Abstract: The invention relates to systems for securing a tube (e.g. feeding tube) and/or a patient interface or a dermal patch to a user. One embodiment comprises a holder, an interface side of the holder attachable to the patient interface or the dermal patch for securing a feeding tube to the patient interface or the patch, the holder comprising at least a first channel or recess for receiving the feeding tube to couple the feeding tube to the patient interface. Another embodiment comprises a patient interface itself comprising a backing for positioning on a patient's face, a dermal patch having a patient side and an interface side, the patient side of the patch attachable to the user, the patch comprising at least a first flap portion attachable to the tube for affixing the tube to the patch, a two-part releasable connection arrangement for releasably securing the patient interface to the patch.

Abstract: A vapor inhaler includes a handle with a battery. A heater is connected to the handle and the heater has heater air intake openings for receiving air. The heater has heater air conduits for exhausting air. A cartridge housing is connected to the heater. The cartridge housing has a cartridge housing lid and a cartridge housing lid grille mounted to the cartridge housing lid. The cartridge housing produces vapor. A main body is connected to the cartridge housing, and the main body further includes a mouthpiece. A regulator valve is mounted to the main body. The regulator valve has a regulator valve secondary opening that provides a supplemental ambient air supply when the regulator valve is in an open position. The regulator valve does not provide a supplemental ambient air supply when the regulator valve is in closed position.

Abstract: A human wearable mask includes a skirt for directly contacting a human wearer and a sound conduction component on the skirt. The sound conduction component can provide an alert notification within high-noise environments while allowing ambient sounds to be heard over the conduction speakers. The sound conduction component may be used to reproduce audio for firefighters and other users who need radio communications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring and evaluating diverse ventilatory parameters to detect an asynchrony and may issue notifications and recommendations suitable for a patient to the clinician when asynchrony, such as an ineffective effort and an auto-trigger, is implicated. The suitable notifications and recommendations may further be provided in a hierarchical format such that the clinician may selectively access summarized and/or detailed information regarding the presence of asynchrony. In more automated systems, recommendations may be automatically implemented.

Abstract: A delivery device for and a method of delivering gases to the nasal airway, in particular therapeutic gases and gases in combination with active substances, either as powders or liquids, for enhanced uptake of the active substances.

Abstract: A humidifier and humidity sensor is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus. The humidity sensor preferably includes means to sense absolute humidity, relative humidity and/or temperature at both the patient end and humidifier end. The humidifier may also include provision to both control independently the humidity and temperature of the gases. Further, a chamber manifold is disclosed to facilitate easy connection of the humidifier to various outlets, inlets and sensors. A heated conduit is described which provides a more effective temperature profile along its length.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a Nitric Oxide Inhaler that uses an electrical spark to produce Nitric Oxide from Air, optimized to maximize the production of Nitric Oxide and minimize the production of Nitrogen Dioxide through hardware and control system.

Abstract: Embodiments of an inhaler device include a housing, a withdrawing assembly disposed within the housing for facilitating withdrawal of medicament from a target blister of a blister strip, the withdrawing assembly including an opening element adapted for opening the target blister of the blister strip while the target blister is positioned in the withdrawing assembly, and a dispensing element adapted for directing the withdrawn medicament toward the exterior of the inhaler device. A blister track is disposed within the housing for guiding each blister of the blister strip to the withdrawing assembly in succession, an advancing mechanism for advancing the blister strip by a predetermined distance each time the advancing mechanism is engaged, and an engaging element for engaging the advancing mechanism to advance the blister strip. The blister track includes a primary coil structure, a secondary coil structure, and a tertiary coil structure.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed herein for preventing or treating ventilator associated pneumonia in a mammalian subject. The device includes an endotracheal tube having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a sealant composition in contact with the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube; and a temperature control element in contact with the endotracheal tube configured to heat or cool the sealant composition to a level required to reversibly convert the sealant composition from a solid sealant composition to a flowable sealant composition.

Abstract: The systems and methods include providing a negative proportional assist breath type, a time adjusted negative proportional assist breath type, or a time adjusted proportional assist breath type during ventilation of a patient with a ventilator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a leak flow in a breathing assistance system including a ventilation device connected to a patient are provided. Data of a flow waveform indicating the flow of gas between the ventilation device and the patient is accessed. A specific portion of the flow waveform is identified, and a linear regression of the identified portion of the flow waveform is performed to determine an estimated leak flow in the breathing assistance system.

