A supply arrangement (100) and a process supply a medical device (50, 90) with a supply gas mixture. The supply gas mixture includes a carrier gas and an anesthetic and is generated by an anesthetic dispenser (3). A carrier gas mixing unit (9) generates the carrier gas from at least two carrier gas components. A carrier gas switch having a regular outlet and a discharge outlet selectively directs carrier gas components to the carrier gas mixing unit or to a discharge line (35). A gas mixture switch (6), having a regular outlet (41) and a discharge outlet (42) selectively directs the supply gas mixture to the medical device or to the discharge line (35). An anesthetic concentration sensor (5.1, 5.2) measures a concentration of anesthetic in the generated gas mixture. A control unit (2) controls the gas mixture switch based on measured concentration within or outside a predefined range.

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.

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.

The principles and embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for safely providing NO to a recipient for inhalation therapy. There are many potential safety issues that may arise from using a reactor cartridge that converts NO.sub.2 to NO, including exhaustion of consumable reactants of the cartridge reactor. Accordingly, various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods of determining the remaining useful life of a NO.sub.2-to-NO reactor cartridge and/or a breakthrough of NO.sub.2, and providing an indication of the remaining useful life and/or breakthrough.

The invention comprises an indwelling medical device which is capable of delivering a therapeutic agent evenly along the length of the indwelling portion, including the outer wall, of the device.

Examples of a module for housing unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment for use during surgery. The module can include a lower section and a tower-like upper section. The lower section can house unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment. The tower-like upper section can be located on top of the lower section. A water-resistant cowling can enclose at least a portion of the lower section and the tower-like upper section. A cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be protectively housed within the tower-like upper section. The cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be configured to emerge upward from a top of the tower-like upper section to substantially seat itself on the top of the tower-like upper section when activated allowing the ultraviolet-C light to disinfect the patient and staff-contacting upper surfaces of the equipment in the operating room.

Systems, methods and apparatuses for aerosolizing all or substantially all plant matter, medications, flavors, smells, liquid and/or other material to be aerosolizing are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention comprise an aerosolization chamber sealed except for two or more conduits, a first conduit coupled to a source of fully or almost fully oxygenated gas, a heating element capable of heating the aerosolization chamber to a temperature above a combustion temperature, a second conduit configured to transport aerosolized gases and elements out of the chamber and, in one implementation, at least one valve positioned in the second conduit preventing the flow of atmospheric air into the vaporization chamber. In some instances, the first gas substantially clears the vaporization chamber of atmospheric air prior to reaching combustion temperature. A second gas containing oxygen may be intermixed with the vaporization gases and vaporized elements proximal to the combustion chamber.

Systems, methods and apparatuses for aerosolizing all or substantially all plant matter, medications, flavors, smells, liquid and/or other material to be aerosolizing are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention comprise an aerosolization chamber sealed except for two or more conduits, a first conduit coupled to a source of fully or almost fully oxygenated gas, a heating element capable of heating the aerosolization chamber to a temperature above a combustion temperature, a second conduit configured to transport aerosolized gases and elements out of the chamber and, in one implementation, at least one valve positioned in the second conduit preventing the flow of atmospheric air into the vaporization chamber. In some instances, the first gas substantially clears the vaporization chamber of atmospheric air prior to reaching combustion temperature. A second gas containing oxygen may be intermixed with the vaporization gases and vaporized elements proximal to the combustion chamber.

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide in a gas stream derived from exhalation air from a patient. The apparatus (1) comprises an inlet arrangement (2) with a gas inlet (3) for the exhalation air, an outlet arrangement (11) with a gas outlet (12) for an outlet gas, and between these arrangements a through-flow decomposition chamber (9) containing a catalyst material. According to the invention the apparatus is provided with a nitrous oxide adsorption/desorption means (4) in the inlet arrangement (2) for level out variations in the concentration of nitrous oxide fed to the decomposition chamber (9).

A face engaging device such as a nozzle, facemask, etc., may include a housing including a fluid channel extending through the housing to an opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with the mouth of a user. The housing may include a first surface configured to be placed in contact with the skin of the user and a second surface exposed to the fluid channel. The face engaging device may also include a thermal actuator supported by the housing and including a first heat transfer surface position on the first surface, where the first heat transfer surface is configured to apply a thermal profile to the skin of the user when the opening is placed in fluid communication with the mouth of the user.