Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide acoustic detection for automated devices such as respiratory treatment apparatus. In some embodiments of the technology, acoustic analysis of noise or sound pulses, such as a cepstrum analysis, based on signals of a sound sensor permits detection of obstruction such as within a patient interface, mask or respiratory conduit or within patient respiratory system. Some embodiments further permit detection of accessories such as an identification thereof or a condition of use thereof, such as a leak. Still further embodiments of the technology permit the detection of a patient or user who is intended to use the automated device.

Abstract: A resuscitation bag system (1) useable for resuscitating a person in cardiac arrest, and having a gas control unit (90) with a first valve (92) fluidly connected to a first (922) and to a second conduit (923), the first (922) and second conduits (923) being arranged in parallel and further fluidly connected to the first conduit element (56), the first conduit (922) having a first flow restriction (924) configured for limiting the gas flow to a first flowrate, and the second conduit (923) comprising second flow restriction (925) configured for limiting the gas flow to a second flowrate, with the second flowrate being less than the first flowrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a respiratory system comprising a first patient interface for delivery of a first flow of gases to a patient, a second patient interface for delivery of a second flow of gases to the patient, and a device and/or sensing arrangement that is configure to facilitate a switching of the system between a first respiratory mode where the device allowing delivery of the first flow of gases to an outlet of the first patient interface when the second patient interface is absent from the patient, and a second respiratory mode where the device reducing or stopping delivery of the first flow of gases to the outlet of the first patient interface when the second patient interface is located together with the first patient interface upon the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1; 1A) for use in connection with mechanical ventilation of a patient (3), provided by a ventilator (5). The system comprises a sensor arrangement (7; 7A; 7B) configured to register at least one signal (SLP; SLP(TA), SLP(CT); Se1-5; Se11-12), herein referred to as LP signal, related to muscular activity of at least one muscle (17, 19) in the laryngopharyngeal region (9) of said patient (3). Furthermore, the system comprises at least one control unit (11; 11A, 11B) configured to control the operation of said ventilator (5) based on said at least one LP signal, and/or to cause display of information related to said at least one LP signal on a display unit (13A, 13B) for monitoring said patient (3) and/or the operation of the ventilator (5).

Abstract: A tracheostomy holder to keep a tracheostomy tube secure in place. The tracheostomy holder has two contoured straps for applying through a tracheostomy tube eyelet. The tracheostomy holder is designed to be used with children and adults with any type of neck (short neck, long neck) also helps to prevent sliding and skin irritation. The tracheostomy holder keeps skin dry reducing the risk of skin breakdown around the neck. The tracheostomy holder has two straps wherein at the end of each strap, is a rough Velcro, that attaches to soft Velcro in the center back of the tracheostomy pad. The center of the pad is cushioned to provide more comfort for the neck.

Abstract: A flexible stylet to be inserted into and pushed out an endotracheal tube's for tracheal intubation under a visualization of a traditional or video laryngoscope. The stylet includes a rod which can be divided into a proximal segment, a distal segment which includes a bendable segment, and a tip segment. A retracting string is configured as a coil, spring, or wave-like shaped elongated flexible filament-like. Its proximal end is configured with a docking device which fastens to an endotracheal tube's proximal opening. The retracting string's distal end is coupled to the rod distal segment. The retracting string can generate pulling force when being stretched and elongated and therefore pulls back the rod distal segment back to form curves when the bendable segment is out of the ET distal aperture. A second string has two ends, one couples to the distal segment and the other to retracting string respectively.

Abstract: A mouth seal assembly for use with a nasal mask system includes a mouth seal adapted to form a seal with the patient's mouth. The mouth seal is substantially independent from a supply of pressurized air from the nasal mask system. An anti-asphyxia valve may be provided to either the mouth seal over the patient's lips or the nasal mask system. A strap arrangement may support the mouth seal in a desired position on the patient's face in use.

