Abstract: An implantable medical device capable of sensing cardiac signals and delivering cardiac electrical stimulation therapies is enabled to detect a short circuit of a medical electrical lead. A physiological signal correlated to a motion of a patient is sensed via a physiological sensor. If a lead monitoring condition is met based on the physiological signal, a cardiac signal is acquired and analyzed to detect an abnormality. The short circuit of the medical electrical lead is detected in response to detecting the abnormality.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface, configured to be implanted in a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc, and a plurality of extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, configured to be implanted outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc. Control circuitry is configured to separately control at least two of the plurality of extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, and to repeatedly alternatively assume: (a) a pressure-increasing mode of operation, in which fluid is electroosmotically driven into the nucleus pulposus to increase pressure in the intervertebral disc, by applying a first mean voltage of less than 1.23 V between the exposed electrode surfaces, and (b) an oxygen-generating mode of operation, in which oxygen is generated within the nucleus pulposus by electrolysis, by applying a second mean voltage of at least 1.23 V between the exposed electrode surfaces. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for use in iontophoretic anesthesia of a tympanic membrane are disclosed. The system generally includes an earplug and an electrode device. The earplug includes at least one sealing member for sealing the earplug in an ear canal. The sealing member includes microholes which vent fluid above a certain pressure threshold. A headset may connect the earplug to a second earplug. The method involves using the system on a human or animal subject.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system for directing stimulation energy toward a target tissue and away from unwanted tissues for providing an appropriate stimulation is provided by the present invention. The implantable cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes an implantable lead. The implantable lead includes a lead body and an electrically insulating member. The lead body includes at least one electrode extending substantially around the lead body. The electrically insulating member defines at least one window. At least one insulating member includes a protruding portion configured to urge at least one electrode toward the target tissue.

Abstract: A system for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine to treat low back pain is provided. The system may include one or more electrode leads coupled to an implantable pulse generator (IPG) and a tunneler system for subcutaneously implanting a proximal portion of the lead(s). The system may also include a handheld activator configured to transfer a stimulation command to the IPG, and an external programmer configured to transfer programming data to the IPG. The stimulation command directs the programmable controller to stimulate the tissue in accordance with the programming data. The system may include a software-based programming system run on a computer such that the treating physician may program and adjust stimulation parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for treating anorectal dysfunction includes implanting, in a minimally invasive manner, an electro-medical device for stimulation of two or more separate and distinct anatomical or histological structures of the anorectal region. Electrodes operably connected to the device are positioned proximate the target anatomical or histological structures. The device provides either the same or different stimulation algorithms to each anatomical or histological structure. Smooth muscle, such as the internal anal sphincter, is provided with a continuous stimulation algorithm, while skeletal muscle, such as the external anal sphincter, is provided with an on demand stimulation algorithm. Varying stimulation algorithms applied to multiple structures results in improved anorectal function without developing muscle fatigue and tolerance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for multi-vessel neuromodulation, e.g., via a pulsed electric field. Such multi-vessel neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, the multi-vessel neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. Such multi-vessel neuromodulation optionally may be performed bilaterally.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for distributed processing of electrophysiological signals. The system may include a processor, a remote device, and an implant comprising an array of electrodes. The method may comprise the processor receiving an electrophysiological signal request from the remote device that specifies at least one electrode at the implant from which to receive an electrophysiological signal, transmitting to the implant instructions to apply a plurality of stimuli via the specified at least one electrode and, for individual stimuli in the plurality of stimuli, recording an electrophysiological signal component resulting from the stimulus. The method may also comprise the processor combining the recorded individual electrophysiological signal components to produce the electrophysiological signal and transmitting the electrophysiological signal to the remote device for further processing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are example configurations of implantable units of implantable medical devices such as hearing devices. An example implantable hearing device includes a housing having a posterior side and an anterior side, with the anterior side being formed such that an inner edge of the anterior side defines an aperture. The housing includes an electrical feedthrough, a transceiver, and an antenna element. The electrical feedthrough is made of one or more biocompatible materials, and at least a portion of the electrical feedthrough is positioned beneath the aperture. The transceiver is configured to conduct RF communications. Further, the antenna element is electrically connected to the transceiver and is positioned below, above, or inside the electrical feedthrough.