Abstract: A breathing mask includes an elastomeric cushion with a sealing lip having an outer engagement surface configured to sealingly abut against the patient's face. The sealing lip has a plurality of zones. A first zone has an elastomeric wall and comprises a portion of the elastomeric cushion adapted to abut against a bridge of a patient's nose. A second zone has an elastomeric wall and comprises a portion of the elastomeric cushion adapted to abut against the patient's face at a location opposite the first zone. A pair of intermediate zones comprise portions of the elastomeric cushion adapted to abut against the patient's face between the first and second zones and have relatively thick elastomeric walls compared to the elastic walls of the first and second zones so that the pair of intermediate zones has a higher load-bearing capability than the first and second zones.

Abstract: A method for treating cancer is described using combination therapies comprising the use of hyperbaric oxygen with histone deacetylase inhibitors, with and without glycolytic therapies. The patient is subjected to a hyperbaric environment of substantially pure oxygen. A predetermined dose of one or more HDACI substances is administered to the patient. In addition, glycolitic inhibitors may also be administered. Dosages, pressures, and durations are selected as described herein to have a therapeutic effect on the patient.

Abstract: A headband device for a respiratory mask includes a strap portion including a multi-layered construction including an inner cover layer, an outer cover layer, and foam padding. The inner cover layer has a face contacting surface adapted to contact a patient's skin in an application position of the headband device. The outer cover layer is adapted to be oriented outwardly from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device. The inner cover layer and the outer cover layer are coupled to one another via connection points that are laterally spaced from one another when viewed in cross-section, each connection point being spaced outwardly away from the face contacting surface of the inner cover layer so as to position the connection points outwardly away from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed herein for preventing or treating ventilator associated pneumonia in a mammalian subject. The device includes an endotracheal tube having an interior surface and an exterior surface; an actively-controllable anchoring cuff comprising two or more inflatable balloons configured to contact the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube and configured to contact the trachea of a mammalian subject; a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure of one or more of the inflatable balloons; and a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, the controller configured to actively vary pressure of the two or more of the inflatable balloons of the anchoring cuff.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed herein for preventing or treating ventilator associated pneumonia in a mammalian subject. The device includes an endotracheal tube having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and one or more closed cell layers in contact with the exterior surface and circumferentially surrounding one or more longitudinal portion of the endotracheal tube, wherein the closed cell layer is flexibly shaped to reversibly form a seal in a trachea of a mammalian subject.

Abstract: A delivery system and spring assembly are disclosed. In an embodiment, the delivery system includes a spring-loaded release mechanism movable from a first position to a second position to cause withdrawal of a release wire form an occlusion device. In an embodiment, a spring assembly includes a damper ring that rotates along a helical track of a bore upon linear contraction of an extension spring in order to dampen the spring force of the extension spring.

Abstract: According to one claim of the invention, a method for occluding a fallopian tube in a vertebrate subject is described, which comprises comprising transcervically delivering a solid blocking material into the fallopian tube. In various embodiments, a fluid sealing material is delivered along with the solid blocking material. Other claims of the invention pertain to articles of manufacture, delivery devices and kits for use in occluding the fallopian tubes of a vertebrate subject.

Abstract: A wrappable sterile radiation shield drape, a wrappable sterile radiation shield drape in combination with a radiation shield, and a method of providing a sterile surface about a suspended radiation shield is provided. The drape includes a flexible wall having a sterilized outer surface. The wall has opposite side edges extending between upper and lower ends and an upper fastener adjacent its upper end. The upper fastener is configured to releasably fix the upper end of the wall relative to the radiation shield. The wall further includes an edge fastener adjacent at least one of its side edges. The edge fastener is configured to releasably maintain the wall in a wrapped configuration about the radiation shield. The wall further includes at least one flap attached adjacent the upper end, wherein the flap includes a pocket configured to receive a shoulder extension portion of the radiation shield.

Abstract: A filter-tipped cigarette having: a tobacco portion having an outer end and an inner end; a filter butt-connected to the inner end of the tobacco portion; a first sleeve wound about the tobacco portion and the filter to connect the filter permanently and non-detachably to the tobacco portion; a cap butt-connected to the outer end of the tobacco portion, at the opposite end from the filter, and removable to smoke the filter-tipped cigarette; and a second sleeve, which is wound about the cap and the tobacco portion, is integral with the cap, and is at least partly removable axially from the tobacco portion together with and to remove the cap.

