This disclosure relates to device for providing continuous negative abdominal pressure (CNAP) which selectively recruits (inflates) the dorsal (spinal region) collapsed areas of the lung, while enabling the patient to remain in the supine (usual) position. The CNAP device includes a rigid frame configured to have a shape and size to envelop a patient's lower chest and abdominal area while in a supine position with the frame having opposed edges which sit on a surface on which the supine patient is resting. A pressure sensor is mounted to the frame for measuring a pressure inside the chamber and is connected to a display for displaying the pressure inside the chamber. An active pressure controller is connected to the pressure sensor, and a vacuum pump is in flow communication with inside the chamber and connected to the active pressure controller. The device includes a top up pump in flow communication with inside the chamber and connected to the active pressure controller which is programmed to instruct the vacuum pump to provide negative pressure in the chamber to start decompressing the chamber, and to instruct the top up pump to maintain the negative pressure in the chamber.

This disclosure relates to device for providing continuous negative abdominal pressure (CNAP) which selectively recruits (inflates) the dorsal (spinal region) collapsed areas of the lung, while enabling the patient to remain in the supine (usual) position. The CNAP device includes a rigid frame configured to have a shape and size to envelop a patient's lower chest and abdominal area while in a supine position with the frame having opposed edges which sit on a surface on which the supine patient is resting. A pressure sensor is mounted to the frame for measuring a pressure inside the chamber and is connected to a display for displaying the pressure inside the chamber. An active pressure controller is connected to the pressure sensor, and a vacuum pump is in flow communication with inside the chamber and connected to the active pressure controller. The device includes a top up pump in flow communication with inside the chamber and connected to the active pressure controller which is programmed to instruct the vacuum pump to provide negative pressure in the chamber to start decompressing the chamber, and to instruct the top up pump to maintain the negative pressure in the chamber.

A distension/compression device for assisting breathing in a subject is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first tube includes a flexible and elastic material that forms a first tube lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tube. Longitudinal expansion of the first tube is restricted less than radial expansion of the first tube. A connection element including a first air supply port is in fluid communication with an open proximal end of the first tube lumen and attached to a proximal end of the first tube. A method for assisting breathing of a patient and a method for assisting the clearing of secretions is also included.

A distension/compression device for assisting breathing in a subject is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first tube includes a flexible and elastic material that forms a first tube lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tube. Longitudinal expansion of the first tube is restricted less than radial expansion of the first tube. A connection element including a first air supply port is in fluid communication with an open proximal end of the first tube lumen and attached to a proximal end of the first tube. A method for assisting breathing of a patient and a method for assisting the clearing of secretions is also included.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for diagnosis, performance and/or regulation of physiological functions, in particular in an anaesthetized patient. The apparatus has a pressure device (10) for at least one body region or extremity (55) of a patient (50), wherein pressure-increasing means (21) and pressure-reducing means (22) are assigned to the pressure device (10), and a control device (30) is provided with which the pressure in the pressure device (10) can be controlled via the pressure-increasing means (21) and the pressure-reducing means (22).

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for diagnosis, performance and/or regulation of physiological functions, in particular in an anaesthetized patient. The apparatus has a pressure device (10) for at least one body region or extremity (55) of a patient (50), wherein pressure-increasing means (21) and pressure-reducing means (22) are assigned to the pressure device (10), and a control device (30) is provided with which the pressure in the pressure device (10) can be controlled via the pressure-increasing means (21) and the pressure-reducing means (22).

A system includes a guidance device that provides feedback to a user to compress a patient's chest at a rate of between about 90 and 110 compressions per minute and at a depth of between about 4.5 centimeters to about 6 centimeters. The system includes a pressure regulation system having a pressure-responsive valve that is configured to be coupled to a patient's airway. The pressure-responsive valve is configured to remain closed during successive chest compressions in order to permit removal at least about 200 ml from the lungs in order to lower intracranial pressure to improve survival with favorable neurological function. The pressure-responsive valve is configured to remain closed until the negative pressure within the patient's airway reaches about −7 cm H.sub.2O, at which time the pressure-responsive valve is configured to open to provide respiratory gases to flow to the lungs through the pressure-responsive valve.

The invention relates to a device (10) for selective regionalization of pulmonary aeration, intended to apply a vacuum over a posterolateral part of a patient's chest wall, said device comprising a rigid or semi-rigid shell (11) intended to selectively surround a posterior part of the patient's chest wall, and a layer of honeycomb material (12) covering an internal wall (13) of the rigid shell, intended to be in contact with the patient's chest wall, said shell comprising at least one through hole (14), intended to be connected to a negative pressure generator.

The invention relates to a device (10) for selective regionalization of pulmonary aeration, intended to apply a vacuum over a posterolateral part of a patient's chest wall, said device comprising a rigid or semi-rigid shell (11) intended to selectively surround a posterior part of the patient's chest wall, and a layer of honeycomb material (12) covering an internal wall (13) of the rigid shell, intended to be in contact with the patient's chest wall, said shell comprising at least one through hole (14), intended to be connected to a negative pressure generator.

Provided herein is a device comprising a cuirass, which includes a shell, at least one sensor, a pressure creation means for providing at least one of a negative pressure or a positive pressure within the shell, and a controller operably connected to the pressure creation means, wherein the controller is adapted to receive an input signal from the at least one sensor and adapted to provide an output signal to the pressure creation means, and wherein the pressure creation means is adapted to provide a greater or lesser amount of pressure within the shell in response to the output signal. Also provided are methods of use.