A method of closing an upper esophageal sphincter of a patient includes applying electrodes to a neck region of the patient, applying an electric energy through the electrodes such that the upper esophageal sphincter contracts, and deactivating the electric energy, thereby allowing the upper esophageal sphincter to relax. Systems for closing the upper esophageal sphincter are also disclosed.

A gases flow rate sensing system may be configured to operate in at least two different target temperature modes, based upon a measured temperature of the gases flow. In some embodiments, the gases flow sensing system may have a voltage divider containing a thermistor. The gases flow rate may be determined based upon a voltage output indicating an amount of power needed to maintain the thermistor at a target temperature as specified by the target temperature mode, and a measured temperature of the gases flow.

A patient ventilating (23) and aspirating system (8) is disclosed that has a suction tube (9) and connector (6) for connecting to a catheter mount that has a sealed passageway (15) The catheter mount passageway (15) is sealed with an elastomeric seal (16) including a perforation or slit (17). A connector (12) with a piercing member is associated with the suction tube (9). When the connector is attached to the catheter mount the piercing member (20) pierces the seal (16) such that the suction tube (9) can pass through the connector (6) and catheter mount.

A medical device system and method including an endotracheal tube configured for insertion into a patients mouth or nose are disclosed. The endotracheal tube may include an outer cannula extending from a proximal end to a distal end configured to be positioned between in a patient's trachea. The outer cannula may include a lumen extending from a first opening defined in the proximal end to a second opening defined in the distal end. The endotracheal tube may further include an inner cannula removably positioned in the lumen of the outer cannula. The inner cannula may include a proximal end that extends outwardly from the first opening of the outer cannula, a distal end positioned adjacent to the distal end of the outer cannula, and a passageway extending through the distal and proximal ends of the inner cannula.

A respiratory system is configured to pressurize and deliver a flow of respiratory gas to a patient's airways. The respiratory system includes a cushion configured to sealingly engage the patient's face and a blower mounted to the cushion and configured to pressurize a flow of respiratory gas. An interface structure is attached to an outlet of the blower and an aperture in the cushion. The interface structure forms a gas flow path between the cushion and the blower. The gas flow path is configured to deliver the pressurized respiratory gas from the blower through the aperture in the cushion. The gas flow path is also configured to vent exhaled gas from the aperture in the cushion to atmosphere. The respiratory system also includes headgear configured to support the cushion and the blower on the patient's face.

An irrigating intraluminal suction inner cannula system for a tracheostomy tube may be a suction-powered system that may be used for suction alone or a combination of rinse and intraluminal suction for tracheostomy tubes in place of conventional catheter-based intraluminal suction. An inner cannula includes chambers, or regions, and holes that facilitate intraluminal suction and cleaning at multiple locations within the tracheostomy tube. It may be applied/actuated by a patient, healthcare worker, caretaker, or via an electronic system either on-demand or on regular or triggered intervals, in either inpatient/hospital or outpatient/ambulatory care setting.

A respiratory ventilation apparatus configured to deliver a respiratory gas to a patient interface is provided. The apparatus may include a gas pressurization unit configured to generate a pressurized respiratory gas, a gas inlet port configured to introduce the respiratory gas into the respiratory ventilation apparatus, a gas outlet port configured to discharge the pressurized respiratory gas to a respiration tube, a detection module configured to detect the pressure of the pressurized respiratory gas, at least one non-volatile memory configured to store a plurality of parameters and a plurality of programs, and one or more controllers. The one or more controllers may be configured to initiate the respiratory ventilation apparatus upon a boot operation, and/or initiate a program that constantly reads information from the detection module, and controls the pressure of the pressurized respiratory gas using the information read from the detection module and at least one parameter.

A medical appliance for the treatment of one or more sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea in a patient, the appliance comprising: a biasing member for inserting behind and exerting a force upon the patient's soft palate or tongue, wherein the biasing member is inserted in a reduced or minimized form and then expanded or firms once in place to exert the force. The appliance may be nasally inserted or be placed through the mouth. In a particular configuration, both the soft palate and tongue are biased to prevent obstruction of the flow of air in the nasopharyngeal airway.

A respiratory ventilation apparatus configured to deliver a respiratory gas to a patient interface is provided. The apparatus may include a gas pressurization unit configured to generate a pressurized respiratory gas, a gas inlet port configured to introduce the respiratory gas into the respiratory ventilation apparatus, a gas outlet port configured to discharge the pressurized respiratory gas to a respiration tube, a detection module configured to detect the pressure of the pressurized respiratory gas, at least one non-volatile memory configured to store a plurality of parameters and a plurality of programs, and one or more controllers. The one or more controllers may be configured to initiate the respiratory ventilation apparatus upon a boot operation, and/or initiate a program that constantly reads information from the detection module, and controls the pressure of the pressurized respiratory gas using the information read from the detection module and at least one parameter.

A tracheal cannula for laryngectomized and/or tracheotomized persons includes a cannula tube part, a connector part and at least two supporting wings for fastening a strap. The supporting wings are arranged on the connector part, wherein the connector part includes a first conical part and a second conical part. The first conical part is disposed on the cannula tube part and widens away from the cannula tube part. The second conical part is disposed on the first conical part and widens toward the first conical part.