Abstract: A heat and moisture exchanger for both conducting a stream of air produced by a ventilator to a moisturizing medium and internally bypassing the moisturizing medium if aerosolized medication is introduced into the stream includes a housing having a ventilator-side port coupled to an outlet of a ventilator and a source of aerosolized medication. The housing has a patient-side port for coupling to a patient to provide ventilation including either air or air carrying aerosolized medication. A first path conducts air from the ventilator-side port through the moisturizing medium and the patient-side port, and a second path conducts air carrying aerosolized medication from the ventilator-side port directly to the patient-side port. A two-way valve mechanism in the housing selectively couples the ventilator-side port into fluid communication with one or the other of the first and second paths.

Abstract: A cannula comprising a main body which defines an internal chamber therein. A first and second nasal prongs, respectively, communicate with the internal chamber to define first and second nasal prong passages. A mouthpiece has a gas passageway and a retainer passageway and a first end of the gas passageway communicates with the internal chamber while a second free end of the mouthpiece has a gas opening therein. A shape retaining member is received within the retainer passageway to facilitate retaining an adjusted position of an opening of the gas passageway with respect to a remainder of the cannula. A method of forming the cannula is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser device having a body (1), a fluid reservoir (3) containing two half-doses, a dispensing mechanism that dispenses a half-dose of fluid upon actuation, and an energy accumulation mechanism (50, 51, 55) that accumulates energy in the hand of the user and released suddenly so that each of the half-doses is dispensed in full. The dispensing mechanism includes a dispensing member (8) mounted to slide in the reservoir (3) for dispensing the fluid, an actuating element (5) mounted to move between a rest position and an actuating position and on which the user exerts an actuating force to move the dispensing member (8) inside said reservoir (3). The actuating element is mounted to move in a direction substantially transverse to the direction in which the dispensing member (8) moves, and a dose-splitting mechanism (7, 12) dispenses a half-dose of fluid each time the dispensing mechanism is actuated.

Abstract: Improvement for the device to deliver the powdery medicine into nasal cavities in which a capsule setting/detaching part 40 is built drawably in the capsule housing/holding part 30, and cutting blades 60A, 60B are built in both axial ends of the capsule setting/detaching part 40 of the capsule housing/holding part 30 for cutting both axial ends of the capsule thereby perforating the capsule. A medicine capturing/collecting part 32 and a one-way valve 33 are built in a lower portion of the capsule housing/holding part 30, and a pump 50 having an air inlet valve 54 is built in the air flow inlet side thereof. A medicine delivery part 20 is built in the air exit of the capsule housing/holding part 30, a nozzle 22 is installed and medicine in the capsule can be dosed to the nasal cavities of the user by pressing the pump 50.

Abstract: A pressure-assisted breathing system is provided that comprises: a pressure-generating circuit for maintaining a positive pressure within the system; a patient interface device coupled to a patient's respiratory system; a respiratory circuit for providing gas communication between the pressure-generating circuit and the patient interface device; means for introducing aerosol particles into the gas flow in the respiratory circuit; and means for discontinuing the introduction of aerosol particles into said respiratory circuit gas flow when the patient exhales. In one embodiment, a flow sensor is disposed in an auxiliary circuit in fluid communication with the respiratory circuit and electronically coupled with a nebulizer. The flow sensor is adapted to detect changes in the volumetric flow rate of gas in the auxiliary circuit when the patient exhales and stops exhaling and sends corresponding electronic signals to the nebulizer to turn off and turn on, respectively.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying respiratory oxygen to a patient where the oxygen flow is monitored so as to control and conserve oxygen in response to the pressure in the nasal passages of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and related systems for individually sensing airflow in the breathing orifices of a patient, and preferentially delivering therapeutic gas to those breathing orifices based on the amount of airflow sensed.

