An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube assembly includes a thin, inner sheath (22) supported externally by a structural frame (23) having a longitudinal portion (25) and a plurality of ribs (26) extending circumferentially and spaced along the cannula. The inner cannula (20) is inserted within and is removable from an outer tracheostomy tube (1). The inner cannula (20) is made by coating a plastic layer on a core to form the sheath and then placing the sheath on a curved core. The structural frame (23) is then moulded about the sheath (22) in a mould 80.

The present disclosure provides a device that can be used to secure an endotracheal tube. In one embodiment, the device is a one-time use device that has a flexible construction with an adhesive side. The device is configured to be adhered to the endotracheal tube and subsequently secure unto the patient's face. The device is quick and easy to deploy, it reliably secure the endotracheal tube, is comfortable for the patient, and that minimized the chances of infection.

A patient tube securement apparatus is disclosed that may be used for oral or nasal intubation of a patient. The apparatus may comprise an endotracheal tube securement apparatus for securing an endotracheal tube to a patient, the apparatus comprising a dermal patch arranged to be positioned on the skin of the patient, and at least one tube holder on the dermal patch.The apparatus may comprise a patient tube securement apparatus for securing a patient tube to a patient, the apparatus comprising a dermal patch arranged to be positioned on the skin of the patient, and at least one tube holder on the dermal patch.Examples are provided in which the tube holder is adjustably mounted on the dermal patch such that the position of the tube holder on the dermal patch can be adjusted without removing the dermal patch from the skin of the patient.

A gas ventilation mask includes an anesthesia nasal mask and a mouth mask defining respectively a nasal chamber and an oral chamber, detachably connected to one another so that the nasal mask and the mouth mask may be used either separately as a nasal mask or as a mouth mask, or as a combination nasal-mouth mask. Also provided is a mask anchor for holding a face mask on a patient, includes a head support for engaging a back of a patient's head, a posterior head strap that originates from behind the patient's head, in contact with the patient's head and attaches either directly or indirectly to the mask when the mask is on the patient's face, wherein the strap can be tightened to create a seal to allow for positive pressure ventilation or left loose and for providing supplement oxygen. Also provided is an anesthesia mask strap system having a first expandable strap portion having the ability to extend; second and third non-expandable strap sections fixed to ends of the first expandable strap section; and an adhesion section for fixing a length of the strap system when the second and third non-expandable strap sections are pulled to tension the expandable strap section.

Disclosed is a nasal ventilation mask having separate ports to monitor end-tidal CO2 expulsion integrated into the mask in order to monitor end-tidal CO2 expelled nasally or orally. Also disclosed is a CPR mask for nose-to-mouth and/or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, having a body shaped to cover the nose and/or mouth of a victim, said mask including a CO2 absorber for eliminating at least in part rescuer's exhaled CO2 delivered to the victim.

A patient interface assembly having an improved support for use in securing a patient interface device to the head of a patient overcomes the shortcomings of conventional headgear. The improved support provides a self-adjusting anchor point situated anterior to the ear of the patient that provides enhanced stability in mounting the patient interface device to the patient.

A system provides warm, humidified gas to a patient via a patient interface. Horizontal connections can be used between the humidification chamber and conduit. To reduce the likelihood of condensate flowing back to the humidification chamber, or dead space or gases recirculation regions occurring within the gases flow path, a raised portion is positioned inside of the flow path to improve flow characteristics and to provide a barrier for condensate back flow. The raised portion also reduces the amount of condensate that is formed in the system and provides better flow characteristics for sensing purposes.

The present invention provides an inhalation device for controlled delivery of medicament to the lungs of the user. The inhalation device comprises an elongated housing enclosing a mouthpiece/nasal-piece in fluid communication to a narrow cylindrical tube, the narrow cylindrical tube having diameter substantially similar to the lumen diameter of human bronchi. The other end of narrow cylindrical tube is fluidly connected to a reservoir containing the medicament suspended or dissolved in the propellant. The flow of propellant from reservoir to the narrow cylindrical tube is regulated by a one-way valve, which could be electrical/electronic or a mechanical valve. The invention is advantageous by providing positive airway pressure to keep the constricted air passages of the user open, which is combined, with laminar flow of medicament suspended/dissolved in the propellant, thus, resulting in efficient deposition of medicament to the target tissues of the lungs.

