The present invention generally relates to a process suitable for extracorporeal lung support. The process comprises contacting blood with a dialysis liquid separated by a semipermeable membrane. Oxygen is introduced into blood and/or into the dialysis liquid prior to contacting blood and dialysis liquid being separated by the semipermeable membrane. The process is versatile and allows for blood oxygenation as well as removal of at least one undesired substance occurring in the blood, selected from carbon dioxide, bicarbonate and hydrogen cations, from blood. Thereby, the present invention takes advantage of the Haldane effect in the extracorporeal contacting step. The undesired substance can be efficiently transported across a semipermeable membrane to the dialysis liquid. In contrast to extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal methods of the prior art (ECCCbR), the present invention employs a versatile dialysis liquid that allows to adjust the pH and buffering capacity of the dialysis liquid, to add fluids to the dialysis liquid and/or to the blood and to remove substances from the blood in the extracorporeal circuit, depending on the conditions and needs. The present invention also provides regeneration and recycling of the dialysis liquid, and thus for its repeated use. The present invention is suitable for treating human or animal subjects suffering from lung failure or lung disorders.

Gas recirculation systems for use in endoscopic surgical procedures including a gas recirculation pump are disclosed. The gas recirculation pump may work in conjunction with an insufflator used to inflate a patient's peritoneal cavity during surgery. The gas recirculation system may recirculate a high flow rate of gas from and to the patient while filtering particulate matter out of the gas and while maintaining an adequate moisture content in the gas. The gas recirculation pump may include a disposable pump cartridge releasably connected to a pump motor. A controller may detect a fault or safety condition in the gas recirculation system based on the load placed on the pump motor.

A medical double configurational and multiple ports mask preferably including a multifunctional plug with or without a nebulizer oxygen delivery adaptor (“NODA”) attachment. The mask fits over the mouth and the nose and preferably contains at least two possible nose/face configurational solutions. The mask can be secured over the head with a stretchable or non-stretchable material. The position of the preferred triple ports of the double configurational mask provides improved structural construction reflecting different patient's nose/face features and allows for different types of procedures to be performed at the same time regardless of the patient's head/neck position. The multifunctional plug can be used for a variety of applications. The mask can be used with existing standardized disposable respiratory care equipment, including a simplified improved nebulizer oxygen adaptor (“SINODA”) and/or multifunctional use nebulizer oxygen delivery adaptor (“MUNODA”) attachment.

A medical double configurational and multiple ports mask preferably including a multifunctional plug with or without a nebulizer oxygen delivery adaptor (“NODA”) attachment. The mask fits over the mouth and the nose and preferably contains at least two possible nose/face configurational solutions. The mask can be secured over the head with a stretchable or non-stretchable material. The position of the preferred triple ports of the double configurational mask provides improved structural construction reflecting different patient's nose/face features and allows for different types of procedures to be performed at the same time regardless of the patient's head/neck position. The multifunctional plug can be used for a variety of applications. The mask can be used with existing standardized disposable respiratory care equipment, including a simplified improved nebulizer oxygen adaptor (“SINODA”) and/or multifunctional use nebulizer oxygen delivery adaptor (“MUNODA”) attachment.

An insufflator for insufflating a body cavity includes a compressed air vessel and a flow control valve for delivering insufflating air to the cavity through a first trocar. A discharge control valve at an outlet port of a second trocar exhausts insufflating air from the cavity. A pressure sensor on the first trocar monitors cavity pressure, and a microcontroller operates the flow control valve for maintaining a predefined working pressure in the cavity. A foot operated switch is operable by a surgeon for opening and closing the discharge control valve. When the pressure in the cavity drops below the predefined working pressure, the flow control valve increases the insufflating air to the cavity, thereby increasing the insufflating air flow through the cavity for removing undesirable gases. The apparatus and insufflator may also be adapted for removing smoke, nitrogen or other undesirable gases during both cauterisation and cryogenic procedures.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a system to deliver at least one therapeutic gas to a spontaneously breathing patient, wherein the rate of delivery of the at least one therapeutic gas exceeds the patient's inspiratory flow rate, and the amount of the at least one therapeutic gas that is wasted is minimized or eliminated.

A patient interface comprises a plenum chamber and a seal-forming structure. The seal-forming structure comprises a support structure arranged to support a sealing portion that is adapted to sealing engage the patient's face in use. The seal-forming structure may also include a seal biasing portion configured to inflate under pressurization within the cavity in the cushion assembly in use to extend the reach of the sealing portion and decouple the sealing portion from external forces.

A patient interface comprises a plenum chamber and a seal-forming structure. The seal-forming structure comprises a support structure arranged to support a sealing portion that is adapted to sealing engage the patient's face in use. The seal-forming structure may also include a seal biasing portion configured to inflate under pressurization within the cavity in the cushion assembly in use to extend the reach of the sealing portion and decouple the sealing portion from external forces.

This document provides methods and materials for treating hypocapnia. For example, methods and materials for delivering CO.sub.2 to a mammal to treat hypocapnia or compensate for a reduced level of CO.sub.2 are provided.

This document provides methods and materials for treating hypocapnia. For example, methods and materials for delivering CO.sub.2 to a mammal to treat hypocapnia or compensate for a reduced level of CO.sub.2 are provided.