Systems and methods for determining a touch input are provided. The systems and methods generally include measuring the peak voltage at an electrode over a measurement period and determining a touch input based on the peak voltage. The systems and methods can conserve computing resources by deferring digital signal processing until after a peak electrode capacitance has been sampled. The systems and methods are suitable for capacitive sensors using self-capacitance and capacitive sensors using mutual capacitance. The systems and methods are also suitable for capacitive buttons, track pads, and touch screens, among other implementations.

A connection device, for mechanical ventilation and monitoring of spontaneous breathing of a patient (P), includes a fluid-guiding unit (9, 11, 15) and establishes a fluid connection between a medical arrangement (100) and a patient-side coupling unit (19). A volume flow sensor (90) measures an indicator of volume flow of fluid through the fluid-guiding unit. A volume flow sensor component (2) engages with an interior of the fluid-guiding unit. A homogenization unit (10) is nonrotatably inserted into the interior between the patient-side coupling unit and the component and includes two sieves and a connection element, which connects the sieves together. The homogenization unit homogenizes the flow of fluid through the fluid-guiding unit. An inner profile of the fluid-guiding unit and an outer profile of the homogenization unit together form a mechanical coding, which determines a defined rotation position of the homogenization unit in relation to the fluid-guiding unit.

A novel vaporizer device is disclosed having an elongated base extending from a first end to a second end with a mouthpiece formed proximate at the second end of the base, the mouthpiece comprising an inhalation aperture. An air intake manifold is provided with an ambient air input port disposed between a first manifold end and a second manifold end. A fluid path is formed between the first manifold end and the second manifold end the fluid flow path comprising an upstream input port in fluid communication with at least a first absolute barometric pressure sensor and in some embodiments a downstream input port in fluid communication with a second absolute barometric pressure sensor. The absolute pressure sensor for providing an absolute pressure signal to a control circuit for applying power to a heating assembly for heating a vaporizable material in dependence upon the received at least a pressure signal.

An in-line droplet delivery device and related methods for delivering precise and repeatable dosages to a subject for pulmonary use is disclosed. The in-line droplet delivery device includes a housing, a mouthpiece, a reservoir, an ejector mechanism, and at least one differential pressure sensor. The in-line droplet delivery device is automatically breath actuated by the user when the differential pressure sensor senses a predetermined pressure change within housing. The in-line droplet delivery device is then actuated to generate a plume of droplets having an average ejected particle diameter within the respirable size range, e.g, less than about 5-6 μm, so as to target the pulmonary system of the user. the droplet delivery device is configured in an in-line orientation in that the housing, its internal components, and various device components (e.g., the mouthpiece, air inlet flow element, etc.) are orientated in a substantially in-line or parallel configuration (e.g., along the airflow path) so as to form a small, hand-held device.

A surgical humidification system includes a source of gas flow and a humidifier that receives the gas flow and outputs a humidified gas to a delivery conduit. The delivery conduit has an outlet and a suitable interface, such as a diffuser, is connected to the outlet. The interface can be positioned near or within an open surgical cavity of a patient to supply the humidified gas to the cavity. The system also includes a pressure relief arrangement that operates to relieve pressure from the system above a normal operating pressure. The pressure relief arrangement can be located in a non-sterile portion of the system, such as upstream from the humidifier, for example.

Systems and methods for determining a touch input are provided. The systems and methods generally include measuring the peak voltage at an electrode over a measurement period and determining a touch input based on the peak voltage. The systems and methods can conserve computing resources by deferring digital signal processing until after a peak electrode capacitance has been sampled. The systems and methods are suitable for capacitive sensors using self-capacitance and capacitive sensors using mutual capacitance. The systems and methods are also suitable for capacitive buttons, track pads, and touch screens, among other implementations.

A flow of gases in a respiratory therapy system can be conditioned to achieve more consistent output from sensors configured to sense a characteristic of the flow. The flow can be mixed by imparting a tangential, rotary, helical, or swirling motion to the flow of gases. The mixing can occur upstream of the sensors. The flow can be segregated into smaller compartments to reduce turbulence in a region of the sensors.

A system and method for monitoring or detecting a level of biofilm growth in a fluid system and controlling operating parameters of the fluid system based a measured level of growth. The monitoring system and method comprises a dye injection system for periodically injecting dye into a portion of fluid from the fluid system, passing the portion of fluid though a narrow lumen tube to achieve laminar flow and using a light source and optical sensor to detect a transmission or emission indicating a level of biofilm growth in the tube corresponding to a level of growth on components in the fluid system. Information based upon the measurements or calculations made by the monitoring system may be used to manually or automatically alter various operating parameters to control the fluid system and aid in maintaining stable operation of the fluid system within preferred specifications.

My powder inhalers are described. The dry powder inhaler includes an air inlet, a reservoir and an airway assembly. A mouthpiece airway is connected to a first airway of the airway assembly. An airway head is attached to the airway assembly and it extends into the reservoir cavity. In certain embodiments, the airway head has a sharpened or beveled edge. At least one airway assembly opening is present in the airway assembly for connecting the reservoir cavity to the first airway. Methods for dispensing dry powder into an airway of a dry powder inhaler and inhaling dry powder from a dry powder inhaler is also disclosed. Embodiments of a dry powder inhaler having a two-stage air movement are also described.

A connector having a connector body with an inlet and an outlet defining a gas flow passage therebetween. The connector body has an overlap portion that is configured to overlap with a portion of a second connector when connected. An access passage extends through the overlap portion to the gas flow passage.