Methods and systems are provided for delivering anesthetic agent to a patient. In one embodiment, an anesthetic vaporizer includes a sump configured to hold a liquid anesthetic agent; an ultrasonic transducer coupled to a bottom of the sump and at least partially disposed within the sump; a vaporizing chamber fluidically coupled to the sump; and a heating element coupled to the vaporizing chamber and configured to increase a temperature of a surface disposed within the vaporizing chamber.

An apparatus for delivery of a flow of gases to a user, such as a respiratory therapy apparatus, is provided. The apparatus may have first and second inlets for receiving supplementary gases flows, a blower to generate the gases flow to the user, and a controller. A valve and a sensor may be provided in the second inlet. The controller may be configured to detect the disconnection of a gases source from the second inlet, and to respond by operating the valve and/or triggering an alarm. The controller may be configured to determine whether a gases flow is being provided at one or both of the inlets, and to accordingly control an operational mode of the apparatus.

Methods and systems for capturing capnography data during high-flow oxygen therapy (HFOT) are disclosed. An example method includes delivering HFOT by delivering breathing gases at an operational flow rate and an operational oxygen concentration level; initiating a temporary flow-reduction function for a set duration, wherein breathing gases are delivered at a temporary flow rate for the set duration, the temporary flow rate being less than the operational flow rate; capturing capnography data for exhaled air during the set duration; and upon expiration of the set duration, resuming HFOT delivery.

An apparatus, method and system for delivering CO.sub.2 into an inspiratory gas stream to formulate a blended respiratory gas in a manner that continuously maintains a target CO.sub.2 concentration in a volume of the inspired respiratory gas, for example, over the course of a breath or a volumetrically definable part thereof or a series of partial or full breaths.

A dispensing device for dispensing anesthetic in a breathing gas stream includes a flow duct (42) for an anesthetic-containing breathing gas stream, a control unit (5) and a first temperature sensor (54). An anesthetic feed device (45) has an evaporation surface (46) arranged in the flow duct (42). The first temperature sensor (54) detects the temperature of the evaporation surface (46) and sends a first temperature signal (T1) to the control unit (5). A second temperature sensor (53) detects the temperature of the breathing gas stream in the flow duct (42) and sends a second temperature signal (T2) to the control unit (5). The control unit (5) is configured to determine an anesthetic concentration based on the first and second temperature signals (T1, T2).

An oxygen concentrator 100 apparatus and a method thereof implement operations control to efficiently release oxygen enriched gas to reduce potential waste. The control methodology may include generating a profile such as a minimum inhalation flow profile of the user. The profile may be based on a size parameter of the user. The method may determine one or more control parameters characterizing a bolus of oxygen enriched gas based on the generated flow profile. The control methodology may then generate a bolus release control signal, such as for a supply valve, according to the determined one or more control parameters. The oxygen concentrator may then, with the control signal, release and deliver a bolus of oxygen enriched gas for a user such as for reducing waste.

Apparatus and methods for delivering humidified breathing gas to a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a humidification system configured to deliver humidified breathing gas to a patient. The humidification system includes a vapor transfer unit and a base unit. The vapor transfer unit includes a liquid passage, a breathing gas passage, and a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage. The base unit includes a base unit that releasably engages the vapor transfer unit to enable reuse of the base unit and selective disposal of the vapor transfer unit. The liquid passage is not coupled to the base unit for liquid flow therebetween when the vapor transfer unit is received by the base unit.

A coated anesthetic container for an anesthetic dispenser includes an anesthetic tank, which is capable of receiving a liquid anesthetic (Nm), as well as a refill unit for refilling liquid anesthetic (Nm). The anesthetic tank includes a wall and a coating on the inner surface of the wall. A wall of the refill unit is connected in a fluid-tight manner to the wall of the anesthetic tank. A coating is applied at least to the inner surface of the wall of the anesthetic tank. This coating is made of an alloy of nickel and phosphorus. The nickel portion is in a range of 80 wt.% to 97 wt.%, and the phosphorus portion is in a range of 3 wt.% to 15 wt.%. A process is provided for manufacturing such an anesthetic container.

Disclosed is a respirator which comprises an electronic control device and a pneumatic main line in which the following are connected pneumatically: a respiratory gas source, a valve, a mixing chamber, a gas-dosing unit, and a supply line. The gas-dosing unit is configured to convey external air and/or oxygen and/or anesthetic gas into the mixing chamber, the respiratory gas source is configured to deliver respiratory gas to the supply line, the mixing chamber is configured to make available respiratory gas, the supply line is configured to supply the patient with respiratory gas, and the valve is configured to at least temporarily reduce a stream of respiratory gas to a patient.

An oxygen concentrator includes one or more adsorbent sieve beds operable to remove nitrogen from air to produce concentrated oxygen gas at respective outlets thereof, a product tank fluidly coupled to the respective outlets of the sieve bed(s), a compressor operable to pressurize ambient air, one or more sieve bed flow paths from the compressor to respective inlets of the sieve bed(s), a bypass flow path from the compressor to the product tank that bypasses the sieve bed(s), and a valve unit operable to selectively allow flow of pressurized ambient air from the compressor along the one or more sieve bed flow paths and along the bypass flow path in response to a control signal. The valve unit may be controlled in response to a command issued by a ventilator based on a calculated or estimated total flow of gas and entrained air or % FiO.sub.2 of a patient.