The invention relates to a device for the dynamically adapting sealing of an organ or a body cavity, e.g. the windpipe (trachea) of an intubated and ventilated patient, wherein the sealing balloon element is produced via particularly rapid shifting of filling medium from an extracorporeal reservoir or an extracorporeal source to the sealing balloon, and wherein, in the dynamic sealing of the trachea according to the example case, a balloon-type foil body preferably formed with residual material in the diameter, i.e. exceeding the tracheal diameter, is in contact with the inner wall of the trachea in a sealing manner and with a pressure that is as constant as possible, wherein fluctuations in the balloon volume, caused by fluctuations in the intrathoracic pressure relating to the mechanics of breathing, are compensated as quickly as possible by supplying volume from an extracorporeal reservoir or an extracorporeal source, and the tracheal secretion sealing of the balloon is thereby kept continuous. This is both made possible by a sufficiently high-volume supply of the balloon filling medium to the cuff, and also prevents steps, gaps or ridges in the supply system, whereby volume flow directed towards the balloon can be minimised, which is crucial for a rapid-as-possible stabilising of the filling volume in the balloon, in particular with small pressure differences between 15 and 30 mbar that are driving the volume flow.

An oxygen concentrator may have a compressor to feed a feed gas for sieve bed(s) via a first manifold, an accumulator to receive enriched air from the bed(s) via a second manifold. It may include an outer housing for the manifolds, the compressor, and the accumulator. The housing may include an access portal to a compartment therein, for removably receiving the bed(s) as a canister assembly. The first manifold may be adjacent to the compartment and have inlet coupling(s) for removably coupling respectively with inlet(s) of the canister assembly. The inlet coupling(s) may each have a first central axis. The second manifold may be adjacent to the compartment and have outlet coupling(s) for removably coupling respectively with outlet(s) of the canister assembly. The outlet coupling(s) may each having a second central axis. The first and second central axes may form any one of an obtuse, acute, or right angle.

A ventilation adjustment method and a high-frequency ventilation system, which ensure stable and accurate oxygen concentration control within an oxygen concentration setting range, are disclosed. The ventilation adjustment method includes: determining a first gas flow rate control value and a second gas flow rate control value according to a target output flow rate and an oxygen concentration setting value; determining whether the first gas flow rate control value falls into a first dead zone range and whether the second gas flow rate control value falls into a second dead zone range; if the first gas flow rate control value falls into the first dead zone range, maintaining a first gas flow rate controller turned on in an expiratory phase; and if the second gas flow rate control value falls into the second dead zone range, maintaining a second gas flow rate controller turned on in the expiratory phase.

Devices and methods for standardizing breathing effort in subjects are disclosed. An exemplary device has an exhaust housing having a proximal portion that defines a port and an opposed distal portion that defines inspiration and expiration pathways. The distal portion has a distal end surface, and the inspiration and expiration pathways are in fluid communication with the port and extend, respectively, to inlet and outlet openings defined in the distal end surface. An airflow adjustment plate, which defines openings having varying sizes, is rotatably coupled to the distal portion of the exhaust housing. Rotation of the airflow adjustment plate relative to the exhaust housing among a plurality of rotational positions, with a respective opening of the airflow adjustment plate being positioned in alignment with the inlet opening at each position, thereby increasing or decreasing resistance to air flow through the inlet opening.

Method and apparatus obtain information about a patient and/or a respiratory therapy system that is configured to deliver respiratory therapy to the patient. The respiratory therapy system may include a flow generator configured to generate a supply of pressurized air along an air circuit to a patient interface. A sound signal representing a sound in the air circuit may be processed to obtain cepstrum data. A time series of delay estimates based on acoustic signatures of the cepstrum data may be generated. Each acoustic signature may represent a reflection of sound from a patient interface along the air circuit. Variation in the time series of delay estimates may be analysed. One or more output indicators based on the variation may be generated. The one or more output indicators may concern patient and/or system status.

A mask is disclosed that has a gas outlet which is quiet and provides for a diffused outlet flow of gases. The outlet is preferably a slot formed between a hollow body and cover over said hollow body. The mask also preferably extends and seals under a user's chin in use.

An oxygen concentrator includes one or more adsorbent sieve beds operable to remove nitrogen from air to produce concentrated oxygen gas at respective outlets thereof, a product tank fluidly coupled to the respective outlets of the sieve bed(s), a compressor operable to pressurize ambient air, one or more sieve bed flow paths from the compressor to respective inlets of the sieve bed(s), a bypass flow path from the compressor to the product tank that bypasses the sieve bed(s), and a valve unit operable to selectively allow flow of pressurized ambient air from the compressor along the one or more sieve bed flow paths and along the bypass flow path in response to a control signal. The valve unit may be controlled in response to a command issued by a ventilator based on a calculated or estimated total flow of gas and entrained air or % FiO.sub.2 of a patient.

Systems and methods for nitric oxide generation are provided. In an embodiment, an NO generation system can include a controller and disposable cartridge that can provide nitric oxide to two different treatments simultaneously. The disposable cartridge has multiple purposes including preparing incoming gases for exposure to the NO generation process, scrubbing exhaust gases for unwanted materials, characterizing the patient inspiratory flow, and removing moisture from sample gases collected. Plasma generation can be done within the cartridge or within the controller. The system has the capability of calibrating NO and NO.sub.2 gas analysis sensors without the use of a calibration gas.

A facemask has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a mouthpiece. The inner surface has either a receiver or an insert, and the mouthpiece has either an insert or a receiver that mates with the receiver or the insert of the inner surface. When the receiver and the insert are mated (or coupled), the user can wear the facemask by having the mouthpiece inside the user's mouth.

Interfaces for positive pressure therapy having a mask assembly, a headgear assembly and a connection port assembly are disclosed herein. The connection port assembly has a ball joint connection with the mask assembly and includes a quick release button for easily disconnecting the gases source conduit from the mask assembly. The mask assembly may include a bias flow vent that is formed separately and attached to the mask assembly. The headgear assembly encircles the rear region of the user's head and may include at least some portions that are substantially non-stretchable.