A method of removing exhaled material from a medical procedure field adjacent to a subject's nose and mouth. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of placing an isolation barrier at least partially surrounding the subject's nose and mouth to define the medical procedure field; controlling air flow into the medical procedure field with the isolation barrier; and evacuating air from the medical procedure field at an air evacuation rate greater than or equal to the subject's respiratory minute volume. The invention also provides a system for creating an isolated medical procedure field around a subject's nose and mouth.

A device including a mask configured to be placed over a nose and a mouth of a person, and a guide formed monolithically to the mask and extending distally therefrom. The mask is formed with an aperture extending into the guide as a passageway within the guide. The mask terminates distally at a lip, wherein the aperture is formed in the mask in front of the lip. The mask and the guide are formed by a common sidewall extending continuously from a proximal end of the device to a distal end of the device located behind the lip of the mask. The guide extends entirely from the mask to the distal end.

A device including a mask configured to be placed over a nose and a mouth of a person, and a guide formed monolithically to the mask and extending distally therefrom. The mask is formed with an aperture extending into the guide as a passageway within the guide. The mask terminates distally at a lip, wherein the aperture is formed in the mask in front of the lip. The mask and the guide are formed by a common sidewall extending continuously from a proximal end of the device to a distal end of the device located behind the lip of the mask. The guide extends entirely from the mask to the distal end.

A device includes a bite block and a guide formed monolithically thereto and extending distally therefrom. The bite block includes a retention structure at a proximal end of the device and a stub. The stub extends behind the retention structure and has a bite area which is sized to closely receive a mouth. The bite block and guide are formed by a common sidewall, extending continuously from a proximal end, at the retention structure, to an opposed distal end of the device.

A device includes a bite block and a guide formed monolithically thereto and extending distally therefrom. The bite block includes a retention structure at a proximal end of the device and a stub. The stub extends behind the retention structure and has a bite area which is sized to closely receive a mouth. The bite block and guide are formed by a common sidewall, extending continuously from a proximal end, at the retention structure, to an opposed distal end of the device.

A nasal airway pressure monitoring system and method for use with neonatal patients is provided. The nasal airway pressure monitoring system has a nasal catheter, a pressure monitor, and a respiratory circuit supplying a respiratory gas. The nasal catheter is connected at a first end to the pressure monitor via a sample line and the second end of the nasal catheter is positioned in a nares. Upon delivery of gas flow through the patient respiratory circuit, the nasal catheter transmits pressure waveform data from the nasal airway to the pressure monitor. The pressure monitor processes the pressure waveform data. If the mean airway pressure is outside of a pre-set range of maximum and minimum limits, an alarm is triggered.

A nasal airway pressure monitoring system and method for use with neonatal patients is provided. The nasal airway pressure monitoring system has a nasal catheter, a pressure monitor, and a respiratory circuit supplying a respiratory gas. The nasal catheter is connected at a first end to the pressure monitor via a sample line and the second end of the nasal catheter is positioned in a nares. Upon delivery of gas flow through the patient respiratory circuit, the nasal catheter transmits pressure waveform data from the nasal airway to the pressure monitor. The pressure monitor processes the pressure waveform data. If the mean airway pressure is outside of a pre-set range of maximum and minimum limits, an alarm is triggered.

Systems and methods for non-invasive ventilation are provided. The systems may include a gas source that provides breathing gases to a patient through one or more of a primary flow path (PFP) and a flushing flow path (FFP). The system may include a control assembly configured to open and restrict gas flow through the PFP. When the PFP is open, a significant portion of the gas flows through the PFP while the remaining gas flows through the FFP. When the PFP is restricted, a significant portion of the gas flows through the FFP. Increased flow through the FFP may have a high velocity (especially relative to the flow through the PFP). Gas delivered through the FFP may be used to flush dead space. One or both flow paths may contribute to inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP), expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), and/or positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).

Systems and methods for non-invasive ventilation are provided. The systems may include a gas source that provides breathing gases to a patient through one or more of a primary flow path (PFP) and a flushing flow path (FFP). The system may include a control assembly configured to open and restrict gas flow through the PFP. When the PFP is open, a significant portion of the gas flows through the PFP while the remaining gas flows through the FFP. When the PFP is restricted, a significant portion of the gas flows through the FFP. Increased flow through the FFP may have a high velocity (especially relative to the flow through the PFP). Gas delivered through the FFP may be used to flush dead space. One or both flow paths may contribute to inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP), expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), and/or positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).

Systems, methods, and devices for securing a driveline to a portion of skin are disclosed herein. The driveline can connect an external controller to an implantable blood pump. The skin anchor can include a driveline capture portion. The driveline capture portion can receive the driveline and fix a position of the driveline with respect to the driveline capture portion. The driveline capture portion includes: a driveline receiver that can receive the driveline; and a driveline anchor that can engage the driveline to fix the position of the driveline with respect to the driveline receiver. The skin anchor can include a force distribution portion. The force distribution portion can engage a portion of skin and fix a position of the portion of skin with respect to the force distribution portion.