Abstract: A reclosable package for containing smoking papers to be dispensed therefrom, the package comprising: a body for holding the smoking papers; the body having a cover which overlays a surface of the body of the package for closure; wherein the cover opens to form a tray; and wherein the cover and/or body include a closure positioned to form a clasp when the cover is folded over the body.

Abstract: A smoking cessation device for use in nicotine replacement therapy includes an imitation smoking implement with a body sized and shaped substantially identical to a conventional smoking implement chosen from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo, a cigar, and a pipe. The device also includes one or more nicotine replacement modules removably disposed at one end of the body, the one or more nicotine replacement modules removable from the imitation smoking implement by a user to ingest said nicotine replacement modules as part of a nicotine replacement therapy. Optionally, a plurality of said imitation smoking implements can be held in a package sized and shaped to resemble a conventional box of cigarettes, cigarillos or cigars. Said imitation smoking implement can be held by the user in their hands or lips while consuming the one or more nicotine replacement modules to simulate a conventional smoking ritual.

Abstract: The present application provides a method and a device for generating smoking signals in electronic cigarettes and an electronic cigarette using the method and the device. The method includes these steps: using airflow passing through a vocal cavity of an electronic cigarette to drive the vocal cavity to vibrate and generate an ultrasonic wave; using an acoustic-electric conversion unit mounted on the vocal cavity to convert the ultrasonic wave into a voltage signal; and using a microprocessor of the electronic cigarette to generate a control signal according to the voltage signal and start a heating and atomizing process of tobacco juice in the electronic cigarette.

Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes an outer housing extending in the longitudinal direction, a liquid aerosol formulation, a heater operable to at least partially volatilize at least a portion of the liquid aerosol formulation and form an aerosol, a power supply operable to apply voltage across the heater, at least one light emitting diode, a charging button assembly including a conductive post operable to form a first external, electrical contact at the upstream end of the electronic smoking article, and a second external, electrical contact including a portion of an outer surface of the outer housing at the upstream end of the electronic smoking article. The first and second external, electrical contacts charge the power supply.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette is provided, which includes: a housing, a liquid reservoir, and an atomizer assembly. The housing has a chimney formed therein; the liquid reservoir is used for storing liquid; the atomizer assembly received in the housing. The atomizer assembly includes a heating plate capable of absorbing liquid. An outer surface of the heating plate is in contact with the air in the chimney.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette is provided, which includes: a housing having a chimney formed therein; a liquid reservoir for storing liquid in the housing; and an atomizer assembly received in the housing. The atomizer assembly includes a heating tube capable of absorbing liquid. The heating tube defines a plurality of micropores on a wall thereof; an inner surface of the heating tube is in contact with the air in the chimney.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette is disclosed, which includes a housing, an atomizer assembly and a liquid reservoir. The housing defines an air intake on one end thereof and an air outlet on the other end thereof, the housing is hollow. The atomizer assembly received in the housing, which includes a support and a flexible heating element, the support is provided with a chimney connected to the air intake and the air outlet therein, the support defines a through hole communicated with the chimney thereon, the flexible heating element includes a body portion and an arm portion connected to the body portion, the body portion extends through the through hole and located in the chimney. The liquid reservoir surrounds an outer surface of the support; the arm portion is extended inside the liquid reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in filters for use in smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos. The improvements, particularly but not exclusively, relate to filter capabilities and to the manufacture of such filters. In one example, a filter for a smoking article comprises a first fibrous filter material having an average fibre denier in the range 7 to 9 and a second fibrous filter material having an average fibre denier of below 7. The application also describes a filter for a smoking article comprising various other filter arrangements including absorbent and/or adsorbent materials.

Abstract: Filters and cigarettes include an activated carbon sorbent capable of selectively removing nitric oxide from mainstream tobacco smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and cigarettes using the activated carbon sorbent and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke produced by smoking a cigarette comprising the sorbent are also provided.

Abstract: A cigarette paper contains pulp fibers and filler particles, whereby at least 20% of the filler particles, by mass or by particle number, have a flaked shape. The flaked filler particles have a length l, a width b and a thickness d, which correspond to the respective maximum extension in three mutually orthogonal spatial directions, whereby the length l as well as the width b are at least twice as large as the thickness d. The mass-specific median value d50 of the particle size distribution measured according to ISO 13317-3 is between 0.2 ?m and 4.0 ?m, and the flaked particles are formed by calcium carbonate.

