A respiration-assistance apparatus or method can include or use a lifting element such as to cyclically push, pull, or lift, toward a superior direction of the subject, at least one subject region during an inhalation portion of a respiration cycle of the subject. A cyclical member can couple the lifting element to a fixed reference. Abdominal or ribcage compression can be provided. A multi-action or other cam can be used, such as together with a reciprocating element. Examples can be configured for use with a wheelchair, a bed, a vacuum or suction affixation element, a wearable garment, etc.

A respiration-assistance apparatus or method can include or use a lifting element such as to cyclically push, pull, or lift, toward a superior direction of the subject, at least one subject region during an inhalation portion of a respiration cycle of the subject. A cyclical member can couple the lifting element to a fixed reference. Abdominal or ribcage compression can be provided. A multi-action or other cam can be used, such as together with a reciprocating element. Examples can be configured for use with a wheelchair, a bed, a vacuum or suction affixation element, a wearable garment, etc.

A feedback device for an acute care provider includes: at least one motion sensor; a haptic output component for providing feedback having a varying haptic pattern to the acute care provider regarding performance of a resuscitation activity; and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive and process a signal representative of performance of the resuscitation activity from the at least one motion sensor, compare the acute care provider's performance of the resuscitation activity to a target performance of the resuscitation activity, and cause the haptic output component to provide haptic feedback to the acute care provider by changing the haptic pattern based, at least in part, on the signal from the at least one motion sensor and the comparison of the acute care provider's performance to the target performance of the resuscitation activity. The device can be adapted to be wrist-worn by the acute care provider.

A feedback device for an acute care provider includes: at least one motion sensor; a haptic output component for providing feedback having a varying haptic pattern to the acute care provider regarding performance of a resuscitation activity; and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive and process a signal representative of performance of the resuscitation activity from the at least one motion sensor, compare the acute care provider's performance of the resuscitation activity to a target performance of the resuscitation activity, and cause the haptic output component to provide haptic feedback to the acute care provider by changing the haptic pattern based, at least in part, on the signal from the at least one motion sensor and the comparison of the acute care provider's performance to the target performance of the resuscitation activity. The device can be adapted to be wrist-worn by the acute care provider.

Methods for treating fluid overload in a subject comprise shifting fluids directly and non-invasively from an interstitial compartment of the subject to skin of the subject through controlled local sweating. Methods of the invention allow for removal of excess fluid from the interstitial compartment of the subject and treat fluid overload in the subject. Sweat stimulation systems comprise a chamber and first and second relative humidity sensors. The chamber is sized to fit around a body part of a subject, comprises an inlet and an outlet, and is configured such that air flows through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet. The first relative humidity sensor is operably located inside the inlet, and the second relative humidity sensor is operably located proximate the outlet.

A method for treating chest wall injuries, including rib fractures, flail chest injuries or surgical incisions. The method comprising creating a localized airtight compartment external to the chest wall and fully covering the area of injury, varying the pressure within the compartment, and providing dynamic real-time counter forces that act reciprocal to the intrathoracic pressure changes that occur during ventilation. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus has the capability of sensing the patient's chest wall motion created by ventilation, a pressure control component capable of varying the pressure within the airtight compartment such that it opposes pressure changes within the chest. The apparatus would be particularly useful in preventing the paradoxical movement of flail chest injuries. The method would also lessen pain experienced by patients with thoracic injuries such as rib fractures and post operative suffering.

A relief valve in which a valve body is automatically properly opened/closed by pressure of gas while having a simple device structure, and a device including the relief valve. In a valve-closed state, a first pressure receiving surface portion receives pressure of gas from a valve hole to smoothly open a valve body, and in an open position after the valve is opened, a pressure receiving area is enlarged to a second pressure receiving surface portion, and the first pressure receiving surface portion and the second pressure receiving surface portion are surrounded by a peripheral wall portion formed on a back surface of the valve body. Thus, the valve body continuously receives the pressure with the pressure of the gas being reduced, thereby allowing the valve-opened state of the valve body to be stably maintained to set pressure.

A relief valve in which a valve body is automatically properly opened/closed by pressure of gas while having a simple device structure, and a device including the relief valve. In a valve-closed state, a first pressure receiving surface portion receives pressure of gas from a valve hole to smoothly open a valve body, and in an open position after the valve is opened, a pressure receiving area is enlarged to a second pressure receiving surface portion, and the first pressure receiving surface portion and the second pressure receiving surface portion are surrounded by a peripheral wall portion formed on a back surface of the valve body. Thus, the valve body continuously receives the pressure with the pressure of the gas being reduced, thereby allowing the valve-opened state of the valve body to be stably maintained to set pressure.

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.

Disclosed are systems and processes related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). One embodiment of the system comprises an inspiration chamber and an expiration chamber, which work cooperatively to provide gas (e.g., Oxygen (O.sub.2)) to a subject (e.g., human patient) during inspiration and extract and expel expired gas (e.g., Carbon Dioxide (CO.sub.2)) from the subject during expiration as a medical professional applies CPR to the subject. In other words, this disclosure provides systems and processes that allow for substantially synchronous chest compressions with positive pressure active inspirations and, also, substantially synchronous chest decompressions with negative pressure active expirations.