Abstract: A brain cooling system includes a gas delivery system and a cooling apparatus. The gas delivery system may include an apparatus for establishing a desired pressure and flow rate for gases to be inhaled by a subject and an interface element. The pressurization element may comprise a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. The interface element may include a breathing mask, such as a nasal non-invasive ventilation (NIV) mask, or a nostril occlusive nasal delivery device. Such a brain cooling system may be used to treat cerebral hypoperfusion, as may occur with a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), such as a stroke, a traumatic brain injury, or cardiac arrest, or with conditions that may lead to a CVA or to cerebral hypoperfusion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas, which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube. Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas mixture, such as He/O2 or SF6/O2 to increase the heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.

Abstract: The present inventions provide respiratory therapy apparatus that introduce water into the pressurized air delivered to a user during various positive airway pressure therapies and corresponding methods. The respiratory therapy apparatus may be configured to administer one or more positive airway pressure therapies, including: continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP), bi-level positive airway pressure therapy (BPAP), auto positive airway pressure therapy (autoPAP), proportional positive airway pressure therapy (PPAP), and/or other positive airway pressure therapies. The respiratory therapy apparatus may include a user interface that defines an interface passage to communicate pressurized air to the user for inhalation and a humidifier that introduces water into the pressurized air generally at the interface passage. Methods according to the present inventions may include introducing water into the interface passage at one or more humidifier ports disposed about the interface passage.

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 portable, low maintenance apparatus is provided for cooling down athletes following strenuous exercise. The apparatus has a repository that holds ice, and a fan configured to blow air through the ice and out of a face adapter part. The face adapter is shaped to provide a cool, breathable stream of air to a user who presses his face up against the adapter.

Abstract: An air delivery device (ADD) for applying fluid pressure pulses (FPP) to the mouth cavity of a patient at a predetermined frequency according to a protocol The ADD, comprises: a) an air blower for blowing air into a pressure chamber via a first opening (inlet); b) airflow occluding means (AOM) provided in fluid communication with said pressure chamber; said AOM located between said first opening and a second opening (outlet) of said pressure chamber; c) a patient mouthpiece or Face Mask, in fluid communication with said second opening (outlet); and, d) means for controlling AOM, adapted to interrupt and release said airflow at a predetermined frequency and pressure, thereby applying said FPPs to the mouth cavity of a patient according to a predetermined protocol during operation.

Abstract: A medicine ejection device is provided allowing a medicine with a desired droplet diameter to be inhaled at a constant rate. The medicine ejection device has a decision part at which the ejection operating conditions of a medicine ejection part for ejecting the medicine are decided in accordance with at least one of an open-air environment or a state of the medicine during use of the device. The device ejects the medicine according to the ejection operating conditions decided by the decision part.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator comprises a plurality of adsorbent columns, each having an inlet, an outlet and abed of adsorbent material. The oxygen concentrator also includes a vacuum pump for removing separated nitrogen rich gas from the column inlets, a control valve for controlling flow of fluids in and out of the columns, and a breakthrough sensor for signaling the position of a mass transfer zone (MTZ), the breakthrough sensor controlling operation of the control valve as a function of the breakthrough sensor signal. An electric control module (ECM) receives the signal from the breakthrough sensor, and adjusts the control valve based on the signal.

Abstract: A gas mask and breathing equipment is provided with a circuit for breathing gas and with a heat exchanger (7) cooled by an evaporating agent. The evaporating agent is introduced from an evaporating agent container (8) into the heat exchanger (7) via at least one group of spraying elements (9) and a gas delivery means (11) allows a gas volume flow to flow through the heat exchanger (7).

Abstract: An oxygen separator for separating oxygen from ambient air utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption process has a mass of less than 2.3 kg. A carrier is mountable on a person to support the oxygen separator for ambulatory use.

Abstract: An inhaler having a housing containing a low temperature material. Positioned in the housing is a coil or other pathway isolated from the housing and defining an airflow passageway. The coil and the air inside the coil are cooled by the low temperature material when activated. The low temperature material is normally in an inactive state, and requires activation in order to cool. Activation can be initiated immediately prior to use by flexing a flexible or collapsible member in which an activating agent is stored. Also disclosed is a method of activating a low temperature material by causing the low temperature material to contact an activating agent, and inhaling (or forcing manually or automatically) cool air from the device to cause cool air to enter the airways of a patient.