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a capsule container configured to contain at least one capsule, a discharge structure configured to discharge a material included in the capsule, a transceiver configured to transmit data to an external device or to receive data from the external device, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to receive, user state information and biometric information from the external device via the transceiver, select at least one capsule in the capsule container on the basis of the received user state information and biometric information, determine a spray amount of a material contained in the selected at least one capsule, and spray the material via the discharge structure.

An umbilical system for sourcing and delivering within a flexible protective covering, a plurality of different breathing gasses, safety tether, a plurality of ancillary lines for remotely distributable, documentable, multidirectional, multi-format data/communications acquisition and delivery, personal/situational awareness and ancillary power sources for tool, accessory or device enervation, to a plurality of Users in an adverse environment.

Conventional gas mask seals or gaskets are merely rubber flaps integral to and extending from the main body or shell of a gas mask that are conformed to the face of a wearer by tightening straps. The described gas masks comprise a separate gas mask seal and a gas mask shell. Some of the gas mask seals are individualized or customized to more tightly fit and conform to the face of the individual wearer and to provide greater comfort and protection. The gas mask seals may be made from three-dimensional image files developed directly from the wearer's facial features.

A method for manufacturing an impregnated filter material includes preparing at least one impregnating solution comprising sulphate and phosphate; providing a filter material; and impregnating the filter material with at least one impregnating solution, at least once. In this manner, it is possible to manufacture an impregnated filter material for the removal of noxious substances and/or toxins, which includes sulphate and phosphate. The noxious substances and/or toxins can thereby be present in the form of gases and/or vapours.

An oral-nasal cannula receives exhaled gases from the nose and mouth of a patient. The exhaled gases are transported to variable flow valves that can variably restrict the flow of the gases through the valves upon software generated signals. The exhaled gases pass through the variable flow valves and mix so that they can be measured by a single sensor such as a sensor of a capnometer. Based upon information gathered by the capnometer, the variable valves can be adjusted in real-time according to a software method in order to identify a variable valve flow configuration that maximizes the amount of CO2 received and measured by the capnometer. In this manner, the software can adapt a single capnometer to measure exhaled gases regardless of whether a patient breathes primarily through their nose or mouth or some proportion of the two.

An example method for detecting respiratory disturbances experienced by a subject can include receiving an airflow signal and at least one of an acoustic or vibration signal, where the airflow, acoustic, and/or vibration signals are associated with the subjects breathing. At least one feature can be extracted from the airflow signal and at least one feature can be extracted from at least one of the acoustic or vibration signal. Based on the extracted features, at least one respiratory disturbance can be detected. The respiratory disturbance can be flow limited breath or inspiratory flow limitation (“IFL”).

Certain embodiments are directed to a specimen retrieval device having a high friction inner lining for reducing specimen deformation during removal. Certain embodiments are directed to a device that facilitates isolation and removal of specimens during minimally invasive surgery. In certain aspects the device is configured to disperse pulling tension over a larger area reducing the likelihood of specimen tearing during removal. The device enables quicker removal through a smaller hole or opening in the body wall.

Systems and methods for effecting posture of a subject who is to be positioned on a support surface having an inclinable portion such that the subject's thorax is inclinable relative to the subject's legs, are provided. An example system includes a detachedly coupleable thoracic harness having at least an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface being contoured to fit over shoulders of the subject. The outer surface having a fastening surface that releasable attaches to a corresponding fastening surface disposed on the inclinable portion of the support surface.

A push-in earplug including an elongate core and outer layer is disclosed. The outer layer includes a sound attenuating portion having a first average density and a stem portion having a second average density, and the second average density is greater than the first average density.

