Abstract: The present invention provides a spacer device having a flow rate spirometer. The flow rate indicator allows users to use a measured, consistent flow rate leading to improved synchronicity and actuation.

Abstract: A valve assembly configured to maintain fluid flow therethrough at a constant flow rate. The valve assembly including a flexible flow control member defining an inner fluid chamber within the flexible flow control member and an inlet opening to the inner fluid chamber. An outer fluid chamber is defined between the flexible flow control member and an inner surface of a valve housing. The flexible flow control member is configured to flex inward and shrink the inner fluid chamber in response to a pressure decrease in the inner fluid chamber relative to the outer fluid chamber resulting from an increase in an inlet flow rate to maintain an outlet flow rate from the valve assembly at the constant flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spacer device having a flow rate spirometer. The flow rate indicator allows users to use a measured, consistent flow rate leading to improved synchronicity and actuation.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) configured to maintain fluid flow therethrough at a constant flow rate. The valve assembly (10) including a flexible flow control member (50) defining an inner fluid chamber (90) within the flexible flow control member (50) and an inlet opening (56) to the inner fluid chamber (90). An outer fluid chamber (92) is defined between the flexible flow control member (50) and an inner surface (74) of a valve housing (20). The flexible flow control member (50) is configured to flex inward and shrink the inner fluid chamber (90) in response to a pressure decrease in the inner fluid chamber (90) relative to the outer fluid chamber (92) resulting from an increase in an inlet flow rate to maintain an outlet flow rate from the valve assembly (10) at the constant flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides dry powder inhaler (DPI) devices (100) for dispensing dry powder and methods for using the same. The DPI devices feature vortex mechanisms for directing air in a turbulent manner sufficient to entrain an amount of a dry powder dose for delivery into a user's lungs. The DPI devices feature replaceable dry powder cartridges (200). The DPI devices also feature a retractable configuration for storage and for accidental dispensing of dry powder. The DPI devices dispense dry powder in controlled dosages.

Abstract: A limb occlusion cuff for use in a compression system comprises an inflatable bladder, a variable orifice valve coupled to the inflatable bladder via a fluid pathway, a pump coupled to the inflatable bladder via the fluid pathway, a pressure sensor disposed along the fluid pathway, and controller, the controller comprising a processor configured to actively regulate a current pressure in the inflatable bladder. A method of actively regulating pressure in a limb occlusion cuff of a compression system and performed by a controller of the cuff comprises determining a target pressure in an inflatable bladder of the cuff, receiving, from a pressure sensor of the cuff, a signal indicative of a current pressure in the inflatable bladder, and comparing, via a processor of the controller, the current pressure in the inflatable bladder to the target pressure.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers are described. The dry powder inhaler includes an air inlet, a reservoir and an airway assembly. A mouthpiece airway is connected to a first airway of the airway assembly. An airway head is attached to the airway assembly and it extends into the reservoir cavity. In certain embodiments, the airway head has a sharpened or beveled edge. At least one airway assembly opening is present in the airway assembly for connecting the reservoir cavity to the first airway. Methods for dispensing dry powder into an airway of a dry powder inhaler and inhaling dry powder from a dry powder inhaler is also disclosed. Embodiments of a dry powder inhaler having a two-stage air movement are also described.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly for a head of a wearer is provided, comprising a nasal cannula or other patient interface, a first connector extending from a first side of the patient interface, a second connector extending from a second side of the patient interface, and a headband configured to wrap around at least a portion of the head of the wearer and maintain a position of the nasal cannula, a first strap coupled to a first strap coupling portion of the headband and configured to couple to the first connector, and a second strap coupled to a second strap coupling portion of the headband and configured to couple to the second connector, wherein the first strap is movable along the first strap coupling portion between the first stop and the second stop. A nasal cannula is provided comprising flexible prongs, and optionally a flexible tubular base.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) configured to maintain fluid flow therethrough at a constant flow rate. The valve assembly (10) including a flexible flow control member (50) defining an inner fluid chamber (90) within the flexible flow control member (50) and an inlet opening (56) to the inner fluid chamber (90). An outer fluid chamber (92) is defined between the flexible flow control member (50) and an inner surface (74) of a valve housing (20). The flexible flow control member (50) is configured to flex inward and shrink the inner fluid chamber (90) in response to a pressure decrease in the inner fluid chamber (90) relative to the outer fluid chamber (92) resulting from an increase in an inlet flow rate to maintain an outlet flow rate from the valve assembly (10) at the constant flow rate.

Abstract: A method of controlling or electing the harshness of inhaled nicotine powder formulations is described. The method includes the steps of identifying a concentration of nicotine for a subject to inhale to achieve a desired level of harshness per inhalation, identifying the total dose of nicotine to be inhaled by the subject, and providing the subject with an amount of a formulation comprising nicotine particles having the identified concentration of nicotine, such that the total amount of nicotine particles in the formulation equals the total dose of nicotine.

