Abstract: Systems, assemblies, and methods to treat pulmonary diseases are used to decrease nervous system input to distal regions of the bronchial tree within the lungs. Treatment systems damage nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. The treatment systems are capable of heating nerve tissue, cooling the nerve tissue, delivering a flowable substance that cause trauma to the nerve tissue, puncturing the nerve tissue, tearing the nerve tissue, cutting the nerve tissue, applying pressure to the nerve tissue, applying ultrasound to the nerve tissue, applying ionizing radiation to the nerve tissue, disrupting cell membranes of nerve tissue with electrical energy, or delivering long acting nerve blocking chemicals to the nerve tissue.

Abstract: The present ventilator system, for detecting and treating concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA event(s)) overlap syndrome, comprises a pressure generator for generating a pressurized flow of breathable gas for delivery to an airway of a subject; sensor(s) for generating output signals conveying information related to breathable gas parameters; and processor(s) operatively connected to the sensor(s) and the pressure generator, configured to: detect presence of OSA event(s) and/or expiratory flow limitation (EFL) in the subject based on the output signals.

Abstract: A ventilation device includes a mechanical ventilator (10), respiratory sensors (30, 32) configured to acquire measurements of respiratory variables including at least measurements of airway pressure and airway flow, and an electronic processor (14) programmed to perform a ventilation method including: operating the mechanical ventilator to provide mechanical ventilation controlled using measurements acquired by the respiratory sensors; performing a pause maneuver comprising closing at least one of an inhalation valve (38) and an exhalation valve (40) for a pause interval and estimating a respiratory mechanics index from one or more respiratory system parameters estimated from measurements acquired by the respiratory sensors during or after the pause interval; and triggering a pause maneuver in response to detecting a change in the estimated respiratory mechanics index.

Abstract: A controller or processor(s) implements detection of respiratory related conditions that may serve as control logic to synchronize pressure treatment delivery with a patient's respiratory cycle. Based on data derived from sensor signals associated with the respiratory treatment, a monitoring device, detector or respiratory treatment apparatus may evaluate flow measures from a flow sensor and distinguish flow attributable to the respiratory treatment apparatus and flow attributable to patient respiratory muscles. The determination may serve as a basis of synchronization criteria that controls pressure levels from a pressure treatment apparatus, such as by evaluating the determined patient generated flow or a relationship between total flow and apparatus flow. In some embodiments, data for the cycling conditions is determined in preliminary treatment cycles during which synchronized pressure changes are controlled according to other cycling criteria.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a controller for controlling the operation of a breathing assistance device that provides breathing assistance to a user. The controller comprises a processor that generates a respiratory index value that is determined during a current monitoring time period to detect a respiratory failure, or predict the respiratory failure when at least one PSG signal is measured. The respiratory index value is compared to a threshold to determine if the control signal needs to be updated to reduce or eliminate respiratory failure that the user is currently experiencing or to prevent a predicted respiratory failure from occurring.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary resuscitation assisting apparatus including: an acceleration sensor (13); a magnetic sensor (19); a first calculation section (233A) which obtains a relational expression (N) between a compression depth Da and the coil-to-coil distance AD; a determination section (234) which differentiates the relational expression (N) with respect to an output value of the magnetic sensor (19) and compares a resulting differentiated value of the relational expression (N) with a predetermined threshold to thereby determine whether notification for assistance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary or not; and a voice generating section (25) which performs the notification for assistance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Abstract: The disclosed system captures real-time data regarding a mobile device user's receptivity to interacting, need to interact, and likely availability for interacting; matches this data with that of a second party; and facilitates the connection of the mobile device user to the second party for a mutually beneficial interaction. The second party could be a friend or peer, or an organization/enterprise. Overall, the integrated system saves time, money, and effort of both parties by reducing or eliminating unnecessary attempts to connect where there is an insufficient likelihood of interaction success.

Abstract: A flow-sensing arrangement within a spirometer. The arrangement includes a tubular-member for allowing an air-passage along a longitudinal-axis thereof. At-least two disc-shaped air-resistive elements are removably-arranged within the tubular member to resist the air-flow. Each of the resistive-elements include perforations for allowing the air-passage through the resistive-element. At-least two ports extend radially outward through a wall of the tubular member, such that each of the two ports are located within the tubular-member near the resistive-elements to cause determination of at least a pressure-difference there-between.

