Features for assessing patient compliance with therapeutic usage of an inhaler, such as a nebulizer, are disclosed. Nebulizer therapy accessories include mouthpiece, mask and adaptor (i.e. an attachment to a mouthpiece or mask) that may be coupled with the nebulizer. The nebulizer therapy accessory includes at least one sensor that detects a physical parameter generated by a user's body and generates a signal. The signal is used to determine therapy compliance, which may be communicated to the patient and/or the patient's physician.

A sheet-type aerosol generating article includes at least two aerosol generating sheets each having aerosol generating material and an inductively heatable susceptor The inductively heatable susceptor is positioned between the aerosol generating sheets and each of the aerosol generating sheets has an exposed surface. Methods for manufacturing sheet-type aerosol generating articles are also disclosed.

There is provided an inductive heating assembly configured to inductively heat an aerosol-forming substrate to a pre-determined operating temperature, the heating assembly including an induction source configured to generate an alternating electromagnetic field; and a susceptor assembly configured to inductively heat the aerosol-forming substrate under influence of the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction source, the susceptor assembly including a first susceptor comprising a first susceptor material and a second susceptor including a second susceptor material having a Curie temperature at least 50 degrees Celsius below an operating temperature of the heating assembly. There is also provided an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating system including the inductive heating assembly.

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices comprising a power unit and a cartridge that is configured for engagement with the power unit. In particular, the cartridge can be configured for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof so as to be insertable into a chamber of the power unit in a plurality of different orientations. Further, the aerosol delivery device can include processing circuitry that can be configured for detection of the cartridge orientation and execution of a control function assigned to the respective orientation.

A power transmission unit includes a second coil which contactlessly transmits power, a power reception unit includes a first coil that receives the power transmitted from the power transmission unit, and a medical instrument includes the power reception unit and is embedded in a body. The medical instrument includes a notification unit that is composed of a plurality of light emitting units that provides notification that a relative positional relationship between the power transmission unit and the power reception unit has reached a predetermined state by emitting light using the power received at the power reception unit when the predetermined state is reached by the movement of the power transmission unit. A soft unit into which an injection needle is inserted, the plurality of light emitting units being arranged so as to extend along an outer edge of the soft unit.

Persons with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) may, or may not, recognize that they have symptoms of SDB, and/or that they may be at-risk of, or suffering certain health problems associated with SDB, including death. The disclosed Energy Conversion Monitor (ECM) sensor, when embodied, for example, in a wearable upper-armband format, has been demonstrated to be more sensitive and responsive than pulse oximetry monitoring of blood oxygen saturation as an indication of hypoxic stress induced by SDB, and is compatible with: (1) inclusion in sleep laboratory polysomnograph (PSG) testing instrumentation, (2) home-based diagnostic testing for SDB, (3) control of home-use airway therapy devices, (4) continuous remote surveillance and refinement of airway therapy, and (5) spot-check and continuous surveillance of sleep quality in the general population. The disclosed ECM also provides new measurements of physiologic stress during and following exercise. When applied during initial care of premature newborn infants, it offers improved therapeutic guidance during their transition from their limited in utero oxygen supply conditions, to the increased oxygen availability from breathing air. When applied during resuscitation of persons suffering from hypoxia and during reperfusion of ischemic tissue, such as during treatment of ischemic stroke, or ischemic heart attack, the ECM sensor can provide objective guidance regarding the safe and effective resupply of oxygen to the hypoxia-adapted tissue to help reduce or prevent microvascular occlusion and cellular injury. As a continuously worn physiologic surveillance monitor, the ECM offers the potential of early detection of sepsis. With the elderly and infirm, it offers a convenient and comfortable means of continuously assessing variations in status while awake and asleep.

A blood pumping device comprising at least a first pump and a second pump, and a first and second pump actuating means for inducing a blood flow in a body's circulatory system is disclosed. Each pump comprises one upper chamber having an inlet channel and one lower chamber having an outlet channel. The upper and lower chambers are separated by a movable valve plane provided with a valve. The pump actuating means are configured to apply a movement to said valve plane in an upward and downward direction between said upper and lower chambers in response to control signals from a control unit, such that when said valve plane moves in an upward direction the valve provided in the valve plane is in an open position allowing a flow of blood from the upper chamber to the lower chamber, and when the valve plane moves in a downward direction the valve is in the closed position and blood is ejected from the lower chamber through the outlet channel. The bottom part of the lower chamber is provided with a bag-like portion.

A method of managing multiple power sources for an implantable blood pump includes operating the implantable blood pump with both power from an internal battery, the internal battery being disposed within an implantable controller and in communication with the implantable blood pump, and with transcutaneous energy transfer system (TETS) power in communication with the implantable blood pump, if TETS power is available.

A method of managing a speed of implantable blood pump. The implantable blood pump is in communication with an internal battery and a transcutaneous energy transfer system (TETS). The method includes starting the pump at a programmed set speed. The speed of the pump is decreased from the programmed set speed to a minimum set speed if either a capacity of the internal battery is less than a predetermined reserve level and TETS power is unavailable, or there is insufficient TETS power to maintain the programmed set speed. The speed of the pump is progressively decreased from the programmed set speed if there is insufficient power to maintain the programmed set speed.

A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.