Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080206364 | Topical nitric oxide as a treatment of autoimmune diseases - The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treatment of a patient affected with an autoimmune disorder, and in an embodiment, a skin-related autoimmune disorder. The treatment involves the application of gaseous nitric oxide to an affected patient, and in an embodiment, to the skin of an affected patient. | 08-28-2008 |
20080287861 | Device and method for treatment of wounds with nitric oxide - Topical exposure of nitric oxide gas to wounds such as chronic non-healing wounds may be beneficial in promoting healing of the wound and in preparing the wound bed for further treatment and recovery. Nitric oxide gas may be used, for example, to reduce the microbial infection and burden on these wounds, manage exudate secretion by reducing inflammation, upregulate expression of endogenous collagenase to locally debride the wound, and regulate the formation of collagen. High concentration of nitric oxide ranging from about 160 to 400 ppm may be used without inducing toxicity in the healthy cells around a wound site. Additionally, exposure to the high concentration for a first treatment period reduces the microbial burden and inflammation at the wound site and increase collagenase expression to debride necrotic tissue at the wound site. After a first treatment period with high concentration of nitric oxide, a second treatment period at a lower concentration of nitric oxide preferably ranging from about 5-20 ppm may to provided to restore the balance of nitric oxide and induce collagen expression to aid in the closure of the wound. | 11-20-2008 |
20090056708 | DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TARGETING AEROSOLIZED PARTICLES TO A SPECIFIC AREA OF THE LUNGS - The present invention is directed to the administration of aerosolized particles to specific area of the lungs, and in particular to the targeted delivery of aerosolized pharmaceutical formulations to a specific area of the lungs. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices and methods for depositing aerosolized particles to a specific area of the lungs by regulating aerosolizing parameters of the device. The present invention also relates to devices, systems and methods for disease management, where the aerosolizing parameters are adjusted based on monitoring at least one health parameter. | 03-05-2009 |
20090107497 | Method and device to prevent ventilator acquired pneumonia using nitric oxide - A respiratory assist device and method for the prevention of ventilator acquired pneumonia in a patient is described. The respiratory assist device administers nitric oxide to the oropharyngeal area in order to decontaminate or prevent the contamination of secretions that collect in the oropharyngeal area during intubation of the patient. The respiratory assist device and method may be adapted for use, for example, as an endotracheal tube or as a tracheotomy tube. | 04-30-2009 |
20100024818 | CLOSED SUCTION CATHETER ADAPTER WITH FLUSH ARRANGEMENT - A respiratory apparatus including an adapter assembly and a catheter assembly. The adapter assembly includes ventilator, respiratory, access, and flush ports. The access port includes a conduit defining a passageway. The flush port projects from the conduit and is fluidly open to the passageway at an outlet. The catheter assembly includes a catheter assembled to a fitting. The fitting includes a hub and a tube, with the tube defining an exterior surface, an interior surface forming a lumen, a circumferential groove in the exterior surface, and a plurality of apertures fluidly open to the lumen and the circumferential groove. The tube is sized to be slidably received within the passageway such that upon final assembly, a fluid pathway is formed between the flush port and a distal end of the catheter via the flush port outlet, the circumferential groove, the plurality of apertures, and the lumen. | 02-04-2010 |
20100024823 | VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS - An adapter assembly including a manifold and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a seat and a valve body having a circular base and a wall. The wall extends from a trailing side of the base to form a dome-like shape terminating at an end at which a slit is formed, with the wall defining opposing sealing edges at the slit. The seat has an upper circumferential surface and a lower circumferential surface. The upper surface engages a leading side of the base, whereas the lower surface engages a trailing side. At least one of the upper and lower surfaces forms a segment of increased height. Upon final assembly, the valve body is disposed across a passageway of the manifold, with the slit providing a selectively openable path. A force imparted by the segment of increased height flexes the base and biases the sealing edges into engagement. | 02-04-2010 |
20100174210 | FLUID FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS AND PATIENT FLUID SAMPLING METHOD - A fluid flow control apparatus used in medical fluid sampling. The apparatus includes a valve assembly, first and second ports, and a cap. The valve assembly comprises a body rotatably assembled to a housing and defining a passageway and at least two recesses defined by an interior surface of the housing and the body which is formed separate from the passageway. The ports extend from the housing and are configured for connection to medical devices. The valve assembly is operable to interchangeably align the passageway and the recesses with the ports. Finally, the cap is connected to the housing, and forms an opening for coupling to a specimen container. | 07-08-2010 |