The invention pertains to positioning a patient in prone position, comprising: positioning a patient in a supine position,attaching a chest body contact sheet to the chest of the patient with an attached inflatable chest cushion in the deflated state,attaching a pelvic body contact sheet to the pelvic region of the patient with an attached inflatable pelvis cushion in the deflated state,transferring the patient from the supine position to a prone position,with the chest body contact sheet attached to the chest of the patient and the pelvic body contact sheet attached to the pelvic region of the patient and the patient in the prone position, inflating the chest cushion and the pelvis cushion, thereby making that the chest cushion and the pelvis cushion together bear the weight of the torso of the patient with the abdominal region of the patient being decompressed. The invention is based on a combination of anatomy and physiology that is used for a reliable positioning the patient, which is safe for the patient and safe, hygienic and user friendly for the medical team.

A nozzle received by a patient. The nozzle has at least two portions. A first portion that has an upper end and a lower end in which a central aperture extends between the upper and lower ends of the nozzle. The central aperture terminates at the opening of the lower end of the nozzle. A second portion that has two ends, the second end is rounded. There is at least one support arm joining the first and second body portions but holding the second body portion a set distance from the first body portion.

Provided are systems, methods, and electronic vapor devices configured to provide spirometer functionality and respiratory medication dispensing which can couple and function symbiotically with a portable electronic communication device.

An assembly for a counter mechanism for a drug delivery device is described comprising a drive member, wherein the drive member is adapted and arranged to be rotated in a first rotational direction and to be prevented from rotation in a second rotational direction which direction is opposite to the first rotational direction, an advancing member adapted and arranged to be axially moved and rotated with respect to the drive member, wherein the advancing member is adapted and arranged to mechanically cooperate with the drive member such that the drive member is rotated in the first rotational direction, and a display member which is configured to count a number of doses and to display the counted number of doses, wherein the assembly is adapted and arranged such that rotation of the drive member in the first rotational direction is converted into a counting movement of the display member. Furthermore, a drug delivery device comprising the assembly is described.

This disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling pressure and/or flow during exhalation. The disclosure describes novel exhalation modes for ventilating a patient.

A method and a control program for operating an anesthesia apparatus, as well as an anesthesia apparatus (12), which operates according to the method are provided. The anesthesia apparatus includes a breathing gas feed unit (22) intended for displacing a breathing gas volume in a breathing circuit (10). A piston (23) brings about the displacement of the breathing gas. Switching over between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation during the return of the piston (23) allows for a presetting of a corresponding piston return velocity. The piston return velocity depends on a volume flow in an exhalation branch (34) of the breathing circuit (10) in the first mode of operation. The piston return velocity depends on a minimally necessary piston return velocity in the second mode of operation.

A smart oronasal mask for a positive-airway-pressure device includes a mask body and a temperature sensor. The mask body has an air inlet and an air outlet. The temperature sensor is deposited in the mask body and located between the air inlet and the air outlet for sensing a temperature of a mixture formed by gas entering the mask body through the air inlet of the mask body and gas entering the mask body through the air outlet of the mask body. Then the positive airway pressure device adjusts air feed according to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor in a real-time manner, so as to help keep a patient's respiratory tract clear.

A system for determining an optimal hardness of a patient interface device includes a fit score determination unit structured to receive a 3-D model of the patient interface device and a 3-D model of a patient's face and to determine a fit score between the patient interface device and the patient's face based on the 3-D model of the patient interface device and the 3-D model of the patient's face, and a hardness determination unit structured to determine a hardness value of the patient interface device based on the determined fit score.

A mask with cushion that has an outer film is disclosed. The film may be self-skinning or a film formed about or glued to the cushion body. In another form the cushion may be formed with at least a portion having a plurality of adjacent voids having honeycomb-like structure.

A respiratory mask or other sealing interface can be used in combination with a nasal cannula or other unsealing interface in providing respiratory therapies for the treatment of COPD or OSA. The mask can act as a pressure vessel over the top of a nasal cannula, with the intention of increasing expiratory pressure whilst allowing the nasal cannula to provide a user with breathing gases of a high humidity and temperature. The ability to selectively apply increased expiratory pressure may be effective in reducing a user's breathing rate and thus beneficial in the treatment of respiratory distress.

