One variation of a method for video conferencing includes, during a setup period: accessing a test video feed; and generating a face model, representing facial characteristics of a first user depicted in the test video feed, based on features detected in the test video feed. The method also includes, during an operating period: accessing a video feed; representing constellations of facial landmarks, detected in frames in the video feed, in a feed of facial landmark containers; representing sets of facial muscle actions, detected in frames in the video feed, in a feed of facial expression containers; and transforming the feed of facial landmark containers, the feed of facial expression containers, and the face model into a feed of synthetic face images according to the synthetic face generator.

A patient interface for respiratory therapy includes a nasal interface having nasal prongs configured to contact nares of the user and form a seal. The patient interface also includes a securement portion having a pair of facial pads, each of the facial pads configured to engage the face of a user on opposing sides of the nasal interface. The facial pads are coupled to the bridging portions configured to urge the nasal interface toward the user's face to create or maintain sealing engagement between the nasal interface and the user's face. In some configurations, the securement portion and the nasal interface are detachably coupled to each other.

Systems and methods for opening the eustachian tubes of a subject are provided. Aspects of the systems include: a swallow inducer; a nasal passage seal; a pressure source configured to apply positive pressure to a sealed nasal passage; a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a swallow resultant palate closure; and a controller operably coupled to the pressure source and the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to cause the pressure source to apply positive pressure to a sealed nasal passage upon detection by the sensor of the parameter indicative of a swallow resultant palate closure. Also provide are methods of using the systems to open eustachian tubes. The systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, e.g., the treatment of a subject for Otitis Media with Effusion (OME).

A syringe-shaped spraying device includes: a syringe-shaped spraying device main body including a barrel that stores a liquid medicine, a plunger having a front end inserted in the barrel with a gasket being attached to the front end, and a nozzle that is provided with a spraying hole for spraying the liquid medicine and that is connected to a front end of the barrel; a vial adapter having a transfer needle to pierce a vial that stores a liquid medicine so as to suction the liquid medicine; and a connection adapter that is attached to the syringe-shaped spraying device main body and that connects the vial adapter to the syringe-shaped spraying device main body.

A nasogastric tube connector device includes an annular connector body for detachably engaging a through hole of a respirator mask having an inner peripheral surface defining a space, and a fixed member having a first concave surface and two side surfaces cooperating with the inner peripheral surface to define an opening of the space for passing of a nasogastric tube therethrough. A first plug member is detachably inserted through the opening into the space, and includes a second concave surface cooperating with the first concave surface to define a main tube hole communicating with the space. A second plug member is detachably inserted into the main tube hole to sealingly close the opening.

A nasogastric tube connector device includes an annular connector body for detachably engaging a through hole of a respirator mask having an inner peripheral surface defining a space, and a fixed member having a first concave surface and two side surfaces cooperating with the inner peripheral surface to define an opening of the space for passing of a nasogastric tube therethrough. A first plug member is detachably inserted through the opening into the space, and includes a second concave surface cooperating with the first concave surface to define a main tube hole communicating with the space. A second plug member is detachably inserted into the main tube hole to sealingly close the opening.

A method is used to insert an implant within a lateral wall of a nose of a patient. The method includes forming an initial incision with a surface of the lateral wall of the nose. A stylet is advanced within the lateral wall of the nose, thereby creating a pocket within the lateral wall of the nose. The stylet is further advanced until an expanding body of the stylet is at least partially housed within the pocket of the lateral wall. The expanding body of the stylet is enlarged to thereby enlarge the pocket within the lateral wall. The implant is placed within the enlarged pocket of the lateral wall.

A passive oxygen mask and vacuum regulation system disposed in fluid communication with a vacuum scavenging array includes a passive oxygen mask dimensioned to fit over a patient's nose and mouth and having a gas inlet port and an expired gas outlet port. A vacuum regulation assembly has a vacuum regulator which includes an expired gas discharge tube disposed in fluid communication between the passive oxygen mask and the vacuum regulation assembly, and a vacuum suction tube disposed in fluid communication between the vacuum regulation assembly and the vacuum scavenging array. The vacuum regulation assembly further comprising a vacuum attenuation port through a portion of a regulator housing, wherein the vacuum attenuation port is at least partially defined by an attenuation port diameter dimensioned to reduce a vacuum suction pressure in the expired gas discharge tube to a predetermined vacuum suction pressure.

A passive oxygen mask and vacuum regulation system disposed in fluid communication with a vacuum scavenging array includes a passive oxygen mask dimensioned to fit over a patient's nose and mouth and having a gas inlet port and an expired gas outlet port. A vacuum regulation assembly has a vacuum regulator which includes an expired gas discharge tube disposed in fluid communication between the passive oxygen mask and the vacuum regulation assembly, and a vacuum suction tube disposed in fluid communication between the vacuum regulation assembly and the vacuum scavenging array. The vacuum regulation assembly further comprising a vacuum attenuation port through a portion of a regulator housing, wherein the vacuum attenuation port is at least partially defined by an attenuation port diameter dimensioned to reduce a vacuum suction pressure in the expired gas discharge tube to a predetermined vacuum suction pressure.

A headgear assembly includes a strap of a first flexible material with an elongate edge, and a second flexible material folded around and running along the elongate edge. The second flexible material may be an elastic material. The second flexible material may also cover an intersection or joint in the first flexible material such that the first flexible material may be made from two flexible materials layered together or joined end to end.