Abstract: Methods and devices to treat discogenic lumbar back pain are disclosed. Electrodes are implanted within the anterior epidural space of the patient. A pulse generator that is connected to the electrodes delivers electrical impulses to sympathetic nerves located within the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) of the lumbar spine and outer posterior annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. In alternate embodiments, energy directed to nerves in the PLL may be from light or mechanical vibrations, or the nerves may be cooled. The electrodes may also be used diagnostically to correlate spontaneous nerve activity with spinal movement, fluctuations in autonomic tone and the patient's experience of pain. The electrodes may also be used to generate diagnostic evoked potentials. The diagnostic data are used to devise parameters for the therapeutic nerve stimulation. Automatic analysis of the data may be incorporated into a closed-loop system that performs the nerve stimulation automatically.

Abstract: This invention provides a new technology for management of back pain by stimulating the spinal cord in a manner that renders it refractory to transmission of deleterious or undesirable sensory input. The electrical stimulus comprises high frequency pulses in a regular or complex pattern or that are stochastically produced under microprocessor control. The stimulus is applied directly to the surface of the spinal cord from within the spinal canal, which provides important benefits over previous technology. The stimulus alleviates symptoms and signs of back pain, while minimizing the risk of side effects such as paresthesia, and potentially minimizing the effects on motor neuron transmission and proprioception.

Abstract: An implant unit configured for implantation into a body of a subject is provided. The implant unit may include a flexible carrier unit including a central portion and two elongated arms extending from the central portion, an antenna, located on the central portion, configured to receive a signal, at least one pair of electrodes arranged on a first elongated arm of the two elongated arms. The at least one pair of electrodes may be adapted to modulate a first nerve. The elongated arms of the flexible carrier may be configured to form an open ended curvature around a muscle with the nerve to be stimulated within an arc of the curvature.

Abstract: Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.

Abstract: A method of performing an intracardiac procedure using controlled intermittent diastolic arrest (CIDA) to expand the chambers of the heart to a volume between about 75 to 200% of their normal end-diastolic volume. In one embodiment, CIDA is conducted so that cardiac arrest with cardiac distention is achieved in about 5 to 15 seconds and diastolic arrest is maintained for a time between about 5 and 90 seconds. Intracardiac procedures that are facilitated with CIDA include heart valve repair or replacement. The method involves the use of CIDA and wherein the procedure is performed in or on the heart with the use of a catheter or catheter-delivered device, therapy, or agent. In one aspect, the heart is accessed during CIDA via a left ventricular apical access port or device. In one aspect CIDA is conducted via stimulation of the vagal nerve alone or in combination with one or more of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a ?-adrenergic receptor blocker, and/or a calcium channel blocker.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A computer-implemented control system is operated to automatically identify a neural fulcrum zone based on a monitored patient physiological response. Ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone.

Abstract: A system embodiment comprises an implantable device including controller circuitry, memory, a transceiver, and a generator configured to generate electrical stimulation to modulate the neural activity. The controller circuitry and the transceiver configured to cooperate to receive, from another device, data corresponding to a user-programmable stimulation pattern and store the data in the memory. The user-programmable pattern includes a programmable pattern of bursts with multiple burst durations and multiple burst interval sequences, and the bursts include pulses with a user-programmable wave morphology. The controller circuitry is operably connected to the memory and the generator to use the data stored in the memory to control generation of the electrical stimulation to provide the user-programmable stimulation pattern that includes the pulses with the user-programmable wave morphology and that includes the multiple burst durations and the multiple burst interval sequences.

Abstract: In some examples, a method may include delivering an electrical stimulation therapy to a patient, the electrical stimulation therapy comprising a first electrical stimulation pulse delivered to the patient via a first electrode and a second electrical stimulation pulse delivered to the patient via a second electrode, wherein the first electrical stimulation pulse and second electrical stimulation pulse are delivered as paired pulses with respect to each other and a combination of the first electrical stimulation pulse and the second electrical stimulation pulse evoke a compound action potential within the patient; sensing the compound action potential evoked by the combination of the first electrical stimulation pulse and the second electrical stimulation pulse; and adjusting one or more parameters of the electrical stimulation therapy based on the sensed compound action potential.

