The disclosure describes an exhalation valve sensor assembly. The disclosure describes a novel exhalation valve sensor assembly that is configured for refurbishing. Accordingly, the disclosure further describes systems and methods for maintaining an exhalation valve assembly and describes a kit for refurbishing an exhalation valve sensor assembly.

Manual resuscitators, ventilation control assemblies, and methods suitable for delivering a volume-controlled tidal volume of air to a patient's lungs. Such a resuscitator has a piston that pushes a selected volume of air out of a ventilation chamber of a cylinder in response to pressurized gases being introduced into an actuation chamber of the cylinder. A volume adjuster adjusts the maximum tidal volume of patient air that the piston pushes out of the ventilation chamber by adjusting the maximum length of the piston stroke in the cylinder. The volume adjuster may have a bypass mode that allows the manual resuscitator to operate without volume control. The manual adjuster may also be pressure regulated by one or more pressure regulation valves.

A breathing assistance device includes a gas regulating valve (1300). The gas regulating valve is operated by a linear actuator (1330). The linear actuator may include a movable member that moves an obstruction member between an open position and a closed position. The linear actuator is isolated from a gas flow path through the valve.

A pressure regulating device for use with a breathing assistance and/or resuscitation apparatus, which conveys gases along a gases pathway to a patient, includes a mounting for connecting the pressure regulating device to a first outlet in fluid communication with the gases pathway. The mounting holds a valve member that selectively blocks, at least in part, the first outlet. A control member can be manipulated to adjust a property of the valve member. The valve member at least partially blocks the first outlet when the pressure of gases in the pathway is below a selected level, and allows at least a portion of the gases to flow out of the first outlet when the pressure of said gases is above the selected level. The property includes a selected level of pressure whereby manipulation of the control member adjusts the level of pressure between a maximum level and a minimum level.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for treating obstructive sleep apnea. A unitary valve assembly removably located inside the exterior profile of a nasal pillow mask uses positive airway pressure from a low-flow hose to automatically create an on-demand therapeutic air splint in the pharynx. During inspiration the mask's valving system allows room air to be inspired. During exhalation another valve governs therapeutic backpressure equal to the prescribed pressure setting of the CPAP blower machine. The mask may be worn when the CPAP blower machine is off, and systems are provided for turning the CPAP blower machine on only when needed.

A speaking valve which is applied to a respiration opening of a tracheostomy tube comprises: a main body portion which has a passage portion communicating with the respiration opening; a balloon which makes a motion between an opened state for opening the passage portion of the main body portion and a closed state for closing the passage portion; a syringe which is provided away from the main body portion and accepts a pushing operation to a plunger by a patient; and a coupling tube which couples the syringe and the balloon with each other and makes the balloon in a shrink state transform to a bloat state by the operation to the syringe, so that the motion from the opened state to the closed state is made.

A pressure regulating device for use with a breathing assistance and/or resuscitation apparatus, which conveys gases along a gases pathway to a patient, includes a mounting for connecting the pressure regulating device to a first outlet in fluid communication with the gases pathway. The mounting holds a valve member that selectively blocks, at least in part, the first outlet. A control member can be manipulated to adjust a property of the valve member. The valve member at least partially blocks the first outlet when the pressure of gases in the pathway is below a selected level, and allows at least a portion of the gases to flow out of the first outlet when the pressure of said gases is above the selected level. The property includes a selected level of pressure whereby manipulation of the control member adjusts the level of pressure between a maximum level and a minimum level.

A patient module (20) is intended for use together with a pressure source (12). The patient module (20) couples the pressure source (12) for flow to a patient interface (14) that can be connected to the airways of a patient. The patient module (20) includes at least one valve device (30), which can be controlled by means of a piezo pump, which acts as a valve drive (34) and can preferably be operated at a high frequency. The at least one valve device (30) acts as an exhalation valve (28).

A method for controlling a ventilator includes the steps of providing an inhalation pressure limit, determining when a pressure in a connection to a patient circuit is greater than the inhalation pressure limit, and opening the valve when the pressure is greater than the inhalation pressure limit. An associated computer readable medium for controlling the method is also described.

An exhalation valve, an inhalation valve, a ventilator and a method for controlling ventilation are provided. An exhalation valve (10) or inhalation valve (10) for a medical ventilator (30) for controlling a flow of a fluid, especially a breathing gas, has an inlet (12) and an outlet (14) for the fluid. Between the inlet (12) and the outlet (14), a valve seat crater (16) and a diaphragm (18) are provided. The diaphragm (18) is movable relative to the valve seat crater(16) for influencing the flow through the valve seat crater (16). The valve seat crater (16) and the diaphragm (18) are arranged such that the valve seat crater (16) can partially be sealed by means of the diaphragm (18), with the diaphragm (18) and the valve seat crater (16) not closing completely on initial contact of the diaphragm (18) and the valve seat crater (16).