Several embodiments of straps and headgear assemblies are described. Some of the embodiments provide straps that can had varied elasticity over the length of the straps. Some of the embodiments provide adjustment mechanisms that facilitate customization of headgear to a user.

A patient monitoring system is configured to monitor oxygen saturation and/or oxygenation of a patient's blood. The system is configured to re-oxygenate the patient in response to a determination that the patient's oxygen saturation and/or oxygenation has fallen below a threshold (e.g., if the patient is experiencing hypoxemia). A re-oxygenation routine may include an initial step of rapidly oxygenating the patient, followed by a reduction of oxygenation to make the oxygenation process more gradual. For instance, after the initial step of rapid oxygenation, the patient may be oxygenated with oxygen at an atmospheric level. The system may dynamically adjust the ratio of delivered oxygen versus delivered air, the duration of oxygenation, and the incidence of oxygenation. The system may also adjust the automated delivery of one or more drugs to the patient based on the patient's condition and/or the state of re-oxygenation.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described that indicate an amount at which various gas flow rates should be manually adjusted in order to achieve targeted total flow rates and concentration levels.

A supplemental oxygen delivery system is described in which Aerosol is delivered into a housing 10, 20, which sits in the circuit from the supplemental oxygen supply and optional humidifier. The supplemental oxygen passes through this chamber 10, 20 in which the aerosol is located, and collects the aerosol transporting it to a patient via a nasal cannula 3 or a face mask 4. An aerosol generator 9 is mounted to the housing 10, 20 and delivers aerosol into an oxygen stream 13 flowing between an inlet 14 and an outlet 15 of the housing 10. The housing 10 also has a removable plug 16 in the base 17 thereof for draining any liquid that accumulates in the housing 10. There is no disruption of oxygen delivery to patients using nasal cannulas who currently have to use a separate face-mask when receiving nebulized medication.

Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for humidifying a breathing gas that reduces and/or eliminates the dangers and discomforts experienced by a patient. In one aspect, a system for humidifying gases includes a body, extending along a first axis from a first face to a second face, a first lumen at the first face, through which fluid enters the body, a second lumen at the first face through which fluid exits the body and a nonporous membrane located inside the body and extending from the first face to the second face wherein gas moving through the nonporous membrane is humidified by the fluid.

The invention relates to a method for automatically adjusting a plurality of tunable passive antennas, for instance a plurality of tunable passive antennas of a radio transceiver using several antennas simultaneously. The invention also relates to an automatically tunable antenna array using this method. An automatically tunable antenna array of the invention has 4 user ports, and comprises: 4 tunable passive antennas, the 4 tunable passive antennas operating simultaneously in a given frequency band and forming a multiport antenna array; 4 sensing units; 4 feeders; a signal processing unit delivering a tuning instruction; and a tuning control unit, the tuning control unit receiving the tuning instruction from the signal processing unit, the tuning control unit delivering tuning control signals to the tunable passive antennas, the tuning control signals being determined as a function of the tuning instruction.

A device comprising: a receive antenna configured to receive a first radio-frequency (RF) signal having a first center frequency; a first transmit antenna configured to transmit a second RF signal having a second center frequency that is a harmonic of the first center frequency; a second transmit antenna configured to transmit a third RF signal having a third center frequency that is a harmonic of the first center frequency and is different from the second center frequency; first circuitry, coupled to the receive antenna and to the first transmit antenna, configured to generate the second RF signal using the first RF signal and provide it to the first transmit antenna for transmission; and second circuitry, coupled to the receive antenna and to the second transmit antenna, configured to generate the third RF signal using the first RF signal and provide it to the second transmit antenna for transmission.

A device comprising: a substrate; a transmit antenna fabricated on the substrate and configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals; a receive antenna fabricated on the substrate and configured to receive RF signals; and circuitry, disposed on the substrate and differentially coupled to the transmit and receive antennas, and configured to provide to the transmit antenna RF signals to be transmitted by the transmit antenna and to process RF signals received by the receive antenna, wherein the substrate comprises material for reducing harmonic coupling between the transmit antenna and the receive antenna.

