The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing condensation in a respiratory circuit during a delivery of humidifying agent into the respiratory circuit. A first amount of humidification agent to a first volume of gas is delivered to a patient respiratory circuit during a patient inhalation cycle or immediately after a patient exhalation cycle, and the humidification agent or the first volume of gas is heated. Condensation is removed from the respiratory circuit at least in part by providing, during a patient exhalation cycle or immediately after a patient inhalation cycle, a second amount of the humidification agent to a second volume of gas being delivered from the gas source to the patient respiratory circuit, the second amount of the humidification agent being significantly less than the first amount of the humidification agent.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing condensation in a respiratory circuit during a delivery of humidifying agent into the respiratory circuit. A first amount of humidification agent to a first volume of gas is delivered to a patient respiratory circuit during a patient inhalation cycle or immediately after a patient exhalation cycle, and the humidification agent or the first volume of gas is heated. Condensation is removed from the respiratory circuit at least in part by providing, during a patient exhalation cycle or immediately after a patient inhalation cycle, a second amount of the humidification agent to a second volume of gas being delivered from the gas source to the patient respiratory circuit, the second amount of the humidification agent being significantly less than the first amount of the humidification agent.

A device for targeted delivery of a substance to an airway may include a conduit and at least two applicators. The conduit may include a proximal end and a bifurcated distal portion having two distal ends. Each applicator may be coupled with one of the distill ends of the conduit and may be configured to direct the substance out of the applicator toward one of two sides of an airway. A method for targeted delivery of a substance to an airway may involve advancing a substance delivery device into the airway, contacting two sides of the airway with at least two applicators of the substance delivery device, such that each applicator contacts the airway near a glossopharyngeal nerve and/or a superior laryngeal nerve on each of the two sides of the airway, and delivering the substance through the applicators to contact the airway along the two sides.

Dispensing systems for a ventilator circuit having a ventilator flow circuit with a normal inhalation flow path with a heat and moisture exchanger (HME), a flow sensor in communication with the ventilator circuit, an automated drug dispensing system with an actuator and a pressurized canister residing upstream of the HME, a bypass inhalation flow path residing downstream of the pressurized canister, and at least one electromechanical valve residing in the inhalation flow path to selectively open the valve which can be normally closed to define a closed bypass path. At least one controller opens the at least one electromechanical valve to open the bypass inhalation flow path and close the normal inhalation flow path through the HME only when the flow sensor indicates air flow is in an inhalation direction. Once the valve is open, the actuator dispenses medication through the bypass inhalation flow path to the patient.

A system and method for performing a bronchoscopy. The system may include a bronchoscope, a multi-fluid conduit apparatus, and a switching apparatus. The bronchoscope may include an insertion tube having a distal end, a control section, and a working channel. The multi-fluid conduit apparatus may include a first conduit section operably coupled to a vacuum source, a second conduit section operably coupled to an oxygen source, and a third conduit section operably coupled to the working channel, each of the first and second conduit sections being fluidly coupled to the third conduit section. The switching apparatus may include a valve apparatus operably coupled to each of the first and second conduit sections and an actuator apparatus operably coupled to the valve apparatus. The actuator apparatus may alter the valve apparatus between: (1) a suction supply state; and (2) an oxygen supply state.

A system and method for performing a bronchoscopy. The system may include a bronchoscope, a multi-fluid conduit apparatus, and a switching apparatus. The bronchoscope may include an insertion tube having a distal end, a control section, and a working channel. The multi-fluid conduit apparatus may include a first conduit section operably coupled to a vacuum source, a second conduit section operably coupled to an oxygen source, and a third conduit section operably coupled to the working channel, each of the first and second conduit sections being fluidly coupled to the third conduit section. The switching apparatus may include a valve apparatus operably coupled to each of the first and second conduit sections and an actuator apparatus operably coupled to the valve apparatus. The actuator apparatus may alter the valve apparatus between: (1) a suction supply state; and (2) an oxygen supply state.

Provided is an exacerbation prediction device equipped with a respiration sensing means of continuously sensing respiration data of a patient, a calculation means of calculating stable respiration data that are respiration data during a condition in which a respiratory rate is lowered and stable for a certain period of time from the sensed continuous respiration data of the patient, and a prediction means of predicting occurrence of an acute exacerbation in the patient in accordance with the stable respiration data calculated during a certain period of time.

Disclosed are an apparatus, system, a kit and a method for delivering supplemental oxygen together with an aromatherapy active. The system comprises one or more oxygen containers for delivering of supplemental oxygen comprising between 35 and 40 percent oxygen—to a user. The system comprise one or more selectable aromatherapy pods, which may be incorporated into the supplemental oxygen delivery system to increase user satisfaction and promote the frequent use of the supplemental oxygen therapy to improve athletic performance.

Disclosed are an apparatus, system, a kit and a method for delivering supplemental oxygen together with an aromatherapy active. The system comprises one or more oxygen containers for delivering of supplemental oxygen comprising between 35 and 40 percent oxygen—to a user. The system comprise one or more selectable aromatherapy pods, which may be incorporated into the supplemental oxygen delivery system to increase user satisfaction and promote the frequent use of the supplemental oxygen therapy to improve athletic performance.

A lung isolation tube assembly comprising a control valve that is adapted to be moved between a left lumen position, a right lumen position, and a both lumens position, a connector that is in fluid communication with the control valve and having a port, and a tube that is in fluid communication with the connector. The tube comprises a left lumen that is in fluid communication with the connector and a right lumen that is in fluid communication with the connector. The assembly also comprises a first cuff that is disposed around a portion of the right lumen and the left lumen and a second cuff that is disposed around the left lumen. The assembly is adapted to convey airflow or oxygen to a human lung via at least one of the left lumen and the right lumen. A method for isolating a human lung.