A blower unit for use as part of an integrated blower/humidification system is described. The blower unit has an outer casing, which encloses and forms part of the blower unit, the casing including an air inlet vent. The blower unit further includes a humidifier compartment for receiving a humidifier unit with a separate gases inlet and outlet, the compartment having a heater base for heating the contents of the humidifier unit. The compartment also has a blower inlet port which aligns with the humidifier unit inlet in use, the blower providing a gases path through the casing between the inlet vent and the inlet port. The blower unit also includes a fan for providing a pressurised gases stream along the gases path, and a power supply unit for powering the fan. The gases path is routed over the power supply unit in order to provide a cooling air flow.

The present invention provides systems, methods, and articles for stress reduction and sleep promotion. A stress reduction and sleep promotion system includes at least one remote device, at least one body sensor, and at least one remote server. In other embodiments, the stress reduction and sleep promotion system includes machine learning.

A method of treating disorders in a human or animal subject may include heating a material containing a compound to a first temperature to form a heated volume of the material. The method may additionally include heating the heated volume to a higher second temperature to form a dose of vapor including the compound. The method may also include administering the dose of vapor to the subject to treat disorders such as pain. The method may further include pre-heating the material to a preliminary temperature prior to the heating to the first temperature. The heating and pre-heating may be performed with a capsule including two covering layers, each including an electrically conductive material, configured to hold the material therebetween and to generate heat by resistive heating.

Methods and apparatuses for non-invasive auricular and/or cervical stimulation to modulate multiple integrated neural networks. For example described herein are methods and apparatuses (e.g., devices, systems, etc.) for modulating nerves located at the base of the skull or in the neck, such as craniocervical nerves, cranial nerves, or cervical spinal nerves and/or the auricular nerve for influencing one or more biological homeostasis and related physiological processes.

Portable oxygen concentrator elements are described including integrated sensor/accumulator assemblies, new muffler designs, and improved airflow and internal gas connectivity. The result of the elements is an extremely compact, light reliable portable oxygen concentrator that is easy to assemble and relatively inexpensive.

Gas concentrating systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a gas concentrating system and method is provided that includes component heat management. The heat management system can include, for example, one or more air cooling paths. The air cooling paths direct cooling air into and out of component spaces having heat-generating mechanisms. In other embodiments, the heat management system can also include component spaces that are insulated against the heat of heat-generating components. By cooling heat-generating components and insulating other components from heat, reduced wear and extended component life can be achieved. This reduces component failure and costly service to repair or replace failed or worn components. Also, gas concentrating systems and methods are provided for mounting system components with or without the use fasteners and in combination with or without component heat management.

Provided is a medicine infusion apparatus capable of infusing a liquid medicine into a human body by using a medicine container configured to discharge the liquid medicine contained therein, along a designated path when a pressure is applied from outside, the medicine infusion apparatus including one or more medicine pressing units including one or more inflatable parts capable of being inflated by air to apply a pressure to the medicine container, a first pumping unit capable of inflating one of the inflatable parts by including a first pump capable of generating air of a preset pressure, and a first pipe connectable to the one of the inflatable parts, and a heating unit including a thermoelectric module capable of heating the medicine within a preset temperature range. According to the present invention, the medicine infusion apparatus may be produced as a compact portable apparatus by using a low-capacity battery and be used for emergencies at accident sites where electricity may not be easily supplied.

A noninvasive, brain cooling method and device for cerebral cooling via a patient's nasopharyngeal cavity, is described. Thermal conductive nasal prongs are inserted into a nasal cavity and are cooled by thermoelectric cooling elements. An outward air driving fan inside the device drives a cold air current through the nasal and oral cavities. Heat transfer between the cold air and the surface of the nasal cavity cools the nasal cavity, which in turn, cools a patient's brain. Real-time temperature sensing data provides feedback for closed-loop cooling control.

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 and method for treating a wound of a patient with negative pressure is provided. The device comprises a heat-assisted pump system. The pump system can be powered in part by heat derived from the patient. The pump system may be configured to be highly planar, light weight, and portable. The pump system may comprise a Stirling engine or a thermal acoustic engine.