Abstract: A method for transpulmonary cooling by providing a liquid having a boiling point of 38-300° C., more preferably 38-250° C., more preferably 38-200° C., more preferably 38-150° C., more preferably 38-80° C. The liquid is nebulized to form a mist. The mist is optionally cooled below room temperature and delivered to the airway of a patient so that the patient inhales the mist. The mist causes systemic cooling by evaporative heat loss when inhaled at room temperature and additionally by direct heat transfer when inhaled below room temperature. Compositions and medical devices for transpulmonary cooling are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas, which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube. Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas mixture, such as He/O2 or SF/O2 to increase the heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.

Abstract: An inhaler device and a method of treating various symptoms associated with the airway and/or throat and/or respiratory system of a patient. The device is particularly designed to reduce swelling and inflammation of the larynx and or upper respiratory track, such as swelling and/or inflammation that result from croup, laryngitis's, laryngotracheobronchitis, and other diseases and conditions. In its method aspects, the present invention includes inhaling (or forcing manually or automatically) cool and/or moist air from the device to cause cool and/or moist air to enter the airways of the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the generation of respirational air. The device according to the invention makes it possible to dehumidify air optimally. The dehumidification problem is achieved with a tapering passage, in particular with a nozzle. The nozzle is contained in a tube in which the mixture of air and water flows. A pressure which is higher on one side and which leads to a local increase in the flow rate in the nozzle and to a lower temperature prevails in the nozzle. These circumstances result in the water further condensing out of the air in the nozzle. The water which is condensed out is entrained by the air stream and can be separated off in a water separator connected directly after the nozzle, even before the gas or the air (after the nozzle) can become saturated again.

Abstract: An inhaler operable to control a temperature of a medicament of the inhaler includes a medicament reservoir being configured to store a medicament therein. A medicament ejector is operably coupled to the medicament reservoir and is configured to eject the medicament from the reservoir to deliver the medicament to a patient. A controllable thermal source is in thermal communication with at least an inside portion of the medicament reservoir and is operable to controllably affect a temperature of the medicament. A thermal control system is in operable communication with the controllable thermal source and is configured to control the thermal source to maintain the medicament within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: In a breathing apparatus the chemical cartridge through which respiratory air flows to generate oxygen is divided into a plurality of air treatment chambers (15 to 18) by means of retaining grids. An impact-damping means (21a, 21b) consisting of a multilayer fine wire mesh, which abuts flat against the relevant front cover is located in the external air treatment chambers (15, 18) whilst provided in the middle air treatment chambers (16, 17) is a damping element (24, 25) consisting of a multilayer fine-wire mesh folded in a zigzag fashion, having fold edges running parallel and at a distance from the outer wall of the chemical cartridge (2), one edge thereof running in a zigzag fashion is fixed to a wire grid (26, 27). The damping elements of each adjacent air treatment chambers are not in alignment. Potassium hyperoxide granules (22) for oxygen generation are located in the air treatment chambers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas, which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube. Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas mixture, such as He/O2 or SF/O2 to increase the heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fully adjustable Portable Pulmonary Body Core Cooling and Heating System specifically designed to provide several hours of high efficiency cooling or heating when worn and operated by a user. This combination Portable Pulmonary Body Core Cooling and Heating System invention is capable of delivering several hours of high efficiency personal cooling or heating without the use of caustic or toxic chemicals with virtually no risk of injury associated with its use. This Portable Pulmonary Body Core Cooling and Heating System invention utilizes the user's own pulmonary system to regulate core body temperature by introducing controlled temperature air into the user's lungs by their own breathing process.

Abstract: An oxygen separator for separating oxygen from ambient air utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption process has a mass of less than 2.3 kg. A carrier is mountable on a person to support the oxygen separator for ambulatory use.

Abstract: A cool air inhaler for use in treating croup, having a body having at least one side wall and a bottom wall forming an enclosed space open at an upper portion of the body wherein the upper portion of the body is adapted to generally conform to contours of a lower part of a patient face. An air chamber is formed in an upper part of the body and has an exhaust vent for exhausting the patient's exhaled air to an exterior space while an ice reservoir is formed in a lower part of the body to contain ice and meltwater from the ice and an air passage is connected from the exterior space and passing through the ice reservoir to conduct air to the air chamber.

