A ventilation device for artificial ventilation, having: —a ventilation gas source; —a ventilation conducting assembly for conducting inspiratory ventilation gas from the ventilation gas source to a patient-side, proximal ventilation-gas outlet opening and for conducting expiratory ventilation gas away from a proximal ventilation-gas inlet opening; —a pressure-changing assembly for changing the pressure of the ventilation gas flowing in the ventilation conducting assembly; —a control device, which is designed to control the operation of the ventilation gas source and/or the operation of the pressure-changing assembly; —an evaluation device for processing sensor signals; and —an O2 sensor assembly for determining an O2 concentration value representing the oxygen concentration of the ventilation gas flowing in the ventilation conducting assembly, wherein the O2 sensor assembly outputs O2 sensor signals, which contain information regarding the O2 concentration value, to the evaluation device, and wherein the evaluation device is designed to determine, on the basis of the O2 sensor signals, an O2 change value representing a change in the O2 concentration value and, if the O2 change value satisfies a predefined condition, to infer degradation of the O2 sensor assembly and to output a signal.

Disclosed are apparatus and methods of detecting user interaction with a respiratory therapy device and effecting an action in response to the detection. The apparatus comprises a sensor which is positioned so as to detect the presence of a user's hand or fingers near to the apparatus, such as a surface or handle. In embodiments the apparatus may be configured to detect gestures or movement of the user. On detection of a user, the apparatus may be configured to effect one or more actions, such as disabling a feature of an input or output device or alerting a user.

The operational parameters of a respiratory apparatus can be controlled through the use of a user interface located on a separate or separable mobile computing device. Sensors or features located on the mobile computing apparatus can be used to adjust the operation parameters or therapy of the respiratory apparatus or otherwise improve the compliance of a patient utilizing the respiratory apparatus.

A neck strap, a crown strap assembly and a headgear for a breathing mask. The neck strap for a headgear includes a one-piece main body adapted to engage a patient's neck, first and second lower connection portions adapted to connect to first and second lower mask connection straps, and first and second upper connection portions adapted to connect to respective first and second lateral crown straps.

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 heated conduit is configured to connect to and receive pressurized breathable gas from a respiratory unit. The heated conduit includes a first cuff that includes an air inlet portion and an electrical connector portion that is adjacent the air inlet portion and comprises three electrical terminals that are configured to engage a respiratory unit electrical connector. The heated conduit also includes a second cuff comprising an air outlet and a flexible tube portion with a first end connected to the first cuff, a second end connected to the second cuff, and a spiral rib structure wrapped around a central lumen. A grouping of wires is supported within the spiral rib structure of the flexible tube portion and include a pair of heating wires and a signal wire. A sensing device extends into the gas flow path from an interior surface of the second cuff and is configured to output a signal indicative of the condition inside the heated conduit.

A method of estimating a parameter indicative of respiratory flow of a patient being administered flow therapy, comprising: optionally administering a gas at a flow rate to the patient using a flow therapy apparatus with a patient interface, determin—-ing a terminal pressure in, at or proximate the outlet of the patient interface or in, at or proximate the nares of the patient, determin -ing nasal RTF, determining a nasal flow parameter being or indicative of nasal flow based on the pressure and a nasal RTF, and optionally outputting the nasal flow parameter or parameter derived therefrom.

A system for preventing cross-contamination in single-limb ventilators is described. In one embodiment, the system includes an airflow generator connected in-line to a humidifier, a first check valve and a patient interface by a gas flow circuit. A controller is electrically coupled to the airflow generator, and a cartridge is connected to the gas flow circuit between a first point downstream of the humidifier and a second point upstream of the patient interface. The cartridge includes a bacteria filter and the first check valve. A method for preventing cross-contamination in single-limb ventilators and a method for providing gaseous flow through a single-limb ventilator are also described.

A stand-alone continuous positive airways pressure, CPAP, apparatus having a face-mask and a connected electro-mechanical device to supply air to the face-mask is disclosed. The electro-mechanical device includes a pneumatic channel for flowing air to be delivered to the face mask and a control unit for managing the air pressure of the air inside the pneumatic channel. The CPAP apparatus includes a turbine fan, located in the electro-mechanical device housing, connected to the control unit for pressurizing atmospheric air. The pneumatic channel includes an inlet portion located upstream of the turbine fan to receive atmospheric air, and an outlet portion located downstream of the turbine fan to deliver the pressurized air to the face-mask through an outlet opening. The pneumatic channel also longitudinally extends from the inlet portion to the outlet portion.

A respiratory assistance apparatus includes a conduit connecting a flow generator and an outlet. The conduit includes a venture formation. The apparatus further includes an oxygen inlet in fluid communication or selective fluid communication with an oxygen outlet. The oxygen outlet is directed into the conduit and toward a mouth of the venture formation. The flow generator provides a flow path for air to enter the conduit when the flow generator is not operating.