Abstract: A neurostimulation system for management of stimulation safety limits. The system determines a tissue charge injection metric at each electrode, compares the metric to the hard stop charge limit, and prevents the neurostimulator from delivering stimulation energy to the tissue region in accordance based on the comparison. The hard stop limit may be user-programmable or may be automatically modified in response to detection of electrode characteristics. The system may quantitatively notify a user of a value of the injected charge injected into the tissue. The electrodes may be organized into different sets, in which case, the system may directly control tissue charge independently at each of the electrode sets. If current steering is provided, the system may displace the electrical stimulation energy along the tissue region in one direction, while preventing the charge injection value at each of the electrodes from meeting or exceeding the hard stop charge limit.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system includes modulation output circuitry and control circuitry. The modulation output circuitry may be configured to deliver therapeutic electrical energy including therapeutic sub-threshold electrical energy and therapeutic a super-threshold electrical energy. The sub-threshold electrical energy is below a patient-perception threshold and the super-threshold electrical energy is above the patient-perception threshold. The patient-perception threshold is a boundary below which a patient does not sense delivery of the electrical energy and above which the patient does sense delivery of the electrical energy. The control circuitry is configured to control the modulation output circuitry to deliver the therapeutic electrical energy using alternating cycles of the sub-threshold electrical energy below the patient-perception threshold and the super-threshold electrical energy above the patient-perception-threshold.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator (IPG) that generates spinal cord stimulation signals for a human body includes a timing generator and high frequency generator. The timing generator generates timing signals that represent stimulation signals for multiple channels. The high frequency generator determines whether to modulate the timing signals and modulates them at a burst frequency according to stored burst parameters if the decision is yes. As such, the IPG provides the ability to generate both the low frequency and high frequency stimulation signals in different channels according to user programming.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises one or more physiological sensing circuits that generate a sensed physiological signal and at least one of the physiological sensing circuits is implantable, a measurement circuit configured to recurrently measure one or more physiological parameters that indicate a status of heart failure of the subject, a comparison circuit configured to compare the one or more physiological parameter measurements to one or more physiological parameter target values, a therapy circuit configured to control delivery of one or more drugs to treat heart failure, and a control circuit in electrical communication with the comparison circuit and the therapy circuit and configured to recurrently adjust delivery of drug therapy according to the comparison of the measured physiological parameters to the physiological parameter targets.

Abstract: Methods and/or devices may be configured to monitor ventricular activation times and modify an atrioventricular delay (AV delay) based on the monitored ventricular activation times. Further, the methods and/or devices may determine whether the AV delay should be modified based on the measured activation times before modifying the AV delay.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a cardiac signal sensing circuit configured to sense a plurality of intrinsic cardiac signals using a plurality of cardiac pacing sites, a heart sound sensing circuit, a stimulus circuit configured to provide an electrical cardiac pacing stimulus to the plurality of pacing sites, and a control circuit electrically coupled to the cardiac signal sensing circuit and the stimulus circuit. The control circuit includes a pacing site locating circuit configured to generate an indication of a preferred pacing site as one of a) a subset of the respective cardiac pacing sites selected using the intrinsic ventricular activation time interval, from which subset the preferred pacing site is selected using the heart sound characteristic; or b) a subset of the respective cardiac pacing sites selected using the heart sound characteristic, from which subset the preferred pacing site is selected using the ventricular activation time interval.

Abstract: The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating fluctuations in an electrical signal that represents a measurement of the patient's transthoracic impedance. Impedance signal data obtained from the patient is analyzed for a feature indicative of the presence of a cardiac pulse. Whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient is determined based on the feature in the impedance signal data. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data may also be obtained in time coordination with the impedance signal data. Various applications for the pulse detection of the invention include detection of PEA and prompting PEA-specific therapy, prompting defibrillation therapy and/or CPR, and prompting rescue breathing depending on detection of respiration.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for delivering trial stimulation therapy to a patient are disclosed. A trial neurostimulator (e.g., an IMD) may be implanted within a patient to deliver stimulation therapy during a relatively short trial period of time. This IMD may include limited circuitry and be powered by an external power source to minimize the size of the IMD within the patient. The IMD may include a non-hermetic housing capable of protecting the IMD circuitry for the trial period of time. In one example, the IMD may include a secondary coil configured to generate an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field generated by an external primary coil, circuitry configured to generate a stimulation signal in response to the electrical signal, and a non-hermetic implantable housing configured to encase or otherwise house the secondary coil and the circuitry.