Abstract: Treatment of pulmonary disorders associated with hypoxemia and/or smooth muscle constriction and/or inflammation comprises administering into the lungs as a gas compound with an NO group which does not form NO2/NOx in the presence of oxygen or reactive oxygen species at body temperature. Treatment of cardiac and blood disorders, e.g., angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertension, sickle cell disease and clotting disorders, comprises administering into the lungs as a gas, a compound which reacts with cysteine in hemoglobin and/or dissolves in blood and has an NO group which is bound in said compound so that it does not form NO2/NOx in the presence of oxygen or reactive oxygen species at body temperature. Exemplary of the compound administered in each case is ethyl nitrite.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the delivery of supplemental oxygen gas to a person combined with the monitoring of the ventilation of the person with both being accomplished without the use of a sealed face mask. Preferred embodiments of the present invention combine an oxygen delivery device, a nasal airway pressure sampling device, an oral airway pressure sampling device, and a pressure analyzer connected to the sampling devices to determine the phase of the person's respiration cycle and the person's primary airway. The oxygen delivery device is connected to a controller such that it delivers a higher flow of oxygen to the person during the inhalation phase of the person's respiratory cycle. The invention thus increases end tidal oxygen concentrations with improved efficiency comparative to known open airway devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient. The device includes a patient interface and connecting member. The connecting member is preferably a L-shaped swivelled connector that is capable of being fixed into one of two positions, a first position where the connector is freely rotatable within the patient interface, and a second position where an interference between the interface and connector prevents the free rotation of the connector within the patient interface. The present invention further relates to a connector that has outlet means, which includes at least one outlet vent and a funnel, which in use directs and passes a substantial portion gases expired from the patient through the outlet vent or vents.

Abstract: A dispenser head for a dispenser device for dispensing a fluid, said dispenser head being characterized in that it comprises an inner body (10) defining a dispensing channel (11) for the fluid, said channel (11) being terminated by a dispensing orifice (12), and a separate outer body (20) defining an actuating surface (21) on which the user presses to actuate the dispenser device, said outer body (20) being fitted over said inner body (10) in a manner such that, in the event that an attempt is made to tear off or to remove said dispenser head, only said outer body (20) is removable, said inner body (20) remaining fixed to said dispenser device.

Abstract: An oxygen delivery and gas sensing nasal cannula system, comprising a main prong assembly and a pair of nasal prongs. There is also provided a pair of oxygen conduit tubes and a main oxygen delivery tube. There is also provided an adjustment sleeve to adjust the fit of the cannula system on a patient's head. There is also included a gas sampling, a gas sampling conduit end piece and a flared main oxygen delivery tube end piece to be receivably coupled to an oxygen supply.

Abstract: Apparatus and a concomitant method for electrostatically depositing select doses of medicament powder at select locations on a substrate. Specifically, the apparatus contains a charged particle emitter for generating charged particles that charge a predefined region of a substrate and a charge accumulation control circuit for computing the amount of charge accumulated upon the substrate and deactivating the emitter when a selected quantity of charge has accumulated. Additionally, a triboelectric charging apparatus charges the medicament powder and forms a charged medicament cloud proximate the charged region of the substrate. The medicament particles within the medicament cloud electrostatically adhere to the charged region. The quantity of charge accumulated on the substrate at the predefined region and the charge-to-mass ratio of the medicament powder in the cloud control the amount (dose) of medicament deposited and retained by the substrate.

Abstract: A nasal cannula is provided having a first and second nasal plug connected to a gas supply such as oxygen. A holder frictionally engages each nasal plug and a connector connects the two holders. The plugs are movable along the length of the connector to allow adjustment of the spacing between nasal plugs to accommodate a person's nostrils but with sufficient friction to retain the selected position. The plugs are rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the connector to adjust the orientation of the plug within a nostril relative to a patient's face, but with sufficient friction to retain the selected position. One of the connector or holder is removably fastened to the patient's face. A regulator is interposed in the gas supply to vary the flow rate and pressure to meet predetermined patterns.

Abstract: A continuous positive pressure device which includes an air reservoir connected to a delivery device (e.g. mask or mouthpiece) by an air supply hose; the reservoir includes a rigid protective housing and a plate which applies uniform pressure on the reservoir irrespective of its degree of inflation; the plate is connected to the housing by a non distorting and expandable frame which can expand or contract to permit movement of the plate only in a single plane, as the reservoir inflates or deflates.

Abstract: The nasal filter is a breathing aid that would filter pollutants and contaminants from the air, thus improving the quality of the air inhaled by individuals who suffer respiratory ailments and allergies to air borne pollutants. Designed to fit just inside the nostrils, the nasal filter would consist of a spring clip having flanged two-pronged ends with an oval shaped filtering member on each end. The filtering elements would be made of a medium grade cotton rolled into an appropriate configuration to fit the nostril, and could possibly be impregnated with oxymetazoline to aid in the treatment of nasal congestion. The flanged ends would secure the device in place during exhalation, and could also be useful in replacing the disposable filtering elements. The spring clip could be offered in clear or flesh-toned plastic and could also be offered in a variety of sizes to fit different user's noses.

