The application describes a nasal sub-system (21) having: a hollow body (22) with an inner chamber (22a) and an inlet (22b) for receiving a respiratory gas, and a pair of nasal prongs (23, 24), in fluid communication with the inner chamber 22a of the hollow body 22, each nasal prong (23, 24) comprising a pair of inner channels (23b, 23c; 24b, 24c), each inner channels (23b, 23c; 24b, 24c) comprising a first channel (23b; 24b) and a second channel (23c; 24c) arranged in parallel, each first passage (23b; 24b) fluidly connecting the internal chamber (22a) of the hollow body (22) with a nostril (13, 14) of the patient (1), and each second passage (23c, 24c) fluidly connecting a nostril (13, 14) with a vent conduit (25) arranged in the hollow body (22) and in fluid communication with the atmosphere via at least one venting port (25a).

A blood treatment method is described that is adapted to at least partially eliminate the carbon dioxide content of the type comprising a step of drawing a blood flow. Advantageously according to the invention, the method further comprises the steps of: acidifying the blood flow with transformation of the related blood bicarbonate content into gaseous carbon dioxide; and eliminating the gaseous carbon dioxide content by means of a pressure gradient.

A therapeutic device for treating one or more conditions associated with a user's nasal cavities, sinuses, and/or ear canals includes a housing having an opening, an acoustic vibrator within the housing that is operable to provide an acoustic vibration to the user, a fan within the housing that is operable to provide a pressure to the user and a power supply that provides power to the acoustic vibrator and the fan. A mask is connected to the housing at the opening and includes a nasal interface appliable around the nose of the user, a nasal chamber in which the user's nostrils are located and an aperture through which the fan delivers the pressure.

A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and an elbow assembly. The frame has a front surface and a rear surface adapted in use to face the patient. The frame includes a main body providing an aperture therethrough for the introduction of breathable gas into a nasal breathing cavity. The elbow assembly is swivelably coupled to the front surface of the frame. The elbow assembly includes a swivel elbow that defines an intake port and an exhaust port separated from the intake port using a baffle. The elbow assembly includes an end portion that interfaces with the aperture of the frame.

A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and an elbow assembly. The frame has a front surface and a rear surface adapted in use to face the patient. The frame includes a main body providing an aperture therethrough for the introduction of breathable gas into a nasal breathing cavity. The elbow assembly is swivelably coupled to the front surface of the frame. The elbow assembly includes a swivel elbow that defines an intake port and an exhaust port separated from the intake port using a baffle. The elbow assembly includes an end portion that interfaces with the aperture of the frame.

An anatomical probe system includes an elongated flexible body including a channel defined by a wall, an operational component, a support member, an image obstruction detector, and a fluid director. The support member comprises a curved wall having a portion sized to fit within the channel and a frame shaped to retain the operational component. A frame wall is coupled to the curved wall such that the frame wall and the portion of the curved wall form an enclosed interior channel. The frame wall overlaps the portion of the curved wall in an axial direction such that a plane transverse to the axis intersects both the frame wall and the portion of the curved wall. The image obstruction detector is configured to detect an obstruction of the operational component and initiate a cleaning routine. The fluid director is configured to direct the fluid toward the operational component.

A needle assembly for pleural space insufflation is disclosed. The needle assembly has an outer shaft defining one or more pliable tissue receivers. The needle assembly also has a needle moveable within the outer shaft from a retracted position to an engaged position that does not extend past a distal end of the outer shaft. A method of pleural space insufflation is also disclosed. A parietal pleura is contacted with a distal end of an outer shaft that defines one or more pliable tissue receivers. The distal end of the outer shaft is pushed against the parietal pleura so that a portion of the parietal pleura enters the one or more pliable tissue receivers. A needle is advanced within the outer shaft so that the needle pierces the parietal pleura.

A needle assembly for pleural space insufflation is disclosed. The needle assembly has an outer shaft defining one or more pliable tissue receivers. The needle assembly also has a needle moveable within the outer shaft from a retracted position to an engaged position that does not extend past a distal end of the outer shaft. A method of pleural space insufflation is also disclosed. A parietal pleura is contacted with a distal end of an outer shaft that defines one or more pliable tissue receivers. The distal end of the outer shaft is pushed against the parietal pleura so that a portion of the parietal pleura enters the one or more pliable tissue receivers. A needle is advanced within the outer shaft so that the needle pierces the parietal pleura.

A mask system for delivering air pressurized above atmospheric pressure to the airways of a patient to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB) by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may include a mask having a cushion configured to form a seal with the patient's nose; two inlet conduits, each of the two inlet conduits configured to extend from a position superior to the patient's head and along a corresponding side of the patient's head, and each of the two inlet conduits being in fluid communication with a corresponding side of the mask to deliver pressurized air to the mask; a first vent arrangement configured to be positioned superior to the patient's head in use and configured to discharge gas to atmosphere during therapy; and a second vent arrangement configured to be positioned inferior to the first vent arrangement in use and configured to discharge gas to atmosphere during therapy.

A mask system for delivering air pressurized above atmospheric pressure to the airways of a patient to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB) by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may include a mask having a cushion configured to form a seal with the patient's nose; two inlet conduits, each of the two inlet conduits configured to extend from a position superior to the patient's head and along a corresponding side of the patient's head, and each of the two inlet conduits being in fluid communication with a corresponding side of the mask to deliver pressurized air to the mask; a first vent arrangement configured to be positioned superior to the patient's head in use and configured to discharge gas to atmosphere during therapy; and a second vent arrangement configured to be positioned inferior to the first vent arrangement in use and configured to discharge gas to atmosphere during therapy.