Abstract: A ventilation device includes a mechanical ventilator (10), respiratory sensors (30, 32) configured to acquire measurements of respiratory variables including at least measurements of airway pressure and airway flow, and an electronic processor (14) programmed to perform a ventilation method including: operating the mechanical ventilator to provide mechanical ventilation controlled using measurements acquired by the respiratory sensors; performing a pause maneuver comprising closing at least one of an inhalation valve (38) and an exhalation valve (40) for a pause interval and estimating a respiratory mechanics index from one or more respiratory system parameters estimated from measurements acquired by the respiratory sensors during or after the pause interval; and triggering a pause maneuver in response to detecting a change in the estimated respiratory mechanics index.

Abstract: Secretions that have accumulated at or near an airway of a subject as the subject is being mechanically ventilated are removed by suctioning. Before, during, and/or after the removal of the secretions, steps are taken to mitigated the impact of the suctioning used for secretion removal on the subject. As such, the timing of suction used to remove secretions may be influenced or controlled, ventilation of the subject during suction may be adjusted, ventilation of the subject prior to secretion removal may be adjusted to prepare the lungs of the subject for secretion removal, ventilation of the subject subsequent to suction for secretion removal may be adjusted, and/or other techniques for reducing the impact of suctioning for secretion removal on the subject may be implemented.

Abstract: A method of providing high frequency ventilation to a patient, comprises delivering a flow of breathing gas to the patient, the flow of breathing gas having a first positive pressure level and a second positive pressure level, the first and second positive pressure levels alternating with one another in a plurality of cycles in the flow of breathing gas to have a frequency and an amplitude, the flow of breathing gas to the patient generating a mean airway pressure; determining whether the patient is breathing spontaneously or is trying to breath spontaneously; and, in response to the determination that the patient is breathing spontaneously or trying to breath spontaneously or according to the user settings for HFV and user intervention for non-spontaneous breathing patient, adjusting the mean airway pressure, modulating the frequency and duty cycle of the flow of breathing gas, or modulating the level of flow and pressure amplitude of the breathing gas, or two or more thereof.

Abstract: A method for measuring a patient's expired CO2 level in a non-invasive ventilator system while maintaining a positive inspiratory pressure. The method includes the steps of: receiving, by the non-invasive ventilator system, a signal comprising an instruction to obtain a CO2 measurement from a patient; lowering, by the non-invasive ventilator system in response to the signal, the expiratory positive airway pressure from a first, higher level to a second, lower level for a first time period comprising one or more breaths; obtaining, by a CO2 sensor, a CO2 measurement during the first time period; and returning, after the first time period, the expiratory positive airway pressure to the first, higher level.

Abstract: Secretions that have accumulated at or near an airway of a subject (12) as the subject (12) is being mechanically ventilated are removed by suctioning. Before, during, and/or after the removal of the secretions, steps are taken to mitigated the impact of the suctioning used for secretion removal on the subject (12). As such, the timing of suction used to remove secretions may be influenced or controlled, ventilation of the subject (12) during suction may be adjusted, ventilation of the subject (12) prior to secretion removal may be adjusted to prepare the lungs of the subject (12) for secretion removal, ventilation of the subject (12) subsequent to suction for secretion removal may be adjusted, and/or other techniques for reducing the impact of suctioning for secretion removal on the subject (12) may be implemented.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a high frequency positive pressure ventilation system. The system may be configured to maintain a time-averaged airway pressure level at a target time-averaged airway pressure level and/or a peak-to-peak pressure difference at a target peak-to-peak pressure difference. In some embodiments, the system is configured to control the inspiratory subsystem, the expiratory flow generator and exhalation valve in accordance with a high frequency positive pressure ventilation therapy regime.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a ventilation therapy system configured to control a pressure or flow generator to apply an intra-pulmonary percussive ventilation therapy regime to a pressurized flow of breathable gas during baseline ventilation therapy. The ventilation therapy system is configured to automatically control the pressurized flow of breathable gas. The system may automatically control an extent of hyperinflation during IPPV in a subject. The system is configured such that therapy set points, alarm settings, and/or other factors are automatically adjusted during the application of IPPV relative to the set points and alarm settings during baseline ventilation therapy. In some embodiments, the system comprises one or more of a pressure or flow generator, a subject interface, one or more sensors, one or more processors, a user interface, electronic storage, and/or other components.

Abstract: A device for providing a high frequency ventilation to a patient that includes a pressure generating system that delivers a flow of breathing gas to the patient, where the flow has a first and second positive pressure levels that alternate with one another in a plurality of cycles in the flow so as to have a frequency and an amplitude. The flow generates a mean airway pressure. A controller, coupled to the pressure generating system, is configured to make a determination, as to a spontaneous breathing, or an attempt, by the patient, or a change in a user settings by a user, and in response adjusts the mean airway pressure, modulates the frequency and a duty cycle of the flow, or modulates a level of the flow and the amplitude of the flow, or two or more flows.

