A gas washout vent, and a patient interface with the gas washout vent, configured to allow patient-exhaled CO.sub.2 to flow to an exterior of the plenum chamber to minimise rebreathing of exhaled CO.sub.2 by the patient, the gas washout vent including at least one outlet orifice; a diffusing member at least partly covering the outlet orifice; and a blocking member having an air-impermeable material, the blocking member preventing gas exiting from the outlet orifice from flowing straight through the diffusing member.

An article of manufacture for a one-way CPAP/BiPAP mask is disclosed. The article includes a mask covering a mouth and nose of a user, an inlet for connecting to a CPAP/BiPAP machine, an exhalation port having an interlocking ring, and a removable filtering tube having an attachment end and an exhalation end. The removable filtering tube has an attachment port located at the attachment end and configured to connect to the interlocking ring of the exhalation port, a filtered exhalation opening located at the exhalation end, and a filter element located between the attachment port and the filtered exhalation opening, the filter permits air from within the mask leave the filtered exhalation opening while removing any pathogens present in the user's exhalations.

An article of manufacture for a one-way CPAP/BiPAP mask is disclosed. The article includes a mask covering a mouth and nose of a user, an inlet for connecting to a CPAP/BiPAP machine, an exhalation port having an interlocking ring, and a removable filtering tube having an attachment end and an exhalation end. The removable filtering tube has an attachment port located at the attachment end and configured to connect to the interlocking ring of the exhalation port, a filtered exhalation opening located at the exhalation end, and a filter element located between the attachment port and the filtered exhalation opening, the filter permits air from within the mask leave the filtered exhalation opening while removing any pathogens present in the user's exhalations.

Systems and methods for the removal of carbon dioxide from circulating blood via the use of microbubbles within a body cavity, optionally including the simultaneous provision of oxygen to the circulatory system. Through placement of microbubbles within a body cavity and the use of a carbon dioxide scavenging catheter, carbon dioxide and/or oxygen exchange may occur. Overall improvement in extending survival rate time during emergency situations caused by pulmonary or similar ventilation restricting injury and/or failure may be achieved.

A ventilation system having a mask, a blowing assembly, and a processor. The mask has a mask body and a pressure sensor operatively associated with the mask body and configured to measure pressure within the mask. The mask body defines an inlet opening and a plurality of leak openings. The blowing assembly is positioned in fluid communication with the inlet opening of the mask body and configured to direct air to the inlet opening of the mask body. The processor is positioned in operative communication with the blowing assembly and the pressure sensor of the mask. The processor is configured to selectively control the blowing assembly based upon at least the measured pressure within the mask.

A ventilation system having a mask, a blowing assembly, and a processor. The mask has a mask body and a pressure sensor operatively associated with the mask body and configured to measure pressure within the mask. The mask body defines an inlet opening and a plurality of leak openings. The blowing assembly is positioned in fluid communication with the inlet opening of the mask body and configured to direct air to the inlet opening of the mask body. The processor is positioned in operative communication with the blowing assembly and the pressure sensor of the mask. The processor is configured to selectively control the blowing assembly based upon at least the measured pressure within the mask.

A breathing mask includes a relatively rigid shell and an elastomeric sealing lip mounted to the relatively rigid shell. The elastomeric sealing lip has a contact zone configured to bear against the face of the person. The elastomeric sealing lip further includes a nose bridge region, a first nostril region and a second nostril region. The nose bridge region has a first zone of lower load-bearing capability. The first nostril region has a first zone of higher load-bearing capability. The second nostril region has a second zone of higher load-bearing capability. The first zone of lower load-bearing capability has a lower load-bearing capability than the first and second zones of higher load-bearing capability. In addition, the contact zone is configured to pivot about an articulation axis that extends through the first and second nostril regions.

A breathing mask includes a relatively rigid shell and an elastomeric sealing lip mounted to the relatively rigid shell. The elastomeric sealing lip has a contact zone configured to bear against the face of the person. The elastomeric sealing lip further includes a nose bridge region, a first nostril region and a second nostril region. The nose bridge region has a first zone of lower load-bearing capability. The first nostril region has a first zone of higher load-bearing capability. The second nostril region has a second zone of higher load-bearing capability. The first zone of lower load-bearing capability has a lower load-bearing capability than the first and second zones of higher load-bearing capability. In addition, the contact zone is configured to pivot about an articulation axis that extends through the first and second nostril regions.

A cushion assembly for a patient interface includes a foam cushion and an elastomeric support portion configured to support the foam cushion. The foam cushion is more compliant in a nasal bridge region than other regions of the cushion assembly, the nasal bridge region being a region configured to engage the patient's nasal bridge when the cushion assembly is mounted on the patient's face.

A nozzle apparatus for dispensing an adjustable combination of gas, having a nozzle outlet adjustably combined with a delivery component. The nozzle outlet may have a groove for receiving a roll pin; and an inner lumen comprising a cylindrical shaft having a diameter between 5/1000ths and 20/1000ths of an inch. The delivery component configured to receive air from the nozzle outlet, may have a first circular ambient air hole having a diameter, and a second circular ambient air hole having the same diameter as the first ambient air hole, and a removable plugging device covering the second circular ambient air hole. The delivery component may be adjustable in orientation with respect to the nozzle outlet, and may be adjustable to vary a concentration of therapeutic gas delivered to a patient.