Methods and apparatus provide communications among respiratory therapy device (“TD”), server and intermediary (e.g., a control device (“CTLD”) for the therapy device) to improve security. More secure communication channel(s) may be established using shared secrets derived with different channels. The communications may include transmitting therapy data from TD to server for authentication. The CTLD may receive the data and a nonce from a server. The CTLD receives from the TD a signing key dependent on the nonce and a secret shared by TD and server. The CTLD generates an authorisation code with received therapy data and the key for authentication of the data by the server upon its receipt of the code and data. The server computes (1) a key from the nonce and the secret known to TD, and (2) another authorisation code from received therapy data and the key. Data authentication may involve comparing received and computed codes.

The present disclosure describes a pressure support therapy device valve that enables a subject to safely supplement therapy pressure support with low flow oxygen while using a heated (or non-heated) tube. The valve conducts a pressurized flow of breathable gas and the low flow oxygen to the heated tube. The valve includes electrical components configured to pass power from the pressure support therapy device to the heated tube, and a plunger biased to close a flow path from the pressure support therapy device when a pressurized flow of breathable gas is not provided (or is below a predetermined pressure threshold). Closing the flow path stops oxygen gas from flowing back through the valve toward the pressurized gas source.

A respiratory therapy apparatus is operable to deliver multiple types of therapy to a patient. The apparatus includes a main housing and a nebulizer tray that selectively attaches to a bottom of the main housing. The apparatus also includes a filter housing unit having an antenna surrounding a pneumatic passage and a transponder chip coupled to the antenna. The main housing has also has an antenna that surrounds a respective pneumatic passage of a main outlet port of the apparatus. The main housing includes a reader that controls communication between the antennae. The main housing of the apparatus also has a pivotable hose support plate, a firmware upgrade port underneath part of the top wall of the housing, and a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays various user inputs for control of the apparatus and that displays various alert conditions that are detected.

Ventilation methods and devices are disclosed. The described methods and devices can be used for treating respiratory diseases. More in particular, the teachings of the disclosure relate to methods and devices to treat victims of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Embedded control software managing various functionalities of the disclosed ventilators is also presented.

An apparatus for delivery of a flow of gases to a user, such as a respiratory therapy apparatus, is provided. The apparatus may have first and second inlets for receiving supplementary gases flows, a blower to generate the gases flow to the user, and a controller. A valve and a sensor may be provided in the second inlet. The controller may be configured to detect the disconnection of a gases source from the second inlet, and to respond by operating the valve and/or triggering an alarm. The controller may be configured to determine whether a gases flow is being provided at one or both of the inlets, and to accordingly control an operational mode of the apparatus.

A seal-forming structure for a patient interface may include a patient-contacting surface configured to engage the patient's facial skin to form a seal; a posterior opening formed in the patient-contacting surface, the posterior opening configured to provide the flow of air at said therapeutic pressure to the patient's nares; and a support structure extending from the patient contacting surface to an interior surface of the seal-forming structure, the support structure and the interior surface forming a continuous loop, wherein the patient interface is configured to allow the patient to breath from ambient through their mouth in the absence of a flow of pressurised air through the plenum chamber inlet port, or the patient interface is configured to leave the patient's mouth uncovered.

A respiratory device having a respiratory gas source, a control unit and a connecting device for connecting to a respiratory mask. The control unit is connected to a sensor for detecting a measurement parameter. The control unit has a step generator for specifying a stepped modification of the pressure that is generated by the respiratory gas source. The sensor measures a signal that corresponds to the pressure distribution and is coupled to an analyzer that evaluates the temporal distribution of an analysis signal that is dependent on the measuring signal. The step generator increases the pressure by a pressure step in a respiratory cycle that follows the measuring evaluation, if the analyzer determines a deviation of the analysis signal from a limit value after a predeterminable time limit has elapsed following the pressure increase. The deviation must exceed a predeterminable minimum differential in order to trigger a pressure increase.

A breathing assistance apparatus is disclosed, for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a patient. The breathing assistance apparatus includes a patient interface, having a body section adapted to cover the nose, or nose and mouth of a patient and a sealing interface. The sealing interface includes at least an outer sealing member. The outer sealing member is adapted to attach to the body section in a sealing manner and has a substantially thin section in at least its nasal bridge region. The thin section is substantially thinner than the rest of the outer sealing member. The patient interface comprises a mask body and a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a flexible seal, and a rigid seal clip, the seal assembly being removably attached to the mask body via the rigid seal clip. The mask body and rigid seal clip are profiled to match the contours of a user's face so that the seal has a substantially constant wall depth.

An apparatus for treatment of a respiratory condition, the apparatus comprising: a pressure generator configured to generate a flow of breathable gas; an intermediate component pneumatically connected to an air delivery tube, the intermediate component comprising a port configured to facilitate propagation of sound outside of the intermediate component; a sensor attached externally to the intermediate component and located adjacent to the port of the intermediate component, the sensor configured to sense sound propagated through the air delivery tube; and a controller. The controller can be configured to: receive a sound signal generated by the sensor as a result of sensing sound during operation of the apparatus, analyse the received sound signal, and effect a response based at least in part on the analysing.

Systems for evaluating the respiratory function of an individual using forced oscillation technique (FOT) oscillometry include a blower controlled so as to apply FOT pressure oscillations on top of a low amplitude offset pressure. A controller continually adjusts the rotational speed of the blower to maintain a targeted time-varying pressure profile in the breathing air provided to the patient.