Abstract: A non-invasive ventilation patient interface comprises a fresh gas entry port, an exhaust gas entry port, and a facial skin interface. Fresh gas entry port is configured for coupling with a fresh gas supply. The exhaust gas vent port is configured for allowing expulsion of exhaust gas from the patient interface. The facial skin interface is configured for eliminating fluid from within the patient interface and for eliminating fluid from facial skin which is covered by the patient interface.

Abstract: A ventilation mask comprises a corrugated flexible seal, and a plurality of ridges disposed along the corrugated flexible seal. The corrugated flexible seal is configured for establishing a fluid seal between the ventilation mask and a patient, and for allowing facial movements of the patient while maintaining the fluid seal. The plurality of ridges disposed along the corrugated flexible seal is configured for physical contact with the patient.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchange (HME) unit including a housing, a heat and moisture retaining media (HM media), and a valve mechanism. The housing forms an intermediate section extending between two ports, and defining first and second flow paths. The HM media is maintained along the first flow path. The valve mechanism includes an obstruction member movably retained within the housing and transitionable between opposing, first and second maximum points of travel. At the first maximum point of travel, the obstruction member closes the second flow path to permit airflow through only the first flow path. At the second maximum point of travel, the obstruction member permits airflow through both of the first and second flow paths. The HME unit is simple to use, yet provides an effective bypass state in which airflow freely progresses around the HM media.

Abstract: An HME unit including a housing, an HM media, and a check valve assembly. The housing forms a first port, a second port, and an intermediate section defining first and second flow paths fluidly connecting the first and second ports. The HM media is maintained within the intermediate section along the second flow path. The check valve assembly includes an obstruction member movably positioned within the intermediate section to selectively provide opened and closed positions. In the opened position, the first flow path is open relative to the obstruction member. In the closed position, the obstruction member closes the first flow path. In one mode, the obstruction member transitions to the opened position in response to gas flow in a flow direction from the second port toward the first port, and transitions to the closed position in response to gas flow in an opposite flow direction.

Abstract: Barium-strontium titanate ferroelectric materials and AFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 -type ferrite ferromagnetic materials may be consolidated into a ferroelectric-ferromagnetic composite having useful electromagnetic interference attenuation properties over a wide range of electromagnetic frequencies by fluxing the barium-strontium titanate with a combination of (1) a lithium compound and barium oxide or (2) copper oxide and barium oxide and thereafter mixing the fluxed ferroelectric with the ferromagnetic and sintering the combination at reduced temperature in the range of 1060.degree. C. to 1150.degree. C.