The nebulizer gas scavenging system includes a condenser positioned in the expiratory pathway of the breathing circuit for extracting liquid from expiratory gases and redirecting the extracting liquid to the input of the nebulizer. The system is further configured to detect the actual consumption of inhaled medication by measuring the concentration of medication in the expiratory pathway and comparing it to the initial content of medication in the aerosol of the inspiratory pathway. A more accurate determination of the amount of inhaled medication is advantageous in certain critical situations involving application of medication by inhalation.

A wound treatment appliance is provided for treating all or a portion of a wound. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an impermeable flexible overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the covered portion of the wound. In other embodiments, the impermeable flexible overlay comprises suction assistance means, such as channels, which assist in the application of reduced pressure to the area of the wound and removal of exudate from the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the wound in the area under the flexible overlay. In yet other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of the wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, the appliance may include a suction drain. In other embodiments, the appliance may include a collection chamber to collect and store exudate from the wound. In yet other embodiments, a suction bulb may be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to an impermeable overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound. Finally, methods are provided for using various embodiments of the wound treatment appliance.

Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. In some embodiments, a negative pressure source is incorporated into a wound dressing apparatus so that the wound dressing and the negative pressure source are part of an integral or integrated wound dressing structure that applies the wound dressing and the negative pressure source simultaneously to a patient's wound. The negative pressure source and/or electronic components may be positioned between a wound contact layer and a cover layer of the wound dressing. The negative pressure source and/or electronic components may be separated and/or partitioned from an absorbent area of the dressing. A switch may be integrated with the wound dressing to control operation of the wound dressing apparatus. A connector may be direct air from an outlet of the negative pressure source to the environment. A non-return valve may inhibit back flow of air into the wound dressing.

A negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device includes a canister, a pump, a filter, and a control unit. The canister is configured to collect wound exudate from a wound site. The pump is fluidly coupled to the canister and configured to draw a vacuum within the canister by pumping air out of the canister. The filter is positioned between the canister and the pump such that the air pumped out of the canister passes through the filter in a first direction. The control unit is configured to operate the pump and to purge the filter by causing airflow through the filter in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. In some embodiments, a wound dressing apparatus can comprise a wound contact layer, a spacer layer, an absorbent layer positioned on the spacer layer, an electronics unit comprising a negative pressure source and/or electronic components, wherein the absorbent layer comprises a recess configured to receive the electronics unit and the absorbent layer is configured to be in fluid communication with the electronics unit, and a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer, the spacer layer, the absorbent layer, and the electronics unit.

A medical waste collection system for collecting medical waste material, and a manifold for filtering the waste material and/or coupling a suction tube to the system. The system may include a receiver in which the manifold is configured to be inserted in a proximal direction to facilitate an inlet mechanism moving correspondingly in the distal direction. The manifold may include an arm, a spine, a lock element, and/or a catch each having a surface with a relative position in the proximal-to-distal direction. The rim and the catch may be spaced apart by a void, and the rim may be positioned below the catch. The housing may include a body portion, a first leg extending proximally from the body portion, and a second leg spaced apart from the first leg to define the void. The rim may be on the first leg, and the catch may be on the second leg.

An air treatment device having a flexible air hose, duct or gooseneck member. The air hose, duct or gooseneck member permits an inlet end thereof to be positioned in proximity to a patient so that a negative pressure can be created around the patient so that air can sucked or vacuumed into the system whereupon it is treated as the air flows through the system.

The present invention relates to an exhalation disposal system for collecting, transporting and properly disposing of a bio-waste exhalation from an infectious patient in a closed system, thereby minimizing, if not completely eliminating, contact between medical personnel and the infectious patient's bio-waste exhalation. The system utilizes a length of flexible vacuum tubing in communication with both a specialized patient mouthpiece and a waste drain, and a check valve positioned along the length of the tubing to prevent backflow of the bio-waste exhalation. In an exemplary embodiment, the disposal system further comprises at least one sensor, a window and an access point for clearing blockages that may arise in the disposal system during use. The disposal system is configured to service multiple infectious patients simultaneously.

A method is provided for controlling fluid flow through a tubing segment is provided in which a pump draws fluid through the tubing segment using negative pressure P. The method includes the steps of: a) operating the pump at an initial commanded fluid flow rate to draw fluid through the tubing segment; b) measuring on a continuous basis the P in the tubing segment; c) determining into which of four zones the measured P falls, a first zone being where P>X.sub.1, a second zone being where X.sub.1>P>X.sub.2, a third zone where X.sub.2>P>X.sub.3, and a fourth zone where X.sub.3>P; d) if P is in the first zone for greater than a first pre-established time period, then increasing the commanded flow rate of the pump and returning to step b); e) if P is in the second zone, then continuing to operate the pump at the flow rate at which the pump is currently operated and returning to step b); f) if P is in the third zone, for greater than a second pre-established time period, then decreasing the commanded flow rate of the pump and returning to step b); and g) if P is in the fourth zone, then commanding the pump to stop. A system including a programmable controller configured to automatically perform the method is also disclosed

A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.