Abstract: A implantable active medical device includes a chassis plate having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, an elongate lead connector fixed to the first major surface and extending orthogonally away from the first major surface and a circuit board fixed to the first major surface and extending orthogonally away from the first major surface. A hermetic housing defines a sealed housing cavity. The hermetic housing is fixed to the first major surface. The elongate lead connector and the circuit board are disposed within the sealed housing cavity.

Abstract: A medical system is disclosed, comprising internal parts for implantation in a patient and external part for use externally to the patient. The external parts comprise an energy source equipped with a primary coil and an external control unit for controlling the energy source. The internal parts comprise an electrically powered medical device, an energy receiver equipped with a secondary coil and an internal control unit for controlling the internal parts. The system is arranged to determine a balance between the amount of energy received in the energy receiver and the amount of energy used by the medical device, based on a first, second and third parameter.

Abstract: An external defibrillator estimates the phase of ventricular defibrillation (VF) by deriving, from an ECG exhibiting VF, at least one quality marker representing the morphology of the ECG and, therefore, the duration of the VF. The duration of the VF is calculated as a function of the value (s) of the quality marker (s). The quality marker (s) may comprise any one or more of the median slope of the ECG, the average slope of the ECG, the ratio of the power in relatively high and low frequency bands of the ECG, and a measure of the density and amplitude of peaks in the ECG, over a predetermined period.

Abstract: A computing device includes a memory configured to store instructions. The computing device also includes a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations that include providing an alternating electrical signal to a patient through at least a pair of electrodes, and determining transthoracic impedance of the patient from a measurement associated with the applied alternating electrical signal. Operations also include identifying, from the transthoracic impedance, a sequence of resistance values for controlling the discharge of a charge storage device located external to the patient, and controlling the discharge of the charge storage device using the identified sequence of resistance values.

Abstract: A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments, the WCD system includes a speaker system, a memory and a proximity detector. Prompts have been stored in the memory. In case of an emergency, upon inferring that no bystander is nearby, the speaker system may transmit a sound at a higher intensity than otherwise, hoping to attract attention.

Abstract: A flexible catheter includes two electrical contacts in a distal region of the catheter and a distal aperture of a hose line. The electrical contacts are connected to a high frequency pulse generator for applying pulsed radio frequency energy for nerve stimulation. A temperature sensor is located in the distal region of the catheter. The flexible catheter is inserted into a region in the spinal canal and the pulsed radio frequency generator is operated, thereby applying pulsed radio frequency energy to a localized region to be treated. The temperature at the distal region of the catheter can also be monitored, and the pulsed radio frequency energy is applied in dependence on the monitored temperature. With the catheter, pain and other medical conditions being related to and influenced by a nervous system are treated.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a display device may include: a display unit including a plurality of pixels; and a controller arranged to receive an image signal comprising a plurality of image frames and then, if certain of the image frames are determined to represent a still image, to insert a sub-image frame between immediately successive image frames of the certain of the image frames, the sub-image frame allowing at least one of the plurality of pixels to emit light of a specified wavelength.

Abstract: A system and method for interactive therapy and diagnosis of a human or animal comprising at least one first radiation source for emission of a diagnostic radiation, at least one second radiation source for emission of a therapeutic radiation, and at least one radiation conductor adapted to conduct radiation to a tumor site at or in said human or animal. A non-mechanical operation mode selector directs the therapeutic radiation and/or the diagnostic radiation to the tumor site through the radiation conductors. The operation mode selector means is preferably a non-mechanical optical switch and/or an optical combiner. The system may be used for interactive interstitial photodynamic tumor therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus for relaxing smooth muscles of a human body, capable of directly radiating light having a predetermined wavelength range for inducing relaxation of the smooth muscles onto acupuncture points related to an organ consisting of smooth muscles via an electrode probe. The apparatus includes a controller body to determine whether a light radiation mode is selected and an operation is started through direct manipulation using a switch, and output an LED driving signal to an electrode probe connection terminal; and wired and wireless electrode probes to be attached to/detached from the terminal to be electrically connected to/disconnected from the controller body, and to be driven by the driving signal to emit light having a predetermined wavelength range which increases concentration of a material for relaxing the muscles. Accordingly, the apparatus promotes blood and lymph circulation in an organ consisting of smooth muscles by relaxing those muscles.

