Described are methods for providing a pulsed dose of a gaseous drug over a portion of total inspiratory time, where the dose of the gaseous drug is delivered at a concentration of nL of gaseous drug per mL tidal volume.

A respiratory assistance component is disclosed that changes shape when an electrical charge is provided. The amount of electrical charge that is applied may be based on values, characteristics, or user controlled parameters of the respiratory assistance system. The component may be all or part of a patient interface, a tube, a flow generator, and/or a sleep mat.

Systems and devices for monitoring, detecting, and removing fluid build-up found at various regions along a tracheal tube of an intubated patient. The fluid management system includes pressure and flow sensors for detecting whether there is fluid at the various regions along the tracheal tube, and a means for drawing out the fluid into collection jars. The system also includes lavage features that is able to rinse different the various regions along a tracheal tube. Also disclosed are respiration insertion devices that either couple to existing tracheal tubes or incorporate tracheal tubing, where the respiration insertion body has channels and ports that contact various regions along the tracheal tube. The combination of the fluid management system and the respiration insertion devices effectively monitor and remove fluid at various locations along a tracheal tube of an intubated patient.

Devices for delivering a controlled concentration of an agent are provided. The device includes a reservoir for the agent and a flow control portion operably connected to the reservoir. The device also includes a valve for releasing the agent from the flow control portion and a pump for flowing air to mix with the agent released by the valve and for flowing the agent and air mixture out of the device. Methods of delivering a vaporized agent to a subject are also provided. The methods include storing a liquid agent in a reservoir of a device and flowing the agent into a flow control chamber to change the agent to a gas. The methods also include mixing the agent in gas form with air and flowing the agent and air mixture out of the device to be delivered to a subject.

A mouthpiece for inhibiting breathing through a mouth of a user-wearer is disclosed herein. The mouthpiece for inhibiting breathing through a mouth of a user-wearer includes a blocking sheet, a relief port, and a flex recess. The blocking sheet may be made of a flexible material impermeable to air, and is configured to fit within the mouth of the user-wearer between the front teeth and the lips as well as the cheek area. The mouthpiece creates improved airflow for CPAP users by restricting airflow through the mouth.

Devices and systems for monitoring weaning of a subject from a respiratory ventilator including a processing logic configured to characterize distinct patterns in a series of CO.sub.2 waveforms, the distinct patterns indicative of the effectiveness of a weaning process; and to provide an indication relating to the effectiveness of the weaning process.

A system and method for patient data processing during diagnosis and therapy of a patient's sleep disorder breathing. The system and method includes providing diagnostic providers and therapy device providers with a simple and fast way to generate a clinical diagnosis from a diagnostic device and to transfer that patient's record and diagnostic data to the therapy provider responsible for the patient's ongoing care. The patient may be automatically assigned therapy devices having predetermined therapy settings that are based on the patient's record and diagnostic data.

A pulmonary secretion clearing airway structure and related airway management system is disclosed that has a double lumen portion which each lumen of the double lumen portion operably secured to an airway management system so that inspiratory fluid (air/oxygen mixtures, with or without added water vapor) is delivered to the distal end of the ventilation catheter through one of the two lumens and expired inspiratory fluid, pulmonary secretions, and pulmonary fluids are removed from the patient through the other lumen. The expiratory fluid pathway preferably includes a secretion collection system for removing the pulmonary secretions and the like from the pathway, thereby improving operation and safety of the system. The airway structure can be a ventilation catheter or a supraglottic airway system such as laryngeal mask and the like.

The present invention provides for an improved method of determining a water out condition in a humidified gases supply apparatus. The method includes a two step process including a primary determination of a water out condition and a secondary determination of a water out condition. This primary determination is made during observation of the normal operation of the apparatus. During the secondary determination the method takes temporary control over the humidifying part of the apparatus. The secondary determination confirms or contradicts the primary determination.

A system and method for airflow control of pressurized air delivery, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a robust valve assembly for use in a positive airway pressure treatment (PAPT) system and method to improve speech during treatment.