A medical ventilator (10) performs a method including: receiving measurements of pressure of air inspired by or expired from a ventilated patient (12) operatively connected with the medical ventilator; receiving measurements of air flow into or out of the ventilated patient operatively connected with the medical ventilator; dividing a breath time interval into a plurality of fitting regions (60); and simultaneously estimating respiratory system's resistance and compliance or elastance, and respiratory muscle pressure in each fitting region by fitting to a time series of pressure and air flow samples in that fitting region. In one approach, the fitting includes parameterizing the respiratory muscle pressure by a continuous differentiable function, such as a polynomial function, over the fitting region. In another approach, the fitting is to an equation of motion of the lungs in each fitting region, while monotonicity constraints and inequalities bounding at least the respiratory muscle pressure P.sub.mus(t) and respiratory system's resistence R and compliance C are applied to the respiratory muscle pressure in each region.

A medical ventilator (10) performs a method including: receiving measurements of pressure of air inspired by or expired from a ventilated patient (12) operatively connected with the medical ventilator; receiving measurements of air flow into or out of the ventilated patient operatively connected with the medical ventilator; dividing a breath time interval into a plurality of fitting regions (60); and simultaneously estimating respiratory system's resistance and compliance or elastance, and respiratory muscle pressure in each fitting region by fitting to a time series of pressure and air flow samples in that fitting region. In one approach, the fitting includes parameterizing the respiratory muscle pressure by a continuous differentiable function, such as a polynomial function, over the fitting region. In another approach, the fitting is to an equation of motion of the lungs in each fitting region, while monotonicity constraints and inequalities bounding at least the respiratory muscle pressure P.sub.mus(t) and respiratory system's resistence R and compliance C are applied to the respiratory muscle pressure in each region.

Disclosed is an apparatus for recording respiratory rate of a subject. The apparatus comprises a first component to be arranged on the subject and away from nostrils of the subject, the first component comprises a battery, optionally electronics for the sensor, and electronics for transmitting respiration rate data; and a second component for being arranged in an area of the nose of the subject, the second component comprising at least one sensor for recording respiratory rate. Disclosed is also a method for recording respiratory rate of a subject with such an apparatus. The method comprises arranging the second component in an area of the nose of the subject; arranging the first component on the subject and no further than 30 centimeters from the second component; recording respiratory rate data with the second component, and sending the respiratory rate data to the first component; and sending the respiratory rate data from the first component to a monitor or a hub.

Disclosed is an apparatus for recording respiratory rate of a subject. The apparatus comprises a first component to be arranged on the subject and away from nostrils of the subject, the first component comprises a battery, optionally electronics for the sensor, and electronics for transmitting respiration rate data; and a second component for being arranged in an area of the nose of the subject, the second component comprising at least one sensor for recording respiratory rate. Disclosed is also a method for recording respiratory rate of a subject with such an apparatus. The method comprises arranging the second component in an area of the nose of the subject; arranging the first component on the subject and no further than 30 centimeters from the second component; recording respiratory rate data with the second component, and sending the respiratory rate data to the first component; and sending the respiratory rate data from the first component to a monitor or a hub.

Disclosed are biofeedback methods and devices suitable for providing biofeedback useful for helping a user control an own breathing, for example, to help in inducing deep breathing, and such biofeedback devices further comprising a dispenser for dispensing an inhalable substance.

Disclosed are biofeedback methods and devices suitable for providing biofeedback useful for helping a user control an own breathing, for example, to help in inducing deep breathing, and such biofeedback devices further comprising a dispenser for dispensing an inhalable substance.

A method for generating a flow profile of an inhalation device is described. The method comprises the step of measuring acoustic emissions induced by inhalation flow through the inhalation device. The method further comprises the step of detecting peak frequencies in the measured acoustic emissions and generating a flow profile based on the detected peak frequencies. A corresponding device is also described.

A diagnostic tool and methods of using the tool are provided to quantify an amount of nasal collapse in a patient. The diagnostic tool includes a mask with an endoscope port and an opening to allow air flow, an endoscope with a camera adapted to take an image of the nasal valve, and an air flow sensor adapted to measure an inhalation rate of the patient. The diagnostic tool can quantify a size difference between the nasal valve during inhalation and zero flow by calculating a percentage difference in an area or one or more dimensions of the nasal valve during inhalation and zero flow.

A diagnostic tool and methods of using the tool are provided to quantify an amount of nasal collapse in a patient. The diagnostic tool includes a mask with an endoscope port and an opening to allow air flow, an endoscope with a camera adapted to take an image of the nasal valve, and an air flow sensor adapted to measure an inhalation rate of the patient. The diagnostic tool can quantify a size difference between the nasal valve during inhalation and zero flow by calculating a percentage difference in an area or one or more dimensions of the nasal valve during inhalation and zero flow.

An apparatus and methods enhances the energy levels of a person, in particular the relating to guiding a person's breathing to enhance energy and health. The device is a breath guide device having an airway, breathflow guiding equipment, a control unit capable of communicating with a memory unit. The control unit is arranged to control the breathflow guiding equipment in dependence on data held in the memory unit. A mouthpiece suitable for placement at a user's mouth may be included. The breathflow guiding equipment includes an electronically operated valve for regulating the flow of breath through the airway.