Abstract: A method of producing a flow of a fluid through a passage (24) defined in a rigid frame (22) comprises selectively actuating a flexible membrane (38) disposed across a midpoint of the passage (24) with an actuating system in a manner which produces a wave-like motion in the membrane (38) thereby causing a peristaltic movement of the fluid through the passage (24).

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a flow of gas comprises a frame having a passage defined therethrough. The passage extends a length along a central longitudinal axis from an inlet to an outlet and has a first side and a second side. A flexible pumping membrane is disposed within the passage. The membrane has a first edge coupled to the first side of the passage at a midline thereof and a second edge, disposed opposite the first edge, coupled to the second side of the passage at a midline thereof. The membrane segregates the frame into an upper portion and a lower portion. The apparatus also includes an actuating system which is structured to selectively move portions of the membrane toward either the upper portion or the lower portion of the frame in a manner which causes a wave-like movement in the pumping membrane and creates the flow of gas.

Abstract: A deflectable device (100) comprising an elongate body (110) and a folded elongate member (120) is configured to change an orientation of the distal portion (114) of the elongate body (110) with respect to the proximal portion (112) of the elongate body (110) upon an electrical current flowing through the folded elongate member (120) causing a change of a length of the folded elongate member (120).

Abstract: A patient-contacting element for a patient interface for delivering a flow of gas to a user is being configured to provide a substantially air-tight seal with the user's skin during use. The patient-contacting element includes an inlet for receiving at least part of the flow of gas, at least one gas-permeable element that is disposed within the patient-contacting element and arranged in fluidic communication with the inlet, and a first layer of an air-tight material that is arranged between the at least one gas-permeable element and an inner space of the patient-contacting element for receiving a nose and/or a mouth of the user. The air-tight material has at least one opening therein.

Abstract: A deflectable medical device (1) includes a shape memory alloy wire (15) integrated into a flexible elongated body (11). The shape memory alloy wire (15) is arranged to shorten upon receiving energy from an energy supply (2,4), thereby deflecting the medical device (1). A rod (18) positioned in a lumen (14) of the flexible elongated body (11) and compressed between a fixture (16) in the proximal end (12) of the elongated body (11) and the distal end (13) of the elongated body (11) is responsible for the shape memory alloy wire (15) recovering its initial length upon discontinuation of energy supply.

Abstract: A deflectable medical device (1) includes a shape memory alloy wire (15) integrated into a flexible elongated body (11). The shape memory alloy wire (15) is arranged to shorten upon receiving energy from an energy supply (2,4), thereby deflecting the medical device (1). A rod (18) positioned in a lumen (14) of the flexible elongated body (11) and compressed between a fixture (16) in the proximal end (12) of the elongated body (11) and the distal end (13) of the elongated body (11) is responsible for the shape memory alloy wire (15) recovering its initial length upon discontinuation of energy supply.

Abstract: A patient interface device uses a pressure flap which extends inwardly from an outer edge of a mask of the device. The pressure flap is for contacting the skin of the patient to provide a seal or partial seal between the mask volume and the ambient surroundings. The pressure flap includes a cavity area which is exposed to a reduced pressure compared to the mask volume. This assists in keeping the pressure flap pressed against the patient's skin, and thereby maintain a large contact area. This in turn gives a reduction in local high pressure areas.

Abstract: A method of producing a flow of a fluid through a passage (24) defined in a rigid frame (22) comprises selectively actuating a flexible membrane (38) disposed across a midpoint of the passage (24) with an actuating system in a manner which produces a wave-like motion in the membrane (38) thereby causing a peristaltic movement of the fluid through the passage (24).

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a flow of gas comprises a frame having a passage defined therethrough. The passage extends a length along a central longitudinal axis from an inlet to an outlet and has a first side and a second side. A flexible pumping membrane is disposed within the passage. The membrane has a first edge coupled to the first side of the passage at a midline thereof and a second edge, disposed opposite the first edge, coupled to the second side of the passage at a midline thereof. The membrane segregates the frame into an upper portion and a lower portion. The apparatus also includes an actuating system which is structured to selectively move portions of the membrane toward either the upper portion or the lower portion of the frame in a manner which causes a wave-like movement in the pumping membrane and creates the flow of gas.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a compilation unit structured to receive a plurality of different 3-D models of a patient's face, to compare the different 3-D models of the patient's face and to determine additional information about the patient's face based on the comparison, wherein the additional information includes at least one of a location of hard tissue, a depth of soft tissue, and a compliance of soft tissue, and wherein the patient's face is manipulated between the different 3-D models.

