Abstract: An airway catheter (“AEC”) includes a catheter lube having proximal and distal tube end faces in fluid communication with a tube lumen. The distal lube end face and a portion of the tube wall collectively form a distal tube end region. A plurality of side holes extend laterally through the tube wall. An inflatable cuff is secured to the outer tube wall surface with an inner cuff volume in fluid communication with the tube lumen via the side holes. A resistor plug has proximal and distal plug end faces in fluid communication with a plug lumen and is defined laterally by a plug wall. The resistor plug is maintained within at least a portion of the tube lumen in the distal tube end region with an outer plug wall surface being at least partially in compressive contact with the inner tube wall surface.

Abstract: An airway catheter (“AC”) includes a catheter tube having proximal and distal tube end faces in fluid communication with a tube lumen. The distal tube end face and a portion of the tube wall collectively form a distal tube end region. A plurality of side holes extend laterally through the tube wall. An inflatable cuff is secured to the outer tube wall surface with an inner cuff volume in fluid communication with the tube lumen via the side holes. A resistor plug has proximal and distal plug end faces in fluid communication with a plug lumen and is defined laterally by a plug wall. The resistor plug is maintained within at least a portion of the tube lumen in the distal tube end region with an outer plug wall surface being at least partially in compressive contact with the inner tube wall surface.

Abstract: An airway catheter (“AEC”) includes a catheter tube having proximal and distal tube end faces in fluid communication with a tube lumen. The distal tube end face and a portion of the tube wall collectively form a distal tube end region. A plurality of side holes extend laterally through the tube wall. An inflatable cuff is secured to the outer tube wall surface with an inner cuff volume in fluid communication with the tube lumen via the side holes. A resistor plug has proximal and distal plug end faces in fluid communication with a plug lumen and is defined laterally by a plug wall. The resistor plug is maintained within at least a portion of the tube lumen in the distal tube end region with an outer plug wall surface being at least partially in compressive contact with the inner tube wall surface.

Abstract: A negative pressure ventilation system comprising a dynamically movable, multi-component artificial rib cage configured to fit snugly around the patient's own chest wall and abdomen is disclosed. The shape, dimensions and the dynamic movement of the artificial rib cage are designed to mimic those of the patient's own chest wall. The artificial rib cage includes an artificial spine to which are connected artificial ribs for forming an artificial chest wall including a sternum component. An abdominal component for placement on the patient's abdomen is connected to the chest wall component through a translating element which allows the abdominal component to move towards and away from the chest wall component. The chest wall and abdominal components cooperatively interact to allow the ventilator to move both the chest wall and abdomen during inspiration and expiration, mimicking the patient's own natural breathing pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for determining cardiac output by directing airflow or gas flow (fluid) to a fluid containment structure (12) coupled to an inspiratory limb (16) of a ventilator circuit instead of the patient and enabling the patient to directly inhale fluid from the fluid containment structure and preventing the patient from inhaling through an expiratory limb (18) of the ventilator-circuit. The method and apparatus also prevents exhalation by the patient into the fluid containment structure. The method and apparatus also comprises an aid helps the patient become consistent in their breathing patterns. When the fluid containment structure fills with a volume of fluid, the aid provides an indication that the patient should inhale; when the fluid containment structure empties of fluid, the aid provides a signal that the patient should exhale. Thus, the aid provides feedback to the patient to help the patient control their ventilation pattern.