Abstract: An apparatus for patient's lung function testing using forced oscillation technique is described. The apparatus includes a sub-woofer configured to generate a pressure wave. The apparatus further includes a waveguide configured to direct the generated pressure wave to be introduced into airflow towards the patient's lung. The apparatus includes a pressure transducer configured to measure a change in pressure of the airflow and one or more flow transducers configured to measure a change in flowrate of the airflow, in response to the pressure wave introduced into the airflow. The apparatus includes a computing unit configured to determine a mechanical impedance of the patient's lung based on the measured change in pressure and flowrate of the airflow.

Abstract: A label-free bio-aerosol sensing platform and method uses a field-portable and cost-effective device based on holographic microscopy and deep-learning, which screens bio-aerosols at a high throughput level. Two different deep neural networks are utilized to rapidly reconstruct the amplitude and phase images of the captured bio-aerosols, and to output particle information for each bio-aerosol that is imaged. This includes, a classification of the type or species of the particle, particle size, particle shape, particle thickness, or spatial feature(s) of the particle. The platform was validated using the label-free sensing of common bio-aerosol types, e.g., Bermuda grass pollen, oak tree pollen, ragweed pollen, Aspergillus spore, and Alternaria spore and achieved >94% classification accuracy. The label-free bio-aerosol platform, with its mobility and cost-effectiveness, will find several applications in indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring.

Abstract: An approach is provided for synchronizing an impedance cardiography (“ICG”) measurement period with an electrocardiography (“ECG”) signal to reduce patient (105) auxiliary current. The approach involves measuring an ECG signal of a patient via an ECG device (103). The approach also involves processing the ECG signal to cause, at least in part, a detection of one or more ECG features of the signal. The approach further involves synchronizing a start, a stop, or a combination thereof of a measurement of an ICG signal of the patient via an ICG device (101) based, at least in part, on the detection of the one or more ECG features. The measurement of the ICG signal includes injecting an electrical current into the patient (105) for a duration of the measurement.

Abstract: The present specification discloses systems and methods of patient monitoring in which multiple sensors are used to detect physiological parameters and the data from those sensors are correlated to determine if an alarm should, or should not, be issued, thereby resulting in more precise alarms and fewer false alarms. Electrocardiogram readings can be combined with invasive blood pressure, non-invasive blood pressure, and/or pulse oximetry measurements to provide a more accurate picture of pulse activity and patient respiration. In addition, the monitoring system can also use an accelerometer or heart valve auscultation to further improve accuracy.

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 (104) permits detection of obstruction (O) such as within a patient interface, mask or respiratory conduit (108) 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 bioacoustic sound testing device includes a band power calculator that calculates a band power in a predetermined period for each of a plurality of predetermined frequency bands on the basis of a bioacoustic sound, a reference power calculator that calculates a respiratory airflow reflecting power on the basis of a band power of a band reflecting a respiratory airflow, calculates a specific change reflecting power on the basis of a band power of a band reflecting a specific change in a living body, and calculates a reference power on the basis of the respiratory airflow reflecting power and the specific change reflecting power, and an index value calculator that calculates at least one index value on the basis of the reference power and the band powers of the plurality of predetermined frequency bands.

Abstract: A method for pacing left bundle branch of the heart comprising implantation of a multi-electrode lead at a desired depth into the interventricular septum from the right ventricle, wherein the depth control during the implantation of the distal electrode is provided by monitoring electrical impedance for one or more intermediate electrodes. Reaching of exceeding a threshold of electrical impedance change is used to determine the entry of a corresponding intermediate electrode from the blood stream in the right ventricle into the cardiac tissue of the septum. Known distances between intermediate spaced apart electrodes and the distal electrode allow determination of the implantation depth of the distal electrode.

Abstract: Measurement of airway resistance and/or lung compliance during non forced exhalation is performed using initial occlusion of exhalation followed by removal of the occlusion or opening of a shutter. The measurement device can use a single sensor to measure both pressure and flow. A pressure monitor can detect that exhalation is improperly forced to signal an error or to reject a pressure and flow measurement from a forced exhalation trial.

Abstract: A device of the disclosure determines to which of a plurality of sleep stages in a sleep state including a wake stage a sleep state of a subject belongs, based on a sleep state function that is calculated using as variables a respiratory motion feature and a body motion feature that are respectively extracted from respiratory motion index values and body motion index values of the subject measured in time series. The sleep state function is a function including coefficient parameters that are set based on learning data including sleep stage determination results by a measurement of a sleep state for calibration, and respiratory motion features and body motion features that are measured simultaneously with the measurement for calibration.

