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 nebulizer includes a nebulizer body having an air channel section, medication reservoir and nebulizer outlet. An air line has an inlet at one end and extends through the air channel section and has a venturi nozzle oriented horizontally when in use and an outlet and configured to form a low pressure mixing chamber. The air line provides a pulsed flow of gas between the inlet and outlet end. The venturi nozzle and medication reservoir are received within an oral cavity of a patient when in use. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the low pressure mixing chamber through which medication is drawn upward and mixed with gas passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for pulsed discharge through the nebulizer outlet during nebulization.

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 nebulizer includes a venturi nozzle positioned at the outlet end of an air line and oriented horizontally and located within a patient's oral cavity when in use. A canister port is located at the inlet end of the air line and receives a gas canister. A valve is actuable to allow a metered flow of gas at a predetermined pressure and time to flow from the gas canister through the air line and venturi nozzle. A medication receiver is carried by the nebulizer body proximal to the venturi nozzle. A suction line extends from the venturi nozzle to the medication receiver and draws medication upward from a medication container and mixes it with air passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulizes the medication.

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 nebulizer includes a body, an air channel section and medication reservoir. An air line extends through the air channel section. A venturi nozzle is configured to form at its end a low pressure mixing chamber. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the low pressure mixing chamber through which medication is drawn upward into the low pressure mixing chamber and mixed with air from the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through a nebulizer outlet. The venturi nozzle, low pressure mixing chamber and air channel section are configured such that at standard temperature and pressure (STP) a differential pressure results in no medication that is drawn upward through the primary suction line for nebulization and discharged the through the nebulizer outlet until a negative inspiratory pressure is created from inhalation by a user.

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 nebulizer includes a body, an air channel section and medication reservoir. An air line extends through the air channel section. A venturi nozzle is configured to form at its end a low pressure mixing chamber. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the low pressure mixing chamber through which medication is drawn upward into the low pressure mixing chamber and mixed with air from the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through a nebulizer outlet. The venturi nozzle, low pressure mixing chamber and air channel section are configured such that at standard temperature and pressure (STP) a differential pressure results in no medication that is drawn upward through the primary suction line for nebulization and discharged the through the nebulizer outlet until a negative inspiratory pressure is created from inhalation by a user.

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: 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 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 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 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 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: 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 method for treating at least one of the urethral and anal sphincters in a patient includes inducing an involuntary reflex cough event within the patient to determine whether a dysfunction exists in at least one of the urethral and anal sphincters. If a dysfunction is determined to exist, then contracting a muscle located at one of at least the urethral and anal sphincters during an inspiratory phase of respiration.

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: 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.