Embodiments of gas concentrating systems and methods are provided. These systems and methods comprise configuration of hardware and software components to monitor various sensors associated the systems and methods of concentrating gas as described herein. These hardware and software components are further configured to utilize information obtained from sensors throughout the system to perform certain data analysis tasks. Through analysis, the system may, for example, calculate a time to failure for one or more system components, generate alarms to warn a user of pending component failure, modify system settings to improve functionality in differing environmental conditions, modify system operation to conserve energy, and/or determine optimal setting configurations based on sensor feedback.

Nasal cannula assemblies for providing respiratory therapy to patients are provided. A nasal cannula assembly can include a cannula, an optional manifold which may be removable, a gas supply tube, and a securement mechanism. Securement mechanisms can include headgear straps, cheek pads, or an adhesive nose strip. A nasal cannula assembly can also include a lanyard, lanyard clip, and/or lanyard connector to help support the weight of a main gas delivery conduit.

An integrated oxygen supply device that is configured to generate oxygen continuously and release the oxygen non-continuously is provided. In some embodiments, the oxygen generated by the integrated oxygen supply device is stored in a porous material with the integrated oxygen supply device. The delivery of the oxygen produced by integrated oxygen supply device to a patient, in those embodiments, is controlled. In some embodiments, the control of the delivering oxygen is according one or more breathing patterns. The breathing pattern(s) may or may not be a current breathing pattern of the patient. For example, in one embodiment, the breathing pattern is a predetermined breathing pattern with a specified inspiration period followed by a specified expiration period.

Systems and methods may include a gas source, a gas delivery circuit, and a nasal interface allowing breathing ambient air through the nasal interface. A gas flow path through the nasal interface may have a distal gas flow path opening. A nozzle may be associated with a proximal end of the nasal interface a distance from the distal end gas flow path opening. At least a portion of an entrainment port may be between the nozzle and the distal end gas flow opening. The nozzle may deliver gas into the nasal interface to create a negative pressure area in the gas flow path at the entrainment port. The nasal interface and the nozzle may create a positive pressure area between the entrainment port and the distal end gas flow path opening. Gas from the gas delivery source and air entrained through the entrainment port may increase airway pressure or lung pressure or provide ventilatory support.

Described are methods and devices for therapeutic or medical gas delivery that utilize at least one proportional control valve and at least one binary control valve. The proportional control valve may be in series with the binary control valve to provide a valve combination capable of pulsing therapeutic gas at different flow rates, depending on the setting of the proportional control valve. Alternatively, the proportional control valve and binary control valve may be in parallel flow paths.

An electromagnetic actuator and a valve in combination with an electromagnetic actuator are described. The actuator comprises an armature comprising a permanent magnet, two coils and two coil cores, each of which extends within a respective coil. The armature is moveable relative to the coils between first and second stable rest positions by passing a current through at least one of the coils. In each rest position, the armature is closer to one of the coil cores than the other of the coil cores and is spaced by a gap from the closer coil core. The actuator may be combined with a pinch valve for controlling the flow of a fluid through tubing or an inline valve.

A system and method for periodically releasing oxygen rich gas for inhalation by a user. A container is filled, at least in part, with oxygen gas. The container has a release valve that can be used to selectively release some of the oxygen gas from the container. An activation unit is provided that is connected to the container. The activation unit operates the release valve at a selected rate. Each periodic pulse contains a volume of the oxygen gas released over a first period of time. The first period of time is preferably no longer than the time it takes a user to take a breath. The periodic pulses are spaced to correspond to the rate of respiration or some multiple thereof. A dispenser is provided that directs the oxygen gas into a place where it can be inhaled.

An ambulatory assist ventilation (AA V) apparatus and system are disclosed for the delivery of a respiratory gas to assist the spontaneous breathing effort of a patient with a breathing disorder. The AA V system includes a compressed respiratory gas source, a respiratory assist device for controlling respiratory gas flow to the patient, a patient circuit tubing and a low profile nasal interface device, which does not have a dead space or hollow area where C02 can collect, for delivering the respiratory gas to the patient, wherein the nasal interface device is fluidly connected to the respiratory assist device via tubing for receiving the respiratory gas therefrom.

An ambulatory assist ventilation (AAV) apparatus and system are disclosed for the delivery of a respiratory gas to assist the spontaneous breathing effort of a patient with a breathing disorder. The AAV system includes a compressed respiratory gas source, a respiratory assist device for controlling respiratory gas flow to the patient, a patient circuit tubing and a low profile nasal interface device, which does not have a dead space or hollow area where C02 can collect, for delivering the respiratory gas to the patient, wherein the nasal interface device is fluidly connected to the respiratory assist device via tubing for receiving the respiratory gas therefrom. In some cases, the nasal interface device may be used in combination with other gas sources, such as oxygen concentrators, to provide dual therapy capability suitable for some applications.

An oxygen generator for respiration-synchronized oxygen supply is provided. An ultrasonic gas sensor is used in the oxygen generator to act as a detection element for detecting human inhalation or respiration. On the basis of data corresponding to the human inhalation detected by the ultrasonic gas sensor, a control unit makes an oxygen generating unit supply oxygen to a human body through an oxygen delivery pipeline only when the human body inhales, and not supply the oxygen to the human body at the rest of time, thereby realizing respiration-synchronized oxygen supply. The respiration-synchronized oxygen supply by the oxygen generator is realized at low cost with simple and convenient control, thereby greatly reducing the cost, volume, weight, energy consumption and noise of the oxygen generator and increasing portability.