A distension/compression device for assisting breathing in a subject according to one embodiment includes a first tube having a flexible and elastic material that forms a first tube lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tube. Longitudinal expansion of the first tube is restricted less than radial expansion of the first tube. A connection element including a first air supply port is in fluid communication with an open proximal end of the first tube lumen and attached to a proximal end of the first tube. A method for assisting breathing of a patient and a method for assisting the clearing of secretions is also included.

The present invention relates to a system and method for pulse cycle pressure modulation and negative pressure therapy in a cardio synchronous manner to improve distal limb blood flow applying negative or variable pressure to a portion of the body. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for the application of a sequential and gradient pulse wave for treating wounds that are difficult to heal or livelihood limiting claudication and/or ischemic rest pain. An integral part of the present invention includes methods to determine blood flow and effects of treatments on tissue.

A method includes disposing a plurality of actuators about a subject, each actuator being configured to generate a respective vibration signal, each vibration signal applying a normal force to the subject, and controlling the plurality of actuators such that the respective vibration signal of each actuator of the plurality has a respective vibration characteristic. Each actuator is oriented such that the respective vibration signal propagates along a longitudinal axis of the subject for stimulation of the subject remote from the plurality of actuators.

Described herein are various embodiments of systems and devices operable to detect individual oxygen delivery events at a user body region which are associated with external oxygen boluses administered to a user. Such devices and system may be useful, for example, in assessing the efficacy of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or intubation.

A distension/compression device for assisting breathing in a subject is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first tube includes a flexible and elastic material that forms a first tube lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tube. Longitudinal expansion of the first tube is restricted less than radial expansion of the first tube. A connection element including a first air supply port is in fluid communication with an open proximal end of the first tube lumen and attached to a proximal end of the first tube. A method for assisting breathing of a patient and a method for assisting the clearing of secretions is also included.

A method includes disposing a plurality of actuators about a subject, each actuator being configured to generate a respective vibration signal, each vibration signal applying a normal force to the subject, and controlling the plurality of actuators such that the respective vibration signal of each actuator of the plurality has a respective vibration characteristic. Each actuator is oriented such that the respective vibration signal propagates along a longitudinal axis of the subject for stimulation of the subject remote from the plurality of actuators.

The present invention relates to an automated stimulation device for inducing a tactile inter-stimulus onset asynchrony (ISOA) effect in a subject suffering from apnea, bradycardia and/or hypoxia, the device comprising at least two actuators configured for contacting a body portion of the subject, and interspaced for producing an apparent tactile movement in the subject upon sequential induction of actuation, wherein the duration of the actuations and the overlap in actuation time between the at least two actuators is controlled to attain an inter stimulus onset asynchrony (ISOA).

A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device for performing automatic defibrillation and chest compressions on a patient and method for using same. The CPR device having a balloon configured to inflate/deflate, a belt configured to securely strap around a chest of a patient, a pair of electrode pads configured to deliver shock energy from a shock source, and, optionally, a pulse oximeter sensor. The CPR device is in electrical communication with a CPR defibrillator/ECG computer system that is configured to control the CPR device.

A device includes a first vibrational transducer and a second vibrational transducer. The first vibrational transducer has a first vibrating property. The second vibrotactile stimulator has a second vibrating property different than the first vibrating property. A collar may be configured to position the first vibrational transducer and the second vibrational transducer over a neck of a subject. A method for stimulating swallowing in a subject includes applying a first vibrotactile stimulation and applying a second vibrotactile stimulation to a throat area of the subject. The first vibrotactile stimulation has a first vibrating property and the second vibrotactile stimulation has a second vibrating property different than the first vibrating property. Example vibrating properties include vibrating frequency, vibrating frequency range, wave shape, continuousness, frequency phase, and direction of mechanical force.

A concentration measurement apparatus measures a temporal relative change amount (ΔcHb, ΔO.sub.2Hb) of either or both of total hemoglobin concentration and oxygenated hemoglobin concentration in the head that vary due to repetition of chest compression, and includes a light incidence section making measurement light incident on the head, a light detection section detecting the measurement light propagated through the interior of the head and generating a detection signal in accordance with the intensity of the measurement light, and a CPU determining, based on the detection signal, the relative change amount (ΔcHb, ΔO.sub.2Hb) and performing a filtering process of removing frequency components less than a predetermined frequency from frequency components contained in the relative change amount (ΔcHb, ΔO.sub.2Hb).