The present invention relates to novel lip/cheek probes for detection of pulse-based differences in light absorbence across the vascularized tissue of a lip or cheek of a patient. These probes are fabricated to provide signals to estimate arterial oxygen saturation, and/or to obtain other photoplethysmographic data. The present invention also relates to a combined probe/cannula. The present invention also relates to other devices that combine a pulse oximeter probe with a device supplying oxygen or other oxygen-containing gas to a person in need thereof, and to sampling means for exhaled carbon dioxide in combination with the novel lip/cheek probes. In certain embodiments, an additional limitation of a control means to adjust the flow rate of such gas is provided, where such control is directed by the blood oxygen saturation data obtained from the pulse oximeter probe.

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for resuscitation of an infant which maintains healthy blood oxygen saturation values in the infant by titration of supplemental oxygen concentrations.

A device is provided for cooling intra nasally the brain of a patient, in particular of a patient suffering from cardiovascular emergency. The device comprises a pressurized gas container for containing a gas or a mixture of gases, and at least one cannula with a lumen, a proximal opening and at least one distal opening. The cannula is for introduction into the patient's nasopharynx. Upon operation, gas expands adiabatically upon exiting from the at least one cannula, thereby cools and provides a coolant effect on the nasopharynx and inside the nasal cavity.

An apparatus for metering the delivery of a fluid. The apparatus has a variable acoustic source and a microphone, both acoustically coupled to a volume having a fluid region and an air region. The apparatus may also include a processor to determine a volume of the air region based on signals received from the microphone and the variable acoustic source. A fluid valve is coupled to the processor, and is configured to allow an amount of fluid to exit the fluid region associated with the volume of the air region.

A container for storing oxygen under pressure is disclosed that includes a chamber adapted to be worn around a user's waist and adapted for supplying oxygen to the user; the chamber defining a volume to contain oxygen under pressure; wherein the chamber is defined by a central portion extending between opposite side portions; wherein each of the opposite side portions has a height greater than a maximum height of the central portion that further defines a void between the side portions and above the central portion; and wherein the chamber is further defined by an exterior surface of the chamber adjacent the user.

This invention relates to, among other embodiments, methods and apparatus/systems for controlling gases delivery to a patient, such as via a patient interface. Such methods comprising receiving an input relating to either a patient's breathing phase and/or another patient parameter, controlling a flow of gases to be delivered to the patient and the inclusion in said flow of gases of a supplementary gas, wherein the amount of supplementary gas provided to the patient is substantially synchronized with respect to the patient's breathing phase and/or another patient parameter.

An apparatus for metering the delivery of an aerosol. The apparatus has a variable acoustic source and a microphone, both acoustically coupled to a volume having a fluid region and an air region. The apparatus may also include a processor to determine a volume of the air region based on signals received from the microphone and the variable acoustic source. A fluid valve is coupled to the processor, and is configured to allow an amount of fluid to exit the fluid region associated with the volume of the air region. An atomizer, coupled to the fluid region, is configured to aerosolize at least a portion of the fluid.

A method to deliver medication. The apparatus has an acoustic volume sensor that acoustically excites a reference volume and variable-volume chamber with an acoustic source and measures the acoustic response with microphones acoustically coupled to the reference and the variable-volume chamber. A disposable drug cassette is coupled to the acoustic volume sensor and includes a drug reservoir and valve. The method includes receiving a volume signal and inputs from a user input or a second sensor and controlling the valve based on these inputs.

A method for metering the delivery of a fluid. The apparatus has a variable acoustic source and a microphone, both acoustically coupled to a volume having a fluid region and an air region. The apparatus may also include a processor to determine a volume of the air region based on signals received from the microphone and the variable acoustic source. A fluid valve is coupled to the processor, and is configured to allow an amount of fluid to exit the fluid region associated with the volume of the air region.

A system for reducing airway obstructions of a patient may include a ventilator, a control unit, a gas delivery circuit with a proximal end in fluid communication with the ventilator and a distal end in fluid communication with a nasal interface, and a nasal interface. The nasal interface may include at least one jet nozzle, and at least one spontaneous respiration sensor in communication with the control unit for detecting a respiration effort pattern and a need for supporting airway patency. The system may be open to ambient. The control unit may determine more than one gas output velocities. The more than one gas output velocities may be synchronized with different parts of a spontaneous breath effort cycle, and a gas output velocity may be determined by a need for supporting airway patency.