A tubing assembly for use with electronic catheter guidance systems is provided and includes a catheter, an ultrasound transducer disposed within the catheter, and an optional additional external ultrasound transducer. The catheter extends in a longitudinal direction and has a proximal end and a distal end defining a lumen therebetween. Further, the catheter is configured for placement within a patient's digestive tract or respiratory tract. The ultrasound transducer can be located within the catheter's lumen, and the optional external ultrasound transducer can be located on or outside the patient's body. Both ultrasound transducers can transmit ultrasound signals as directed by a processor and can communicate with the processor to deliver ultrasound data to a display device. The attenuation of the ultrasound energy at a selected frequency can indicate placement of the catheter in the digestive tract or respiratory tract. A catheter guidance system and method of use are also provided.

A system includes a chest tube drainage system comprising a first chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a chest tube, a second chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a suction device, and a fluid seal connected to and disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The system also includes one or more gas sensors attached to the chest tube drainage system, the one or more gas sensors configured to detect at least one of gaseous carbon dioxide and gaseous oxygen, a controller connected to the one or more gas sensors, and at least one indicator coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to determine if a threshold level of carbon dioxide is exceeded, and to activate the at least one indicator if the threshold level of carbon dioxide is not exceeded.

Described here are devices, systems, and methods for positioning a suction catheter in the airway of a patient. The systems may comprise a suction catheter, a delivery device, and/or a stylet. The delivery device may comprise an elongate shaft, an atraumatic distal end, an elongate passageway, and a retention element configured to releasably couple to an endotracheal tube. The suction catheter may be positioned in the elongate passageway, and the delivery device may help advance the suction catheter into the airway of a patient. In some variations, the delivery device may comprise elements configured to release the suction catheter in the airway after positioning.

Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated and humidified mixture of oxygen and air are provided. The apparatus includes an air compressor and oxygen concentrator enclosed in the housing of a vapor transfer system. The air compressor supplies air at a first pressure to a gas inlet. The oxygen concentrator provides oxygen at a second pressure to the gas inlet. The oxygen concentrator and the air compressor are in fluid communication and are configured such that the first pressure of the compressed air and the second pressure of the oxygen are about equal. The apparatus includes a vapor transfer system having a gas passage, a liquid passage having heated liquid and vapor, and a membrane that separates the gas passage and liquid passage. The membrane is positioned to transfer vapor from the liquid passage to the gas passage.

Methods for treating inflammatory pulmonary diseases by administering to the patient an effective amount of one or more pharmaceutical agents are disclosed. The pharmaceutical agents administered can include antibiotics, steroids, NSAIDs, DMARDs, growth factor receptor inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors, neurotransmitter receptor inhibitors, or protease inhibitors. The dose administered is effective to suppress or prevent initiation, progression, or relapses of disease, including the progression of established disease. The pharmaceutical agent is administered to a patient determined to have the disease and at an amount effective to suppress or prevent activity of the disease. The pharmaceutical agent is administered using a transtracheal, transbronchial, or transvascular drug delivery catheter. The pharmaceutical agent can be administered to the patient's pulmonary tissue to suppress reactions in response to bronchial thermoplasty either before, during, or after bronchial thermoplasty.

A system includes a chest tube drainage system comprising a first chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a chest tube, a second chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a suction device, and a fluid seal connected to and disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The system also includes one or more gas sensors attached to the chest tube drainage system, the one or more gas sensors configured to detect at least one of gaseous carbon dioxide and gaseous oxygen, a controller connected to the one or more gas sensors, and at least one indicator coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to determine if a threshold level of carbon dioxide is exceeded, and to activate the at least one indicator if the threshold level of carbon dioxide is not exceeded.

A method of improving fit of a patient interface used in providing a flow of pressurized treatment gas to the airway of a patient includes receiving a signal from a triboelectric sensor provided on the patient interface while the patient interface is being used in providing the flow of the pressurized treatment gas to the airway of the patient. The signal is correlated with flow data of the flow of pressurized treatment gas. From such correlation, at least one change to the patient interface and/or to the flow of pressurized treatment gas is determined. An output based on the at least one change determined is provided.

Devices, systems and methods for localized delivery of a fluid therapy to a target tissue area of an internal body organ of a patient. A catheter forms a sealed treatment chamber in a natural lumen extending through the target tissue area. A fluid solution fills the treatment chamber for an adequate treatment session time, solution volume and/or drug concentration thereby providing the treatment. The fluid solution may be circulated or recirculated through the chamber or maintained stationary therewithin to treat the organ.

A flexible mask substrate (MS) with a rigid front plate (FP) which may be a viewing window (VW) causing the mask substrate to extend forward from a patient's face, forming a chamber in front of the patient's mouth. Instrument ports (IP) allow instruments to be introduced through the mask into the patient's oral or nasal cavity to perform dental or medical procedures. An elastic band (CE) on the mask substrate to conform the mask to contours of the patient's face. A malleable metal strip (MM) for conforming the mask to the patient's nose. Methods of fabricating the mask. The mask, and variations thereof, may be used to perform various treatments, including non-oral procedures. Using a nebulizer in conjunction with the mask, wherein the nebulizer is supported independently of the mask by a headband or eyeglasses worn by the patient.

A flexible mask substrate (MS) with a rigid front plate (FP) which may be a viewing window (VW) causing the mask substrate to extend forward from a patient's face, forming a chamber in front of the patient's mouth. Instrument ports (IP) allow instruments to be introduced through the mask into the patient's oral or nasal cavity to perform dental or medical procedures. An elastic band (CE) on the mask substrate to conform the mask to contours of the patient's face. A malleable metal strip (MM) for conforming the mask to the patient's nose. Methods of fabricating the mask. The mask, and variations thereof, may be used to perform various treatments, including non-oral procedures. Using a nebulizer in conjunction with the mask, wherein the nebulizer is supported independently of the mask by a headband or eyeglasses worn by the patient.