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.

Alveolar dead space of a subject is determined by measuring an end tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide during a sequence of normal breaths of the subject and, during a sequence of deep breaths by the subject, delivering a first volume of a first gas to the subject over a first portion of each inspiration by the subject. The first volume is less than or equal to an expected alveolar volume of the subject when the subject is breathing normally. A second volume of a second gas is delivered to the subject over a second portion of each inspiration. The second gas includes a neutral gas. An end tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide is measured during the sequence of deep breaths. The alveolar dead space is computed using the end tidal partial pressures of carbon dioxide measured during the sequence of normal breaths and the sequence of deep breaths.

A respiratory pressure therapy system for providing continuous positive air pressure to a patient via a patient interface configured to engage with at least one airway of the patient. The system includes: a flow generator configured to generate supply of breathable gas for delivery to the patient via the patient interface; at least one sensor; a display; and a computing device. The computing device is configured to: receive sensor data that is based on measured physical property of the supply of breathable gas; control, based on the received sensor data, the flow generator to adjust a property of the supply of breathable gas; receive, an input indicating assistance is needed with using the patient interface; receive one or more images of the patient with the patient interface; analyse the received one or more images; and based on the analysis, display instructions for positioning the patient interface.

A respiratory ventilators system having an inlet configured to be connected to a pressurized air or gas source; an outlet configured to be connected to a patient interface; a valve in-line between the inlet and the outlet; and a control unit configured to control the valve for controlling flow of pressurized air or gas from the source to the patient, wherein the valve includes an air or gas reservoir or accumulator incorporated into the valve body.

Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring respiration using surface temperature, humidity, air pressure, carbon dioxide gas sensors, pulse oximetry sensors and electromyography sensors, and/or acceleration sensors to obtain information related to respiration rate (RR), exhalation/inhalation strength, exhalation/inhalation volume, exhalation/inhalation acceleration, and/or exhalation/inhalation regularity.

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.

An articulating stylet usable with a tracheal intubation system is disclosed. Methods for using the articulating stylet and systems that incorporate the articulating stylet are also disclosed. In some examples, a stylet adapted for mounting an endotracheal tube comprises a shaft and a control wire. The shaft comprises a distal shaft portion, a proximal shaft portion, and an expanding connection joining the distal shaft portion to the proximal shaft portion. The proximal shaft portion has a body portion and a tip portion. The tip portion includes a tip and has greater flexibility than the body portion. The control wire is at least partially disposed within both the distal shaft portion and the proximal shaft portion and is configured to cause the tip portion of the proximal shaft portion to deform.

The inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein are generally directed to an improved assisted walking device, such as a cane, walker or wheelchair, that includes an integrated oxygen concentrator housed within the assisted walking device. In some embodiments, for example, the improved assisted walking device includes a handle, a control pad, an elongated housing having an interior chamber, an oxygen concentrator, a leg member and a foot member. The oxygen concentrator detachably positioned within the interior chamber of the elongated housing and including an adsorption system configured to generate a flow of oxygen enriched gas, a compressor that includes a motor, a battery, a plurality of sieve beds configured to extract oxygen-enriched gas from ambient air, and a controller in communication with the control pad.

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.

Disclosed is respiratory assistance apparatus comprising a flow generator configured to provide breathing gases to a patient, the breathing gases comprising supplemental oxygen provided from an oxygen source. The respiratory assistance apparatus controller is configured determine a target oxygen concentration of the breathing gases and calculate an estimated future value of the patient's blood oxygen concentration based on a difference between an initial oxygen concentration of the breathing gases and the target oxygen concentration of the breathing gases, and the patients blood oxygen concentration.