A method of manufacturing and an antenna having an upper and lower loop. Upper loop comprising a first conductive loop defined by an upper conductor and a first conductive blade tapering outwardly to form a flare portion adjacent a distal end of the upper conductor. Lower loop comprising a second conductive loop defined by a base conductor and a second conductive blade tapering outwardly forming a flare portion adjacent a distal end of the base conductor. First and second conductive blades defining, between their facing edges, a notch opening outwardly from a feed region. Upper loop further comprising an elongate conductive vane extending at an angle from a first location on the upper conductor to a second location on the first conductive blade defining a pair of loops within the upper loop.

A wide band antenna comprising a signal generator coupled to a feed region of at least one antenna element comprising upper and lower loops. Upper loop comprising a first conductive loop element defined by an upper conductor and a first conductive blade tapering outwardly forming a flare portion adjacent a distal end of the upper conductor. Lower loop comprising a second loop defined by a base conductor and a second conductive blade tapering outwardly forming a flare portion adjacent a distal end of the base conductor, first and second conductive blades defining, between their facing edges, a notch opening outwardly from feed region. The method comprising matching an antenna element impedance to the transmission line; selecting an antenna element cut-off frequency; selecting an upper conductor length, and subsequently selecting dimensions of the upper loop such that they are substantially equal to a wavelength corresponding to the selected cut-off frequency.

A multi-use antenna system that can be used in, for example, integrated communications and navigation capability is provided. In an embodiment, an antenna system is provided. The antenna system includes a first antenna having a plurality of radiating elements substantially wrapped around an axis and a second antenna located within the first antenna. The first and second antennas are coupled to the same ground plane and are configured to operate in different frequency bands.

A circuit board includes a substantially planar component carrier and a microstrip which is applied to a surface of the component carrier. The microstrip extends towards a connection transition which is arranged on a lateral edge of the component carrier. A waveguide portion of an antenna element which is produced by a 3D printing process is coupled to this connection transition.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an antenna structure having a feed point for coupling to a dielectric core of a cable that propagates electromagnetic waves without an electrical return path, and a dielectric antenna, substantially or entirely devoid of conductive external surfaces, coupled to the feed point, the dielectric antenna facilitating receipt, at the feed point, the electromagnetic waves for propagating the electromagnetic waves to an aperture of the dielectric antenna for radiating a wireless signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission device that includes a transmitter that generates a first electromagnetic wave to convey data. A coupler couples the first electromagnetic wave to a single wire transmission medium having an outer surface, to forming a second electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of the single wire transmission medium via at least one guided wave mode that includes an asymmetric or non-fundamental mode having a lower cutoff frequency. A carrier frequency of the second electromagnetic wave is selected to be within a limited range of the lower cutoff frequency, so that a majority of the electric field is concentrated within a distance from the outer surface that is less than half the largest cross sectional dimension of the single wire transmission medium, and/or to reduce propagation loss. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A 2×2 MIMO array antenna is provided which includes two separate radiating elements mounted to an antenna reflector. Each element is linear polarized with two orthogonal polarizations, one polarization excited by a transmit port and the other polarization receiving radiated signals destined for a receive port. The two elements are aligned that the polarizations excited by the transmit ports of the two elements are along a common axis, or the polarizations received by the receive ports of the two elements are along a common axis.

Antenna system for a georadar, comprising two plate like antenna devices, where said two antenna devices comprise at least one sender antenna (1) and at least one receiver antenna (2), respectively, as the antennas (1,2) in each antenna device comprise monopoles formed by applying to metal surfaces an electrically insulating plate base (3) located on the underside of a layer of radar absorbing material (4), where the top side of the material layer is covered by a metallic ground plane (5). The antenna device is also arranged to lay against the ground (10). A layer of radar absorbent material (4) is arranged on the top side of the ground planes (5), and the ground planes (5) are not connected electrically to each other.

