An apparatus for controlled delivery of nitric oxide. A pump draws air through an activated carbon filter and into a reaction chamber. The generation of nitric oxide occurs in the reaction chamber. A second pump draws the gas in the reaction chamber through a calcium hydroxide filter and delivers the nitric oxide through an orifice, or aperture, that controls the flow of nitric oxide delivered. The nitric oxide is filtered through a calcium hydroxide filter just prior to being made available for various nitric oxide therapies. Topical applications that provide a nitric oxide therapy to a surface are also provided.

Disclosed is a cartridge for storing pressurized gas, including a main body with an internal volume for storing a gaseous mixture NO/N.sub.2, and a distribution valve for controlling the output of the gas. The internal volume of the main body is less than 1000 ml. The concentration of NO in the gaseous mixture NO/N.sub.2 is between 15000 and 25000 ppmv. The gas pressure in the internal volume is below 15 bar, measured at 23° C. Installation for delivering gas to a patient, including such a gas cartridge, a NO supply device fed by the gas cartridge, and a medical ventilator feeding a patient circuit which has an inhalation branch fed by the NO supply device. Use for treating patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension or hypoxia.

Disclosed are apparatus and methods of detecting user interaction with a respiratory therapy device and effecting an action in response to the detection. The apparatus comprises a sensor which is positioned so as to detect the presence of a user's hand or fingers near to the apparatus, such as a surface or handle. In embodiments the apparatus may be configured to detect gestures or movement of the user. On detection of a user, the apparatus may be configured to effect one or more actions, such as disabling a feature of an input or output device or alerting a user.

A respiratory pressure therapy system for providing continuous positive air pressure to a patient via a patient interface configured to engage with at least one airway of the patient. The system includes: a flow generator configured to generate supply of breathable gas for delivery to the patient via the patient interface; at least one sensor; a display; and a computing device. The computing device is configured to: receive sensor data that is based on measured physical property of the supply of breathable gas; control, based on the received sensor data, the flow generator to adjust a property of the supply of breathable gas; receive, an input indicating assistance is needed with using the patient interface; receive one or more images of the patient with the patient interface; analyse the received one or more images; and based on the analysis, display instructions for positioning the patient interface.

A respiratory ventilators system having an inlet configured to be connected to a pressurized air or gas source; an outlet configured to be connected to a patient interface; a valve in-line between the inlet and the outlet; and a control unit configured to control the valve for controlling flow of pressurized air or gas from the source to the patient, wherein the valve includes an air or gas reservoir or accumulator incorporated into the valve body.

A customizable mask including a conforming seal is configured to utilize the physical process of granular jamming to enable it to adapt to a wide range of facial geometries. The mask may include a frame having a perimeter and a conduit connection, a conforming seal positioned along the perimeter of the frame. The conforming seal may include a sealing surface and a connecting surface, the connecting surface configured to mate with the perimeter of the frame, and the sealing surface configured to conform to a users' face. The conforming seal may further include an outer casing, granular material contained within the outer casing, and a vacuum connection. The mask may also include a similarly configured conforming frame. Further disclosed are methods of forming such masks.

The invention relates to a non-heated humidification device comprising a wick; a chamber for holding water in contact with the wick; and a gas inlet to the chamber, wherein the chamber and wick are configured to humidify gas passing through or over the wick at ambient conditions. The device may be modular and attachable to a flow generator. The device may comprise dual gas circuits and a control system for controlling the gas flow through the gas circuits in order to control the humidity of the gas output.

A patient interface includes a plenum chamber, a seal-forming structure, and a positioning and stabilising structure to provide a force to hold the seal-forming structure in a therapeutically effective position on a patient's head. The positioning and stabilizing structure includes a superior strap portion, an inferior strap portion, and a posterior connecting strap portion connected to or formed integrally with the superior strap portion and the inferior strap portion. The posterior connecting strap portion is constructed from a mesh material that is different than the material used to construct the superior strap portion and the inferior strap portion. The posterior connecting strap portion has a greater stretch capability than the superior strap portion and a lesser stretch capability than the inferior strap portion. The stretch capabilities allow the positioning and stabilizing structure to be removable from the patient's head when the loop engages the connection portion.

A neck strap, a crown strap assembly and a headgear for a breathing mask. The neck strap for a headgear includes a one-piece main body adapted to engage a patient's neck, first and second lower connection portions adapted to connect to first and second lower mask connection straps, and first and second upper connection portions adapted to connect to respective first and second lateral crown straps.

A system for preventing cross-contamination in single-limb ventilators is described. In one embodiment, the system includes an airflow generator connected in-line to a humidifier, a first check valve and a patient interface by a gas flow circuit. A controller is electrically coupled to the airflow generator, and a cartridge is connected to the gas flow circuit between a first point downstream of the humidifier and a second point upstream of the patient interface. The cartridge includes a bacteria filter and the first check valve. A method for preventing cross-contamination in single-limb ventilators and a method for providing gaseous flow through a single-limb ventilator are also described.