Abstract: A system for measuring the mechanical impedance of a patient's respiratory system during spontaneous respiratory activity, characterised by comprising a fan; a motor which operates said fan; said motor and said fan being positioned within a cavity; said cavity comprising an initial end and a final end, both providing access to the outside; said cavity presenting an impedance between said initial and said final end of less than 1 cm H2O/L/s; said fan withdrawing air from said final end and providing pressure variations of small amplitude and of frequency >2 Hz to said initial end; said initial end comprising air pressure and air flow measurement means and a connection directly connected to the airway opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for characterizing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients in the treatment of OSA, and devices thereof. The methods comprise measuring polysomnography of said patients; analyzing polysomnography, and determining a characteristic of the polysomnography and selections of suitable treatments based on the patterns.

Abstract: A breath sensor apparatus for detecting the presence of a compound in an exhaled gas sample, the apparatus comprising a chamber for retaining a gas sample, the chamber defining a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a sensor inside the chamber for analyzing the gas sample, an airflow disrupting element disposed proximate to the sensor to affect the airflow near the device, and an airflow reducing element disposed over the gas outlet to increase the retention time of the gas sample within the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, devices and kits for assessing the level of pulmonary disease in individual lung compartments. A lung compartment comprises a subportion of a lung, such as a lobe, a segment or a subsegment, for example. By measuring individual lung compartments, the level of disease of the pulmonary system may be more precisely defined by determining values of disease parameters reflective of individual subportions or compartments of a lung. Likewise, compartments may be separately imaged to provide further measurement information. Once individual compartments are characterized, they may be compared and ranked based on a number of variables reflecting, for example, level of disease or need for treatment. Such comparison may be aided by simultaneous display of such variables or images on a visual display. Further, the same tests may be performed on the lung as a whole or on both lungs and to determine the affect of the diseased lung compartments on the overall lung performance.

Abstract: A system for analysis of the upper airway has at least two sensors are provided along a flow path leading to the mouth and/or nose of a user. A relation is derived between the two sensor signals, and this is interpreted to detect at least the presence of upper airway obstructions, and preferably also the location and/or extent of such obstructions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, system and a method for determining lung volume and parameters, and in particular, to such a spirometer device, system and method in which a non-occluding shutter is utilized allowing for continuous airflow through the flow tube.

Abstract: Methods for non-invasively and accurately estimating and monitoring resistance and work of breathing parameters from airway pressure and flow sensors attached to the ventilator-dependent patient using an adaptive mathematical model are provided. These methods are based on calculations using multiple parameters derived from the above-mentioned sensors. The resistance and work of breathing parameters are important for: assessing patient status and diagnosis, appropriately selecting treatment, assessing efficacy of treatment, and properly adjusting ventilatory support.

Abstract: A method of treating lung disease, such as asthma or COPD, is provided that includes determining a parameter indicative of a patient's pulmonary mechanics (such as, without limitation, airway resistance or lung compliance), and delivering positive pressure support to the airway of the patient, wherein the pressure level (which may be constant or variable) of the positive pressure support during at least a portion of the inspiratory phase of the patient is determined based on the determined parameter.

Abstract: A method of estimating the upper airway resistance of a patient using a gas delivery system includes delivering a flow of breathing gas to the patient through the patient circuit of the gas delivery system, superimposing an oscillatory pressure on the flow of breathing gas during an expiratory phase of the patient, determining a first amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas pressure provided to the patient at an end of the expiratory phase, determining a second amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas flow provided to the patient at the end of the expiratory phase, determining a first resistance value based on the ratio of the first amplitude to the second amplitude, and determining an upper airway resistance value based on the first resistance value.

Abstract: Described are nasal cannulas that improve the precision of the delivered dose for nitric oxide therapy by reducing the dilution of nitric oxide. The nasal cannulas may reduce the total volume and potential for retrograde flow during nitric oxide therapy through the design of the specific dimensions of the flow path and/or having check valves in the nitric oxide delivery line and/or having a flapper or umbrella valve dedicated to nitric oxide delivery. The nasal cannulas may also use materials that limit oxygen diffusion through the cannula walls. The nosepiece for these cannulas may be manufactured by a molding technique.

