One or more sensors are configured for detection of characteristics of moving objects and living subjects for human identification or authentication. One or more processors, such as in a system of sensors or that control a sensor, may be configured to process signals from the one or more sensors to identify a person. The processing may include evaluating features from the signals such as breathing rate, respiration depth, degree of movement and heart rate etc. The sensors may be radio frequency non-contact sensors with automated detection control to change detection control parameters based on the identification of living beings, such as to avoid sensor interference.

A portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound, including a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject and a subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing having a control unit adapted to draw a vacuum and a canister associated with the housing. The canister has a collection bag disposed therein, which is in fluid communication with the wound dressing to receive exudates from the wound bed. The collection bag is adapted to expand upon receipt of the fluids and has means to release gas from within the collection bag in connection with operation of the control unit. With this arrangement, the canister is attitude independent, i.e., the canister may be positioned on edge, on its side or on its end etc. while still maintaining operation of the control unit. The collection bag may include a hydrophobic vent or material for releasing the gases. In another embodiment, the collection bag comprises a gas permeable material. The collection bag may include one of pleats or bellows.

A cartridge includes an atomizer assembly, a reservoir, and a mouthpiece. The atomizer assembly may heat a vaporizable material to generate an inhalable vapor. The reservoir may store the vaporizable material and include a wick housing and a reservoir body. The wick housing may surround at least a portion of the atomizer assembly and form a proximal wall of the reservoir. The reservoir body may be coupled to the wick housing and form a distal wall of the reservoir. The mouthpiece may deliver the inhalable vapor.

A breathing assistance unit for providing pressurized heated humidified air to a user increases user compliance. The breathing assistance unit generates positive emotional and cognitive states of a user about the therapy.

Methods and apparatus treat a respiratory disorder. For example, a pressure generator supplies a flow of air at positive pressure to a patient's airway through a patient interface. A sensor generates a signal representing respiratory flow rate of the patient. A controller controls the pressure generator to provide to the patient interface a ventilation therapy having a base pressure. The controller computes a measure of ventilation of the patient from the signal. The controller computes a measure of flow limitation from an inspiratory portion of the signal. The controller computes a ratio of the measure of ventilation and an expected normal ventilation. The controller adjusts a set point for the base pressure of the ventilation therapy based on the measure of flow limitation. The adjustment may further depend on a comparison between the ratio and a relative ventilation threshold that increases as the measure of flow limitation increases.

A therapy device that includes an air conduit that is configured both to secure the patient interface to the patient as well as provide pressurised air to the patient. The positioning and stabilising structure of the patient interface may include magnets that assist in positioning the positioning and stabilising structure and also assist in positioning the air conduit of the positioning and stabilising structure to interact with the mask assembly.

Systems and methods for reduced pressure tissue treatments, including a multi-orientation canister. The canister includes an inlet for receiving fluids from a tissue site, and a main chamber in fluid communication with the inlet for receiving fluids from the inlet. The canister includes a filter chamber separated from the main chamber by one or more filter chamber walls. The one or more filter chamber walls includes a primary hole having a first diameter and a secondary hole having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The primary hole provides a first path of fluid communication between the filter chamber and the main chamber. The canister includes an outlet for providing fluid communication between the filter chamber and a reduced pressure source.

Self-righting articles, such as self-righting capsules for administration to a subject, are generally provided. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may be configured such that the article may orient itself relative to a surface (e.g., a surface of a tissue of a subject). The self-righting articles described herein may comprise one or more tissue engaging surfaces configured to engage (e.g., interface with, inject into, anchor) with a surface (e.g., a surface of a tissue of a subject). In some embodiments, the self-righting article may have a particular shape and/or distribution of density (or mass) which, for example, enables the self-righting behavior of the article. In some embodiments, the self-righting article may comprise a tissue interfacing component and/or a pharmaceutical agent (e.g., for delivery of the active pharmaceutical agent to a location internal of the subject). In some cases, upon contact of the tissue with the tissue engaging surface of the article, the self-righting article may be configured to release one or more tissue interfacing components. In some cases, the tissue interfacing component is associated with a self-actuating component. For example, the self-righting article may comprise a self-actuating component configured, upon exposure to a fluid, to release the tissue interfacing component from the self-righting article. In some cases, the tissue interfacing component may comprise and/or be associated with the pharmaceutical agent (e.g., for delivery to a location internal to a subject).

A cartridge is inserted onto a nebulizer that aerosolizes (or vaporizes) liquid drawn from a cartridge reservoir via a flow path into a nebulization chamber. In such a nebulizer, an inlet port is coupled to an external air supply and leads through a Venturi nozzle into the chamber to direct an air stream across an opening of the flow path, while a discharge port leads from the chamber to a user mask, mouthpiece or cannula, where the aerosol or vapor mixture can be inhaled. A filtered outlet port isolates exhaled material from the external environment. Multiple discrete heating elements may be placed around the flow path to preheat the liquid. If the liquid is sufficiently volatile, heating may vaporize the material which can condense back into an aerosol after mixing with the air stream. A set of check valves direct one-way flow and prevent leakage or spillage of material from the cartridge or nebulizer. The cartridge and nebulizer can receive coded information for third-party activation by an authorized establishment.

A portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound, including a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject and a subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing having a control unit adapted to draw a vacuum and a canister associated with the housing. The canister has a collection bag disposed therein, which is in fluid communication with the wound dressing to receive exudates from the wound bed. The collection bag is adapted to expand upon receipt of the fluids and has means to release gas from within the collection bag in connection with operation of the control unit. With this arrangement, the canister is attitude independent, i.e., the canister may be positioned on edge, on its side or on its end etc. while still maintaining operation of the control unit. The collection bag may include a hydrophobic vent or material for releasing the gases. In another embodiment, the collection bag comprises a gas permeable material. The collection bag may include one of pleats or bellows.