Respiratory diseases affect a large part of world population, especially in developing world. In this invention, we present a breathing support system to provide life-saving support to such patients. The system automates and regulates the use of a bag valve mask (commonly known as an ambu bag). The system uses mechanical actuators, sensors and a smart feedback control mechanism to automate and regulate the operation of the ambu bag to implement core functions of mechanical ventilation for life-saving applications. The system can also be used to provide better breathing support to newborns (e.g. to prevent hypoxia). The system can be used to save hundreds of thousands of lives in the developing world, in emergencies and during transportation globally.

A patient module (10) is intended for use when ventilating a patient with a pressure source (24) that can be fluidically coupled via the patient module (10) to a patient interface (26), which can be connected to the airways of a patient. The patient module (10) includes a housing (12) and a valve section (14) in the housing (12) as well as an HME filter (30) spaced apart from the valve section (14). The HME filter (30) is located upstream of the valve section (14) in relation to an expiratory volume flow, so that the HME filter (30) divides an interior of the housing (12) into a dry area and an area coming into contact with the moisture carried along by the exhaled breathing gas. The valve section (14) is located in the dry area. A process for operating the patient module (10) includes calibration steps.

A breathing gas delivery system comprising a gas flow controller, at least one breathing apparatus, and at least one first length of tubing coupling the breathing apparatus to the gas flow controller. The gas flow controller has a body having an on/off switch, at least one gas input, at least one gas output, and at least one control mechanism for controlling flow of gas to the gas output. The breathing apparatus comprises a T-shaped gas input, a breathing bag coupled to the T-shaped gas input, a second length of tubing having two opposed ends, wherein one end is coupled to the other arm of the T-shaped gas input, a filter coupled the second length of tubing, and a nasal assembly coupled to the filter, the nasal assembly comprising a nasal hood, one or more straps, and an airtight elbow coupling for coupling the nasal hood to the filter.

A flow cassette has a housing with an inlet and an outlet and a passage therebetween. The flow cassette also has a temperature sensor disposed within the passage and configured to measure the temperature of a fluid flowing through the passage, a flow rate sensor disposed within the passage and configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the passage, and a processor coupled to the temperature sensor and flow rate sensor. The processor is configured to accept measurements of temperature and flow rate from the temperature sensor and flow rate sensor, respectively, and provide a compensated flow rate.

A reaction and distribution system may include a distributor securable near or in a path correspond to a breathing passage such as the nostrils or the mouth of a user for delivering nitric oxide therapy thereto. The distributor may contain an internal reactor for creating the nitric oxide from reactants. Alternative embodiments may include an inhaler for delivering nitric oxide into the mouth of a user. The inhaler may contain a reaction chamber monolithic or contiguous with the inhaler for creating the nitric oxide from reactants.

A method for treating sleep-disordered breathing in a patient includes prior to sleeping, placing a sleep strip on a face of the patient, the sleep strip being configured to maintain lips and/or a jaw of the patient in a closed posture, and the sleep strip including a first layer comprising an adhesive configured to attach the sleep strip to the face of a patient, the first layer having an opening extending therethrough, the opening being located above the lips of the patient, and a mesh layer covering at least the opening of the first layer, the mesh layer being configured to allow air to flow therethrough; and disposing a device configured to facilitate stable breathing patterns on a face or in a mouth of the patient.

In one embodiment, a filter assembly for use in an insufflation system is described. The filter assembly comprises: a filter medium operative to filter medical gases; a housing comprising an inlet, an outlet and the filter medium, the housing defining a gases flow path through the filter medium between the inlet and the outlet; and at least one heating element being positioned in the housing and being configured to heat the filter medium; and wherein, the at least one heating element is spaced apart from the filter medium and from an inner surface of the housing.

A ventilator system includes inspiratory lumen(s) and expiratory lumen(s). Inspiratory lumen(s) provide inspiratory gas mixtures to patient's airways, for instance with separate inspiratory lumens providing inspiratory gas(es) to separate airways portions (e.g., separate lungs, bronchi, lobes). Expiratory lumen(s) evacuate expiratory gases from airways, for instance with separate expiratory lumens evacuating gases from separate airway portions. Separate lumen(s) for separate portions of airways functionally separates structural airway portions, and allows maintenance of near-continuous flow across the respiratory cycle. This can reduce dead space and clear disease-causative agent(s) suspended therein, improving outcomes and reducing cross-contamination between airway portions. The system allows for independent titration of PEEP, pCO.sub.2 and/or pO.sub.2 without permissive hypercapnia. The system can include PEEP protection mechanisms, enhanced suctioning, suctioning mode(s), real-time compliance measurements, automatic settings choice to operate within highest lungs compliance, improved tube and lumen airway insertion, threading lumens, mounting device(s) for threaded lumens, etc.

In one embodiment, a filter assembly for use in an insufflation system is described. The filter assembly comprises: a filter medium operative to filter medical gases; a housing comprising an inlet, an outlet and the filter medium, the housing defining a gases flow path through the filter medium between the inlet and the outlet; and at least one heating element being positioned in the housing and being configured to heat the filter medium; and wherein, the at least one heating element is spaced apart from the filter medium and from an inner surface of the housing.

An oxygen concentrator comprises a product tank that is fluidly coupled to at least one sieve bed, and a product gas accumulator tank that is fluidly coupled to the product tank via a first conduit and to an outlet port via a second conduit, wherein the first conduit and the second conduit are disposed to allow at least a portion of product gas to flow from the product tank to the outlet port.