Systems and methods are provided for portable and compact nitric oxide (NO) generation that can be embedded into other therapeutic devices or used alone. In some embodiments, an ambulatory NO generation system can be comprised of a controller and disposable cartridge. The cartridge can contain filters and scavengers for preparing the gas used for NO generation and for scrubbing output gases prior to patient inhalation. The system can utilize an oxygen concentrator to increase nitric oxide production and compliment oxygen generator activity as an independent device. The system can also include a high voltage electrode assembly that is easily assembled and installed. Various nitric oxide delivery methods are provided, including the use of a nasal cannula.

The invention relates to a non-heated humidification device comprising a wick; a chamber for holding water in contact with the wick; and a gas inlet to the chamber, wherein the chamber and wick are configured to humidify gas passing through or over the wick at ambient conditions. The device may be modular and attachable to a flow generator. The device may comprise dual gas circuits and a control system for controlling the gas flow through the gas circuits in order to control the humidity of the gas output.

A pump arrangement for powering a pump in providing a controlled volume of water to a drip nozzle in a drip-feed humidifier. The pump arrangement includes: a pump having a solenoid; a processing unit; and a power supply electrically connected to the solenoid via a switch which is controlled by the processing unit. The power supply is structured to supply power to the solenoid via the switch. The processing unit is programmed to modulate the power provided to the solenoid via the switch such that the power is supplied to the solenoid according to a power profile for each actuation of the solenoid. The power profile includes: an initial portion which increases at a first overall rate, an intermediate portion which increases at a second overall rate different than the first overall rate, and a final portion which decreases at a third overall rate.

An extracorporeal blood treatment device with a function-monitoring system, wherein the extracorporeal blood treatment device for connection to the vascular system of a patient has an input branch and an output branch. The extracorporeal blood treatment device is equipped, in a first circuit, with at least one first pump arranged between the input branch and output branch for moving the patient's blood, and, in a second circuit filled with liquid and thermally connected to the first circuit of the extracorporeal blood treatment device via a heat exchanger, it has temperature-influencing means. The function-monitoring system has, in the second circuit, two temperature sensors which are arranged upstream (TS2.sub.auf) and downstream (TS2.sub.ab), respectively, with respect to the heat exchanger, in addition, temperature sensor TS1.sub.ab is arranged in the output branch of the first circuit, downstream from the heat exchanger. The function-monitoring system moreover comprises a computer system which is operatively connected to the aforementioned temperature sensors and the temperature-influencing means and which, after the temperature has been influenced, establishes, from the detected temperature values, corresponding thermodilution curves (TDK1.sub.ab, TDK2.sub.ab, TDK2.sub.auf) and, in order to determine an indicator of the function of the extracorporeal blood treatment device, relates the TDK2.sub.ab and the TDK.sub.1ab to each other.

In a pulmonary ventilation system, a filter arrangement useful as an input filter arrangement and an output filter arrangement is constructed to allow for changing or cleaning of the filter without interrupting or impacting the ventilation therapy and to limit the release of pathogens to the surrounding area or atmosphere. A preferred exhaust filter is constructed to function as a water trap and filter. Methods of operating the pulmonary ventilation system are also disclosed along with kits containing materials to construct an input or an output filtration structure.

A humidifier for an airway pressure support system is implemented for delivering a humidified flow of breathing gas to a patient. The humidifier includes a water chamber, a conduit, a nozzle, a heater plate, and a separator feature. The conduit includes first and second ends, and a wall portion defining an interior pathway between the first and second ends and structured to convey the flow of breathing gas between the first and second ends. The nozzle is fluidly connected to the water chamber and configured to produce a water droplet from water received from the water chamber. The heater plate is coupled to the wall portion, exposed to the interior pathway, and positioned to receive the water droplet from the nozzle. The separator feature is coupled to the wall portion and configured to shield the water droplet from the flow of breathing gas.

In a pulmonary ventilation system, a filter arrangement useful as an input filter arrangement and an output filter arrangement is constructed to allow for changing or cleaning of the filter without interrupting or impacting the ventilation therapy and to limit the release of pathogens to the surrounding area or atmosphere. A preferred exhaust filter is constructed to function as a water trap and filter. Methods of operating the pulmonary ventilation system are also disclosed along with kits containing materials to construct an input or an output filtration structure.

A closed device for introducing preservative-free insulin into the intraperitoneal space is presented. In embodiments, the closed device includes an insulin reservoir configured to store preservative-free insulin, a pump connected to the reservoir, and an antimicrobial inlet filter connected to an inlet of the reservoir or provided in an inlet flow path in fluid communication with the reservoir. The device is configured to be disposed in the intraperitoneal space of a body, and to discharge preservative-free insulin into a peritoneal space of the body. In some embodiments, the device includes a second antimicrobial filter, provided at an outlet of the reservoir. In some embodiments, the device further includes a header in fluid communication with the outlet path, and a third antimicrobial filter, provided in the header.

A humidifier is for an airway pressure support system for delivering a humidified flow of breathing gas to a patient. The humidifier includes a water chamber, a conduit, a nozzle, a heater plate, and a separator feature. The conduit includes first and second ends, and a wall portion defining an interior pathway between the first and second ends and structured to convey the flow of breathing gas between the first and second ends. The nozzle is fluidly connected to the water chamber and configured to produce a water droplet from water received from the water chamber. The heater plate is coupled to the wall portion, exposed to the interior pathway, and positioned to receive the water droplet from the nozzle. The separator feature is coupled to the wall portion and configured to shield the water droplet from the flow of breathing gas.

A humidifier is for an airway pressure support system for delivering a humidified flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The humidifier includes a water chamber, a conduit, a nozzle, a heater plate, and a number of heating elements. The nozzle is fluidly connected to the water chamber and has an outlet configured to produce a water droplet from water received from the water chamber. The heater plate is coupled to a wall portion of the conduit and is exposed to an interior pathway of the conduit. The heater plate has a first side facing the nozzle and an opposite second side facing away from the nozzle. The first side is positioned to receive the water droplet from the nozzle. The number of heating elements are coupled to the second side of the heater plate.