A method is provided that includes intranasally dispensing nasal wash fluid into a nasal cavity of a subject such that the nasal wash fluid washes biological material into an oropharynx of the subject from (a) the nasal cavity, (b) a nasopharynx of the subject, or (c) the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx. The method further includes, thereafter, collecting a specimen sample that passed out of an anterior opening of an oral cavity of the subject and contains at least a portion of the biological material washed into the oropharynx by the nasal wash fluid. Thereafter, information is derived from extracellular vesicles present in the specimen sample. Other embodiments are also described.

A method is provided that includes intranasally dispensing nasal wash fluid into a nasal cavity of a subject such that the nasal wash fluid washes biological material into an oropharynx of the subject from (a) the nasal cavity, (b) a nasopharynx of the subject, or (c) the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx. The method further includes, thereafter, collecting a specimen sample that passed out of an anterior opening of an oral cavity of the subject and contains at least a portion of the biological material washed into the oropharynx by the nasal wash fluid. Thereafter, information is derived from extracellular vesicles present in the specimen sample. Other embodiments are also described.

A patient interface comprises a cushion assembly including a textile membrane. The textile membrane includes an air impermeable silicone layer applied to a textile material. The textile material comprises 1) nylon and/or polyester, and 2) elastane. A yarn count of the nylon and/or polyester is in a range of 20-80 denier, and the textile material has stretchability in both a direction of the wales and a direction of the course.

A patient interface comprises a cushion assembly including a textile membrane. The textile membrane includes an air impermeable silicone layer applied to a textile material. The textile material comprises 1) nylon and/or polyester, and 2) elastane. A yarn count of the nylon and/or polyester is in a range of 20-80 denier, and the textile material has stretchability in both a direction of the wales and a direction of the course.

A method of removing embolic material from a vessel with mechanical and aspiration assistance. The method comprises the steps of providing an aspiration catheter having a central lumen and a distal end, advancing the distal end of the aspiration catheter to obstructive material in a vessel, applying vacuum to the central lumen to draw clot into the central lumen, introducing a thrombus engagement tool into the central lumen, and manually manipulating the tip to engage clot between the tip and an inside wall of the central lumen.

A gas supply apparatus includes: a gas supply conduit for supplying a gas to a digestive tract; a pressure detecting device which detects a pressure in the digestive tract; a flow regulating device which regulates a gas amount supplied from the gas supply source to the digestive tract via the gas supply conduit; a first control device which controls the flow regulating device according to a result detected by the pressure detecting device to supply the gas into the digestive tract so that the pressure inside the digestive tract becomes a set pressure; a second control device which controls the flow regulating device to supply a fixed gas amount into the digestive tract; and a gas supply mode switching device which switches between gas supply modes including a mode for executing control by the first control device and a mode for executing control by the second control device.

A gas supply apparatus includes: a gas supply conduit for supplying a gas to a digestive tract; a pressure detecting device which detects a pressure in the digestive tract; a flow regulating device which regulates a gas amount supplied from the gas supply source to the digestive tract via the gas supply conduit; a first control device which controls the flow regulating device according to a result detected by the pressure detecting device to supply the gas into the digestive tract so that the pressure inside the digestive tract becomes a set pressure; a second control device which controls the flow regulating device to supply a fixed gas amount into the digestive tract; and a gas supply mode switching device which switches between gas supply modes including a mode for executing control by the first control device and a mode for executing control by the second control device.

This disclosure includes a method for treating a patient suffering from alcohol withdrawal. The method comprises administering an effective amount of oxygen to the patient and administering an effective amount of nitrous oxide to the patient. In some embodiments, the effective amount of oxygen and the effective amount of nitrous oxide are administered to the patient via a nitrous oxide sedation system.

This disclosure includes a method for treating a patient suffering from alcohol withdrawal. The method comprises administering an effective amount of oxygen to the patient and administering an effective amount of nitrous oxide to the patient. In some embodiments, the effective amount of oxygen and the effective amount of nitrous oxide are administered to the patient via a nitrous oxide sedation system.

A negative pressure (i.e., vacuum or suction) wound healing device and system incorporating the device. The device of the present disclosure is smaller, lighter, portable, and overall more managable by both the user and the medical personnel than the conventional systems. The device could be readily worn by the user.