Abstract: A deflectable device (100) comprising an elongate body (110) and a folded elongate member (120) is configured to change an orientation of the distal portion (114) of the elongate body (110) with respect to the proximal portion (112) of the elongate body (110) upon an electrical current flowing through the folded elongate member (120) causing a change of a length of the folded elongate member (120).

Abstract: The present application relates to a device for cutting hair comprising a skin contacting face (3) that is placed against a surface of the skin (6) of a user during use. The device also has an optical system configured to direct a cutting laser beam (8) across a cutting zone (5) parallel to and spaced from said skin contacting face to cut hairs extending into the cutting zone. Also provided is a laser positioning mechanism which is arranged so that, during use of the device, the distance (H1) between said cutting laser beam and said skin contacting face is changed to maintain a predetermined distance between the cutting laser beam and the surface of the skin of a user.

Abstract: A patient interface and a patient interface system comprise a responsive material and a method for preventing the formation of red marks due to wearing a patient interface that is pressing against the skin of a patient for a longer time and/or for reducing air leakages of the patient interface that may result from an unintended shift of the patient interface on the patient's face. The responsive material is configured for alternating the pressure exerted by the cushion element on the patient and/or the area on the patient where the pressure is exerted by the cushion element in response to a physical quantity acting on the responsive material. The formation of red marks and of air leakages can be reduced or even avoided by means of the responsive material.

Abstract: A number of user interface device embodiments are disclosed that provide for increased cooling of the skin covered by the mask and/or increased flushing of gasses, including CO2, from the mask.

Abstract: A system (2) including a geometric fit score database (360) configured to store a plurality of 3-D models of faces and a pre-calculated geometric fit score for each of one or more patient interface devices for each of one or more of the faces, and a first processing unit (380) including a match finding unit (382) configured to match the 3-D model of the patient's face with one or more of the stored 3-D models of faces and to use the pre-calculated geometric fit score for each of the one or more of the patient interface devices for the one or more matched faces to determine the geometric fit score for each of the one or more patient interface devices for the patient's face.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes an elastomeric contacting portion that is structured to directly engage the skin of the user. The contacting portion has an engineered surface that includes a plurality of non-random, predesigned surface features designed to reduce friction and improve user comfort. In one implementation, the pitch between each immediately adjacent pair of the surface features is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum pitch value, and the height of each of the surface features is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum height value.

Abstract: A deflectable medical device (1) includes a shape memory alloy wire (15) integrated into a flexible elongated body (11). The shape memory alloy wire (15) is arranged to shorten upon receiving energy from an energy supply (2,4), thereby deflecting the medical device (1). A rod (18) positioned in a lumen (14) of the flexible elongated body (11) and compressed between a fixture (16) in the proximal end (12) of the elongated body (11) and the distal end (13) of the elongated body (11) is responsible for the shape memory alloy wire (15) recovering its initial length upon discontinuation of energy supply.

Abstract: An apparatus structured to contact external tissue, such as skin, of a user includes an elastomeric contacting portion that is structured to directly engage the external tissue. The contacting portion has an engineered surface (64A, 64B) that includes a plurality of non-random, predesigned surface features (70, 74B, 76B, 78B) designed to reduce friction and improve user comfort. In one implementation, the pitch (P) between each immediately adjacent pair of the surface features (70, 76B) is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum pitch value, and the height (H) of each of the surface features (70, 76B) is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum height value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient-contacting element (10) or a patient interface (12) including such a patient-contacting element (10) wherein the required minimum pressure for sealing may be realized for all different values of CPAP pressure.

Abstract: A guidewire with a cross section of at least a part of its length, comprising a filling material (PLM), a lumen (LM) arranged inside the filling material (PLM) for accommodating an optical fiber (OF) with optical shape sensing properties. One or more stiffening elements (RD) are arranged inside the first material (PLM), wherein the stiffening element(s) (RD) is formed by a material having a higher axial stiffness than the filling material. A braiding structure (BR) encircles all of: the filling material (PLM), the lumen (LM), and the stiffening element(s) (RD). Such guidewire can be designed with a circular symmetric bending behavior, and is thus suitable as an interventional medical device, e.g. for endovascular procedures, and still it can provide optical shape sensing properties.