Abstract: A nebulizer includes a nebulizer top detachably coupled to a nebulizer bottom with a nozzle assembly that fits between the nebulizer top and nebulizer bottom. The components of the nebulizer are formed so that each be easily replaced by a counterpart component of similar design but with a different property. The nozzle assembly is configured to be replaced with a second nozzle assembly that has a different aperture size that produces a different size of aerosol droplet. Additionally, a diffuser attached to the nebulizer top or nebulizer bottom can be replaced by a second nebulizer top or nebulizer bottom with a second diffuser in a different position that produces a different size of aerosol droplet. A sensor module attached to the nebulizer measures properties associated with the performance of the nebulizer.

Abstract: An atomizer has a venturi nozzle positioned at an outlet end of an air line and has a discharge end and is oriented horizontally when in use and forms a mixing chamber at its discharge end. A valve is positioned at a canister port and actuable to allow a metered flow of gas at a predetermined pressure and time through the air line and venturi nozzle. A suction line extends from the venturi nozzle and mixing chamber to a medication receiver and draws medication upward and mixes it with gas passing through the venturi nozzle into the mixing chamber and atomizes the medication into a mist.

Abstract: A medication reservoir is formed in the lower portion of a nebulizer body and covered to form an enclosed medication reservoir. A nozzle assembly is supported by a reservoir cover and includes an air line having an inlet at one end and an outlet and a venturi nozzle and venturi outlet. The air line, venturi nozzle and discharge outlet are horizontally oriented when in use and the venturi nozzle is located within a patient's oral cavity when the nebulizer is in use. Medication is drawn upward through a suction line and mixed with air passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through the nebulizer outlet. The venturi nozzle and suction line are formed together and replaceable as one unit.

Abstract: A system evaluates a patient for a physiological abnormality. A urinary catheter is insertable within a patient's bladder and has a first pressure sensor for measuring bladder pressure and a second pressure sensor for measuring mid-urethral pressure at the mid-urethral sphincter. A processing device is connected to the first and second pressure sensors and configured to receive the measured bladder pressure and measured mid-urethral pressure during at least one breath cycle and process the data representative of the bladder and mid-urethral pressures obtained during the at least one breath cycle to diagnose a physiological abnormality within the patient.

Abstract: In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.

Abstract: A system evaluates a patient for a physiological abnormality. A urinary catheter is insertable within a patient's bladder and has a first pressure sensor for measuring bladder pressure and a second pressure sensor for measuring mid-urethral pressure at the mid-urethral sphincter. A processing device is connected to the first and second pressure sensors and configured to receive the measured bladder pressure and measured mid-urethral pressure during at least one breath cycle and process the data representative of the bladder and mid-urethral pressures obtained during the at least one breath cycle to diagnose a physiological abnormality within the patient.

Abstract: A nebulizer is connected to an inspiratory air line of a ventilator and forms an air path along a longitudinal axis through which air is delivered to a patient from a ventilator. A nebulizer nozzle is carried within the nebulizer housing and aligned with the longitudinal axis through which gas is mixed with medication and discharged into the air path. A suction line extends from the discharge end of the nebulizer nozzle through the outer surface of the nebulizer housing to a medication receiver that draws medication upward from a medication container contained within the medication receiver and mixes the medication with gas passing through the nebulizer nozzle and nebulizes the medication for discharge into the air path to a patient.

Abstract: A system and method diagnoses esophageal reflux in a patient. A catheter includes a first pressure sensor configured to measure intra-abdominal pressure when the catheter is inserted into the stomach of a patient. A second pressure sensor is located proximal to the distal tip and configured to measure intra-thoracic pressure. A pH indicator is carried by the catheter body and configured to indicate that reflux has occurred in response to an involuntary reflex cough test. A processing device is configured to receive data regarding the first and second pressure sensors and regarding the pH indicator and process that data and assess if reflux is present during the involuntary epoch.

Abstract: A nebulizer includes a main body that has a nebulizer outlet and an air channel in communication with the nebulizer outlet. The main body supports a medicine reservoir and a mesh that engages the medicine reservoir and air channel and vibrates to atomize medicine from the medicine reservoir into the air channel for discharge through the nebulizer outlet. The nebulizer outlet and mesh are configured to be received within the oral cavity of the patient when the nebulizer is in use.

Abstract: A nasogastric/orogastric (Ng/Og) airway protection device includes an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. A main lumen extends the length of the device and is configured for at least one of gastric decompression, enteral feeding and enteral medication administration. A sump port is at the distal end. A sump lumen is formed the length of the device body and configured for venting gas and preventing adherence of the device against the gastric wall. An inflatable esophageal cuff is carried by the device body mid-esophagus and an inflation lumen is formed within the device body and connects the inflatable esophageal cuff through which the esophageal cuff is inflated and deflated. Upon inflation of the esophageal cuff, emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus to protect a patient's airway.