Abstract: Devices and methods to heat and cool human beings, including inducing and maintaining hypothermia in human patients. Methods include inducing hypothermia to treat ischemic events, including heart attack and stroke, to limit damage caused by the ischemic event. Methods can include: using the lungs for heat exchange; using cooled gases for ventilation; using helium in the ventilation gas mixture, using medications to control reflex heat production; and injecting a perfluorocarbon mist into the gas stream to increase the cooling rate. The high thermal conductivity and diffusivity of helium results in greater inspired gas temperature equalization toward body temperature. Due to the latent heat of vaporization, addition of even small quantity of phase-change perfluorocarbon dramatically increases the heat carrying capacity of the respiratory gases. Hypothermia may be terminated by discontinuing the medications and warming the patient using a warmed helium-oxygen mixture.

Abstract: An automobile vent extender that decreases discomfort by allowing hot and cold air to be directed from an automobile vent directly onto a body portion of an automobile passenger. Preferably, the automobile vent extender removably attaches to a vent diffuser embedded within the dash of an automobile.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a much safer and less expensive way of providing portable oxygen from a gas concentrator for patients who do not want to be tied to a stationary machine or restricted by present oxygen technology. The present invention involves a home liquid oxygen ambulatory system for supplying a portable supply of oxygen, where a portion of the gaseous oxygen output obtained from an oxygen concentrator is condensed into liquid oxygen. The system includes an oxygen concentrator which separates oxygen gas from the ambient air, a condenser in communication with the oxygen concentrator for receiving and liquefying the oxygen gas flow, a cryocooler associated with the condenser, and a first storage dewar in fluid communication with the condenser and adapted to store the oxygen liquefied by the condenser, the first storage dewar including means for transferring liquid oxygen from the first dewar to a second dewar for storing a quantity of oxygen suitable for moveable oxygen treatment.

Abstract: A control system for a home ambulatory liquid oxygen system having an oxygen concentrator, condenser, cryocooler, a heater and a storage dewar, includes an oxygen concentration sensor which senses the concentration of oxygen gas generated by the oxygen concentrator and generates a first signal in response thereto; a liquid level sensor which senses the liquid level in the dewar and generates a second signal in response thereto; a temperature sensor which senses the temperature in the dewar and generates a third signal in response thereto; and a microprocessor for receiving the first, second and third signals for computing the flow concentration of gaseous oxygen out of the concentrator and into the condenser, the level of liquid oxygen in the dewar, the temperature in the dewar and for controlling the transfer of liquid oxygen from the storage dewar.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a much safer and less expensive way of providing portable oxygen from a gas concentrator for patients who do not want to be tied to a stationary machine or restricted by present oxygen technology. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention splits off some of the excess capacity gas flow from a gas concentrator which is then stored via liquefaction. The stored gas can then be used as a portable supply. A portion of the oxygen gas flow generated by the oxygen concentrator is channeled to a condenser which receives and liquefies the oxygen gas using cryocooler. A storage dewar is used for storing the oxygen liquefied by the condenser. Liquid is then selectively transferred to a smaller portable dewar. A controller can be used for monitoring the parameters of liquefaction, including oxygen concentration, the amount of liquid oxygen in the dewar, and for controlling the parameters of liquid oxygen generation and transfer.

Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having a front surface and a rear surface adapted in use to face the patient. The frame includes a main body providing an aperture therethrough for the introduction of breathable gas into a nasal breathing cavity. An elbow assembly is swivelably coupled to the front surface of the frame. The elbow assembly includes a swivel elbow that defines an intake port and an exhaust port separated from the intake port using a baffle. The elbow assembly includes an end portion that interfaces with the aperture of the frame.