Abstract: The acoustic impedance of the respiratory system can be inferred from oscillations that are generated in an airway of a subject. The impedance describes the frequency-dependent relation between the resulting oscillations in flow and pressure. When the impedance varies from inspiration to expiration, it has to be estimated with a high time resolution. A method is provided that reliably estimates the impedance in time intervals that are short enough for physiological purposes. A simple version of the uncertainty principle has been derived for discrete time and frequency. A discrete time-frequency transform has been developed that gives an optimal time-frequency resolution according to this principle. The transform is orthonormal, which permits an analysis of variance in the discrete time-frequency domain. The impedance follows from bivariate least-squares analysis in the time-frequency domain, under the assumption that noise is present in both flow and pressure.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing an air leak in a lung compartment of a patient may include: advancing a diagnostic catheter into an airway leading to the lung compartment; inflating an occluding member on the catheter to form a seal with a wall of the airway and thus isolate the lung compartment; measuring air pressure within the lung compartment during multiple breaths, using the diagnostic catheter; displaying the measured air pressure as an air pressure value on a console coupled with the diagnostic catheter; and determining whether an air leak is present in the lung compartment based on the displayed air pressure value during the multiple breaths.

Abstract: A differential pressure transducer determines pressure differentials between respiratory airflows and ambient airflows. Another determines pressure differentials between respiratory airflows and interface airflows. And another determines pressure differentials between i) respiratory airflows received from a subject and ii) interface airflows received from an area near a cannula. Corresponding respiratory monitoring methods also determine the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for detecting respiratory muscle activity of a patient (1) receiving assisted breathing, which is connected to an assistance device (2) by a pneumatic circuit (3). Said system is characterised in that it comprises: a means (4, 5) for acquiring air pressure and flow signals in the pneumatic circuit (3), sent to a means (6) for continuously estimating the theoretical air pressure expected in the pneumatic circuit in absence of respiratory muscle activity from the patient; and a means (7) for comparing estimated and actual theoretical pressures in order to continuously detect a pressure differential showing respiratory muscle activity in the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a sensing circuit and a processor. The sensing circuit is configured to generate a sensed physiological signal, wherein the physiological signal includes respiration information of a subject. The processor includes an end expiratory volume (EEV) module configured to determine a value of EEV of the subject using the sensed physiological signal, and a lung hyperinflation detection module configured to generate an indication of lung hyperinflation of the subject according to the value of EEV and provide the indication to at least one of a user or process.

Abstract: Continuous measurement of breathing impedance with extremely high precision is enabled by executing noise elimination. A loudspeaker applies an air vibration pressure by an oscillation wave to an oral cavity, the oscillation wave being obtained by frequency-cuffing so executed that the oscillation wave has only the frequency component that is left after the culling is executed from a plurality of different frequencies and being generated by a pulse signal for pulse drive with pulses made positive and negative separately in correspondence to the time of exhalation and the time of inhalation. A pressure inside the oral cavity is detected and a breathing flow is detected, and a signal obtained by the detection is Fourier-transformed to obtain a spectrum. Analysis of the spectrum is performed to obtain breathing impedance.

Abstract: An actuator (10, 10?, 10?) is disclosed. The actuator (10, 10?, 10?) is connected to a structural ground (12, 12?, 12?) of a forced oscillation technique device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000). The actuator (10, 10?, 10?) includes an electrical power source (16, 16?, 16?); a control device (17, 17?, 17?) connected to the electrical power source (16, 16?, 16?); a first portion (14a, 14a?, 14a?) including active material connected to the electrical power source, and a second portion (14b, 14b?, 14b?) including non-active, passive material connected to the first portion (14a, 14a?, 14a?). The first portion (14a, 14a?, 14a?) includes at least one plate-shaped member (18, 18?, 18?). The second portion (14b, 14b?, 14b?) includes a ring member (24, 24?, 24?) connected to and circumscribing a mesh screen (26, 26?, 26?). A forced oscillation technique device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000) is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method of monitoring the lung function of a patient, the method comprising determining one or both of an inhalation time and a rest time for a patient that is using a respiratory apparatus, the one or both of an inhalation time and a rest time for the patient being determined from measurements obtained from the respiratory apparatus, wherein the inhalation time is the amount of time for which the patient inhales through the respiratory apparatus, and the rest time is the amount of time between the end of an exhalation and the start of the next inhalation; and analyzing the determined one or both of the inhalation time and rest time to determine an indication of the lung function of the patient.

