Abstract: Provided is a high frequency oscillating ventilator comprising a housing assembly, a linear actuator, a linear coil, a piston mounted on a pushrod, a diaphragm dividing a housing into a first and second side and having an opening formed on the second side that is fluidly connected to the patient's airway for delivering gas thereto. The linear actuator is fixedly mounted to the housing assembly and has a linear coil coaxially disposed therewithin. A pushrod supports the linear coil on the linear actuator to allow relative axially sliding therebetween. The piston is directly mounted to the diaphragm such that reciprocation thereof as effectuated by the linear coil cooperating with the linear actuator alternately produces positive and negative pressure waves in the gas in the patient's airway.

Abstract: The present invention provides dry powder formulations comprising nicotine, methods of using the same, and methods for making the same. The dry powder formulations may further comprise excipients, therapeutic agents, and flavor components. The dry powder formulations may be manufactured by dry processes and wet processes.

Abstract: A waterproof battery case comprises: a case body including a base and a top cover, wherein adjacent surfaces thereof are correspondingly formed with a flange and a recess in which an elastic sealing member is mounted, the base is formed with an accommodation space allowing at least one battery to be accommodated, a stepped engaging hole and a through hole are formed between the outer wall of the base and the accommodation space; an electrode plate set, including at least one anode contact and at least one cathode contact accommodated in the accommodation space; and a waterproof structure, including an elastic waterproof plug allowing two wires to be integrally embedded therein, wherein a plug head at one end thereof is formed with a neck part having the circumference formed with at least one convex rib, the other end thereof is formed with an engaging sheet sleeved with the engaging hole.

Abstract: A device for adding a flavor and/or cough suppressant component to an inhaler is described. The device includes a housing having an interior chamber, wherein the housing includes at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet connected to the interior chamber, thereby forming an airflow pathway through the interior chamber, and at least one flavoring and/or cough suppressant component positioned within the interior chamber, wherein the housing is attachable to an exterior surface of an inhaler having at least one air inlet, such that the at least one air outlet of the device aligns with the at least one air inlet of the inhaler to form an airflow path through the device and into the inhaler.

Abstract: A device for accessing dry powder within a sealed chamber is described. The device includes a hollow housing having a proximal end opening, a primary distal end opening and a secondary distal end opening, at least one wing structure extending from the outer surface of the housing that is positioned distally from the primary distal opening. Also described is a dry powder inhaler having a housing, a penetrating component for accessing dry powder within a sealed chamber, and a mouthpiece, where the mouthpiece is connected to the proximal end opening of the penetrating component, and wherein the at least a portion of the distal end of the penetrating component is positioned within the inhaler housing.

Abstract: A device and method for reducing heat loss in at least one region of a subject's body is described. The device includes a mask component, a heat releasing reservoir, and a conduit connecting the mask component to the heat releasing reservoir and creating an airflow path therethrough, wherein the heat releasing reservoir includes at least one air permeable region that is impermeable to condensed water. Heat loss is reduced by the subject positioning the mask over the mouth and/or nose, positioning the heat releasing reservoir over the region of the subject's body, and passing warmed air exhaled by the subject into the mask through the conduit and into the heat releasing reservoir, such that the warmed air passes through the heat releasing reservoir while retaining condensed water within the heat releasing reservoir, thereby increasing the temperature of the air surrounding the at least one region of the subject's body.

Abstract: Described is a dry powder inhaler for inhalation of a dry powder composition. The inhaler includes an external housing that defines an internal passage. The inhaler also includes a mouthpiece, a compartment for holding a dry powder capsule or powder reservoir, and a powder fluidization and deagglomeration apparatus for directing airflow to the dry powder to generate airborne powder particles within the internal passage. When a user inhales through the mouthpiece, a first airflow pattern is generated that has a first airflow resistance, during which the fluidization and deagglomeration apparatus generates airborne dry powder particles within the internal passage. Upon reaching a threshold negative pressure value within the internal passage of the inhaler, a second airflow pattern is generated having a second airflow resistance that is lower than the first airflow resistance, which pulls the airborne dry powder into the user's lungs during the inhalation. Embodiments of elastomeric valves are also described.

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: The present invention provides in part dry powder inhaler (DPI) devices for dispensing dry powder and methods for using the same. The DPI devices feature exchangeable cartridges having drum mechanisms that prepare metered doses of dry powder, and are able to direct air in a turbulent manner sufficient to entrain and deagglomerate a dose of dry powder for delivery into a user's lungs. The DPI devices feature a reservoir of dry powder advanced by a plunger, as well as a gauge that advances with the plunger to indicate the amount of dry powder remaining in the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for a safety interlock for a gas cylinder. The interlock device of the present invention can prevent a gas cylinder from being removed from a gas administration device as long as gas remains in the gas cylinder.

