An apparatus for humidifying a gas flow stream is described. The apparatus comprises a plurality of humidification chambers connected in a sequence to allow the gas flow stream to flow sequentially through the plurality of humidification chambers. Each humidification chamber is configured to contain a liquid over which the gas flow stream can flow. At least one humidification chamber comprises a nozzle that forms the gas flow stream into a gas jet that impinges on a surface of the liquid in each humidification chamber. The humidity level of the gas increases as the gas flow stream flows sequentially through the plurality of humidification chambers.

The application relates to an external drive unit (7) for an implantable heart assist pump. The proposed drive unit (7) comprises a motor (35) for driving the heart assist pump, wherein the motor (35) is connectable to the heart assist pump via a transcutaneous drive shaft (3). The drive unit (7) further comprises a heat spreader (19) comprising a contact surface configured to contact and/or directly contact and/or lie flat against a skin of a patient. The contact surface is connected or connectable with the motor (35) in a thermally-conductive manner to transfer heat generated by the motor (35) to tissue of the patient.

Dialysis machines and methods for heating dialysate before delivery into a dialysis patient (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) may comprise a dialysis machine including one or more internal cooling components configured to expel heated air from the dialysis machine. A receptacle may be configured to receive one or more containers of dialysate. The one or more containers of dialysate may be positionable relative to the expelled heated air of the dialysis machine. The expelled heated air may be flowable around the one or more containers of dialysate to increase a temperature of the dialysate. The receptacle may include a stand for positioning the dialysis machine such that the expelled heated air is directed around the one or more containers of dialysate.

Various implementations include an insufflation system for use with an endoscope. The insufflation system includes a housing, CO.sub.2 system, water system, foot pedal, control system, aromatic dispersion system, audio system, and water tubing valve. Various implementations also include a more visible foot pedal, which is useful in low-lighting or difficult-to-see environments. In some implementations, a valve couples conduits from two water containers to an endoscope. The valve allows for more than one water container to be connected to the endoscope simultaneously. In the first position, water flows only from the first water container. In the second position, water flows only from the second water container. The valve prevents water-flow from both of the water containers to happen simultaneously. The valve allows for the operator to quickly switch the source of the water, thereby facilitating the continuation of a procedure in the case that the first water container is fully depleted.

A positive airway pressure (PAP) device for supplying a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator configured to pressurize a flow of breathable gas and a humidifier configured to receive and humidify the pressurized flow of breathable gas from the flow generator. The PAP device also includes a power source. The flow generator, humidifier and power source are positioned so that heat generated by at least one of the flow generator and the power source is conveyed to water in the humidifier.

The application relates to an external drive unit (7) for an implantable heart assist pump. The proposed drive unit (7) comprises a motor (35) for driving the heart assist pump, wherein the motor (35) is connectable to the heart assist pump via a transcutaneous drive shaft (3). The drive unit (7) further comprises a heat spreader (19) comprising a contact surface configured to contact and/or directly contact and/or lie flat against a skin of a patient. The contact surface is connected or connectable with the motor (35) in a thermally-conductive manner to transfer heat generated by the motor (35) to tissue of the patient.

The application relates to an external drive unit (7) for an implantable heart assist pump (4). The proposed drive unit (7) comprises a motor housing (51), a transcutaneous drive shaft (3) and a motor (35) for driving the heart assist pump (4). The motor (35) is connectable to the heart assist pump (4) via the drive shaft (3), and the motor (35) is arranged inside the motor housing (51). The drive unit (7) further comprises a catheter (2) surrounding the drive shaft (3) and a purge line (53) for injecting a purge medium into a lumen of the catheter (2) or into a space (41) between the catheter (2) and the drive shaft (3). The purge line (53) is in thermal contact (54, 55) with an outer surface of the motor housing (51) and/or with an outer surface of a proximal section (52) of the catheter (2). Due to the thermal contact (54, 55) heat may be transferred from the outer surface of the catheter (2) in the proximal section (52) and/or from the outer surface of the motor housing (51) to the purge medium.

A catheter pump is disclosed. The catheter pump can include an impeller and a catheter body having a lumen therethrough. The catheter pump can also include a drive shaft disposed inside the catheter body. A motor assembly can include a chamber. The motor assembly can include a rotor disposed in the at least a portion of the chamber, the rotor mechanically coupled with a proximal portion of the drive shaft such that rotation of the rotor causes the drive shaft to rotate. The motor assembly can also comprise a stator assembly disposed about the rotor. The motor assembly can also include a heat exchanger disposed about the stator assembly, the heat exchanger may be configured to direct heat radially outward away from the stator assembly, the rotor, and the chamber.

A method associated with a system having a medical device that consumes energy during operation and an additional energy consumer is directed to optimizing energy consumption. The method includes providing a treatment plan information, which predetermines a temporal sequence for using the medical device, providing interaction information, which predetermines an interaction between the use of the medical device and the additional energy consumer, and providing control information for actuating the additional energy consumer based on the treatment plan information and the interaction information, so as to optimize the energy consumption of the system.

A ventilation system including a ventilator having a cooling fan configured reduce an internal temperature of the ventilator. The ventilator also includes a controller configured to control operation of the ventilator. A detector is configured to generate a detection signal when the ventilator is connected to a cold passover humidification (CPH) device. In response to the detection signal, the ventilator reduces or eliminates operation of the cooling fan in comparison to a default mode of operation. A method of providing increasing a temperature of a flow of air to a CPH device is also included.