A humidifier uses a field of hydrophobic, nanotubes (e.g., vertically aligned carbon nanotubes) to humidify a gas. Voids in the field form liquid flow channels that are wide enough for liquid water to pass through. The nanotubes are spaced close enough to each other to prevent the water from escaping the channels. Water in the channels is absorbed by gas that flows and/or diffuses between the nanotubes. Humidity levels in the gas can be measured and controlled to a desired level by controlling the rate of flow of gas through the humidifier, controlling heating of the gas, and/or adjusting the total area of molecular transfer from the water to the gas by providing multiple banks of nanotubes and controlling the number of banks through which the gas flows.

A respiratory flow therapy apparatus including a sensor module can measure a flow rate of gases or gases concentration provided to a patient. The sensor module can be located after a blower and/or mixer. The sensor module can include at least an ultrasonic transmitter, a receiver, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor and/or a flow rate sensor. The receivers can be immersed in the gases flow path. The receivers can cancel delays in the transmitters and improve accuracy of measurements of characteristics of the gases flow. The receivers can allow for detection of a fault condition in a blower motor of the apparatus.

A user interface has a non-sealing nasal cannula and a mask arranged about the nasal cannula, the mask including a seal configured with a user's face to allow the interface to be pressurized, the cannula configured to deliver breathing gases to the nares of a user at a flow rate exceeding the intended user's peak inspiratory flow requirements so that the mask and the user's pharynx are flushed continuously with fresh breathing gases to reduce dead space.

A shock and vibration system for an infant care transport system with an enclosed infant care device. The shock and vibration system utilizes multiple damping systems that create a floating patient support system that allows the infant care device to move in the various axes of motion instead of being rigidly mounted to the frame or sub-frame, or any substructure.

Various characteristics of a gas flow can be sensed at the end of a respiratory conduit near the patient interface using a sensing module. The sensing module can be removable from the patient end of the respiratory conduit for ease of use and ease of cleaning. The sensor module can transmit sensor data over the same wires used to heat the respiratory conduit.

Secretions that have accumulated at or near an airway of a subject (12) as the subject (12) is being mechanically ventilated are removed by suctioning. Before, during, and/or after the removal of the secretions, steps are taken to mitigated the impact of the suctioning used for secretion removal on the subject (12). As such, the timing of suction used to remove secretions may be influenced or controlled, ventilation of the subject (12) during suction may be adjusted, ventilation of the subject (12) prior to secretion removal may be adjusted to prepare the lungs of the subject (12) for secretion removal, ventilation of the subject (12) subsequent to suction for secretion removal may be adjusted, and/or other techniques for reducing the impact of suctioning for secretion removal on the subject (12) may be implemented.

The gases temperature supplied to a patient when the patient is undergoing treatment such as oxygen therapy or positive pressure treatment for conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is often measured for safety and to enable controlling of the humidity delivered to the patient. The invention disclosed is related to measurement of properties, particularly temperature (thermister 23), of gases flowing through a heated tube (3), supplying gases to a patient, which utilises the heating wire (21, 28) within the tube.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a surgical method may include making an incision in a patient. The method may also include opening the incision in order to create an open surgical site in the patient. The method may further include receiving a gas from a source. The method may further include humidifying and warming the gas received from the source. The method may further include successively reflecting the humidified and warmed gas off a plurality of non-porous surfaces within a non-porous gas delivery mechanism to create a flow. The method may further include delivering the flow of the humidified and warmed gas adjacent to or into the open surgical site.

Breathing tube assemblies for use with a respiratory therapy device, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, includes an elbow that permits adjustment of a position of the breathing tube assembly relative to the respiratory therapy device. In some arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes a breathing tube and a swivel elbow. The breathing tube is rotationally fixed relative to the respiratory therapy device and the swivel elbow rotatable relative to the breathing tube. In other arrangements, the breathing tube assembly includes an elbow that can be coupled to the respiratory therapy device in one of several possible positions.

Some embodiments provide for an inspiratory limb for a breathing circuit that includes a first segment that comprises a first heater wire circuit and a second segment that comprises a second heater wire circuit. The inspiratory limb can include an intermediate connector that includes a connection circuit that electrically couples the first heater wire circuit to the second heater wire circuit. The inspiratory limb can be configured to operate in two modes wherein, in a first mode, electrical power passes through the first electrical connection to provide power to the first heater wire circuit without providing power to the second heater wire circuit, and in a second mode, electrical power pass through the first electrical connection to provide power to both the first heater wire circuit and the second heater wire circuit.