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 waterproof battery case comprises: a case body including a base and a top cover, wherein adjacent surfaces thereof are correspondingly formed with a flange and a recess in which an elastic sealing member is mounted, the base is formed with an accommodation space allowing at least one battery to be accommodated, a stepped engaging hole and a through hole are formed between the outer wall of the base and the accommodation space; an electrode plate set, including at least one anode contact and at least one cathode contact accommodated in the accommodation space; and a waterproof structure, including an elastic waterproof plug allowing two wires to be integrally embedded therein, wherein a plug head at one end thereof is formed with a neck part having the circumference formed with at least one convex rib, the other end thereof is formed with an engaging sheet sleeved with the engaging hole.

Abstract: A gas flow regulating device including a housing assembly, an inlet tube assembly, and a biasing device. The housing assembly has a main housing, a valve seat body, and a distal plate forming an outlet orifice. The inlet tube assembly includes a proximal inlet end, a tube forming a lumen, and a flange, and is slidably disposed within the main housing, biased to an open state by the biasing device. The flange separates middle and constant pressure chambers within the housing assembly. The inlet tube assembly is transitionable to a closed state in response to pressure in the constant pressure chamber to generate a relatively constant flow rate of air exiting the device via the outlet orifice.

Abstract: The present invention provides dry powder formulations comprising nicotine, methods of using the same, and methods for making the same. The dry powder formulations may further comprise excipients, therapeutic agents, and flavor components. The dry powder formulations may be manufactured by dry processes and wet processes.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an inspirable gas for delivery to a patient is disclosed that 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. A method for monitoring an inspired gas concentration in a branched breathing circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dry powder inhalation device includes in certain embodiments a spin chamber and a cartridge for holding multiple capsules. The capsules contain a dry powder that in certain embodiments includes methacholine. In certain embodiments, an adjustable limiting mechanism is configured to limit inhaled volume through the second passageway. In certain embodiments, the cartridge moves linearly or radially though a portion of the device. In certain embodiments, capsules in the cartridge align with a port in the spin chamber to load into the spin chamber. User inhalation on a mouthpiece of the device generates a vortical airflow and causes the capsules to spin within the chamber, releasing a portion of the dry powder for inhalation. In certain embodiments, the device is used for an inhalation diagnostic challenge.

Abstract: An electronic gas blender system includes a pressurized oxygen supply connected in-line to a first proportional valve, a first check valve and a first flow sensor by a first circuit of gas lines, a pressurized air supply connected in-line to a second proportional valve, a second check valve and a second flow sensor by a second circuit of gas lines, and a port disposed between the second check valve and the second flow sensor on the second circuit of gas lines for providing airflow access to a low pressure source. The port includes a plug configured to open and close the airflow access, and a control module is electrically coupled to the first proportional valve, the first flow sensor, the second proportional valve, and the second flow sensor. The electronic gas blender system can be used to blend two high pressure gas sources under dynamic control or one high pressure and one zero or low pressure gas flow source through a slave/master relationship.

Abstract: Provided is a high frequency oscillating ventilator comprising a housing assembly, a linear actuator, a linear coil, a piston mounted on a pushrod, a diaphragm dividing a housing into a first and second side and having an opening formed on the second side that is fluidly connected to the patient's airway for delivering gas thereto. The linear actuator is fixedly mounted to the housing assembly and has a linear coil coaxially disposed therewithin. A pushrod supports the linear coil on the linear actuator to allow relative axially sliding therebetween. The piston is directly mounted to the diaphragm such that reciprocation thereof as effectuated by the linear coil cooperating with the linear actuator alternately produces positive and negative pressure waves in the gas in the patient's airway.

Abstract: Provided is a high frequency oscillating ventilator comprising a housing assembly, a linear actuator, a linear coil, a piston mounted on a pushrod, a diaphragm dividing a housing into a first and second side and having an opening formed on the second side that is fluidly connected to the patient's airway for delivering gas thereto. The linear actuator is fixedly mounted to the housing assembly and has a linear coil coaxially disposed therewithin. A pushrod supports the linear coil on the linear actuator to allow relative axially sliding therebetween. The piston is directly mounted to the diaphragm such that reciprocation thereof as effectuated by the linear coil cooperating with the linear actuator alternately produces positive and negative pressure waves in the gas in the patient's airway.

Abstract: An animal intranasal administration device, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. The animal intranasal administration device can include a nasal passage nozzle for each nostril configured to receive fluid from a fluid source. The animal intranasal administration device can also include a biasing mechanism to bias the nozzles toward a septum such that the device is secured in place about the septum during administration of the fluid into nasal passages.