A pathogen detection system includes a pathogen sensing adaptor that detect pathogens present in the breathing circuit associated with a ventilated patient. A pathogen sensing adaptor may include a conduit, removable cartridges with testing strips, an optical sensor, and communication circuitry. Upon detecting a colorimetric change on the testing strip, the optical sensor generates a signal indicative of the presence and/or level of pathogens.

A pathogen detection system includes a pathogen sensing adaptor that detect pathogens present in the breathing circuit associated with a ventilated patient. A pathogen sensing adaptor may include a conduit, removable cartridges with testing strips, an optical sensor, and communication circuitry. Upon detecting a colorimetric change on the testing strip, the optical sensor generates a signal indicative of the presence and/or level of pathogens.

An example aerosol delivery device includes a mouthpiece having an airflow outlet, and an airflow passage extending between an airflow inlet and the airflow outlet. The example aerosol delivery device further includes a housing configured to receive a cartridge that includes an aerosolizable substance and a vapor element configured to heat the aerosolizable substance, and an internal power source configured to provide electrical power. The example aerosol delivery device further includes a controller coupled to the internal power source to receive a portion of the electrical power and configured to, when the cartridge is installed at the housing, cause the vapor element of the cartridge to heat the aerosolizable substance to release an aerosol into the airflow passage during an inhalation through the airflow outlet, and a connector configured to receive power from an external source to recharge the internal power source.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of providing a mixed-gas inhalant to a patient via a gas recirculation loop. The gas recirculation loop receives a first mixed-gas exhalant having a first carbon dioxide concentration from the patient, one or more carbon dioxide removal devices discharge a second mixed-gas exhalant having a second carbon dioxide concentration that is less than the first carbon dioxide concentration. The second mixed-gas exhalant is combined with a mixed-gas supply to provide a mixed-gas inhalant. The mied-gas supply includes a first gas and a second gas. The mixed-gas supply is pressure and flow controlled to produce a mixed-gas inhalant having a defined composition delivered to the patient at a defined volumetric flow rate. The first gas may include a gas containing oxygen and the second gas may include a gas mixture containing a noble or inert gas and oxygen.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of providing a mixed-gas inhalant to a patient via a gas recirculation loop. The gas recirculation loop receives a first mixed-gas exhalant having a first carbon dioxide concentration from the patient, one or more carbon dioxide removal devices discharge a second mixed-gas exhalant having a second carbon dioxide concentration that is less than the first carbon dioxide concentration. The second mixed-gas exhalant is combined with a mixed-gas supply to provide a mixed-gas inhalant. The mied-gas supply includes a first gas and a second gas. The mixed-gas supply is pressure and flow controlled to produce a mixed-gas inhalant having a defined composition delivered to the patient at a defined volumetric flow rate. The first gas may include a gas containing oxygen and the second gas may include a gas mixture containing a noble or inert gas and oxygen.

Diffusion and infusion resistant implantable devices and methods for reducing pulsatile pressure are provided. The implantable device includes a balloon implantable within a blood vessel of a patient, e.g., the pulmonary artery. The balloon is injected with a fluid mixture comprising a constituent fluid(s) and a diffusion-resistant gas to provide optimal balloon volume and limit fluid diffusion throughout multiple cardiac cycles. The fluid mixture may be pressurized such that the balloon is transitionable between an expanded state and a collapsed state responsive to pressure fluctuations in the blood vessel.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas, which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube. Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas mixture, such as He/O.sub.2 or SF/O.sub.2 to increase the heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.

A device is provided for delivering one or more substances within at least one body cavity. The device includes at least one pierceable vial comprising V.sub.sub [ml or mg] of the substances; the vial having at least one fluid discharging outlet port, configured for placement in proximity to the body cavity. The pierceable vial is configured to interface in a sealable manner with at least one pressurized fluid at volume V.sub.PF [ml] and pressure P.sub.PF [barg]. The device, upon actuation, permits the pressurized fluid to enter into the pierceable vial via the at least one fluid inlet port, entrains the substances, and delivers the substances through the fluid discharging outlet port to within the body cavity in the form of at least one selected from a group consisting of drops, droplets, stream, aerosol and any combination thereof.

A device is provided for delivering one or more substances within at least one body cavity. The device includes at least one pierceable vial comprising V.sub.sub [ml or mg] of the substances; the vial having at least one fluid discharging outlet port, configured for placement in proximity to the body cavity. The pierceable vial is configured to interface in a sealable manner with at least one pressurized fluid at volume V.sub.PF [ml] and pressure P.sub.PF [barg]. The device, upon actuation, permits the pressurized fluid to enter into the pierceable vial via the at least one fluid inlet port, entrains the substances, and delivers the substances through the fluid discharging outlet port to within the body cavity in the form of at least one selected from a group consisting of drops, droplets, stream, aerosol and any combination thereof.

A system for performing cold atmospheric plasma treatment of respiratory infections or lung cancer having a source of a carrier gas, a cold atmospheric plasma generator connected to the source of carrier gas, a source of compressed air, a humidifier connected to the source of compressed air, a source of oxygen, a ventilator having inputs connected to an output of the humidifier and the source of oxygen, a mixer having an interior chamber formed from a dielectric, an active electrode inside the interior chamber, and an outer electrode connected to ground, wherein the mixer has a fluid input port connected to a gas output of the cold atmospheric plasma generator and an output of the ventilator, and a delivery member connected to an output of the mixer for delivering combined humidified air and cold atmospheric plasma to a respiratory system of a patient.