Abstract: A treatment method using a novel combination of non-invasive near infrared light (NIR)/laser therapy and the pharmacological agent ketamine, to more efficaciously upregulate neurotrophins and improve mitochondrial function. The NIR therapy is characterized by wavelengths of 200-2000 nm at surface wattage of 0.01-50.00 watts delivered by stationary emitters. The method can employ active circular motion techniques which involve moving the infrared light applicator manually, and/or by computer-controlled apparatus, conducted in conjunction with ketamine pharmacological therapy. In addition, a novel method of targeting NIR treatment of and characterizing central nervous system disorders using SPECT functional neuroimaging followed by quantitative analysis and a novel method of targeting NIR treatment of and characterizing spinal cord or nerve-related disorders using neurophysiological testing followed by quantitative analysis.

Abstract: Methods and devices of treating fungal nail infections are disclosed. A portable device for treating fungal nail infections includes an irradiator configured to irradiate light of at least first and second types, and an attaching element configured to attach the irradiator to a digit having a nail which is infected by a fungal infection, and to position the irradiator at a position suitable to irradiate at least part of the nail.

Abstract: A system for immobilization of a patient body part for radiotherapy applications which includes a device having at least one flanged support member which is suitable to be mounted to a fixation surface and is adapted to receive and retain at least two sheets is described. The first sheet covers the anatomical contours of a first area of the body part, and the second sheet covers the anatomical contours of a second area of the body part which is not covered by the first sheet. The system is capable of supporting the immobilized body part free from the fixation surface by the two sheets and the device.

Abstract: A method for fiducial-less real-time motion tracking of abdominal tumors based on the correlation between the patient's breathing pattern and the diaphragm/lung border during treatment delivery. This invention utilizes an edge detection technique to delineate the diaphragm/lung border on radiographic images in order to calculate or determine tumor locations in the abdomen. The position of the diaphragm/lung border is synchronized with the breathing pattern obtained from continuous optical monitoring of a patient's respiratory cycle. The real-time optical breathing pattern obtained from monitoring is used to determine or calculate the position of the diaphragm/lung border during treatment delivery. The position of the diaphragm/lung border is then used to determine the tumor location in real-time.

Abstract: A radiation delivery system includes a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) that includes a housing, a plurality of leaves disposed within the housing, and an image sensor disposed within the housing at a position that is offset from a beam axis. The plurality of leaves are movable to define an aperture for the MLC, and the image sensor is directed toward the plurality of leaves. The image sensor is to generate an oblique-view image of the aperture. The radiation delivery system additionally includes a processing device to receive the oblique-view image, transform the oblique-view image into a top-view image having a reference coordinate space, and determine whether the aperture for the MLC corresponds to a specified aperture based on the top-view image.

Abstract: An example treatment system includes: a treatment couch for holding a patient; fiducials associated with the patient; an imaging system to capture an image of the fiducials and of an irradiation target while the patient is on the treatment couch, where the image is captured in a treatment room where treatment is to be performed; a mechanism to move the treatment couch; and a computer system programmed to align locations of the fiducials to the fiducials in the image, and to determine a location of the irradiation target relative to a treatment system based on locations of the fiducials and based on the image. The movement of the treatment couch into a treatment position in the treatment room may be based on the location of the irradiation target.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a radiotherapeutic system. The radiotherapeutic system comprises a gantry and at least two radiotherapeutic heads disposed to the gantry. The at least two radiotherapeutic heads comprises at least one focused radiotherapeutic head with multi-source and at least one conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapeutic head.

Abstract: A breathing circuit device has a breathing gas line for forming a closed breathing system, with a cooling device with at least one cooling element for cooling a breathing gas sent through the breathing gas line. The at least one cooling element is separated from the breathing gas with a wall and the wall is a deformable wall, so that a direct contact can be established between the at least one cooling element and the deformable wall by means of a deformation of the deformable wall.