Abstract: A patient interface for sealed delivery of a flow of air to ameliorate sleep disordered breathing may include: a seal-forming structure to form a pneumatic seal with the entrance to the patient's airways; a positioning and stabilising structure to maintain the seal-forming structure in sealing contact with an area surrounding the entrance to the patient's airways; a plenum chamber pressurised at a pressure above ambient pressure in use; a connection port for the delivery of the flow of breathable gas into the patient interface; and a device positioned within a breathing chamber defined, at least in part, by the seal-forming structure and the plenum chamber, wherein the device divides the breathing chamber into a posterior chamber and an anterior chamber, and wherein the device comprises a plurality of apertures such that turbulence of the air in the posterior chamber is less than turbulence in the air in the anterior chamber.

Abstract: A therapy device that includes an air conduit that is configured both to secure the patient interface to the patient as well as provide pressurised air to the patient. The positioning and stabilising structure of the patient interface may include magnets that assist in positioning the positioning and stabilising structure and also assist in positioning the air conduit of the positioning and stabilising structure to interact with the mask assembly.

Abstract: A patient interface may include: a plenum chamber at least partly defining a patient interface chamber, a seal-forming structure constructed and arranged to form a seal with a region of the patient's face, at least one conduit, at least one conduit connector configured to pneumatically connect the at least one conduit to the plenum chamber to provide a flow of air at a therapeutic pressure to the patient interface chamber for breathing by the patient, and a positioning and stabilising structure to provide a force to hold the seal-forming structure on the patient's head, the positioning and stabilising structure comprising at least one tie, wherein the at least one conduit connector includes an anti-asphyxia valve configured to allow the patient to breath from ambient through their mouth in the absence of a flow of pressurised air.

Abstract: This invention relates to a patient interface comprising at least one nasal prong or an outlet of said patient interface to be received by a user's nare(s) or mouth; a gases delivery side member extending from a side of the at least one nasal prong or said outlet; and wherein the gases delivery side member comprises of a lumen for a flow of gases from an inlet of the patient interface to the at least one nasal prong or said outlet; a collapsible portion; at least one elbow portion or flexible portion, located substantially at or toward one or both of a downstream end of said gases delivery member or an upstream end of said gases delivery member.

Abstract: A patient interface system for delivery of a supply of air at positive pressure to the entrance of a patient's airways for treatment of sleep disordered breathing includes an air delivery tube connected to a flexible portion of a plenum; a vent structure having sufficient rigidity to support its own weight under gravity and/or not to block or fold under tube movement or tube drag; and a patient interface structure. The patient interface structure includes a seal forming structure arranged on a top portion of the plenum; and a seal positioning and stabilizing structure connected to a flexible portion of the plenum. The seal-forming structure is substantially decoupled from a tube drag force.

Abstract: A vent adaptor for a for a respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) system, the vent adaptor comprising: a vent assembly comprising: a vent housing defining a central orifice for the flow of pressurized gas to pass through the vent assembly from the delivery conduit to the patient interface, the vent housing having an annular surface around the central orifice, and the annular surface having a plurality of holes to discharge pressurized gas to atmosphere; and a membrane positioned adjacent to the annular surface; a heat and moisture exchanger (HME); and a diffusing member.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator includes one or more adsorbent sieve beds operable to remove nitrogen from air to produce concentrated oxygen gas at respective outlets thereof, a product tank fluidly coupled to the respective outlets of the sieve bed(s), a compressor operable to pressurize ambient air, one or more sieve bed flow paths from the compressor to respective inlets of the sieve bed(s), a bypass flow path from the compressor to the product tank that bypasses the sieve bed(s), and a valve unit operable to selectively allow flow of pressurized ambient air from the compressor along the one or more sieve bed flow paths and along the bypass flow path in response to a control signal. The valve unit may be controlled in response to a command issued by a ventilator based on a calculated or estimated total flow of gas and entrained air or % FiO2 of a patient.

Abstract: An aerosolization system includes a respiration system having an inspiratory limb and an expiratory limb. The system includes an aerosol chamber coupled with the inspiratory limb via a fluid channel. The fluid channel is disposed such that the aerosol chamber is isolated from continuous flow passing through the respiratory system. The system includes a patient interface positioned at a first location of the aerosol chamber and an aerosolization device positioned at a second location of the aerosol chamber positioned opposite the first location. The aerosolization device includes a reservoir that receives a volume of liquid medicament for aerosolization by the aerosolization device. The aerosol chamber mixes aerosolized medicament from the aerosolization device with respiratory flow received from the respiration system via the fluid channel.