Abstract: A portable anesthesia administering system which includes a compact, lightweight unit that does not require a source of electrical power to provide regulated pressurized anesthesia gas to a patient. The operating elements include a disposable carbon dioxide absorber, a charcoal scavenger absorber, an oxygen pressure sensor and alarm for detecting a drop in the oxygen pressure below a pre-selected level. The unit utilizes an anesthesia vaporizer and regulator, an airway pressure limiting valve and airway inlet and outlet control valves to provide a gaseous anesthesia agent in pre-selected amounts. Attached to the disposable carbon dioxide absorber is a manifold block which provides for a plurality of anesthesia regulating and control elements to facilitate the administration of the anesthesia. Connected to the manifold block is an external breathing bag for assisting in the breathing of the patient.

Abstract: A patient recovering from major surgery often suffers from cracked lips and parched palate. The patient usually frequently contacts the nursing staff and requests that they provide the patient with cool water and/or cracked ice. The amount of water and/or cracked ice which the patient can have has to be very limited in order to prevent debilitating vomiting by the patient. The patient's discomfort and suffering is greatly reduced by the mouth moisturizer which via an atomizer supplies a controlled amount of water mist to the lips and palate of the patient. Also, the nurses have more time to devote to their other duties.

Abstract: A system and method for storage and delivery of a cryogenic mixed gas is disclosed, the storage apparatus including a compact and lightweight dewar for containing cryogenic temperature mixed gas at supercritical pressure. Different heat exchangers associated with the dewar provide for heat input to the dewar to maintain gas therein in a single phase and provide continued expulsion energy. A backpack receives the dewar and includes means for quick connect of the dewar with an end use outlet, intermediate heat exchangers in the backpack conditioning the mixed gas for end use. No electrical input for fluid circulation is required.

Abstract: A respiratory apparatus is provided including a liquid ventilator. The primary components of the apparatus include a ventilator, control valve, and chiller/oxygenator. The invention utilizes a closed loop circulation of a breathable liquid to provide liquid ventilation and pulmonary cooling. The ventilator is a dual-chambered device which may be hand or machine actuated. A dual compression force is applied to the ventilator which induces a patient's inspiration of oxygenated and cooled liquid from an inspiration chamber, and simultaneously induces transfer of oxygen depleted, heated liquid into the oxygenator/chiller from an expiration chamber. Upon release of the compression force, the ventilator returns to its normally open or uncompressed state inducing evacuation of the liquid from the patient's lungs into the expiration chamber and flow of re-oxygenated and chilled liquid into the inspiration chamber of the ventilator, thus readying the ventilator for the next inspiration phase.

Abstract: The invention concerns a positive pressure nasal breathing apparatus in which a processed air flow is supplied at positive pressure to the person to be treated. The apparatus comprises: a first device (10) for producing a first air flow which has a given first temperature and a first degree of relative air humidity; and a second device (12) for processing the first air flow such that a second air flow to be completely or partially supplied to the person is produced. The temperature of the second air flow is lower and its degree of relative air humidity higher than that of the first air flow.

Abstract: A system for controlling the temperature and relative humidity of the interior chamber of a respirator is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a body configured to conform to the face of a user and form an interior chamber defined by the respirator body and the face of the user. The system includes a sight region in the upper portion of the body through which the user can see. A thermoelectric module having a first temperature plate and a second temperature plate is interposed in the lower portion of the body so that the first temperature plate contacts the interior chamber and the second temperature plate contacts the external environment. A power source provides DC current to the thermoelectric module causing a temperature differential between the first temperature plate and the second temperature plate. Preferably, the plates of the thermoelectric module include heat exchangers and fans for maximizing the efficiency of the thermoelectric module.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchanger including a gas-permeable element, preferably a fibrous media, adapted to be warmed and to trap moisture from a patient's breath during exhalation and to be cooled and to release the trapped moisture for return to the patient during inspiration to effectively conserve the humidity and body heat of the patient's respiratory tract, wherein the media comprises a hydrophilic nylon polymer. The gas-permeable element can be formed entirely of monocomponent fibers of the hydrophilic nylon polymer or, preferably, fibers comprising at least a sheath of the hydrophilic nylon polymer can be bonded at their points of contact by a bonding agent, such as a polyester.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for changing the body temperature of a patient by having them hyperventilate a gas mixture containing sulfur hexafluoride and oxygen. The method may be applied to cool patients in any clinical situation where induced hypothermia is desirable or to rapidly rewarm hypothermic patients. The invention also includes the gas mixtures used in the method.