Abstract: A blower filter device (50) for a respirator system (1) has a filter unit (31) receiving an air filter (30) and a blower unit (65) drawing in the filtered air and generating discharged air. The blower unit has a blower (53) and a driving motor (54). An improved respirator system is provided with the blower filter device having a pressure sensor (55) arranged in the discharged air measuring the pressure of the discharged air, a mass flow sensor (56) arranged in the discharged air measuring the mass flow of the discharged air, or a parameter-determining unit (59, 60) determining an operating parameter of the motor. A control unit (51, 52) determines the volume flow of the discharged air via the measured pressure, the measured mass flow or based on the operating parameter determined and sets the motor as a function of the volume flow determined.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a scrubber bed, a cooling unit operatively connected to the scrubber bed, and a frame configured for a user to carry the apparatus. The cooling unit includes a compressor, a condensing coil operatively connecting the compressor to an expansion valve, and an evaporating coil operatively connecting the expansion valve to the compressor, and a first fluid circulating through the compressor, the condensing coil, the expansion valve, and the evaporating coil. A method of cooling a gas in a rebreather apparatus includes scrubbing an exhalation gas to produce a recycled gas having a lower concentration of carbon dioxide than the exhalation gas, compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant in a closed-loop system, transferring heat energy from the recycled gas to the refrigerant, and metering a cooled gas to the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a respirator mask having a mask body, at least one exhalation valve and at least one inhalation valve, at least one filter module allocated to the inhalation valve, and at least one coupling element arranged on the mask body and provided to fasten at least one head fastening strap engaging the head of a user from behind. It is provided that the coupling element for fastening the filter module to the mask body in a detachable manner comprises at least one holding projection which can be displaced from a position locking the filter module in place on the mask body to a position releasing the filter module.

Abstract: A closing device is provided for a container of a respirator with two container shells (2, 2?) joining each other at front surfaces, with at least one tightening strap (4), which encloses a part of a container shell outer surface located at right angles to the front surfaces. Two holding elements (5, 5?) are each provided with a recess (6, 6?) and are formed at the free ends of the tightening strap (4). A closing element (7) is formed in a U-shaped pattern with two legs (8) and meshes with each recess (6, 6?) of the holding elements (5, 5?). The legs (8) of the closing element (7) can be pulled out of the recess (6, 6?) of the holding elements (5, 5?) to take off the tightening strap (4).

Abstract: A breathing mask adapted to be placed over a wearer's face, comprises a mask body including a gas inlet port to be disposed in flow communication with the wearer's breathing passage for flow of a gas in a predetermined flow stream there through upon inhalation by the wearer; a communications microphone (30) mounted to said mask body to capture the voice of the wearer, said communications microphone generating sound signals; an attenuation device (34) for attenuating said sound signals; a sound monitor (36) for monitoring the intensity of sound near the communications microphone in a predetermined frequency range, connected to a controller device (38) for activating the attenuation device when the sound intensity monitored by the sound monitor is in a predetermined level range.

Abstract: A respiratory mask body defining a breathable air zone for a wearer and having a shut-off valve is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the mask body includes one or more inlet ports configured to receive one or more breathing air source components. The shut-off valve is operable between a closed position and an open position, and when in a closed position the shut-off valve prevents fluid communication between the one or more inlet ports and the breathable air zone and the shut-off valve returns to an open position in the absence of an applied force.

Abstract: A control valve assembly includes a valve body having inlet and outlet ends, and an endless valve seat therebetween. A clapper disk is pivotably mounted within the valve body, and is pivotable between a sealingly closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the clapper disk. A U-shaped arm is rotatably supported in the valve body, and rotatable between a first position, wherein a bight of the U-shaped arm is positioned out of an operational range of movement of the clapper disk such that the clapper disk is freely movable between the open and closed positions thereof, and a second position, wherein the bight of the U-shaped arm engages and maintains the clapper disk in the sealingly closed position thereof. A selectively rotatable control arm operatively coupled with the U-shaped arm and utilized to move the U-shaped arm between the first and second positions thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable sports device and particularly a training device for muscle building, with at least one handle and a centrifugal mass operatively connected thereto and mounted on a shaft, which is rotatable by pulling a pull rope fixed to and wound up on the shaft, and with at least one removable additional mass element arrangeable on the centrifugal mass, the at least one additional mass element being configured in the form of a circular ring piece or a circular segment piece.