Systems and methods for evaluating patients are provided. An example includes receiving first cardiopulmonary exercise test data for the patient and plotting a first vector based on the first cardiopulmonary exercise test data, the first vector including a first point based on a rest value and a second point based on an exercise value. A first coordinate value of the first point and a first coordinate value of the second point may be based on mixed expired CO.sub.2 (PECO.sub.2) and a second coordinate value of the first point and a second coordinate value of the second point may be based on end tidal CO.sub.2 (PetCO.sub.2). The example may also include plotting a midpoint of the first vector and triggering display of the plotted vector and plotted midpoint. The plotted vector and plotted midpoint may be displayed over a coordinate grid having multiple physiological condition zones.

Disclosed is a breath sampling device comprising a buffer tube, sensor module and breath sampling port. The buffer tube has a proximal end into which a user exhales and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the sensor module is at the distal end and used for measuring parameters of a breath exhaled by the user into the buffer tube, and the breath sampling port is disposed between the proximal end and distal end. The used exhales into the distal end and a portion of the exhaled breath can be diverted into the sampling port substantially without contacting the sensor module.

A method for using CO.sub.2 as a contrast material in medical imaging procedures is disclosed. The method includes providing a source of pressurized CO.sub.2. The step of providing includes connecting the source of pressurized CO2 to a compressed gas unit for controlling delivery of the CO.sub.2. The method also includes regulating pressure of the CO.sub.2 delivered by the compressed gas unit, transmitting the pressurized CO.sub.2 from the compressed gas unit to a control valve assembly for delivery to a patient in controlled dosages, and sequentially processing the CO.sub.2 with the control valve assembly and delivering the CO.sub.2 to the patient as a contrast media.

The invention relates to a breath test system that is unobtrusive in that it does not require a person subjected to the system to take any other action to breath. It comprises a sensor unit (5) configured to sense the presence or concentration of a volatile substance, present in air flowing through a predefined inlet area (4), and to generate a signal corresponding to the concentration of said substance. There is also provided an apparatus (2, 3) configured to detect the presence of a person at a position in the vicinity of said input area, and having means for registering said presence, and further configured to respond to said presence by delivering an output. This said apparatus includes a unit configured to call for immediate attention of said person, upon said registration of the presence of said person, and a unit configured to provide instructions to said person to direct an expiratory air flow towards said inlet area (4). An analyzer (10) for the determination of breath substance concentration of said person is also provided, the determination being based on said signal corresponding to the substance concentration.

A healthcare device for asthmatic patients that can help in reducing and avoiding risk factors that can trigger one or more symptoms of asthma. The healthcare device includes an infrared sensor, a pulse oximeter sensor, a UV sensor, an atmospheric sensor, and an air quality sensor for measuring values of different risk factors including ambient temperature, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation level, heart rate, intensity of ultraviolet radiations, humidity level, altitude, CO2 levels, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs).

In an embodiment, an apparatus (100) is described. The apparatus comprises an infrared, IR, generating system (102). The IR generating system comprises a first IR source (104) configured to produce IR radiation for forming a first IR beam (106) in a first spectral band. The IR generating system further comprises a second IR source (108) configured to produce IR radiation for forming a second IR beam (110) in a second spectral band. The apparatus further comprises a beam manipulation system (112) configured to combine a beam path of the first and second IR beams and direct the first and second IR beams along the beam path through a gas sample region (114). The apparatus further comprises an IR detection system (116) configured to detect an intensity of the first and second IR beams after passage through the gas sample region. The IR detection system is configured to produce a signal (118) from which an indication of a concentration of a target gas in the gas sample region can be derived.

Oral gas catheters and methods of inducing gas in a patient orally. The oral gas catheter includes one or more delivery cannulas configured to be inserted into the patient's mouth with a distal end of the delivery cannula disposed adjacent the patient's laryngeal inlet, and a clip disposed on the delivery cannula. The clip is configured to secure the delivery cannula to a tooth of the patient. The oral gas catheter may have two such delivery cannulas and clips with the delivery cannulas coupled together by a coupler. The delivery cannulas are placed in an operative position in a patient's mouth and secured in the operative position by releasably securing the clips to the patient's teeth. The oral gas catheter makes it possible to bypass the nasal cavity and deliver oxygen or other gas directly adjacent the laryngeal entrance and into an anatomical dead space of the airway.

The invention refers to a patch cable for connecting a respiratory module (103) to a breathing adapter (101) being, e.g., part of a capnography system. The patch cable (110) comprises a) a module connector (113), b) an adapter connector (114) comprising a light detector, c) a light guide, and d) an electric cable for directing an electric detection signal generated by the light detector from the adapter connector to the module connector. The adapter connector is configured such that an end of the light guide is positioned to provide the light into a gas cavity of the breathing adapter. The adapter connector is adapted such that the light detector detects light provided by the end of the light guide that has interacted with the gas provided in the gas cavity, when the adapter connector is connected to the breathing adapter. This, allows to improve the accuracy of respiratory gas detection.

An airway adaptor includes: a gas passage into which a respiratory gas of a subject is to flow; a respiratory gas introducing portion which is configured to guide the respiratory gas expired from at least one of nostrils and a mouth of the subject, to the gas passage; and an airway case on which a temperature sensor that is configured to detect a temperature change of the respiratory gas flowing into the gas passage is mountable.

A water filter system for a CO.sub.2 sampling line positioned between a patient and a patient monitor to receive patient exhalation. The filter system includes at least one hydrophobic filter that adsorbs and prevents water from reaching the patient monitor. Alternatively, the filter system may include both a hydrophobic filter and a hydrophilic filter and optionally a desiccant.