The present disclosure provides a ventilator that includes a first gas path, comprising a first pressurized gas source adaptor and a first flow adjustment device connected in sequence; a second gas path, comprising a second pressurized gas source adaptor and a second flow adjustment device connected in sequence; a third gas path, comprising a third pressurized gas source adaptor; a first inhalation branch for delivering inhalation gas to a patient; a second inhalation branch for delivering inhalation gas to the patient, including a gas compression device; a switching device, including a first mixing mode connecting the first gas path and the second gas path to the first inhalation branch, and a second mixing mode connecting the first gas path and the third gas path to the second inhalation branch; and an exhalation branch for managing exhaled air of the patient.

A breathing assistance apparatus includes an inner volumetric member pressurizable from a first pressure to a second pressure and an outer volumetric member surrounding at least a portion of the inner expandable volumetric member. The inner volumetric member pressurizes the outer volumetric member as the inner volumetric member is pressurized from the first pressure to the second pressure. In another embodiment, a breathing assistance apparatus includes exhalation and inhalation chambers with respective biasing members providing for the exhalation chamber to apply a pressure to the inhalation chamber and thereby provide assisted inhalation. Methods for assisting breathing are also provided.

An aerosol-generating system is provided, including a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet defining an air flow path therebetween; a heater element; and a cartridge moveably mounted in the housing and reversibly displaceable from a first position to a second position, the cartridge including a moveable plunger, a liquid storage portion configured to hold an aerosol-generating liquid, and an opening configured to deliver the aerosol-generating liquid, wherein the cartridge is further configured to activate release of a portion of the aerosol-generating liquid through the opening, when the cartridge is moved by an airstream created between the air inlet and the air outlet within the housing.

A device for detecting a flow of respiration in a conduit includes a source of a gas jet interfaced to a side of the conduit. The source of the gas jet emits a jet of gas aimed across the conduit. A main port is interfaced to a distal side of the conduit for receiving the jet of gas and a pressure-detecting device is interfaced to the main port. In absence of the flow within the conduit, the gas jet enters the main port and the pressure-detecting device reports a first pressure. In presence of the flow within the conduit, the gas jet is deflected away from the main port by the flow and the pressure-detecting device reports a second pressure, the second pressure being lower than the first pressure.

A bi-level positive airway pressure device includes a housing that has a patient port for connecting to an airway of a patient. Within the housing is a device that generates a positive airway pressure directed towards to patient port. Also within the housing is a system that detects exhalation (by a patient that is connected to the patient port) that enters into the patient port. Responsive to detecting exhalation, a blocking device occludes the device that generated positive airway pressure, thereby reducing or stopping the positive airway pressure. Upon the system detects abatement of exhalation, the blocking device is operated to no longer occlude the device for generating positive airway pressure, thereby providing positive airway pressure to the patient port.

An active exhalation valve for use with a ventilator to control flow of patient exhaled gases. The valve includes a patient circuit connection port, a patient connection port, an exhaled gas port, a pilot pressure port, and a valve seat. The valve further has a movable poppet with inner and outer bellows members and a bellows poppet face. An activation pressure applied to the pilot pressure port extends the bellows members to move the poppet face into engagement with the valve seat and restrict flow of patient exhaled gases to the exhaled gas port, and the reduction of the activation pressure allows the bellows members to move the poppet face away from the valve seat and out of engagement with the valve seat to permit flow of patient exhaled gases to the exhaled gas port, thereby controlling the flow of patient exhaled gases from the valve.

A passive valve for use as a fixed leak valve. The valve includes a body having an internal chamber, first and second body ports in fluid communication with the chamber with the first port configured for fluid communication with a patient connection and the second body port configured for fluid communication with a ventilator, a body passageway in fluid communication with the chamber and with ambient air exterior of the body, and a check valve seal positioned to seal the body passageway to permit the flow of gas within the chamber through the body passageway to the exterior of the body and to prevent the flow of ambient air exterior of the body through the body passageway into the chamber. In alternative embodiments, the valve is incorporated into the patient connection or constructed as a separate part connectable to the patient connection.

A device for placing a lung in a variety of different inflation states using positive air pressure. An exemplary device includes a housing and an air supply component. The housing includes a platform receives at least one of a synthetic lung or a real lung. The platform is at the same air pressure as a surrounding environment. The air supply component is located within the one or more internal cavities of the housing. The air supply component inflates the synthetic lung or the real lung with positive pressure.

A method of providing a breath to a human patient. The patient has a patient connection connected, by a patient circuit, to a ventilator having a first ventilator connection and a different second ventilator connection. Each of the first and second ventilator connections are in fluid communication with the patient circuit. The method includes identifying, with the ventilator, initiation of an inspiratory phase of the breath, delivering a bolus of oxygen to the first ventilator connection before or during the inspiratory phase, and delivering breathing gases comprising air to the second ventilator connection during the inspiratory phase. The ventilator isolates the bolus of oxygen delivered to the first ventilator connection from the breathing gases delivered to the second ventilator connection.

A passive valve for use as a fixed leak valve. The valve includes a body having an internal chamber, first and second body ports in fluid communication with the chamber with the first port configured for fluid communication with a patient connection and the second body port configured for fluid communication with a ventilator, a body passageway in fluid communication with the chamber and with ambient air exterior of the body, and a check valve seal positioned to seal the body passageway to permit the flow of gas within the chamber through the body passageway to the exterior of the body and to prevent the flow of ambient air exterior of the body through the body passageway into the chamber. In alternative embodiments, the valve is incorporated into the patient connection or constructed as a separate part connectable to the patient connection.