Abstract: A pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered to the airway of a subject in accordance with a therapy regimen. The therapy regimen may be designed to maintain oxygenation of the subject. The therapy regimen dictates levels of fraction of inspired oxygen and/or positive end expiratory pressure to maintain a therapeutically beneficial level of oxygenation in a feedback manner. Within the therapy regimen, changes made to fraction of inspired oxygen and/or positive end expiratory pressure automatically and dynamically are constrained by user configured constraints such as the maximum incremental change, amount of time between adjustments, or the maximum rate of change This may provide a level of customization of the automated control of the therapy regime for individual subjects.

Abstract: A humidifier can be integrated with a ventilator allowing it to continue humidification during patient transport. The humidifier can be placed at the ventilator outlet port and have a size that adds minimal resistance and compliance in the inspiratory arm of the patient circuit. The innermost core of the humidifier is the heater element that is positioned inside a hydrophobic membrane, allowing for humidification of the gas flowing around the hydrophobic membrane.

Abstract: System and methods for providing respiratory therapy include predetermined and/or automatically determined perturbations of levels of pressure, flow, and/or other gas parameters integrated and/or combined (Start with a supplied pressurized flow of breathable gas for a subject. The perturbations are intended to improve secretion management through intra-pulmonary percussive ventilation integrated with ventilation therapy.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for humidifying gas to be provided to a patient utilizing heating of an aerosolized mist. A humidification unit (201a) is provided a patient circuit (209) that provides gas to a patient. The humidification unit includes a liquid chamber (303) that receives liquid from a liquid source (203), a nebulizer (305) that nebulizes liquid from the liquid chamber, an aerosol chamber (307) that receives aerosolized liquid from the nebulizer, and a heat source (309a) that converts the aerosolized liquid into a vapor that humidifies gas in the patient circuit.

Abstract: A ventilator system (100/200/300/400) includes an integrated blower (130/230/330). In one case, the ventilator system includes: an inspiration port (122/222/322) for connection to an inspiratory limb (112/212/312) of a dual-limb patient circuit (110/210/310), and an expiration port (142/242/342) for connection to an expiratory limb (114/214/314) of the dual-limb patient circuit; a gas delivery device (120/220/320) connected to the inspiration port to supply a pressurized flow of gas to the inspiration port to generate a positive pressure; and a blower having an inlet (132/232/332) that is operatively connected to the expiration port and configured to be controlled to selectively supply a negative pressure level between 4 and 120 cmH2O to the expiration port, and an outlet (134/234/334) to exhaust gas received from the expiration port. In another case, the ventilator system includes a blower to generate positive pressure/flow to augment flow for noninvasive ventilation.

Abstract: A system (10) and method of insufflating-exsufflating a subject (12) that enables monitoring and/or control over an enhanced set of breathing parameters during insufflation-exsuffiation. The system and/or method may include automatic triggering and/or notification to a caregiver of insufflation-exsuffiation. The insufflation-exsuffiation of the subject may be preceded by a secretion loosing routine that loosens secretions in the airway of the subject without moving the loosened secretions up the airway.

Abstract: Dysphagia of a subject (12) is treated. The treatment of dysphagia may include providing cues to the subject (12) that prompt the subject to swallow, and monitoring the response of the subject (12) to the cues. The swallowing function of the subject (12) may be analyzed over a single therapy session and/or over time to evaluate the general progress of the subject (12). A pressurized flow of breathable gas may be provided to the airway of the subject (12) during the therapy. The pressurized flow of breathable gas may remove certain discomfort associated with the dysphagia of the subject (12), such as shortness of breath, and also provides a therapy to improve the coordination of breathing and swallowing in the subject (12).

Abstract: System and methods for providing respiratory therapy include predetermined and/or automatically determined perturbations of levels of pressure, flow, and/or other gas parameters integrated and/or combined (Start with a supplied pressurized flow of breathable gas for a subject. The perturbations are intended to improve secretion management through intra-pulmonary percussive ventilation integrated with ventilation therapy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a ventilator for partial CO2 rebreathing using exhaust valves integrated in a ventilator system to increase a CO2 rebreathing volume of a subject. Non-invasive measurements of CO2 parameters and partial CO2 rebreathing are used to determine noninvasive cardiac output parameters of the subject.

Abstract: A ventilator system (110) includes: an inhalation filter (120) configured to receive and filter a gas; a humidifier (130) connected to the inhalation filter and configured to adjust a humidity of the filtered gas; a dual-limb patient circuit connected to a patient and configured to supply ventilation to the patient, the dual limb patient circuit including an inspiratory limb connected to the humidifier and configured to supply the filtered gas to the patient and an expiratory limb configured to receive an exhaled gas from the patient; a condenser (140) connected to the expiratory limb, the condenser being configured to cool and remove moisture from the gas from the patient; and an expiratory filter (150) connected to the condenser and configured to filter the cooled gas from the condenser.

Abstract: A therapy system adapted to treat a patient's ventilatory instability using a ventilatory therapy, a gas modulation therapy, or both. The algorithm implemented by the therapy system monitors the ventilatory instability, such as Cheyne Stokes Respiration (CSR), mixed apneas, CPAP emergent apneas, and complex sleep disordered breathing (CSDB) and treats the ventilatory instability. The algorithm also determine a reference point with respect to the ventilatory instability. The therapy delivery system initiate the treatment based on the reference point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide closed-loop control of the operation of a ventilator device based on physiological parameters received from and/or through a patient monitor device, which is a separate and discrete device from the ventilator device.