Abstract: The identification of obstructed breathing, including an apnea condition and a hypopnea condition, is disclosed. A signal representative of a flow rate of therapeutic gas being delivered to the patient is received. A peak flow value and a minimum flow value over a predetermined time window encompassing a plurality of respiration cycles is derived. A polynomial difference equation from the peak flow values and the minimum flow values is generated, and a respiration index from a minimum of the polynomial difference equation is derived. The apnea and/or hypopnea condition is indicated based upon a comparison of the respiration index to a predefined obstruction threshold over a predefined obstruction time period.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for direct rapid measurement of pulmonary flow resistance. A measurement of a first pressure in a gas-tight chamber is received from a pressure sensor when a gas output port of the chamber is closed, a patient is blowing into a gas inlet of the chamber at a given pressure, and a gas-flow path between the inlet and output port has a resistance value. A measurement of a second pressure in the chamber is received from the pressure sensor and a measurement of gas flow through the chamber is received from a gas flow sensor when the output port is opened and the patient is blowing into the inlet to maintain the given pressure relatively constant. A pulmonary flow resistance is computed based upon the measurement of the first pressure, the measurement of the second pressure, the resistance value, and the measurement of gas flow.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for monitoring and evaluating data associated with ventilatory parameters to detect expiratory airflow limitation in a ventilated patient. For example, a ventilator may monitor flow and/or pressure during ventilation of the patient. Based on the flow and/or pressure measurements, or ventilatory data derived therefrom, the ventilator may calculate expiratory resistance. Moreover, the ventilator may trend expiratory resistance over time to produce an expiratory resistance waveform. In embodiments, the ventilator may calculate the slope of the expiratory resistance waveform during an initial part of exhalation. If the slope of the expiratory resistance waveform during the initial part of exhalation breaches a defined slope threshold, the ventilator may determine that the patient exhibits expiratory airflow limitation.

Abstract: A single respiratory cycle flow limitation detection method is disclosed. A patient gas delivery signal is received from one or more sensors in pneumatic communication with a ventilation source and a patient ventilation interface to a patient airway. The patient gas delivery signal is representative of a measure of therapeutic gas being delivered to the patient airway at a given time instant, and spans the single patient respiratory cycle. A second derivative of the patient gas delivery signal is generated and a total number of zero crossings therein are counted. These zero crossings are representative of an inflection change in the patient gas delivery signal. A flow limitation indication corresponding to the identified flow limitation is generated when there are at least two zero crossings in the second derivative of the patient gas delivery signal. An angle of deformation representing early, late, or mid-cycle obstruction onsets is generated.

Abstract: A computer for aiding determination of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) includes a storage device storing with a medical image and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU executes a method for aiding determination of OSA. The method for aiding determination of OSA includes the following steps. The medical image is obtained. An upper airway model is established. A narrowest cross-section and a nasopharyngeal boundary cross-section are defined in the airway model. A cross-sectional area of the narrowest cross-section and a cross-sectional area of the nasopharyngeal boundary cross-section are calculated. A stenosis rate is calculated according to the cross-sectional area of the narrowest cross-section and the cross-sectional area of the nasopharyngeal boundary cross-section. The stenosis rate is provided. In addition, in the method for aiding determination of OSA, a respiratory flow field simulation may be further performed to obtain and provide a flow field pressure distribution of the upper airway model.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a respiratory condition, includes: a signal acquiring section which is configured to acquire a signal corresponding to a respiratory flow of a subject; a first index producing section which is configured to produce a first index related to the respiratory flow of the subject obtained from the signal; a second index producing section which is configured to produce a second index related to a respiratory demand of the subject predicted from the first index; a third index producing section which is configured to produce a third index related to a respiratory effort of the subject based on the first index and the second index; and an outputting section which is configured to output the third index.

Abstract: A method of estimating the upper airway resistance of a patient using a gas delivery system includes delivering a flow of breathing gas to the patient through the patient circuit of the gas delivery system, superimposing an oscillatory pressure on the flow of breathing gas during an expiratory phase of the patient, determining a first amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas pressure provided to the patient at an end of the expiratory phase, determining a second amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas flow provided to the patient at the end of the expiratory phase, determining a first resistance value based on the ratio of the first amplitude to the second amplitude, and determining an upper airway resistance value based on the first resistance value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for targeting, accessing and diagnosing diseased lung compartments are disclosed. The method comprises introducing a diagnostic catheter with an occluding member at its distal end into a lung segment via an assisted ventilation device; inflating the occluding member to isolate the lung segment; and performing a diagnostic procedure with the catheter while the patient is ventilated. The proximal end of the diagnostic catheter is configured to be attached to a console. The method may also comprise introducing the diagnostic catheter into the lung segment; inflating the occluding member to isolate the lung segment; and monitoring blood oxygen saturation. The method may further comprise introducing the diagnostic catheter into the lung segment; determining tidal flow volume in the lung segment; determining total lung capacity of the patient; and determining a flow rank value based on the tidal flow volume of the lung segment and the total lung capacity.