20100206309 | GAS FLOW REGULATING DEVICE - A gas flow regulating device including a housing assembly, an inlet tube assembly, and a biasing device. The housing assembly has a main housing, a valve seat body, and a distal plate forming an outlet orifice. The inlet tube assembly includes a proximal inlet end, a tube forming a lumen, and a flange, and is slidably disposed within the main housing, biased to an open state by the biasing device. The flange separates middle and constant pressure chambers within the housing assembly. The inlet tube assembly is transitionable to a closed state in response to pressure in the constant pressure chamber to generate a relatively constant flow rate of air exiting the device via the outlet orifice. | 08-19-2010 |
20100241019 | EXHALED BREATH CONDENSATE BIOMETRIC MARKER MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD - The present invention includes an apparatus and a method for testing exhaled breath condensate for at least one biometric marker, including a substrate for collecting exhaled breath condensate, the substrate capable of being brought to a temperature below a dew point of vapor in exhaled breath, a collector for retaining the substrate and for receiving a biometric marker reagent. The invention may further include receiving exhaled breath in a collector, the collector comprising a substrate, the substrate being at a temperature below a dew point of vapor in exhaled breath, collecting the exhaled breath condensate on the substrate, and bringing a biometric marker reagent in contact with the substrate. | 09-23-2010 |
20110112468 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF SURFACE INFECTIONS WITH NITRIC OXIDE - Topical exposure of nitric oxide gas to wounds such as chronic non-healing wounds may be beneficial in promoting healing of the wound and in preparing the wound bed for further treatment and recovery. Nitric oxide gas may be used, for example, to reduce the microbial infection and burden on these wounds, manage exudate secretion by reducing inflammation, upregulate expression of endogenous collagenase to locally debride the wound, and regulate the formation of collagen. High concentration of nitric oxide ranging from about 160 to 400 ppm may be used without inducing toxicity in the healthy cells around a wound site. Additionally, exposure to the high concentration for a first treatment period reduces the microbial burden and inflammation at the wound site and increase collagenase expression to debride necrotic tissue at the wound site. After a first treatment period with high concentration of nitric oxide, a second treatment period at a lower concentration of nitric oxide preferably ranging from about 5-20 ppm may to provided to restore the balance of nitric oxide and induce collagen expression to aid in the closure of the wound. | 05-12-2011 |
20110226241 | INTERMITTENT DOSING OF NITRIC OXIDE GAS - A method and corresponding device are described for combating microbes and infections by delivering intermittent high doses of nitric oxide to a mammal for a period of time and which cycles between high and low concentration of nitric oxide gas. The high concentration of nitric oxide is preferably delivered intermittently for brief periods of time that are interspersed with periods of time with either no nitric oxide delivery or lower concentrations of nitric oxide. The method is advantageous because at higher concentration, nitric oxide gas overwhelms the defense mechanism of pathogens that use the mammalian body to replenish their thiol defense system. A lower dose or concentration of nitric oxide gas delivered in between the bursts of high concentration nitric oxide maintains nitrosative stress pressure on the pathogens and also reduces the risk of toxicity of nitric oxide gas. | 09-22-2011 |
20110245759 | Methods of Treating An Infection with Nitric Oxide - The present invention provides methods of treating bacterial, viral, protozoan, parasitic, arthropod and fungal infections by applying gaseous nitric oxide to a patient having an infection. The present invention further provides improved methods of treating bacterial, viral, protozoan, parasitic and fungal infections by applying gaseous nitric oxide, in combination with oxygen, to a patient having an infection. | 10-06-2011 |
20120199123 | INTERMITTENT DOSING OF NITRIC OXIDE GAS - A method and corresponding device are described for combating microbes and infections by delivering intermittent high doses of nitric oxide to a mammal for a period of time and which cycles between high and low concentration of nitric oxide gas. The high concentration of nitric oxide is preferably delivered intermittently for brief periods of time that are interspersed with periods of time with either no nitric oxide delivery or lower concentrations of nitric oxide. The method is advantageous because at higher concentration, nitric oxide gas overwhelms the defense mechanism of pathogens that use the mammalian body to replenish their thiol defense system. A lower dose or concentration of nitric oxide gas delivered in between the bursts of high concentration nitric oxide maintains nitrosative stress pressure on the pathogens and also reduces the risk of toxicity of nitric oxide gas. | 08-09-2012 |
20120247460 | METERED DOSE INHALER SPACER - A metered dose inhaler (MDI) spacer has a body that defines a dose receiving chamber. A proximal end portion coupled between the body and a mouth port through which a metered dose may be inhaled by a user of the MDI spacer. A distal end portion is coupled with the body. A combined one-way and flow rate control valve coupled with the distal end portion is configured for permitting external airflow into and prohibiting internal airflow out of the dose receiving chamber. A collar coupled with the distal end portion is configured for receiving an actuator shaft of a metered dose inhaler and for forming a seal about an aerosol nozzle of the metered dose inhaler such that a metered dose of medication is admissible into the dose receiving chamber via the collar while airflow into and out of the dose receiving chamber via the collar is prohibited. | 10-04-2012 |