Abstract: A ventilator system comprising: a ventilator having a first side provided with a first port; a humidifier having a second side engaging with the ventilator and provided with a second port; and a connection device provided on the first side of the ventilator or the second side of the humidifier and used to connect the first port of the ventilator with the second port of the humidifier. The connection device comprises: a first port, a second port and an airflow channel connecting the first port with the second port, wherein when the humidifier is separated from the ventilator, the connection device is capable of rotating from a connection position connecting the first port and the second port to a closed position for preventing foreign objects from falling into the first port and the second port. The ventilator system resolves issues of foreign objects falling into connection ports of a ventilator.

Abstract: Devices for humidifying respiratory gases are provided. The device includes a humidification component that holds a water volume and a humidification component controller coupled to the humidification component and configured to receive humidification target value information. The humidification component controller includes a humidification target value determiner that determines a humidification target value from at least two humidification target values based on the received humidification target value information. The determined humidification target value identifies a humidification level setting that corresponds to a patient. The device automatically selects an appropriate identified humidification level setting for the patient. A method of using the device is also provided.

Abstract: A device (1), for a ventilation system (100), includes an inhalation valve (10) with an inhalation opening (11) for flow (301) of breathing gas (300) into a pressure chamber (110) to provide breathing gas in the pressure chamber for ventilating a patient (200). A closing element (12) is arranged movably, to close the inhalation opening to flow in a closed position (320) and to at least partially release flow in an open position (310). A transmission device (13) is connected via a connection element (14) to the closing element, to hold the closing element in the closed position in a starting position of the transmission device, such that the inhalation valve is normally closed. A control pressure source (130) provides a control pressure (PS) in a control pressure chamber (15) for the transmission device to move the transmission device out of the starting position by the control pressure.

Abstract: A system and a method of turnkey neurological solution to provide a variety of stimulations including photo-stimulation, binaural stimulation, and electro-acupuncture in wearable form, such as in glasses. Light may be generated from at least one light source powered by integrated photovoltaic cells and amplified light may be sent to a predetermined direction through the at least one angularly oriented optical window in which one face is covered by an optical film or coating. Also, the system and method may provide that, as an optical window is fabricated, photovoltaics may be fused directly to faces of the optical window for absorption of ambient light energy, and a light source may be fused into grooves on the edge of the optical window, with nanoelectrodes attached for electrical connections to controllers inserted in a housing. It may also be contemplated to provide binaural stimulation and electro-acupuncture effectors on the wearable device.

Abstract: The present technology relates to information processing apparatus and method, and a program that make a stress level controllable depending on circumstances. A stress level measuring unit measures a stress level of a user on the basis of a result of detection by various types of sensors included in an input unit. A stress factor specifying unit specifies a factor causing an increase or decrease in the stress level on the basis of an action of the user in a period in which the stress level is increased or decreased. The present technology is applicable to a stress control system, for example.

Abstract: Referring to the drawing, there is shown a school bus (10), which has a fully renovated, empty interior with wooden floors & heightened ceilings (12), provides a sense of serene calm (12), smells pleasant (12), and a door that does not allow personal distractions (14). The invention will now be described in use, with reference to preferred embodiment. In use, the automobile (10) arrives at a business, institution, organization, school, neighborhood, event or designated side walk. Clients sign up for one of the variety of classes prior to boarding through the main door (14). Inside the vehicle (12), they experience a guided mindfulness or yoga practice. Then clients go on with their day, reaping all the benefits of consistent group mindfulness or yoga practice without deviating from their busy schedule.

