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.

Disclosed is a fluid trap for use with, or comprising part of, a respiratory therapy system, d particular comprising part of, or configured to be connected to, a breathing limb, such as an expiratory limb, of a respiratory therapy system. The fluid trap comprises a container configured to contain fluid received from an inlet; a closure, the closure and container being configured to be removeably mounted together to close the container; and a valve configured to be removeably mounted on at least one of the container and the closure, and configured to be in a closed condition which prevents fluid from flowing through the inlet when the closure is not mounted on the container, the valve being further configured to be in an open position which allows fluid from the inlet into the container when the closure is mounted on the container.

A breathable gas inlet control device permits flow regulation at the inlet of a flow generator for a respiratory treatment apparatus such as a ventilator or continuous positive airway pressure device. The device may implement a variable inlet aperture size based on flow conditions. In one embodiment, an inlet flow seal opens or closes the inlet to a blower in accordance with changes in pressure within a seal activation chamber near the seal. The seal may be formed by a flexible membrane. A controller selectively changes the pressure of the seal activation chamber by controlling a set of one or more flow control valves to selectively stop forward flow, prevent back flow or lock open the seal to permit either back flow or forward flow. The controller may set the flow control valves as a function of detected respiratory conditions based on data from pressure and/or flow sensors.

A connector having a connector body with an inlet and an outlet defining a gas flow passage therebetween. The connector body has an overlap portion that is configured to overlap with a portion of a second connector when connected. An access passage extends through the overlap portion to the gas flow passage.

A speaking valve for use with a tracheostomy and voice prosthesis, that, in a first configuration, allows inspiration and expiration through the valve; and in a second configuration resists expiration. Increasing the pressure difference across the valve by increasing the rate of expiration to a predetermined threshold causes the valve to transition into the second configuration; and the second configuration the valve continues to resist expiration until a predetermined negative pressure difference across the valve causes it to transition back into the first configuration.

A method of identifying alveolar ventilation (V.sub.A) in a subject, the method comprising: (1) using a breathing circuit which, at exhalation, keeps exhaled gas separate from inhaled gas and at inhalation, when a first gas set (FGS) flow is less than the subject's minute ventilation (V.sub.E), results in a subject inhaling FGS first and then a second gas set (SGS), for the balance of inhalation; (2) setting the FGS flow at a rate greater that V.sub.E; (3) measuring an end tidal CO.sub.2 concentration at a steady state; (4) progressively lowering the FGS flow until a time equal to a recirculation time of CO.sub.2 in the subject; and (5) deriving V.sub.A as the rate of FGS flow at the intersection between an average PETCO.sub.2 in a steady state and a line fit to the PETCO.sub.2 values after the rise in PETCO.sub.2 values begins until the recirculation time.

A mechanical ventilation system comprises a plurality of ventilation therapy sub-systems. Each of the ventilation therapy sub-systems is adapted to assist a respiratory function of the patient. The system also comprises a detector of the respiratory drive of the patient, an operator interface receiving one or more control parameters, and a main controller. The main controller assigns a therapeutic contribution to each of the ventilation therapy sub-systems based on the respiratory drive of the patient and on the control parameters. The controller modulates the respiratory drive of a patient by controlling each of the plurality of the ventilation therapy sub-systems according to its assigned therapeutic contribution. Distinct ventilation therapy sub-systems may apply negative pressure on the abdomen of the patient, deliver a non-pressurizing inspiratory flow to the patient, or induce a positive pressure in the airways of the patient.

Disclosed is a fluid trap for use with, or comprising part of, a respiratory therapy system, and in particular comprising part of, or configured to be connected to, a breathing limb, such as an expiratory limb, of a respiratory therapy system. The fluid trap comprises a container configured to contain fluid received from an inlet; a closure, the closure and container being configured to be removeably mounted together to close the container; and a valve configured to be removeably mounted on at least one of the container and the closure, and configured to be in a closed condition which prevents fluid from flowing through the inlet when the closure is not mounted on the container, the valve being further configured to be in an open position which allows fluid from the inlet into the container when the closure is mounted on the container.

An exhalation valve arrangement (22) for a ventilation apparatus for artificial ventilation of patients is flow-capable in an exhalation flow direction (E) and encompasses: an upstream respiratory gas conduit (54) that extends along a first conduit path (K1) and is connected or connectable to a portion, coming from the patient, of the exhalation line; a downstream respiratory gas conduit (58) that extends along a second conduit path (K2) and is connected or connectable to a respiratory gas sink (U); a valve subassembly (63) which comprises a valve body (64) and a valve seat (66) and which is provided between the upstream and the downstream respiratory gas conduit (54, 58) in such a way that, in the context of a predetermined first respiratory gas overpressure in the upstream respiratory gas conduit (54) relative to the downstream respiratory gas conduit (58), it permits an expiratory respiratory gas flow from the upstream respiratory gas conduit (54) into the downstream respiratory gas conduit (58); and in the context of a predetermined second respiratory gas overpressure in the downstream respiratory gas conduit (58) relative to the upstream respiratory gas conduit (54), it blocks a gas flow from the downstream respiratory gas conduit (58) into the upstream respiratory gas conduit (54). Provision is made according to the present invention that the exhalation valve arrangement (22) comprises a bypass chamber (74) which communicates in terms of flow mechanics with the upstream respiratory gas conduit (54) and which extends, proceeding from the upstream respiratory gas conduit (54), into the region of the downstream respiratory gas conduit (58) and is embodied there for attachment of a gas pressure sensor (80).

PEEP-valves configured to be placed inline with the exhalation path of a ventilator and ahead of the exhalation valve. The PEEP-valve functions as a resistor that can provide a higher PEEP value for any given PIP, lung compliance, and respiratory rate combination compared to a standard PIP to PEEP ratio.