This disclosure enables displaying of an intuitive and engaging enquiry on a touchscreen of a medical device (e.g., breathing apparatus, breathing assistance apparatus) that a patient is already using (e.g., in-home medical device). Since the patient is already accustomed to using the medical device for medical treatment control, the patient, who may be unwell, is more likely to access the enquiry and complete the enquiry. Further, making the enquiry intuitive and engaging encourages the patient to regularly interact with the enquiry, while ensuring that the enquiry is not overly tedious to complete. Responding to the enquiry can be made mandatory by refraining from activating or preventing activation of a component of the apparatus until a predetermined set of responses has been received.

The present invention provides for an improved method of determining a water out condition in a humidified gases supply apparatus. The method includes a two step process including a primary determination of a water out condition and a secondary determination of a water out condition. This primary determination is made during observation of the normal operation of the apparatus. During the secondary determination the method takes temporary control over the humidifying part of the apparatus. The secondary determination confirms or contradicts the primary determination.

An airway status evaluation apparatus includes a respiration monitoring unit, a data processing unit, an inflation/deflation unit, and an inflation/deflation control unit. The data processing unit is electrically connected to the respiration monitoring unit, collects a respiration parameter of a patient from the respiration monitoring unit when a cuff meets an evaluation state, and evaluates an airway status of the patient according to the respiration parameter. The inflation/deflation control unit is connected to the inflation/deflation unit and controls the inflation/deflation unit to inflate and deflate the cuff so as to enable the cuff to meet an evaluation state. In the present disclosure, inflation and deflation of the cuff are implemented in a full-automatic or semi-automatic control manner, the respiration parameter can be automatically monitored, and the evaluation result is automatically calculated, thereby achieving the automatic evaluation for the airway status of a patient.

An elbow configured to connect to a positive pressure ventilation mask and to a ventilator circuit that provides a source of pressurized air. The elbow includes an access valve that opens to provide access to the mouth of the patient without removing the mask and seals from ventilator pressure pushing the valve to the closed position.

Connectors for respiratory assistance systems are disclosed that are configured to at least decrease the proportion of condensate that drains into an inspiratory conduit. The connectors include a setup that causes the portion of a wye-piece connected to an expiratory conduit to be positioned below the portion of the wye-piece connected to the inspiratory conduit. The connector can alternatively, or additionally, include a wye-piece that includes a ball attached to the wye-piece adjacent the inspiratory conduit port such that when the ball is connected to a medical stand, the expiratory conduit port is positioned below the inspiratory conduit port. The connector can alternatively or additionally include a circuit hanger that includes a cradles for both conduits and a ball attached to the circuit hanger adjacent the inspiratory conduit cradle such that when the ball is connected to a medical stand, the expiratory conduit cradle is positioned below the inspiratory conduit cradle. The connector can alternatively or additionally include a coaxial wye-piece that includes an inspiratory branch, an expiratory branch, and a patient end. The tip of the inspiratory branch that is internal to the coaxial wye-piece may have a lip and a narrowed diameter, features which obstruct or reduce condensate from entering the inspiratory branch and the inspiratory conduit regardless of the coaxial wye-piece orientation or position.

A portable, handheld measurement device for monitoring lung function is provided. The measurement device includes one or more components designed to directly or indirectly detect air flow properties such as the direction, flow rate, and/or volume of air flow within a lumen of the device. In some embodiments, the air flow properties are determined from changes in pressure within the lumen. The measurement device may form part of a system that includes a remote computing device and a computer server. In some such embodiments, at least one of the computers present within the system calculates spirometry measurements from the air flow detected within the measurement device. Such measurements may be stored, displayed, and/or shared with others. Various methods performed by the devices and systems are also disclosed.

In an embodiment, a connector or connector assembly for attaching a nasal cannula with a gas delivery hose includes a sensor port for a sensor probe positioned near an end of a nasal cannula, which can allow the sensor probe to be placed closer to the patient's nostrils than previous connector parts allowed. The connector can be configured to advantageously allow the nasal cannula to rotate relative to the gas delivery hose, thereby allowing a patient or healthcare provider to untangle or otherwise straighten the hose or the cannula. The connector assembly can be configured to automatically align locking protrusions on a first component with locking recesses on a second component, where insertion of the second component within the first component causes the second component to rotate relative to the first component, thereby aligning the locking protrusions with associated locking recesses.

The present invention relates to a device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient. The device includes a patient interface and connecting member. The connecting member is preferably a L-shaped swiveled connector that is capable of being fixed into one of two positions, a first position where the connector is freely rotatable within the patient interface, and a second position where an interference between the interface and connector prevents the free rotation of the connector within the patient interface, The present invention further relates to a connector that has outlet means, which includes at least one outlet vent and a funnel, which in use directs and passes a substantial portion gases expired from the patient through the outlet vent or vents.

A shroud for a mask system includes a retaining portion structured to retain a frame, a pair of upper headgear connectors each including an elongated arm and a slot at the free end of the arm adapted to receive a headgear strap, and a pair of lower headgear connectors each adapted to attach to a headgear strap. The retaining portion, the upper headgear connectors, and the lower headgear connectors are integrally formed as a one piece structure.

A shroud for a mask system includes a retaining portion structured to retain a frame, a pair of upper headgear connectors each including an elongated arm and a slot at the free end of the arm adapted to receive a headgear strap, and a pair of lower headgear connectors each adapted to attach to a headgear strap. The retaining portion, the upper headgear connectors, and the lower headgear connectors are integrally formed as a one piece structure.