Abstract: Hair conditioning composition comprising: from about 2.0% to about 9.0% reducing agent, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of ammonium thioglycolate; ammonium thiolactate; and mixtures thereof; from about 0.5% to about 1.5% alkalising agent; from about 2.0% to about 10% conditioning agent selected from the group consisting of: silicone compounds; cationic surfactants; and mixtures thereof; a buffering agent. The composition has a pH of from about pH 7.5 to about pH 9.5 and a viscosity of from about 500 mPa·s to about 5500 mPa·s measured at 25° C. The composition is substantially free of an additional reducing agent capable of reducing disulfide bonds in keratin fibres. Also associated methods, processes, kits and uses.

Abstract: A heatable hair roller includes a roller shell and a removable heatable rod. The unheated roller shell is secured in the hair without risk of heating or burning the skin. The heatable rod is then inserted into the roller shell, and the heatable rod heats the hair by heating the roller shell. An optional roller strap secures the roller shell to the hair. An optional expansion sleeve increases the effective diameter of the heatable rod. An optional heating unit heats the heatable rod.

Abstract: A curling iron includes a handle, a heating element and a plurality of coaxially oriented barrels thermally coupled to the heating element. The heating element may be electrically or chemically powered. An optional hair clamp biased against at least one of the barrels is configured to clamp the hair during the curling process. One or more of the barrels may collapse into one or more of the remaining barrels.

Abstract: A textured elastic hair band including an elastic core substrate, a sheath of textile fibers covering the elastic core substrate, and flocking fibers secured to the sheath in which the elastic core substrate is a loop or ring shape. A method of manufacturing a textured elastic hair band includes the steps of providing an elastic core including an elastic core substrate and a sheath of textile fibers over the elastic core substrate, applying an adhesive material over an outer surface of the sheath, exposing the elastic core to flocking fibers, removing non-adhered flocking fibers from the elastic core, and curing the adhesive material. The step of applying flocking fibers can also include placing the elastic core in a flocking chamber containing the flocking fibers, applying a static electric charge, stopping the static electric charge after the period of time, and removing the flocked elastic core from the flocking chamber.

Abstract: A hair ornamentation system for use by a wearer is disclosed. The system includes a hair track, a plurality of natural or synthetic hair filaments connected to the hair track, and a releasably securable connector connected to the hair track. The releasably securable connector serves to mount it on the head of the wearer, so that a portion of the hair track faces away from the scalp and is visible. That portion of the hair track is itself ornamented to provide an aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface. The system can include at least one or several different ornamentation members for releasable securement to the hair track to provide various different aesthetically pleasing ornamented surfaces.

Abstract: A hair decorating system that includes a string covered in wax in a first configuration, coiled around an interior segment in a second configuration where end segments are attached, and a third configuration where the coil has been extended to form a crisscrossed pattern around a strand of hair. The crisscrossed pattern is both attractive and decorative.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing contamination for use with a distance measuring sensor, the apparatus comprising: a distance measuring module mounted inside or outside of a vehicle and configured to measure the distance between the vehicle and objects around the vehicle; a distance-based recognition unit configured to recognize a surround environment of the vehicle based on the distance measured by the distance measuring module; and a contamination removing module configured to measure the level of contamination on the distance measuring module and perform a cleaning with respect to an area where the contamination occurs when the measured level of contamination is above a preset threshold.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for sieving, washing, and drying particle samples onsite that are generated from well drill cutting. The apparatus comprises a sievewash chamber to initially remove contaminates from the samples, and a final wash-spin-dry chamber to completely clean and dry the samples for analysis. The two chambers function under the operational control of a computerized system comprising a processor, a user display, and a database storing computer code for operating the apparatus in various cleaning cycles. The sieve-wash chamber comprises two vertically stacked baskets: a coarse basket on top to hold the drill cutting samples; and, a caged basket underneath to catch clean samples as they fall through the coarse mesh screen on the bottom of the coarse basket. The caged basket with the samples is then manually transferred to the wash-spin-dry chamber for processing by motorized rotation of the basket at high rpm's.

Abstract: A method of washing a bulk container is provided. The method includes receiving the bulk container on a support surface and rotating the support surface and at least one washer arm relative to one another. The method further includes spraying a fluid from at least one nozzle disposed on the at least one washer arm. Rotating the support surface and the at least one washer arm relative to one another exposes a plurality of portions of an outer surface of the bulk container to the spray.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for improved handling of lithography masks including loading a mask via a first load port from a first carrier; inverting the mask using a first contact pad; cleaning the mask; inverting the mask using a second contact pad; and unloading the mask via a second load port into a second carrier. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and methods are provided for improved handling of lithography masks including a mask inverter that includes a first contact pad dedicated to inverting masks that have not been cleaned; a second contact pad dedicated to inverting masks that have been cleaned; an actuator coupled to the first and second contact pads and operable to invert the first and second contact pads; and a controller coupled to the actuator and operative to control the actuator. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A substrate processing device 100 includes a solvent replacing unit (organic solvent supply unit 15 and solvent supply unit 34) replacing a cleaning liquid with a volatile solvent of a low concentration, and thereafter further performing replacement with a volatile solvent of a high concentration.