Abstract: An autonomic nerve control device includes an obtainer that obtains a physiological quantity of a user before the user occupies a moving body, and a controller that controls the autonomic nerves of the user occupying the moving body based on the physiological quantity of the user obtained by the obtainer.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for facilitating a sleep cycle in a subject, comprising selecting a waveform from a plurality of waveforms derived from brainwaves of at least one sleeping donor, wherein said waveform corresponds to at least one specific stage of sleep; and stimulating the subject with at least one stimulus, wherein said at least one stimulus is at least one of an auditory stimulus and a visual stimulus modulated with the selected waveform to entrain the brain of the subject with the selected waveform to facilitate sleep in the subject.

Abstract: An exemplary catheter can be provided which can include, for example, a first inflation arrangement configured, in operation, to substantially seal and/or anchor the catheter inside the bladder when inflated, a second inflation arrangement configured, in operation, to substantially float in urine when inflated, wherein the second arrangement can be located at a predetermined distance from the first inflation arrangement, and an aperture provided between the first inflation arrangement and the second inflation arrangement, where the first and second arrangements can cause the aperture to be (i) open when the second inflation arrangement can be located at a first position relative to the first inflation arrangement, and (ii) closed when the second inflation arrangement can be located at a second position relative to the first inflation arrangement, and where the second position can be different than the first position.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to catheters, methods of enhancing the patency of an intravascular catheter and compositions, methods, devices and kits relating to the infusion of a catheter lock solution into an indwelling catheter. Disclosed compositions, methods, devices and kits aid in diminishing the effects of microbial infection in catheters and occlusion of the catheters. A representative lock solution includes about 10% sodium citrate and about 1.5% benzyl alcohol. The solution has a density approximating the density of blood for retention of the solution in a catheter during the lock period.

Abstract: A method of inserting a catheter and catheter placement apparatus that were designed for improving the safety and efficiency in the placement of a PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) implant are described. The invention enables placement of the catheter into the body while the catheter is maintained in a sterile environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of steerable catheters are disclosed. The catheters may include a plurality of generally arcuate-shaped struts connected at proximal and distal ends of a handle. The handle is connected to a tubular portion at a distal end of the handle. The tubular portion includes a resilient component positioned near a distal tip of the tubular portion. The catheter includes a pull wire fixed to a point at or near the distal tip of the tubular portion. Upon manual compression of the handle, the struts are squeezed together, lengthening the handle, and extending the pull wire proximally. The proximal extension of the pull wire can cause the distal tip of the catheter to deflect. The catheter can be rotated greater than 360° around a longitudinal axis. The compressible handle can allow a user of the catheter tactile feedback and control over navigation of the catheter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are catheter assemblies and methods thereof that address various aspects of at least the retrograde tunneling technique. The catheter assemblies include, but are not limited to, catheter assemblies configured for vascular access, catheter assemblies configured for priming, catheter assemblies configured for tunneling, and mechanisms for connecting catheter tubes to their respective catheter assemblies. The methods include, but are not limited to, priming, tunneling, and connecting catheter tubes to their respective catheter assemblies.

Abstract: A catheter securement device with integrated intra-luminal electro-conduction, and external tamper sensitivity, for tamper or movement detection. The catheter securement device accordingly can detect movement or tampering of an inserted catheter, which will allow a healthcare provider to take action to prevent movement or removal of the catheter from a patient.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the dressing has a base which is to be adhered to a patient about a catheter site, an aperture in the base to pull a catheter line through and a cover with a window that is folded over and onto the base in a sealed manner. In another embodiment, the dressing has two covers with windows for folding over separate sections of a base to seal in the components of a catheter assembly with multiple catheters extending from a common housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter apparatus with an anchoring device to stabilize the catheter tip when in use, such as when infusing, injecting, or delivering substances, devices or other catheters into a patient. The apparatus according to various embodiments deploys an anchoring device that stabilizes the catheter tip and enables adjustment of the blood flow during use.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for accessing an internal body region using a catheter. The catheter includes a catheter body and a medication lumen positioned within the catheter body for delivering medication to the internal body region. An inflation lumen is positioned within the catheter body. A balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, and the balloon is configured to move between a collapsed position and an expanded position as fluid enters the balloon through the inflation lumen. An anchor covers at least a portion of the balloon on an outer surface of the catheter body and includes a movable section with a first retracted position and a second deployed position. Upon inflation of the balloon, the movable section of the anchor moves radially outward from the first contracted position to the second deployed position to secure the catheter in the internal body region.

