A heater-cooler apparatus of an extracorporeal perfusion system comprises at least one fluid circuit 102, 104 providing a supply of a heat transfer fluid to the perfusion system, a cold storage unit 266, and a refrigeration unit 250 for charging the cold storage unit 266. The cold storage unit 266 comprises a chamber 312 containing a liquid that freezes at a temperature above that to which the heat transfer fluid is cooled by the refrigeration unit 250, and a passage through which the heat transfer fluid is conveyed, the passage extending through the chamber 312. This allows a more effective cold storage unit to be provided.

A heat plate for a humidifier contains a thermally conductive plate having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. A temperature sensor is affixed to the bottom surface and a thermally conductive layer is directly-affixed to the bottom surface. A ceramic heating element is directly affixed to the thermally conductive layer. A humidifier and medical device may also contain such a heater plate.

A respiratory apparatus includes components to permit different operations of the apparatus with different power supplies. For example, a respiratory therapy apparatus for controlling a respiratory therapy may include a power input circuit to receive a first power or a second power. The first power may be provided by a connectable low-power power supply and the second power by a connectable high-power power supply. A controller of the respiratory apparatus coupled to the power input circuit may be configured to detect one of the power supplies, and based on the detection, selectively activate one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The first mode of operation may be a non-therapy mode with the first power such as for a data setup or data transfer with the respiratory therapy apparatus and the second mode of operation may be a therapy mode with the second power.

The aerosol-generating article is has an outlet end, a distal end upstream from the outlet end, and a mid-point located an equal distance between the outlet end and the distal end. The article includes a liquid aerosol-forming substrate contained within a frangible capsule, the frangible capsule being located between the distal end and the mid-point. At least a portion of a liquid retention medium is located between the distal end and the mid-point. The article is configured such that, during use, air is capable of being drawn through the article from the distal end to the outlet end.

The method includes releasing an aerosol-forming substrate from a frangible capsule, via an application of an external force, such that the aerosol-forming substrate is retained by a retention medium that contains the frangible capsule, the retention medium being in an aerosol-generating article, coupling the aerosol-generating article to an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device, activating a heater of the electrically-operated aerosol-generating device to at least partially vaporize the aerosol-forming substrate, and drawing air through the aerosol-generating article to entrain the vapor in the air.

A peritoneal dialysis (PD) system includes a PD fluid pump, a PD fluid heater positioned and arranged to heat fresh PD fluid pumped by the PD fluid pump, and a phase change material (PCM) device positioned and arranged to receive fresh PD fluid heated by the PD fluid heater. The PCM device includes a PCM having a melting temperature selected so that the PCM solidifies when underheated fresh PD fluid contacts the PCM transferring heat to the underheated fresh PD fluid. Alternatively or additionally, the PD system may include a different PCM device having a PCM with a melting temperature selected so that the PCM melts when overheated fresh PD fluid contacts the PCM thereby removing heat from the overheated fresh PD fluid. A configuration for the PCM device is also disclosed.

The method includes first providing a retention medium in a first element; coaxially aligning a plurality of elements, wrapping the coaxially aligned plurality of elements within a wrapper to form a portion of the aerosol-generating article, the plurality of elements including the first element, the aerosol-generating article having a first end and a second end, the second end being upstream from the first end based on an expected direction of airflow through the aerosol-generating article during normal operational use, second providing at least one capsule, the at least one capsule releasably containing a substrate, and inserting the at least one capsule within the first element, the retention medium being configured to retain the substrate after a release of the substrate from the at least one capsule, the retention medium being devoid of the substrate prior to the release of the substrate from the at least one capsule.

An aerosol-generating system for heating a liquid aerosol-forming substrate is provided, the aerosol-generating system including: an aerosol-forming chamber; and a leakage preventer configured to prevent or reduce leakage of liquid aerosol condensate from the aerosol-generating system.

A self-contained, hyperthermic conditioning unit and selectively controllable environment for exercising. The unit comprises a base portion having a bed therein and a removable cover connected to the base portion to enclose a personal compartment within the unit. One or more heating elements provide heat to the personal compartment and one more pieces of physical exercise equipment are provided within the personal compartment.

An apparatus, comprising an environmental control element configured to control at least one environmental condition of a substance contained within a chamber, the environmental control element includes a thermal insulator configured to provide a thermal shield to the substance and a phase change material (PCM) configured to thermally regulate at least one environmental condition. The environmental control element is configured to control the environmental condition without use of an external power source, thereby allowing the apparatus to be thermally self-recharging.