Several methods of supporting respiratory function of a patient before, during and/or after a medical procedure are disclosed. In certain arrangements, supporting respiratory function while a patient is under general anaesthesia can include providing a high gas flow a high gas flow that is greater than 15 L/min while the patient is under general anaesthesia. In certain arrangements, a method of providing ventilation while a patient is under general anaesthesia involves providing only a gas flow delivered through a nasal interface that is greater than 15 L/min while the patient is under general anaesthesia.

Described is an apparatus for oxygenation and/or CO2 clearance of a patient, comprising: a flow source or a connection for a flow source for providing a gas flow, a gas flow modulator, a controller to control the gas flow, wherein the controller is operable to: receive input relating to heart activity and/or trachea gas flow of the patient, and control the gas flow modulator to provide a varying gas flow with one or more oscillating components with a frequency or frequencies based on the heart activity and/or trachea flow of the patient.

This invention relates to a connector for a component of a medical breathing circuit. The connector comprises an inner body and an outer body. The inner body and the outer body being separate components. The inner body having a retention mechanism configured to engage another connector, and an outer body configured to at least partly surround the inner body, the outer body having a tube engagement mechanism.

The present invention is directed to a gas collector for collecting gases at a patient. The gas collector may include an interface configured to form at least one channel at an upper lip of the patient. The channel may be in fluid communication with the patient's nose and mouth regions. The interface may include one or more spacers configured to contact the patient's face so as to space a channel wall portion from the patient's face.

We provide a respiratory therapy system comprising: a flow generator; a humidifier; a respiratory conduit; a patient interface coupled to the respiratory conduit to deliver a gases flow to a patient; a sensor configured to determine pressure or flow of the gases flow; a controller configured to control the flow generator to generate the gases flow; and the controller configured to: a) retrieve at least one first signal associated with or indicative of a gases flow and/or pressure in the respiratory conduit; b) determine a measure of at least one first parameter associated with gases flow perturbations and/or pressure perturbations for at least one portion of the retrieved at least one first signal; and c) determine the presence of liquid in the respiratory conduit based at least in part on the measure(s) of the at least one first parameter meeting a first threshold.

Systems and methods for non-invasive ventilation are provided. The systems may include a gas source that provides breathing gases to a patient through one or more of a primary flow path (PFP) and a flushing flow path (FFP). The system may include a control assembly configured to open and restrict gas flow through the PFP. When the PFP is open, a significant portion of the gas flows through the PFP while the remaining gas flows through the FFP. When the PFP is restricted, a significant portion of the gas flows through the FFP. Increased flow through the FFP may have a high velocity (especially relative to the flow through the PFP). Gas delivered through the FFP may be used to flush dead space. One or both flow paths may contribute to inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP), expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), and/or positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).

A head-mounted respiratory assistance apparatus configured to provide a respiratory gases stream to a user. The head-mounted respiratory assistance has a main body securable to the head of a user and a blower unit that is operable to generate a pressurised gases stream from a supply of gases from the surrounding atmosphere. A patient interface is provided on the main body that has a gases inlet which is fluidly connected to the blower unit and which is configured to deliver the pressurised gases to the user's nose and/or mouth.

Disclosed are materials, articles, devices, and methods for manufacture thereof that pertain to a tracheostomy support system. The tracheostomy support system can eliminate torque on the tracheostomy tube and offload pressure caused by the tracheostomy tube on the neck skin of a patient. Additionally, the tracheostomy support system can indicate when pressure or moisture on the skin is at an unsafe level that may predispose the patient to neck skin ulceration, breakdown, or infection. The tracheostomy support system can be automatically adjusted through a closed-loop feedback system or can be manually adjusted.

A nebulizer system capable of identifying when activation has occurred and aerosol is being produced. The nebulizer system monitors the inhalation and exhalation flow generated by the patient and communicates proper breathing technique for optimal drug delivery. The nebulizer system may monitor air supply to the nebulizer to ensure it is within the working range and is producing, or is capable of producing, acceptable particle size and drug output rate. When a patient, caregiver or other user deposits or inserts medication into the nebulizer, the nebulizer system is able to identify the medication and determine the appropriate delivery methods required to properly administer the medication as well as output this information into a treatment log to ensure the patient is taking the proper medications. The system is able to measure the concentration of the medication and volume of the medication placed within the medication receptacle, e.g., bowl.

In an embodiment, a connector or connector assembly for attaching a nasal cannula with a gas delivery hose includes a sensor port for a sensor probe positioned near an end of a nasal cannula, which can allow the sensor probe to be placed closer to the patient's nostrils than previous connector parts allowed. The connector can be configured to advantageously allow the nasal cannula to rotate relative to the gas delivery hose, thereby allowing a patient or healthcare provider to untangle or otherwise straighten the hose or the cannula. The connector assembly can be configured to automatically align locking protrusions on a first component with locking recesses on a second component, where insertion of the second component within the first component causes the second component to rotate relative to the first component, thereby aligning the locking protrusions with associated locking recesses.