A breathing assistance device with improved pressure characteristics provides a high level of CPAP per unit of supplementary respirable gas consumed while maintaining low CPAP fluctuations throughout the breath cycle utilizing a frustrum-shaped air channel to accelerate air flow. In some embodiments, a manometer is provided for monitoring pressure and/or a pressure relief valve is provided as a safety measure against overpressure delivered to a patient. In some embodiments, the device is disposable for one-time or single patient use.

The present invention relates to a tracheal coupling comprising a patient port 33, an outlet port 36, an inlet port 31 between the patient port and the outlet port, such that flow 34 from the inlet port can go to the patient port or direct to the outlet port, and a flow restriction e.g. 32 between the inlet port and the outlet port, or at the outlet port.

A nasal ventilation mask having one or more attachment ports located adjacent to and overlying an upper lip of a patient when worn.

In one embodiment, there is provided an inlet for a humidification chamber for use in a medical humidification system, the inlet comprising an inlet end configured to receive gases flow from a gases source, an outlet end configured to introduce the gases flow to the inside of the humidification chamber, and at least one wall defining, at least in part, a passageway between the inlet end and the outlet end for conveying gases therebetween. The outlet end of the inlet is configured to terminate in the humidification chamber or at a wall of the humidification chamber, and the passageway is configured to guide the gases flow such that the center of the gases flow at the inlet end and at the outlet end are substantially aligned along a common axis or the outlet end defines a profile of the passageway thereat that has a width and a height, a ratio of the width to height being between about 1:20 and 1:5.

A bidirectional flow-controllable artificial respirator, according to one embodiment, comprises: a chamber for storing air; a tube connected to the chamber and having air flowing therein; a mask connected to the tube and mounted on a face or mouth; and a flow control valve unit provided in the tube and controlling the air flow between the chamber or an air supply source, and the mask. The flow control valve unit comprises: a first valve allowing an air supply path from the air supply source toward the mask; and a second valve allowing an air discharge path from the mask toward the outside of the respirator, wherein the first valve and the second valve are alternately opened and closed during artificial respiration, the first valve is blocked during chest compressions so that negative pressure in a subject receiving air is maintained for a long period, and the first valve and the second valve may be selectively opened and closed so as to allow air to be supplied according to a preset air supplying period.

Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include a reservoir housing, an airflow tube that extends through the reservoir housing, and a folded mesh that is disposed within the airflow tube and includes a plurality of folds. The airflow tube defines a passageway extending therethrough and at least a portion of the airflow tube is permeable to the vaporizable material, in which the permeable portion of the airflow tube is configured to draw vaporizable material from the reservoir housing into the airflow tube for vaporization. The folded mesh is configured to change from a deactivated state to an activated state in response to receiving an electric current, and when in the activated state, the folded mesh is configured to generate an amount of heat that is sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir housing. Vaporizer devices are also provided.

A pharyngeal tube for establishing an airway within a patient may comprise an elongated hollow tube including a proximal end and a distal end. A mouthpiece may be provided at the proximal end of the tube, and one or more lateral openings may be provided at or near the distal end of the hollow tube. The one or more lateral openings may be formed in a lateral wall of the hollow tube, and a distal tip of the hollow tube is sealed so that air cannot escape the tube from its distal tip. The mouthpiece may form an airtight seal at the patients mouth. The mouthpiece may include an inner flange configured to be positioned between the patients teeth and lips, and an outer flange configured to be positioned on the outside of the patients lips. Some variations of the hollow tube may further include an inner septum that divides the tube into first and second lumens that are connected at the distal end of the tube. Some variations of the hollow tube may provide an inner channel that that extends along the inner surface of the tube. The inner channel may be suitable for receiving a suction catheter, a catheter that can be used as a carbon dioxide or other gas sampling line, or a gastric tube. The suction catheter may be associated with a reservoir in which fluid removed from the hollow tube can be deposited. Some variation may provide a gastric tube that is attached and runs parallel to the pharyngeal tube.

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

A cushion module for a patient interface is disclosed. The cushion module comprising a first cavity, a second cavity, a nasal aperture and an oral aperture. The first and second cavities are separated by a cavity wall that enables respiratory gas to flow within the cushion module between the first and second cavities when in use. Additionally, the first cavity is configured to communicate respiratory gas to both the mouth and the nares of a patient via the oral aperture and the nasal aperture respectively. The cushion module comprises an exhaust vent to communicate respiratory gas from within the cushion module to externally of the cushion module and the second cavity is in communication with the exhaust vent. Also disclosed are a cavity wall and a cushion module.

A breathing assistance device with improved pressure characteristics is capable of providing a high level of CPAP per unit of supplementary respirable gas consumed while maintaining low CPAP fluctuations throughout the breath cycle. The invention also includes a manometer for monitoring pressure and a safety pressure relief valve as additional safety measures against overpressure delivered to a patient. In some embodiments, the device is disposable for one-time or single patient use.