A method includes forming an antimicrobial blend including an antimicrobial additive combined with a polymer, and forming a medical device with the antimicrobial blend, wherein a surface of the medical device exhibits antimicrobial properties.

An air conduit for a respiratory therapy device comprises a first end, a second end, and a tube portion, wherein the tube portion comprises a tube wall and an auxiliary structure, such as a rib. The air conduit may deliver a flow of air from a respiratory therapy device or a humidifier to a patient interface. The air conduit may comprise a plurality of auxiliary structures, some of which may consist of a polymeric material, and some of which may comprise a polymeric material and an electrical conductor. An auxiliary structure may be a helical rib extending across a length of the tube portion.

The invention relates to a patient interface comprising a plenum chamber, a seal-forming structure, and a positioning and stabilizing structure, as well as the method of operating the patient interface. The patient's interface is configured to leave a patient's mouth uncovered or if the seal-forming structure is configured to seal around a patient's nose and mouth, the patient interface is configured to allow the patient to breath from the ambient in an absence of the flow of pressurized. The positioning and stabilizing structure includes headgear, and the seal-forming structure and at least a portion of the headgear is formed from a one piece construction of textile material. In another embodiment, the seal-forming structure and/or the positioning and stabilizing structure includes an adaptive portion that adjusts based on usage conditions. In another embodiment, the positioning and stabilizing structure, the seal-forming structure and/or the plenum chamber includes and/or is formed of a textile material, and the textile material includes at least one magnetic thread constructed of magnetic material to provide a magnetic interaction between a first part of the patient interface and a second part of the patient interface. In another embodiment, a stiffener is coupled to the plenum chamber, the seal-forming structure, and/or the positioning and stabilizing structure. In another embodiment, at least one of the plenum chamber and the seal-forming structure includes a textile material; and wherein the textile material includes a surface structure that limits adhesion of debris. A UV cleaning receptacle of the patient interface is also disclosed.

A face mask including a mask assembly and a hole punch assembly is disclosed. The mask assembly includes a face mask which includes a mouth portion and a nose portion. Additionally, the face mask is made of a transparent material allowing other individuals to identify the user wearing the mask. Furthermore, the face mask includes two embodiments of strap attachments. In one embodiment a single strap is used to secure the face mask to a user's head. In another embodiment, two strap loops are used to secure the face mask to a user's ears. The hole punch assembly includes a hole punch rod that is used to create openings on the face mask. The hole punch rod is used to create openings on the mouth portion and nose portion of the face mask. A medical professional may utilize these openings to collect samples from a patient wearing the mask.

The present invention provides a breathing assistance apparatus that has a convenient and effective method of cleaning internal conduits inside the apparatus. The breathing assistance apparatus is preferably a gases supply and humidification device. The cleaning method is a method of disinfection that is automated so minimal training is required to disinfect in particular an internal elbow conduit within the device. It is therefore not necessary to dismantle the gases supply and humidification device, therefore, inadvertent damage to the internal parts of the device is avoided. The present invention also provides a method of disinfecting a heated breathing conduit and a patient interface.

Devices for delivering a controlled concentration of an agent are provided. The device includes a reservoir for the agent and a flow control portion operably connected to the reservoir. The device also includes a valve for releasing the agent from the flow control portion and a pump for flowing air to mix with the agent released by the valve and for flowing the agent and air mixture out of the device. Methods of delivering a vaporized agent to a subject are also provided. The methods include storing a liquid agent in a reservoir of a device and flowing the agent into a flow control chamber to change the agent to a gas. The methods also include mixing the agent in gas form with air and flowing the agent and air mixture out of the device to be delivered to a subject.

A nasal respiratory apparatus comprising a compressible nasal dam is removably engaged with an air chamber to provide respiratory gas to a patient. The air chamber has a gas connection port, at least one nasal conduit, a nasal end tidal sample port, wherein the gas connection port is configured to receive an externally supplied gas via a gas supply tube and wherein the at least one nasal conduit in fluid communication with the gas connection port. The nasal dam has a least one nares port corresponding to the at least one nasal conduit of the air chamber, the nares port extending from an upper external surface of the nasal dam to a lower external surface of the nasal dam such that the upper external surface of the nasal dam interfaces with soft tissue of a patients nasal base to provide a substantial seal around the patients nasal base to facilitate respiratory gas supply to the patient.

Systems and methods are provided for portable and compact nitric oxide (NO) generation that can be embedded into other therapeutic devices or used alone. In some embodiments, an ambulatory NO generation system can be comprised of a controller and disposable cartridge. The cartridge can contain filters and scavengers for preparing the gas used for NO generation and for scrubbing output gases prior to patient inhalation. The system can utilize an oxygen concentrator to increase nitric oxide production and compliment oxygen generator activity as an independent device. The system can also include a high voltage electrode assembly that is easily assembled and installed. Various nitric oxide delivery methods are provided, including the use of a nasal cannula.

A patient interface device includes a frame having a central portion with a patient facing side, an opposite outward facing side, a first plurality of magnetic elements secured on or in the patient facing side, and a first aperture defined therethrough. The first aperture having a first portion extending from the outward facing side toward the patient facing side which is structured to be coupled to a delivery conduit and a patient side portion defined by a wall which extends outward from the patient facing side forming a hub. The device further includes a cushion having a patient contacting side which is structured to sealingly engage about an orifice or orifices of a patient, an opposite frame contacting side including a second aperture defined therein which is sized and configured to engage about the hub, and a second plurality of magnetic elements for magnetically coupling the cushion to the frame.

A CPAP system for supplying humidified gases to a user is disclosed in which various interfaces are described for gas delivery. A mask cushion including a deformable cushion and thin sheath is described.