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.

An ambulatory respiratory assist device utilizes a cuirass worn on the chest and/or abdomen and supported by a hip belt so that it does not place a load on the patient's shoulders. The belt also supports a ventilator that includes a pump and its power supply, valving, controls and auxiliary equipment. The device is optionally integrated with auxiliary features such as chest wall vibration, which can be achieved by utilizing cuirass pressure modulation, with shoulder or upper arm supports for simulating the “tripod position”, with positive pressure ventilation apparatus, or with patient monitoring. Shoulder or upper arm supports can extend directly from the belt to the shoulders or upper arms, utilized independently of the cuirass, and optionally integrated with one or more of the above-mentioned auxiliary features.

An ambulatory respiratory assist device utilizes a cuirass worn on the chest and/or abdomen and supported by a hip belt so that it does not place a load on the patient's shoulders. The belt also supports a ventilator that includes a pump and its power supply, valving, controls and auxiliary equipment. The device is optionally integrated with auxiliary features such as chest wall vibration, which can be achieved by utilizing cuirass pressure modulation, with shoulder or upper arm supports for simulating the “tripod position”, with positive pressure ventilation apparatus, or with patient monitoring. Shoulder or upper arm supports can extend directly from the belt to the shoulders or upper arms, utilized independently of the cuirass, and optionally integrated with one or more of the above-mentioned auxiliary features.

The cuirass negative pressure ventilator is a light-weight self-contained iron lung to support the breathing of a patient in ambulatory or clinical settings. This cuirass-type ventilator comprises a shell member having a peripheral edge with a sealing device secured to said peripheral edge to provide a sealing region for sealing against a patient's body. An electric motor drives an atmospheric pressure changing pump attached to said cuirass to regulate the atmospheric pressure within said sealing region. A controller is attached to said cuirass to govern the timing of said pump motor. A power connector attached to said cuirass conveys power to said pump and said controller.

The cuirass negative pressure ventilator is a light-weight self-contained iron lung to support the breathing of a patient in ambulatory or clinical settings. This cuirass-type ventilator comprises a shell member having a peripheral edge with a sealing device secured to said peripheral edge to provide a sealing region for sealing against a patient's body. An electric motor drives an atmospheric pressure changing pump attached to said cuirass to regulate the atmospheric pressure within said sealing region. A controller is attached to said cuirass to govern the timing of said pump motor. A power connector attached to said cuirass conveys power to said pump and said controller.

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.

A CPR device having a base member configured to be placed underneath a patient, a chest compression mechanism configured to deliver CPR chest compressions to a patient, a support leg configured to support the chest compression mechanism at a distance from the base member, a clamp mechanism coupled to the support leg, and a release mechanism coupled to the support leg and the clamp mechanism. The clamp mechanism may be configured to attach the support leg to a lock component of the base member in a latch-closed configuration and to release the support leg from the lock component in a latch-open configuration. The clamp mechanism may further be configured to transition from the latch-closed configuration to the latch-open configuration when the lock component of the base member impinges upon an external portion of the clamp mechanism.

A CPR device having a base member configured to be placed underneath a patient, a chest compression mechanism configured to deliver CPR chest compressions to a patient, a support leg configured to support the chest compression mechanism at a distance from the base member, a clamp mechanism coupled to the support leg, and a release mechanism coupled to the support leg and the clamp mechanism. The clamp mechanism may be configured to attach the support leg to a lock component of the base member in a latch-closed configuration and to release the support leg from the lock component in a latch-open configuration. The clamp mechanism may further be configured to transition from the latch-closed configuration to the latch-open configuration when the lock component of the base member impinges upon an external portion of the clamp mechanism.

A therapy system is operable to deliver at least one respiratory therapy to a patient. For example, therapy system may be operable to deliver any one or more of the following therapies: a high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy, a positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy, a nebulizer therapy, an intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) therapy, a cough assist therapy, a suction therapy, a bronchial dilator therapy, and the like. The therapy system is contained in a housing supported by a mobile stand.