Abstract: A respirator for enabling a wearer to inhale filtered air through the wearer's nostrils comprising an elongate breathing tube, an air-purifying element disposed in fluidic engagement with the elongate breathing tube, and first and second nasal inserts disposed in fluidic engagement with the elongate breathing tube and with the air-purifying element. The first and second nasal inserts are preferably disposed in close proximity to one another, and a nose plug preferably extends from each nasal insert. With this, a wearer can inhale purified air into the wearer's nostrils through the nose plugs from the elongate breathing tube after the air has been purified by being drawn through the air-purifying element.

Abstract: A nasal cannula for insufflating a patient with oxygen through one nare of the cannula and separately analyzing the exhaled gases from the patient by drawing the sampling of the exhaled gas from the other nare of the cannula into a conventional carbon dioxide analyzer. A further addition of holes or vents in the nares of the cannula are provided on both the interior and posterior of one or both nares in order to substantially reduce or eliminate the incidence of occlusion of the tip of the carbon dioxide sampling nare.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a breathable gas together with a nebulised medicament to a patient comprises a gas cylinder 4, a nebuliser 12, a first line 8a extending between the gas cylinder 4 and the nebuliser 12, an outlet from the nebuliser 12 in communication with a mask 14 for use by the patient, and a second line extending between the same or a different gas cylinder 4 and the mask 14 for delivering a breathable gas to the patient. A third line 86 extends between the gas cylinder 4 and the nebuliser 12 for assisting in the delivery of the medicament to the patient.

Abstract: A mask (10) for supplying gas under pressure to the nasal airway of a human includes a manifold (30) including means (36) for connection to a gas supply means, a gas supply element or elements (26) for providing said gas to the nasal airway without pressurising the exterior of the nose and a flexible strap (12) formed from an elastomeric material for securing the manifold (30) in position. The strap (12) extends either side of the manifold (30) and is shaped to generally conform with the shape of the upper lip and adjacent cheek area to act as a distributed anchor means for the mask (10).

Abstract: Methods and systems for supplying supplemental oxygen to patients for use in sub-acute care which maintains healthy blood oxygen content in the patients by controlled dosing of oxygen with a measured response to the patient's actual blood oxygen content are disclosed. The dosing can be provided by simple ON/OFF control over the delivery of oxygen or the amount of oxygen delivered to the patient with each inhalation can be varied in response to the patient's need as determined by a more sophisticated control scheme, such as a PID loop control algorithm, that utilizes the difference between the patient's actual blood oxygen content and a target blood oxygen content and/or trends in the blood oxygen content. The systems and methods are particularly directed at patients receiving supplemental oxygen in a sub-acute care environment.

Abstract: (1) An apparatus for delivering inhalant and monitoring exhaled fluid; (2) a method of making same; and (3) a method of delivering inhalant and monitoring exhaled fluid are disclosed. The apparatus for delivering inhalant to and monitoring exhaled fluid from a patient includes a first cannula having a distal end adapted to be received at a first depth in, for delivering a fluid into, a nostril of the patient, and a second cannula having a distal end adapted to be received at a second depth in, for sampling exhaled fluid from, the nostril.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for treating sleep apnoea. More specifically, the present invention provides a nasal positive airway pressure device which is reliable and comfortable to wear and, consequently, more acceptable to the patient. The nasal device has inflatable cuffs worn in a patient's nasal cavities. A pair of inflating tubes are in gaseous communication with the interior of a respective one of the inflatable cuffs and when pressurised gases flow through each of the inflating tubes, each of the cuffs inflate to retain the cuff within each of the nasal cavities of the patient.

Abstract: The apparatus is configured to provide improved nasal breathing to persons requiring a range of respiratory based remedies ranging from opening collapsed nasal passages to treating allergic reaction to delivery of immediate dosage or controlled release medication. The apparatus includes connected nasal inserts which provide nodules to open the nasal passage and which directly align with the nasal air channel. For a preferred embodiment which provides a means to delivery of breathable gas mixtures or nasal and sinus rinse solutions, the inserts contain cannula which receive and connect to the source of the gas or rinse. For another embodiment using filtration, the inserts receive disposable filtration pacs. Sustained release of predetermined medical dosages is obtained by a further embodiment wherein the inserts receive medication inserts.

Abstract: A nasal cannula for delivering air to a patient's nares. Two delivery tubes are provided to supply air to a pair of nasal inserts each of which conform to the shape of the nare. Properly placed bleed ports reduce noise and reduce carbon dioxide retained in the system. The cannula is positioned on the face with the aid of a strap system.

Abstract: A nasal cannula for delivering respiratory gases to a neonatal infant comprising a manifold including a chamber, a gases inlet to the chamber and a gases outlet a low resistance path for gases through the chamber from its inlet to its outlet and a pair of nasal prongs in fluid communication with the chamber with each prong substantial equidistant the inlet, and directly in the low resistance path to deadspace eliminate.