Abstract: A system and method tests the gastric valve and urethral sphincter in a patient. A contrast agent is administered into the esophagus of a patient followed by inducing an involuntary reflex cough epoch within the patient to isolate the gastric valve from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and isolate the external urethral sphincter from the internal urethral sphincter. An imaging sensor detects the flow of the contrast agent during the involuntary reflex cough epoch and determines whether stomach reflux occurred indicative of a malfunctioning gastric valve. A determination is made if urine leakage occurs indicative of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Abstract: A device to block emesis and/or reflux includes a tube insertable into the esophagus. A valve is carried by the tube and includes a flexible sheath having an upper edge secured onto the tube and an unsecured lower circumferential edge and configured such that upon contact with emesis and/or reflux from the stomach, the flexible sheath opens in a concave configuration towards the stomach and the unsecured lower circumferential edge engages the esophageal wall and blocks emesis and/or reflux from the stomach passing into the esophagus past the valve.

Abstract: A device blocks emesis and/or reflex and includes a tube insertable into the esophagus. The tube includes an inflation lumen. A valve is carried by the tube and includes a flexible sheath having an upper edge secured onto the tube and a lower circumferential edge. An inflatable balloon is associated with the flexible sheath and in communication with the inflation lumen. Upon inflation of the balloon, the flexible sheath opens in a concave configuration towards the stomach and the unsecured lower circumferential edge engages the esophageal wall and blocks emesis and/or reflux from the stomach passing into the esophagus past the valve.

Abstract: A nasogastric/orogastric (Ng/Og) device includes a main lumen configured for at least one of gastric decompression, enteral feeding and enteral medication administration. An expandable esophageal cuff is carried by the device body and configured in a normally expanded position such that when inserted within the esophagus, the esophageal cuff conforms to the interior surface of the esophagus and emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach and past the esophageal cuff. A vacuum lumen is carried by the device body and connected to the expandable esophageal cuff. When vacuum is applied, the esophageal cuff is contracted against the device body to permit the device to be inserted and placed within the esophagus. When the vacuum is released, the esophageal cuff expands against the interior surface of the esophagus.

Abstract: A system permits diagnosis of a patient for a physiological abnormality while protecting their airway. An esophageal airway protection device comprises an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. The device includes a main lumen extending the length of the device and an inflatable esophageal cuff carried by the device body mid-esophagus. Emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus when it is inflated to protect a patient's airway during an involuntary cough event. At least one electromyogram (EMG) pad is configured to obtain an EMG from an involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles. A processing device is configured to receive the EMG and process the EMG to determine a physiological abnormality.

Abstract: A system and method evaluates a patient for stress urinary incontinence. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguous and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. And elecromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles and its duration determined. Any urine leakage time that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough event is identified and correlated within a processor together with the urine leakage time and EMG and duration of cough event to determine stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract: A system to prevent incontinence in a patient includes transducers positioned subcutaneously at the interior surface of the medial border of the costal margin of at least one of ribs 8, 9 and 10 that detect movement of at least one of those ribs and generates signals indicative of that movement during the inspiratory phase of respiration. Muscle stimulators include electrodes connected to muscles of the urethral sphincter. A controller is connected to the electrodes and the transducers. This controller receives the signals generated from the transducers indicative of the movement of the ribs during the inspiratory phase of respiration and in response, generates and transmits electrical control signals to the electrodes connected to the muscles of the urethral sphincter to stimulate electrically the muscles of the urethral sphincter to close the urethral sphincter during the inspiratory phase of respiration.

Abstract: A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient.

Abstract: A medication reservoir is contained within a nebulizer body. An air line includes a distal end within the nebulizer body and venturi nozzle. A medication suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the venturi nozzle through which medication is drawn upward and mixed with air after passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through the nebulizer outlet. A valve is positioned within the air line proximal to the venturi nozzle and normally configured in a closed position until a negative inspiratory pressure is applied by a user to open the valve and allow air through the air line and venturi nozzle from a source of air and draw medication upward through the medication suction line for nebulization and discharge through the nebulizer outlet.

Abstract: A nasogastric/orogastric (Ng/Og) device includes a main lumen configured for at least one of gastric decompression, enteral feeding and enteral medication administration. An expandable esophageal cuff is carried by the device body and configured in a normally expanded position such that when inserted within the esophagus, the esophageal cuff conforms to the interior surface of the esophagus and emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach and past the esophageal cuff. A vacuum lumen is carried by the device body and connected to the expandable esophageal cuff. When vacuum is applied, the esophageal cuff is contracted against the device body to permit the device to be inserted and placed within the esophagus. When the vacuum is released, the esophageal cuff expands against the interior surface of the esophagus.