Embodiments described herein generally relate to phased array antenna systems or packages and techniques of making and using the systems and packages. A phased array antenna package may include a distributed phased array antenna comprising (1) a plurality of antenna sub-arrays, which may each include a plurality of antennas, (2) a plurality of Radio Frequency Dies (RFDs), each of the RFDs located proximate and electrically coupled by a trace of a plurality of traces to a corresponding antenna sub-array of the plurality of antenna sub-arrays, and (3) wherein each trace of the plurality of traces configured to electrically couple an antenna of the plurality of antennas to the RFD located proximate the antenna, wherein each trace of the plurality of traces is configured to transmit millimeter wave (mm-wave) radio signals, and wherein the plurality of traces are each of a substantially uniform length.

Reconfigurable antennas in an ad-hoc network are provided where all nodes employ MIMO/SIMO/MISO communication techniques. Three types of reconfigurable antennas: Reconfigurable Printed Dipole Array (RPDA), Reconfigurable Circular Patch Antenna (RCPA) and Two-Port Reconfigurable CRLH Leaky Wave Antennas are used. The RPDA, RCPA and the CRLH Leaky Wave antennas have a different number of configurations as well as different degrees of pattern diversity between possible configurations. To effectively use these antennas in a network, the performance of centralized and decentralized antenna configuration selection schemes are quantified for reconfiguration at one or both link ends. The sum capacity of the network is used as a metric to quantify the performance of these antennas in measured and simulated network channels.

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for an antenna-based detection method and system for sensing an environmental change condition. The method and system is adapted such that the states comprising the environmental change condition are capable of being determined at the location of the detection point utilizing only the magnitude component of the antenna impedance as altered by the discrete change in the environmental condition.

A multilayer electronic component includes a body and a coil. The body includes a plurality of sheets each containing magnetic powder particles. The coil includes an uppermost coil pattern disposed on a top surface of an uppermost sheet among the plurality of sheets, a lowermost coil pattern disposed on a bottom surface of a lowermost sheet among the plurality of sheets, and side coil patterns disposed on edges of central sheets disposed between the uppermost sheet and the lowermost sheet in a central portion of the body. The magnetic powder particles have shape anisotropy, and a major axes of the magnetic powder particles are aligned with each other within the body. A multilayer chip antenna can include the multilayer electronic component.

Various integrated high quality electronic components and systems, and methods of their manufacture, are presented. In one example, a device includes a glass substrate or interposer including one or more metalized through-glass vias (TGVs). The one or more metalized TGVs can be used to form a substrate integrated waveguide, a complementary split ring resonator, a disc loaded monopole antenna or other device. An array of metalized TGVs can define side walls of the integrated waveguide. A disc coupled to a tip of a metalized TGV can provide capacitive disc loading of the monopole antenna.

A universal ceiling antenna mount may include a plate having a first side and a second side. The plate may include at least one antenna adapter hole, at least one mounting post attached to the second side of the plate, and at least one stem having a top open end and a bottom open end. The bottom open end of the stems may attach to the second side of the plate over the antenna adapter holes. A top plate having at least one hole and at least one mounting hole may sandwich a ceiling tile with the second side of the plate and be secured. At least one coaxial antenna cable may be connected to a top side of mount. At least one antenna may be connected to a bottom side of the mount.

A method and apparatus for angularly aligning an antenna disposed at a geographical location is disclosed. A corresponding apparatus comprises a plurality of reticle members, each reticle member having a reticle, and a plurality of reference members, each adjustably engaged with an associated one of the plurality of reticle members, wherein each of the plurality of reference members comprises an associated template having a reference mark positioned thereon according to the geographical location of the antenna and the antenna is angularly aligned when each reference mark of each template is aligned with the reticle associated with the reference mark. A corresponding method comprises the steps of affixing an associated template having a reference mark positioned thereon according to the geographic location of the antenna to each of the plurality of reference members and angularly aligning each of the plurality of reticle members with each reference mark of each associated template.