Abstract: A particulate dispenser having a housing with an internal chamber defined by a housing sidewall and endwall. Tobacco snuff, or other particulate such as medication, is contained in the chamber by a closure, which is a circular disk closure rotatably mounted to the housing along its axis. The disk closure has at least one cavity that serves as a measuring cup formed on the substantially planar surface that faces the chamber. By rotating the closure, the cavity filled with particulate is aligned with an air inlet. Thus, when air is inhaled through a nostril near an inhalation port, air is drawn through the air inlet, thereby drawing the particulate through a linear passage and out the inhalation port.

Abstract: A pump-type dispenser for dispensing predetermined doses of medicament in droplets or in spray form to the nasal area incorporates a rigid vial for medicament, an expandable pouch located within the rigid vial, a nasal screen, a one-way actuation mechanism, a one-way valve mechanism in the nozzle area and a spring element, both the valve mechanism and the spring element being formed as integral portions of the pump body. The one-way valve mechanism in the nozzle area ensures a one-way movement of medicament from the dispenser, thereby preserving substantially perfect sterility of the medicament in the dispenser, without requiring the use of preservatives. The one-way actuation mechanism enables the user to load and dispense a uniform quantity of medicament with a uniform actuation force and speed via a single continuous motion of the actuation mechanism. The rigid vial/expandable-pouch combination facilitates improved long term use, as well as uniformity of dosage independent of the pump orientation.

Abstract: A nasal medication administering device for providing a quick and easy way of safely administering medication to a user. The nasal medication administering device includes at least one flexible and squeezable medication-containing container; and also includes at least one flexible tubular member having an open first end and an open second end and a bore extending therethrough with the first end being extended through a wall of and into the medication-containing container and with the second end being adapted to be extended into a nasal passage of a user; and further includes at least one cap member being removably attached about the second end of the at least one flexible tubular member for closing the opening through the second end.

Abstract: A gas administering method for administering gas to an airway of a patient having a nasal vestibule and for use with a gas administering apparatus comprises a primary gas source that is operable to provide gas and a nasal vestibular portion arranged so as to receive the gas from the primary gas source. Further, the nasal vestibular portion is capable of releasing the primary gas into the nasal vestibule. The method comprises inserting the nasal vestibular portion into the nasal vestibule, forming a seal between the nasal vestibular portion and an inner surface of the nasal vestibule, administering an amount of a gas from the primary gas source at a constant flow rate into the nasal vestibule via the nasal vestibular portion, and administering an anesthetic to the patient. The anesthetic induces depression of a portion of the nervous system of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual-cannister inhaler for effectively delivering medications by inhalation through the mouth of patients, having a spacer for more effectively mixing the medication and air, and easy to operate lever and canister selection mechanisms. A preferred embodiment of the invention has universal receptors for two metered dose inhaler canisters. A lever arm is provided that is opposed to the body of the inhaler, which allows a patient to use the entire hand to activate the metered dose inhaler canister. A simple and easy to operate sliding selector permits one-handed control of the canister selector. In a preferred embodiment a valve assembly and whistle are included in the inhaler to improve the consistency and effectiveness of delivery of medication to the lungs of a patient.

Abstract: A portable device for administering a gas. The device can supply at least one nostril of a user with at least part of a gas. The device includes at least one gas distribution nozzle and a support, with which the at least one gas distribution nozzle is supported or held in position on the face of the user. The at least one gas distribution nozzle is held along at least part of the outer wall or surface of the nose or cheeks of the user, when the device is positioned on the head or the face of the user. The at least one nozzle is outside the user's nostrils.

Abstract: A method for producing a nozzle useful in generating a fine aerosol for delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent is provided. The method comprises treating a thin, preferably flexible material having partially formed nozzles with a plasma which alters the size and shape of the nozzles. The pores in the nozzles so formed preferably have an unflexed exit aperture diameter in the range of about 0.5 to about 25 microns, depending on the size of the aerosol particles desired for a given application. The pores in the nozzles can have a variety of shapes and can be distributed in a variety of patterns. An elevated area can be formed around the exit aperture of the nozzle in order to prevent intrusion of liquid back into the nozzle. A method of producing an aerosolization device incorporating such a nozzle is also provided.

Abstract: An improved disposable bubble oxygen humidifier is provided having a humidifying chamber included for the blending of oxygen and moisture. A slide switch on the top of the humidifier directs pure oxygen to the patient, or alternately, routes the oxygen through the humidifier and on to the patient. Hoses are attached at an inlet supply port and an outlet discharge port.