation sensor and/or that includes a movable guide member. The user input device may include a button, and in response to pressing the button the mode of the orientation sensor may change (e.g., to provide inclination values of an impactor shaft when the patient is in a different position). The orientation sensor may include a display that is configured to display at least one first orientation value in a first mode and at least one second orientation value in a second mode. The orientation sensor may include an actuation member configured to actuate the movable guide member, for example, from a first position where an impactor shaft may be received in the guide to a second position where the guide may attach to the impactor shaft.

Abstract: Systems and method for conducting respiratory therapy in a respiratory system can adjust a flow of respiratory gases to a patient based upon a detected patient breath cycle. The respiratory system can include a non-sealed patient interface. The respiratory system can be configured to deliver a high flow therapy. A patient breath cycle may be determined using one or more measured parameters, such as a flow rate, a blower motor speed, and/or a system pressure. A flow source may be adjusted to have a phase matching that of the patient's breath cycle, such that flow in increased in response to the patient inhaling, and decreased in response to the patient exhaling.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for selecting settings for a treatment of a patient. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for providing a treatment to a patient based on a causal model that measures current causal relationships between input settings and effects of treatments on the patient; ii) receiving a measure of an effect of the treatment on the patient; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the effect of the treatment on the patient, the causal model.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments.

Abstract: A medical device for repositioning tissue within an animal has a main body with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The first end portion defines a series of passageways and the second end portion defines a bulbous shape, a slot, and a tab portion. Methods of treating obstructive sleep apnea are also described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for designing a clinical trial. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting, from a population of patients, patients for being treated with the treatment using a configuration of input settings, wherein the configuration is selected based on a causal model that measures current causal relationships between input settings and a measure of success of the clinical trial; ii) determining the measure of success of the clinical trial for which patients were selected using the certain configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of success of the clinical trial, the causal model.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of operating a breathing apparatus comprising measuring a baseline breath flow parameter being respiratory rate and/or tidal volume or a parameter derived therefrom, varying the flow rate provided by the breathing apparatus, measuring a current breath flow parameter being respiratory rate and/or tidal volume or a parameter derived therefrom, comparing the baseline and current breath flow parameters, and altering operation of the breathing apparatus based on the comparison. The invention also comprises a breathing apparatus that implements the above method.

Abstract: A method of controlling a flow rate of gases supplied to a patient by a respiratory assistance device includes controlling the supply gases flow rate so as to deliver gases to the patient according to a predetermined gases pressure/flow rate profile for at least a portion of the breathing cycle. A profile may be achieved that provides the patient with a particular benefit or therapy.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a plurality of control signals used in operating a vehicle is described. The operation has a plurality of associated measurable parameters. The method includes: for each control signal, selecting a plurality of potential optimum values from a predetermined set; operating the vehicle in at least a first sequence of operation iterations, where for each pair of sequential first and second operation iterations in the first sequence of operation iterations, the potential optimum value of one control signal in the first operation iteration is replaced in the second operation iteration with a next potential optimum value of the control signal, while the potential optimum values of the remaining control signals are maintained; for each operation iteration, measuring each parameter in the plurality of measurable parameters; and generating confidence intervals for the control signals to determine causal relationships between the control signals and the measurable parameters.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a biologic pharmaceutical. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a batch of a biologic pharmaceutical based on a causal model that measures current causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of batches of the biological pharmaceutical; ii) determining a measure of the quality of a batch of the biological pharmaceutical manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the batch of the biological pharmaceutical, the causal model.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing operations of a supply chain. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for operating a supply chain, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of success of the supply chain; ii) determining the measure of success of the supply chain operated using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of success of the supply chain operated using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A mount provides a structure that facilitates coupling of a nebuliser downstream of a humidifier chamber and upstream of a conduit that delivers conditioned breathing gases to a patient or user. The mount can couple together a chamber, a nebulizer and a conduit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for controlling operations of one or more healthcare facilities. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for controlling operations of the healthcare facilities based on a causal model that measures current causal relationships between input settings and a measure of success of operations at the healthcare facilities; ii) receiving a measure of success of the operation of the healthcare facilities while controlled using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of success of the operation of the healthcare facilities while controlled using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A breathing assistance system for delivering a stream of heated, humidified gases to a user, comprising a humidifier unit which holds and heats a volume of water, and which in use receives a flow of gases from a gases source via an inlet port, the flow of gases passing through the humidifier and exiting via an exit port, the system further having a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the gases exiting the humidifier unit, an ambient temperature sensor which measures the temperature of gases before they enter the humidifier unit, and a flow sensor which measures the flow rate of the gases stream, the system also having a controller which receives data from the temperature and flow sensors, and which determines a control output in response, the control output adjusting the power to the humidifier unit to achieve a desired output at the humidifier unit exit port.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.