An adaptor comprises comprising a base element and a nozzle element which are operatively coupled to each other. The base element defines a throat and at least one entrainment port facilitating a path of fluid communication between the throat and ambient air. The nozzle element includes a jet nozzle, and a connector which is adapted to facilitate the fluid coupling of the nozzle element to a bi-lumen tube of the patient circuit. The connector includes both a delivery port and a sensing port. The jet nozzle and the delivery port collectively define a delivery line or lumen which fluidly communicates with the throat of the base element, and is placeable into fluid communication with the delivery lumen of the bi-lumen tube.

The specification describes an artificial resuscitation bag (5) having (i) a deformable bag (54) with a gas inlet (54A) and a gas outlet (54B), (ii) a pneumatic control valve (50) comprising an exhaust port (50c) adapted for controlling the flow of gas exiting to the atmosphere through said exhaust port (50c), and (iii) a monitoring module (60), operably connected to the pneumatic control valve (50) and having an absolute pressure sensor (60d) for measuring at least an absolute pressure (Pabs) in the inner compartment (50f) of the pneumatic control valve (50) and for transmitting at least an absolute pressure signal to a central processing unit (60c) and an ambient pressure sensor (60b) for measuring at least an atmospheric pressure (Patm) and for transmitting at least an atmospheric pressure signal to the central processing unit (60c).

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an adaptor or attachment which is suitable for integration into the patient circuit of a ventilation system, such as a non-invasive open ventilation system, is configured for attachment to any standard ventilation mask, and is outfitted with a jet pump which creates pressure and flow by facilitating the entrainment of ambient air. The adaptor comprises a base element and a nozzle element which are operatively coupled to each other. The base element further defines a throat and at least one entrainment port facilitating a path of fluid communication between the throat and ambient air. The nozzle element includes a jet nozzle, and a connector which is adapted to facilitate the fluid coupling of the nozzle element to a bi-lumen tube of the patient circuit. The connector includes both a delivery port and a sensing port. The jet nozzle and the delivery port collectively define a delivery line or lumen which fluidly communicates with the throat of the base element, and is placeable into fluid communication with the delivery lumen of the bi-lumen tube.

A compact, on-airway, respiratory gas analyzer for performing pulmonary function tests incorporates an IR spectroscopy light guide having a curved, rather than linear, sample chamber that lies transverse to a direction of respiratory gas flow. Cooperating with the sample chamber is an impact plate that functions to steer respiratory and test gases impinging on the impact plate into the curved sample chamber. A source of IR energy is at one end of the sample chamber and an electro-optical sensor responsive to IR energy is disposed at an opposite end of the chamber. The respiratory gas analyzer also includes gas flow paths and valving for carrying out lung capacity and lung diffusion tests.

A device for treating a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea or snoring can include an expiratory valve connected to a manifold. The expiratory valve can include a body portion including a feedback port configured to be connected to an air flow generator. The expiratory valve can include a plunger at least partially disposed in the body portion. The expiratory valve can include a pressurizing chamber positioned between an end of the plunger and an end of the expiratory valve. The pressurizing chamber can be configured to receive air from the air flow generator through the feedback port.

The invention relates to a pressure responsive respiratory valve apparatus for enabling positive pressure from a source of pressure to be applied to a user's airway, and allowing ingress of a breathable gas from an inlet port into a user's airway during inhalation and egress of expired tidal volume of air from the user's respiratory system to an exhalation port during exhalation. The invention minimizes rebreathing of expired gas and optimizes delivery of pressurized breathable gas by venting gas only during exhalation, as well as addressing important user considerations including minimizing noise, pressure swing, and size.

A valve assembly (12) includes a first housing (22), a diaphragm member (24) having a plurality of individually pivotable sealing members (50), and a second housing (26) coupled to the end of the first housing over the diaphragm member. The second housing has a plurality of ports (78) spaced about the second member. The diaphragm member is structured to actuate between (i) a first state wherein the sealing members substantially seal the end of the first housing responsive to a pressure within the first housing being below a certain level, each of the ports being open in the first state, and (ii) a second state wherein the sealing members pivot away from and do not substantially seal the end of the first housing responsive to a pressure in the first housing being at or above the certain level, each sealing member substantially sealing a respective one of the ports in the second state.

Systems and methods are provided for decreasing intracranial pressure and enhancing circulation, as well as for increasing the respiratory rate and encouraging spontaneous respiration. According to such methods, a valve system is coupled with a person's airway. The valve system has an exhalation valve and an patient port that interfaces with the person's airway. The exhalation valve includes a diaphragm having a textured surface. The diaphragm is positioned across an exhalation valve seat and contacts a distal end of the exhalation valve seat, and is configured to prevent or impede respiratory gas flow to the person's lungs until an expiratory pressure equals or exceeds an opening pressure of the exhalation valve, at which time the diaphragm moves away from the distal end to create an open exhaust channel.

A respiratory valve, such as a positive end expiratory pressure valve, permits pressure control for respiratory apparatus such as a ventilator or positive airway pressure device. The valve may include a flexible gas passage cover. The cover may be configured with a first side surface to operatively block and open an aperture of the gas passage at a valve seat to respectively prevent and permit gas flow through the aperture defined by the valve seat. The cover may include a second side surface opposite the first surface. The second surface may include at least one drop section forming a reduction in thickness of the cover between the first surface and the second surface. The first surface may include a coating to reduce friction of a membrane material of the first surface. The rim of the valve seat may comprise a variation in height relative the flexible cover.

An expiration valve assembly for a ventilator, including an expiration channel which has, at one end, an expiration outlet and an inlet connection part that is designed to connect to an expiration breathing gas line and which, at its other end, has an expiration outlet, the expiration channel having an expiration valve; an inspiration channel which has, at one end, an inspiration inlet and an inlet connecting part that is designed to connect to a breathing gas source supplying inspiratory breathing gas, and which, at its other end, has an inspiration outlet and an outlet connecting part that is designed to connect to an inspiration breathing gas line; a control channel which branches off from the inspiration channel at a branch location and leads to the expiration valve in such a way that the expiration valve can be loaded by inspiratory breathing gas into a blocking position which blocks the flow of expiratory breathing gas; a one-way valve being arranged in the inspiration channel and permits a flow of inspiratory breathing gas in the inspiration direction from the inspiration inlet to the inspiration outlet and prevents a flow of breathing gas in the opposite direction.