Methods and apparatus involve generation of an anti-infection therapy. The method/apparatus may include a controller controlling setting of a respiratory flow therapy device for the therapy. The controller may compute a target flow rate profile for a patient using a margin function, such that the target flow rate profile, according to the margin function, exceeds a minimum inspiratory flow rate profile of the patient's inspiration. The controller may control setting the respiratory flow therapy device to generate a flow of air to a patient interface according to the target flow rate profile, where the generation may be in synchrony with a sensed parameter that is indicative of a breathing cycle of the patient.

Methods and apparatus involve generation of an anti-infection therapy. The method/apparatus may include a controller controlling setting of a respiratory flow therapy device for the therapy. The controller may compute a target flow rate profile for a patient using a margin function, such that the target flow rate profile, according to the margin function, exceeds a minimum inspiratory flow rate profile of the patient's inspiration. The controller may control setting the respiratory flow therapy device to generate a flow of air to a patient interface according to the target flow rate profile, where the generation may be in synchrony with a sensed parameter that is indicative of a breathing cycle of the patient.

The invention is directed to the removal of serum gal-3 from circulation by plasmapheresis, comprising at least in part donor apheresis, using gal-3 binding agents in either a fixed bed, or in a form easily removed, such as by being complexed with magnetic particles. This method, on its own, brings a sharp reduction and relief from the inflammation and fibroses that can be induced by circulating gal-3. The process may be combined with the administration of gal-3 binding agents, such as modified citrus pectin, to further lower unbound gal-3 levels, to the point where gal-3 in the tissues may be addressed. This method may also be combined with removal of TNF receptors to provide an effective treatment for cancer.

The present invention is directed to a method for removing cytokines and/or pathogens from blood or blood serum (blood) by contacting the blood with a solid, essentially non microporous substrate which has been surface treated with heparin, heparan sulfate and/or other molecules or chemical groups (the adsorbent media or media) having a binding affinity for the cytokine or pathogen(s) to be removed (the adsorbates), and wherein the size of the interstitial channels within said media is balanced with the amount of media surface area and the surface concentration of binding sites on the media in order to provide adequate adsorptive capacity while also allowing relatively high flow rates of blood through the adsorbent media.

A negative pressure tissue treatment system useful for negative pressure therapy includes a drape, a gasket material, a reactor housing, a reactor, and any fluid connection(s). The drape covers the skin of a patient and maintains negative pressure under the drape. The gasket material cooperates with the drape to define an enclosed volume that is sealed by the gasket material. The reactor housing defines a closed chamber in fluid communication with the enclosed volume, and the re- actor is disposed in the reactor housing. The reactor consumes oxygen from a system volume defined by the enclosed volume, closed chamber, and/or any fluid connection(s). As a result of the oxygen consumption, the system volume is reduced to between about 95% to about 80% of the initial system volume.

A negative pressure tissue treatment system useful for negative pressure therapy includes a drape, a gasket material, a reactor housing, a reactor, and any fluid connection(s). The drape covers the skin of a patient and maintains negative pressure under the drape. The gasket material cooperates with the drape to define an enclosed volume that is sealed by the gasket material. The reactor housing defines a closed chamber in fluid communication with the enclosed volume, and the re- actor is disposed in the reactor housing. The reactor consumes oxygen from a system volume defined by the enclosed volume, closed chamber, and/or any fluid connection(s). As a result of the oxygen consumption, the system volume is reduced to between about 95% to about 80% of the initial system volume.

Provided is a filter apparatus, comprising two or more filter cartridges having a first end with an inlet and screen and a second end with an outlet and screen, and walls to contain a filter media held in a housing for holding the two or more filter cartridges in about the same orientation, and an attachment clamp connected to the housing. Also provided is a housing for holding two or more filter cartridges in about the same orientation and a method of using the filter apparatus and housing.

A cartridge comprising layers of adsorbent sheet is described. The cartridge includes an indicator that characterizes the consumption state of the adsorbent within the cartridge. The indicator is applied in a way such that discrete areas of indicator are visible. These discontinuous areas of indicator may be applied to the outside surface of the cartridge. Alternatively, the discontinuous areas may be formed by cutting windows in the outermost layer of the cartridge and either coating indicator on the layer beneath the window, placing an indicator layer between the window and the layer beneath it or filling the window with an indicating plug of material so that the indicator is visible from the outside of the cartridge. The indicator layer and indicator plug embodiments allow the use of any indicator with any adsorbent.

A cartridge comprising layers of adsorbent sheet is described. The cartridge includes an indicator that characterizes the consumption state of the adsorbent within the cartridge. The indicator is applied in a way such that discrete areas of indicator are visible. These discontinuous areas of indicator may be applied to the outside surface of the cartridge. Alternatively, the discontinuous areas may be formed by cutting windows in the outermost layer of the cartridge and either coating indicator on the layer beneath the window, placing an indicator layer between the window and the layer beneath it or filling the window with an indicating plug of material so that the indicator is visible from the outside of the cartridge. The indicator layer and indicator plug embodiments allow the use of any indicator with any adsorbent.

An inhalation device and a method for providing an inhalation device are described herein. An inhalation device includes a flat element having an open ring shape. The flat element has end parts and a gap provided between the end parts to configure the flat element to be held on a nose. The flat element has a horizontal plane disposed perpendicularly to a symmetry plane of the flat element. The flat element includes at least two layers. The first layer includes a substrate and a second layer includes at least one layer of a material impregnated with one or more volatile substances. The at least one layer of the material impregnated with the one or more volatile substances is fixed on the substrate.