Abstract: A substrate processing device 10 has a water removing unit 110 and, when a solvent supply unit 58 supplies a volatile solvent to a surface of a substrate W, the water removing unit 110 supplies a water removing agent to the surface of the substrate W to promote replacement of the cleaning water on the surface of the substrate W with the volatile solvent.

Abstract: In a substrate processing device 10, a magnetic field forming unit is added to a solvent supply unit 58. The magnetic field forming unit 100 applies a magnetic field to a surface of a substrate W on which a cleaning liquid and a volatile solvent coexist. The magnetic field forming unit stirs and mixes the cleaning liquid and the volatile solvent on the surface of the substrate W to promote replacement of the cleaning liquid with the volatile solvent.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a module is provided that is configured to clean, rinse and dry a substrate. The module includes (1) a tank having an upper tank region positioned above a lower tank region, the upper tank region having (a) an opening through which a substrate is removed from the tank; (b) a first fluid supply configured to supply a first fluid to a surface of a substrate being removed from the tank; and (c) a first suction mechanism, positioned below the first fluid supply, wherein the first suction mechanism is configured to suction fluid supplied from the first fluid supply so as to deter the suctioned fluid from reaching the lower tank region; and (2) a drying vapor supply positioned above the first fluid supply and configured to supply a drying vapor to a surface of a substrate being removed from the tank. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Containers having a portioned amount of a cleaning composition located in an internal volume are provided for cleaning a portion of a beverage making machine. The external size and configuration of the container is designed to fit within a carrier in a single (or multi-) serve beverage making machine. The container is insertable in the carrier in the place of a beverage making pod, cup, cartridge or the like. Following placement of the container in the carrier, the beverage making machine may be operated to perform a regular brew cycle or a specialized cleaning cycle in which water is introduced to the internal volume of the container and cleaning solution is released from the container, optionally under pressure, to contact and clean internal surfaces of the container carrier.

Abstract: A treatment cup cleaning method is provided, which includes: a rotating step of rotating a substrate rotating unit with a substrate being held by the substrate rotating unit; a cleaning liquid supplying step of supplying a cleaning liquid to an upper surface and a lower surface of the substrate and causing the cleaning liquid to scatter from a peripheral edge of the substrate to be applied to an inner wall of a treatment cup in the rotating step, whereby the cleaning liquid is supplied to the inner wall of the treatment cup; and a scattering direction changing step of changing a cleaning liquid scattering direction in which the cleaning liquid scatters from the peripheral edge of the substrate in the rotating step and the cleaning liquid supplying step.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holder, and a discharge head for peripheral area from which a fluid is discharge toward a surface peripheral area of the substrate held on the substrate holder. The discharge head for peripheral area includes multiple nozzles, and a support part that supports the nozzles integrally. The nozzles include a processing liquid nozzle from which a processing liquid is discharged toward the surface peripheral area, and a gas nozzle from which gas is discharged toward the surface peripheral area. The gas nozzle is placed upstream of a rotative direction of the substrate relative to the processing liquid nozzle.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of nozzles, a pump configured to pump a fluid through the nozzles, and a manifold configured to arrange the plurality of nozzles to substantially match a shape of a workpiece. Each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles is configured to impinge upon a section of the workpiece with the fluid.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus for kitchen equipment, in particular combination streaming, baking and cooking equipment has a cooking space that is to be cleaned which is delimited by at least one wall and includes at least one outlet opening for a liquid. The apparatus comprises a ventilation fan associated with the cooking space having a drive motor; a collecting tank which at least temporarily collects the liquid that exits the cooking space via the outlet opening; a supply line that can be used to supply fresh water and/or a cleaning fluid that can be controlled through a valve in the line; a circulating pump provided at the collecting tank for the liquid sitting in the collecting tank; a circulation line by which the liquid sitting in the collecting tank and conveyed by the circulating pump can be supplied to the cooking space and a drain line for discharging the liquid that exits the cooking space.