Abstract: A balloon catheter and balloon system particularly useful with drug-coated balloons is described. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter system includes various features designed to address problems with drug rubbing off due to contract friction during delivery of the balloon—including by utilizing a protective sleeve to shield the drug-coated balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter system includes an inner high-pressure balloon and an outer drug-coated balloon to mitigate the time associated with performing vessel dilation.

Abstract: A balloon suitable for use in a catheter for carrying out a method for angioplasty consists of a middle cylindrical region and two end regions delimiting the middle cylindrical region. The balloon, with a pressure application of 6 bar, has a ratio of the cross section in the middle region to the cross sections in the two end regions of at least 2, and preferably greater than 3. The balloon can have a balloon wall thickness in the middle cylindrical region that is greater than or equal to a balloon wall thickness in the two end regions and is preferably more than 10% thicker than a balloon wall thickness in the two end sections.

Abstract: A medical device with an expandable element and expandable tubular sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the expandable element which influences the rate, shape and/or force required to expand the expandable element and methods for use in a body lumen are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent with a pigtail structure used for connection between organs of different kinds where a through hole is formed on each of the organs of different kinds and portions around the through holes are connected to each other, the stent comprising: a stent body where both end parts are arranged across the through holes formed on the organs of different kinds and a connecting passage which connects the two organs of different kinds is formed; and a one-side wound end part and an other-side wound end part which are formed in a pigtail shape at both end parts of the stent body to be caught and fixed to the through holes, such that portions of the organs of different kinds around the through holes are in close contact with each other, wherein the stent body, the one-side wound end part, and the other-side wound end part are provided as an integral body having a mesh structure made of woven wire and comprising a cover film which covers the woven wire for sealing of the connecting pa

Abstract: A device for precise control of blood flow across an interatrial septum is provided. The device includes a sheath having a first set of openings disposed within a first atrium while a second set of openings is disposed within a second atrium. An actuator may be actuated to move an inner sleeve within the sheath to modify the area of second set of openings to permit blood to flow between the first and second atria responsive to a pressure gradient across the interatrial septum via the first and second openings at a blood flow rate corresponding with the area of the second set of openings of the sheath. In addition, the patient's hemodynamics responsive to the shunting of blood across the interatrial septum at each incremental area of the opening may be monitored for selecting a specific sized implantable interatrial shunt for the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implanting an endovascular shunt in a patient is disclosed. The system having an expandable anchor configured for being deployed in a dural venous sinus of a patient at a location distal to a curved portion of a wall of an inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) of the patient; an elongate guide member coupled to, and extending proximally from, the anchor; a shunt delivery catheter having a first lumen configured to receive the guide member, and a second lumen extending between respective proximal and distal openings in the shunt delivery catheter, the shunt delivery catheter further having a penetrating element coupled to a distal end of the catheter; and the system further having a guard at least partially disposed over, and movable relative to, the penetrating element.

Abstract: A device for reducing pressure within a lumen includes a reservoir structured for holding a fluid therein, an injection port in fluid communication with the reservoir, a compliant body structured to expand and contract upon changes in pressure, and a conduit extending between and fluidly coupling the reservoir and the compliant body. The fluid may be a compressible or a noncompressible fluid.

Abstract: Intravesical drug delivery devices are provided which may include an elongated body formed of a matrix system of a drug dispersed in a silicone, wherein the elongated body has a first end, an opposed second end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, and wherein the silicone of the matrix system is cured to bias the elongated body in a coiled retention shape, such that the device is elastically deformable between a relatively straightened shape suited for insertion of the device through a urethra and into the urinary bladder of a patient and the coiled retention shape which is suited to retain the device within the urinary bladder.

Abstract: Intravesical drug delivery devices are provided which may include an elongated body formed of a matrix system of a drug dispersed in a silicone, wherein the elongated body has a first end, an opposed second end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, and wherein the silicone of the matrix system is cured to bias the elongated body in a coiled retention shape, such that the device is elastically deformable between a relatively straightened shape suited for insertion of the device through a urethra and into the urinary bladder of a patient and the coiled retention shape which is suited to retain the device within the urinary bladder.

