The invention relates to a method for anaesthetizing animals before slaughter, by the anaesthetic action of gases or gas mixtures, method operating in batch mode in which the live animals, preferably put together in one or more cages, are placed in a lock chamber for treatment where the animals are brought into contact with anaesthetic gas, following a cycle comprising several steps characterized by different contents of anaesthetic gas, characterized in that at least one of the steps is carried out using gas recovered from the lock chamber and stored in at least one capacity (2, No. 1, No. 2 etc.) for temporary storage having a variable volume.

The present disclosure pertains to a ventilation therapy system configured to control a pressure or flow generator to apply an intra-pulmonary percussive ventilation therapy regime to a pressurized flow of breathable gas during baseline ventilation therapy. The ventilation therapy system is configured to automatically control the pressurized flow of breathable gas. The system may automatically control an extent of hyperinflation during IPPV in a subject. The system is configured such that therapy set points, alarm settings, and/or other factors are automatically adjusted during the application of IPPV relative to the set points and alarm settings during baseline ventilation therapy. In some embodiments, the system comprises one or more of a pressure or flow generator, a subject interface, one or more sensors, one or more processors, a user interface, electronic storage, and/or other components.

A comfortable device for treating sleep apnea incorporates a mask, a flexible hose and a chamber for collecting expired air containing CO.sub.2. A sensor detects apnea and a control system automatically adjusts the amount of rebreathed CO.sub.2 to minimize apnea and also minimize arousal.

A medical device and a method for measuring a positive end-expiratory pressure are disclosed. The method includes acquiring an airway pressure and an air flow rate when a medical ventilation device ventilates a patient; obtaining a ventilation volume according to the air flow rate; and then obtaining, by means of calculation, a total positive end-expiratory pressure according to a preset respiratory mechanics equation, the airway pressure, the air flow rate and the ventilation volume. The disclosed method does not require any expiratory hold operation during the process of measuring a positive end-expiratory pressure, and thus a normal ventilation process is not interrupted. Accordingly, the method is suitable for use in both invasive and non-invasive ventilation.

A system and method to match an interface to the face of a user for respiratory therapy. A facial image of the user is stored. Facial features based on the facial image are determined. A database stores facial profiles based on facial features and a corresponding plurality of interfaces. A database stores operational data of respiratory therapy devices with the plurality of corresponding interfaces. A selection engine is coupled to the databases. The selection engine is operative to select an interface for the user from the plurality of corresponding interfaces based on a desired outcome based on the stored operational data and the facial features. The collected data may also be employed to determine whether the selected interface is correctly fitted to the face of the user.

A PAP device is configured to deliver a pressurized flow of respiratory gas to a patient's airways and includes a flow generator with a blower configured to pressurize the flow of respiratory gas. A flexible face seal is positioned at an outlet end of a blower discharge path. A tub configured to hold a body of water and humidify the pressurized flow of respiratory gas includes a heat conducting base plate and a side wall. A base supports both the flow generator and the tub and includes a floor with a heater plate and a spring biased catch configured to secure the tub to the base. The spring biased catch is configured so that applying a downward force on the tub so that the tub presses against the floor of the base secures the tub to the base and allows the tub to be released from the base.

A manually actuated, self-inflating bag valve mask provides users with a positive pressure ventilation device that reliably provides a proper tidal volume to the patient and controls the rate of ventilation of the patient. The bag valve mask is lightweight, compact, durable, and quickly deployable in the field. The device is preferably operable with one hand and can be configured for use in low-light environments.

A CPAP device includes a humidifier tub including a heat conducting base plate. The CPAP device also includes a cradle to support the humidifier tub in an operative position. The cradle includes a heater plate in communication with the heat conducting base plate of the humidifier tub in use. The cradle further includes a retaining mechanism to retain the humidifier tub in the cradle. The retaining mechanism is structured to force the base plate into engagement with the heater plate.

The present disclosure pertains to an exhalation valve system (10) configured to control gas flow during exhalation of a subject (12). In some embodiments, the system comprises one or more of a pressure generator (14), a subject interface (16), one or more sensors (18), one or more processors (20), electronic storage (22), user interface (23), and/or other components. The system is configured to adjust a rebreathing level of the subject based on detected occurrences of disordered breathing events. By rebreathing exhaled air (and/or other breathable gas) a subject may minimize and/or prevent central sleep apneas. The system monitors the breathing of the subject to detect occurrences of respiratory events related to central sleep apnea. The system monitors accumulated retrograde breathing and adjusts the volume of exhaled rebreathing and/or other system settings affecting the subject's breathing. Through these adjustments, the system may prevent and/or reduce respiratory events related to central sleep apnea.

The invention relates to an ergonomic foot pedal and to apparatuses for manual ventilation. In an embodiment, the invention provides a compact and integrated foot pedal that enables a care provider to provide positive pressure ventilation to a subject's airways and lungs, and to optionally apply suction for the purpose of aspirating mucous, secretions, meconium, blood, fluids or other such materials from a patientspecifically from airways.