The presently disclosed embodiments relate to devices and methods for efficiently removing the nitrogen dioxide (NO.sub.2) from a gas stream while enhancing the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in the gas stream without making any reaction byproduct that will adversely influence a respiratory treatment. The devices and methods for nitric oxide (NO) generation and nitrogen dioxide (NO.sub.2) removal or scrubbing can be embedded into other therapeutic devices or used alone.

Disclosed are apparatus and methods of detecting user interaction with a respiratory therapy device and effecting an action in response to the detection. The apparatus comprises a sensor which is positioned so as to detect the presence of a user's hand or fingers near to the apparatus, such as a surface or handle. In embodiments the apparatus may be configured to detect gestures or movement of the user. On detection of a user, the apparatus may be configured to effect one or more actions, such as disabling a feature of an input or output device or alerting a user.

A respiratory pressure therapy system for providing continuous positive air pressure to a patient via a patient interface configured to engage with at least one airway of the patient. The system includes: a flow generator configured to generate supply of breathable gas for delivery to the patient via the patient interface; at least one sensor; a display; and a computing device. The computing device is configured to: receive sensor data that is based on measured physical property of the supply of breathable gas; control, based on the received sensor data, the flow generator to adjust a property of the supply of breathable gas; receive, an input indicating assistance is needed with using the patient interface; receive one or more images of the patient with the patient interface; analyse the received one or more images; and based on the analysis, display instructions for positioning the patient interface.

The operational parameters of a respiratory apparatus can be controlled through the use of a user interface located on a separate or separable mobile computing device. Sensors or features located on the mobile computing apparatus can be used to adjust the operation parameters or therapy of the respiratory apparatus or otherwise improve the compliance of a patient utilizing the respiratory apparatus.

A nasal interface uses asymmetrical nasal delivery elements to deliver an asymmetrical flow through the interface to both nares or to either nare, and a mouthpiece may be inserted to maintain a leak, to improve dead space clearance in the upper airways, decrease peak expiratory pressure, reduce noise, increase safety of the therapy for smaller patients and reduce resistance in the interface allowing desired flow rates to be achieved at reduced motor speeds of associated flow generating devices. Different forms of fittings, such as sleeves or inserts can be attached to nasal delivery elements to improve or optimise the therapeutic effects of nasal high flow. It may allow high pressures to be achieved at lower flow rates, reduce noise, improve patient comfort and efficiently clear anatomical dead space.

An articulating stylet usable with a tracheal intubation system is disclosed. Methods for using the articulating stylet and systems that incorporate the articulating stylet are also disclosed. In some examples, a stylet adapted for mounting an endotracheal tube comprises a shaft and a control wire. The shaft comprises a distal shaft portion, a proximal shaft portion, and an expanding connection joining the distal shaft portion to the proximal shaft portion. The proximal shaft portion has a body portion and a tip portion. The tip portion includes a tip and has greater flexibility than the body portion. The control wire is at least partially disposed within both the distal shaft portion and the proximal shaft portion and is configured to cause the tip portion of the proximal shaft portion to deform.

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide in a gas stream derived from exhalation air from a patient. The apparatus (1) comprises an inlet arrangement (2) with a gas inlet (3) for the exhalation air, an outlet arrangement (11) with a gas outlet (12) for an outlet gas, and between these arrangements a through-flow decomposition chamber (9) containing a catalyst material. According to the invention the apparatus is provided with a nitrous oxide adsorption/desorption means (4) in the inlet arrangement (2) for level out variations in the concentration of nitrous oxide fed to the decomposition chamber (9).

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a thermoregulated ventilation circuit (100) equipped with a control unit (40) and comprising an active humidifier (10). The active humidifier (10) further comprises, in turn, a cartridge (20) equipped with a humidification chamber (21) adapted to contain water to be heated for the humidification of the air through a heating element (30), and the thermoregulated circuit (100) further comprising at least one intake tube (120) for conveying the air exiting said cartridge and provided with heating means (123) for heating the air exiting said cartridge (20). The method according to the present invention is characterised in that said control unit (40) receives in input the patient's temperature data (Tp) detected by a patient's temperature probe (132) and regulates the operation of said heating element (30) of said cartridge (20) and the operation of said heating means (123) of the air exiting said cartridge (20) as a function of said patient's temperature (Tp).

The invention relates to a non-heated humidification device comprising a wick; a chamber for holding water in contact with the wick; and a gas inlet to the chamber, wherein the chamber and wick are configured to humidify gas passing through or over the wick at ambient conditions. The device may be modular and attachable to a flow generator. The device may comprise dual gas circuits and a control system for controlling the gas flow through the gas circuits in order to control the humidity of the gas output.

A stator assembly has coils in a distributed winding configuration. A poly-phase switched reluctance motor assembly may include a stator assembly with multiple coils in a distributed winding configuration. The stator assembly may have a central bore into which a rotor assembly having multiple poles is received and configured to rotate. A method of controlling a switched reluctance motor may include at least three phases wherein during each conduction period a first phase is energized with negative direction current, a second phase is energized with positive current and there is at least one non-energized phase. During each commutation period either the first phase or second phase switches off to a non-energized state and one of the non-energized phases switches on to an energized state with the same direction current as the first or second phase that was switched off. The switched reluctance motor may include a distributed winding configuration.