Abstract: The sheet mask includes multiple battery parts arranged such that electric currents flow along mimic muscles or flows of lymph. This allows an active ingredient to penetrate into in-body tissues more effectively and also allows the mimic muscles and the lymphatic vessels to be electrically stimulated. Forming the battery parts by using materials with low environmental load allows easy disposal of the sheet mask in everyday life.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for providing a triggering mechanism which lowers the trigger force to activate the trigger mechanism to a comfortable range of while still preserving or increasing the speed at which the triggering mechanism accelerates or imparts velocity to a device attached to the triggering mechanism. The present invention further relates to improved applicators for administering microprojection arrays to skin and methods of administering microprojection arrays. In particular, the present invention relates to compact stable self-contained mechanical energy storage for delivery of a medical device such as a microprojection array.

Abstract: Described herein are microneedle arrays for delivery of medicinal formulations. The microneedle arrays includes an anchoring system for securing the microneedle arrays to the skin for a period of time, e.g., a treatment period. The microneedles in the array also may include a coating, such as a lubricious coating for ease of puncturing/penetrating the skin or anti-microbial agents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an implanted medical device, such as a vascular access port. The implanted medical device may include at least one passive RFID tag that has disposed thereon information about the implanted medical device. The at least one passive RFID tag is designed to be interrogated by a detector associated with an external device, such as an infusion set with an access needle. The interrogating signal induces a return signal from the at least one passive RFID tags. The strength of the return signal may be dependent on the distance and orientation of the tag relative to the detector. The system may be designed to interpret different signal strengths from different RFID tags to guide the needle to a correct insertion position, thereby accessing a port that cannot be readily detected visually or by palpation.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween. An actuatable hemostasis valve in a hub is adjacent the proximal end of the elongate shaft and may be used to prevent blood from escaping from the elongate shaft. The introducer sheath may also have a a self-expanding funnel adjacent the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: An infusion set that has a base having an opening to receive a cannula device, the base having a lower base part and an upper base part, wherein the upper base part is coupled to the lower base part and is rotatable relative to the lower base part and a connector that has a fluid connector tube. The connector prevents the upper base from substantially rotating relative to the lower base and the fluid connector tube is in fluid connection with the cannula device when the connector is coupled to the base.

Abstract: Fluid flow control devices for medical use are disclosed. On one end, a fluid flow control device is configured to be attached to a manifold that is in-line with an infusion setup and the other end of the fluid flow control device is configured to be attached to a sampling or infusion device, such as a syringe. In one aspect, a fluid flow control device has an external casing and an internal casing which is configured to be movably housed within the external casing. The internal casing mates with a fluid outlet on the external casing and upon separating the internal and external casings a fluid flow path is established.

Abstract: A breaker device (1) for acting onto a closure element (40) of a medical tubing (4) comprises a drive arrangement (2) having an electric drive device (20) and a drive element (23) driven by the drive device (20), and a breaker module (3) which is arrangeable on the drive arrangement (2). The breaker module (3) comprises a housing (30), a movable part (31) movably arranged on the housing (30) and a breaking element (315) for acting onto the closure element (40) of the tubing (4), wherein the breaker module (3) in an attached state is placed on the drive arrangement (2), the drive element (23) being in operative connection with the movable part (31) in the attached state such that a movement of the drive element (23) causes the movable part (31) to move for actuating the breaking element (315). A control device (5) serves for controlling the electric drive device (20) for driving the drive element (23).

Abstract: Techniques for providing therapy to a patient via electrical stimulation are described. The techniques include, for example, determining, relative to a start time of providing the electrical stimulation, one or more efficacy times that correspond to an efficacy indicator, determining, according to the efficacy times, efficacy data items for the patient, comparing the efficacy data items with the efficacy indicator, and generating, based on the comparison, a prediction of an expected response to the therapy manifesting in the patient at a prospective time.