Abstract: A nasal interface is provided that can allow for delivery of flow of a gas to a patient for respiratory support while preventing injury or irritation to the patient. The nasal interface can include a nasal pillow set having a nasal pillow, which can engage against a nose, and relief port, which can permit a gas to be released from the nasal interface. A nasal cannula can include a cannula body to direct a gas through the nasal interface, and can have an opening to direct a gas out of the cannula body. The gas can be directed from the cannula body, through the opening, toward a nasal pillow and a patient's nare. The nasal interface can be coupled with a head harness, which can be worn on the patient's head, and can include a guide that extends toward the nasal interface.

Abstract: A nasal interface is provided that can allow for delivery of flow of a gas to a patient for respiratory support while preventing injury or irritation to the patient. The nasal interface can include a nasal pillow set having a nasal pillow, which can engage against a nose, and relief port, which can permit a gas to be released from the nasal interface. A nasal cannula can include a cannula body to direct a gas through the nasal interface, and can have an opening to direct a gas out of the cannula body. The gas can be directed from the cannula body, through the opening, toward a nasal pillow and a patient's nare. The nasal interface can be coupled with a head harness, which can be worn on the patient's head, and can include a guide that extends toward the nasal interface.

Abstract: An air flow system cannula is disclosed. The air flow system cannula comprises: a body having a radius of curvature less than about 180 degrees, the body including two solid portions and an adjustable portion provided between the two solid portions for additional flex and angular contouring, two nasal posts, and two end portions. The adjustable portion can collapse to a plurality of positions. The air flow system cannula can also include an adjustable frame that provides additional structural integrity. The adjustable frame is inserted into the body, snap-fit to the body, pressed-fit to the body, or directly molded in the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for holding one or more vapor sources in a media inhaler. The devices permit vapor from the one or more vapor sources to be introduced and entrained into a stream of inhaled media. The vapor insert device includes a hollow cylinder having a porous surface, an open anterior end, and an open posterior end. An anterior flange is attached to the open anterior end, and a posterior flange is attached to the open posterior end. The anterior flange and the posterior flange each have a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the hollow cylinder to form a circumferential space around the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: My powder inhalers are described. The dry powder inhaler includes an air inlet, a reservoir and an airway assembly. A mouthpiece airway is connected to a first airway of the airway assembly. An airway head is attached to the airway assembly and it extends into the reservoir cavity. In certain embodiments, the airway head has a sharpened or beveled edge. At least one airway assembly opening is present in the airway assembly for connecting the reservoir cavity to the first airway. Methods for dispensing dry powder into an airway of a dry powder inhaler and inhaling dry powder from a dry powder inhaler is also disclosed. Embodiments of a dry powder inhaler having a two-stage air movement are also described.

Abstract: A nebulizer device includes an air intake port positioned downstream of a nebulizer element, and a mouthpiece positioned upstream of the nebulizer element. A flow sensor is coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to integrate an inhaled air flow signal received from the flow sensor for determining an inhaled air volume. The controller is also configured to turn on the nebulizer element when the inhaled air volume reaches a first predetermined threshold, and turn off the nebulizer element when the inhaled air volume reaches a second predetermined threshold. A method for targeted delivery of aerosolized particles to the lungs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for monitoring inspirable gas for delivery to a patient includes a branched breathing circuit having a first branch conduit and a second branch conduit. The first branch conduit is fluidly connected to a first gas source and the second branch conduit is fluidly connected to a second gas source, and the first and second branch conduits merge into a patient delivery conduit. The system includes a first flow sensor in the first branch conduit, a second flow sensor in the second branch conduit, and a third flow sensor in the patient delivery conduit. A control unit is electrically coupled to the first, second and third flow sensors. The control unit is configured to determine a blend of gas in the patient delivery circuit based on a measured flow from the third flow sensor and a measured flow from at least one of the first and second flow sensors.

Abstract: A veterinary subject intranasal administration device includes a first support member portion including a septum interface portion sized for insertion into a nasal passage of the veterinary subject; an actuation mechanism connected to the first support member portion; and a fluid conduit having a distal end opposite a supported end, the distal end sized for insertion into the nasal passage of the veterinary subject, the fluid conduit being flexible and configured to receive fluid from a fluid source and discharge the fluid through the distal end into the nasal passage, the distal end of the fluid conduit being unsupported and movable relative to the septum interface portion.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler dispenses a partial dosage of a powder from a dry powder chamber during a single user inhalation. In certain embodiments, the dry powder chamber is a dry powder capsule that spins in a chamber with a protrusion for limiting the spin of the capsule. In certain embodiments, a capsule slides in a proximal and distal direction for dispensing partial dosages of powder medicament. Air inlets in communication whit the external environment can be included in the inhaler housing for generating a smooth inhalation experience for the user and facilitating operation of partial dosage mechanisms. In other embodiments, a hinged member, sliding member, rotating member, spring tensioned member, pressure actuated valve, dry powder chamber with patterned holes or combinations of these are used as a mechanism for dispensing a partial dosage of powder medicament during a single inhalation.

Abstract: A method of reducing nicotine cravings is described. The method includes inhalation of a dry powder formulation containing a dose of nicotine by a subject seeking nicotine cravings reduction. The formulation includes amounts and concentrations of nicotine that are significantly lower than cigarettes or nicotine replacement therapies.