The present invention relates to an apheresis device (1) for the extracorporeal removal of C-reactive protein from blood of a patient, wherein the apheresis device is connectable to the blood circulation of the patient. The blood is pumped via a part of the extracorporeal circulation system (2) of the apheresis device (1) according to the invention to a cell separator (7) for separation of the blood into blood plasma and cellular components. Via a first outlet of the cell separator (7), the separated blood plasma is directed by means of a plasma line (8A) to an apheresis column (4) for affinity chromatographic removal of C-reactive protein from the blood plasma. After removal of the C-reactive protein from the blood plasma of the patient, said now treated blood plasma is combined with the cellular components of the blood via a plasma line (8B). Furthermore, the apheresis device (1) according to the invention comprises a bypass line (12), which leads from the plasma line (8A) into the plasma line (8B) while bypassing the apheresis column (4). The apheresis device (1) according to the invention also comprises a regeneration line (14), which runs into the plasma line (8A) or directly into the apheresis column (4).

A respiratory therapy apparatus is operable to deliver multiple types of therapy to a patient. The apparatus includes a main housing and a nebulizer tray that selectively attaches to a bottom of the main housing. The apparatus also includes a filter housing unit having an antenna surrounding a pneumatic passage and a transponder chip coupled to the antenna. The main housing has also has an antenna that surrounds a respective pneumatic passage of a main outlet port of the apparatus. The main housing includes a reader that controls communication between the antennae. The main housing of the apparatus also has a pivotable hose support plate, a firmware upgrade port underneath part of the top wall of the housing, and a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays various user inputs for control of the apparatus and that displays various alert conditions that are detected.

Systems and methods are provided for detecting and sequestering waste anesthetic gases released by an anesthetic vaporizer. In one embodiment, a method for an anesthetic vaporizer installed in an anesthesia machine includes detecting an emission of waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) from the anesthetic vaporizer, and responsive to detecting the emission of WAGs, performing at least one of scavenging the WAGs and outputting an alert.

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.

Disclosed is a respirator mask management system. The respirator mask management system comprises a database storage, a data processing unit operatively coupled to the database storage, a user mobile device communicatively coupled with the data processing unit over a communication network, and a respirator mask including a filter configured to prevent inhalation of pollutants by a user, an exhalation valve, a sensor configured to determine a state of the exhalation valve, and a microprocessor operatively coupled with the sensor and having a wireless connectivity to the user mobile device for transmitting the sensed states of the exhalation valve to a respirator mask manager of the user mobile device.

Architectures for production of nitric oxide (NO) include systems and methods for generating NO having one or more plasma chambers configured to ionize a reactant gas to generate a plasma for producing a product gas containing NO using a flow of the reactant gas through one or more plasma chambers; a controller configured to regulate the amount of nitric oxide in the product gas using one or more parameters as an input to the controller, one or more parameters including information from a plurality of sensors configured to collect information relating to at least one of the reactant gas, the product gas, and a medical gas into which product gas flows; and a flow divider configured to divide a product gas flow from the plasma chamber into a first product gas flow to provide a variable flow to a patient inspiratory flow and a second product gas flow.

A method for capturing halocarbon from a gas, the method comprising processing gas containing halocarbon with material which is undamaged by exposure to supercritical fluid. A method for reclaiming halocarbon from a material, the method comprising exposing the material to a supercritical fluid. A module for processing a gas containing halocarbon, the module comprising material for capturing halocarbon from a gas, wherein the module is arranged to withstand supercritical fluid.

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.

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.

A bioartificial liver device including a bioreaction chamber having a plurality of semi-permeable membranes and a plurality of filter spaces each confined by two adjacent semi-permeable membranes; a plurality of liver cell perfusion ports each communicating with one of the filter spaces for introducing the liver cells into the filter spaces, and a positive peristaltic pump. In the device, the semi-permeable membranes are disposed substantially horizontal with respect to the ground, and the positive peristaltic pump is adapted to drive the plasma flow from the bottom wall of the device to the top wall. The device of the invention improves the cell loading and the area for substance exchange between the blood and the liver cells.