Abstract: The lung compliance of a subject that is at least partially self-ventilating is determined. The quantification of lung compliance may be an estimation, a measurement, and/or an approximate measurement. The quantification of lung compliance may be enhanced over conventional techniques and/or systems for quantifying lung compliance of self-ventilating subjects in the lung compliance may be quantified relatively accurately without an effort belt or other external sensing device that directly measures diaphragmatic muscle pressure, and without requiring the subject to manually control diaphragmatic muscle pressure. Quantification of lung compliance may be a useful tool in evaluating the health of the subject, including detection of fluid retention associated with developing acute congestive heart failure.

Abstract: A system comprising implantable device, the implantable medical device including an intrinsic cardiac signal sensor, an impedance measurement circuit configured to apply a specified current to a transthoracic region of a subject and to sample a transthoracic voltage resulting from the specified current, and a processor coupled to the intrinsic cardiac signal sensor and the impedance measurement circuit. The processor is configured to initiate sampling of a transthoracic voltage signal in a specified time relation to a fiducial marker in a sensed intrinsic cardiac signal, wherein the sampling attenuates or removes variation with cardiac stroke volume from the transthoracic voltage signal, and determine lung respiration using the sampled transthoracic voltage signal.

Abstract: Airway impedance of a subject using a respiratory treatment device can be measured, in accordance with one or more embodiments. A conduit is configured to communicate a flow of inhaled gas and a flow of exhaled gas to and from an airway of the subject using the respiratory treatment device. A first valve is disposed within the conduit and configured to affect the flow of exhaled gas. One or more sensors are disposed within the conduit and are configured to provide a signal conveying information associated with one or more characteristics of gas exhaled by the subject while the flow of exhaled gas is affected or unaffected by the first valve. An airway impedance monitoring module can be executed by a processor to determine an impedance metric of the airway of the subject based on the information conveyed by the signal provided by the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus (1) is disclosed that is adapted to determine a transpulmonary pressure in a patient (125) when connected to said breathing apparatus. A control unit (105) is operable to set a first mode of operation for ventilating said patient with a first Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) level; set a second mode of operation for ventilating said patient with a second PEEP level starting from said first PEEP level; and determine said transpulmonary pressure (Ptp) based on a change in end-expiratory lung volume (?EELV) and a difference between said first PEEP level and said second PEEP level (?PEEP). Furthermore, a method and computer program are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for non-invasively and accurately estimating and monitoring resistance and work of breathing parameters from airway pressure and flow sensors attached to the ventilator-dependent patient using an adaptive mathematical model are provided. These methods are based on calculations using multiple parameters derived from the above-mentioned sensors. The resistance and work of breathing parameters are important for: assessing patient status and diagnosis, appropriately selecting treatment, assessing efficacy of treatment, and properly adjusting ventilatory support.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a computing device that includes a memory configured to store instructions. The computing device also includes a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations that include receiving a signal representative of electrical impedance in a chest of a patient, and, receiving a signal representative of the motion of chest compressions performed on the patient during a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) treatment. The operations also include processing the received signal representative of the motion of chest compressions to determine one or more characteristics of the motion, and, processing the received signal representative of the electrical impedance to determine parameters relevant to a production of a signal representative of airflow activities of the patient. Operations also include modifying the one or more determined parameters based on the one or more determined characteristics of the motion to produce the signal representative of airflow activities of the patient.

Abstract: A system for providing an indication of cardiovascular function, includes a respiration input (1) for receiving a respiration-related signal indicative of a physical property of respiration gases administered to a patient. A hemodynamic input (2) is provided for receiving a hemodynamic-related signal indicative of a hemodynamic property. An inspiration detector (3) is provided for processing the respiration-related signal to detect times of inspiration and a measure of the size of the inspiration. A correlator (5) is provided for correlating the sizes of inspiration with the hemodynamic-related signal, to obtain the indication of cardiovascular function. The respiration-related signal is indicative of inspiration pressure, inspiration volume, or inspiration flow. The hemodynamic-related signal is indicative of blood pressure.