20130152929 | Bacteria Filter and Heating System - A system for keeping moisture in a vapor phase and for removing particles from a gas is described. The system includes a filter and a heating chamber. The filter is capable of being heated and includes a mechanical element that effectively regulates the heating of the filter. Heat production of the heating chamber is coupled to the proper insertion of the filter into the chamber, such that the filter closes an electrical switch in the heating chamber to allow for the production of heat. An exemplary use of the system is the keeping moisture in a vapor phase and removing pathogenic particles from the exhalation path of a ventilated subject. | 06-20-2013 |
20140014101 | Heat Retention Mask and Method of Using The Same - A device and method for reducing heat loss in at least one region of a subject's body is described. The device includes a mask component, a heat releasing reservoir, and a conduit connecting the mask component to the heat releasing reservoir and creating an airflow path therethrough, wherein the heat releasing reservoir includes at least one air permeable region that is impermeable to condensed water. Heat loss is reduced by the subject positioning the mask over the mouth and/or nose, positioning the heat releasing reservoir over the region of the subject's body, and passing warmed air exhaled by the subject into the mask through the conduit and into the heat releasing reservoir, such that the warmed air passes through the heat releasing reservoir while retaining condensed water within the heat releasing reservoir, thereby increasing the temperature of the air surrounding the at least one region of the subject's body. | 01-16-2014 |
20140130799 | Gas Regulator with Integrated Sensors - A gas regulator is described. The gas regulator includes a gas inlet having an attachment mechanism for attaching to a gas container, a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas inlet and further in fluid communication with a gas delivery system, a pressure regulator, a pressure sensor and a NFC sensor. A method of entering at least one information item relating to a gas source to a gas delivery system control unit. The method includes the steps of providing a gas source having a NFC tag that includes at least one information item stored in a memory of the NFC tag, attaching a regulator that includes a NFC sensor, wherein the NFC sensor is positioned to read the NFC tag when attached to the gas source, reading the at least one information item via the NFC sensor, and transmitting the at least one information item read by the NFC sensor to a gas delivery system control unit. | 05-15-2014 |
20140156296 | Medication Adherence Scoring System and Method - A method of measuring a user's adherence to a medication schedule is described. The method includes the steps of tracking the time between medication doses, alerting the user when it is time to take a medication dose, tracking the elapsed time between the alert and when the user takes the medication dose, and comparing the elapsed time to a scoring metric to calculate a score, wherein the score is representative of the user's adherence to the medication schedule. An automated system for measuring a user's adherence to a medication schedule is also described. The system includes a computing device that executes a software application that includes a tracking mechanism that alerts the user when a next medication dose is to be taken and tracks the amount of elapsed time from the alert to the time that the user takes the medication dose, and a scoring mechanism that compares the amount of elapsed time to a scoring metric to determine a medication adherence score. | 06-05-2014 |
20140166013 | CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE DEVICE - The present invention is directed to a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Device as an apparatus configured to provide positive airway pressure in a respiratory circuit that comprises a container configured to be filled to a preselected level with liquids; a drop tube assembly comprising a hollow gas tube rotatably mounted in said container having an upper end extending a static distance outwardly of the container and connected to a respiratory circuit downstream of a user, and a hollow drop tube reciprocally movable upwardly and downwardly in the liquid in response to rotational movement of the gas tube. The container is provided with a gas vent and a liquid fill port. | 06-19-2014 |
20140350354 | Oral Appliance Monitor and Method of Using the Same - An oral appliance assembly is described. The assembly includes an oral appliance component having an upper teeth tray and a lower teeth tray. The assembly further includes a module releasably connected to the oral appliance. The module includes at least one sensor that is positioned outside of the mouth and underneath the nares of a subject's nose when the oral appliance component is positioned in the subject's mouth. A method of measuring user compliance of an oral appliance is also described. The method includes positioning an oral appliance in the mouth of a subject, measuring at least one parameter of airflow from the subject's nose or mouth, and determining compliance based on the at least one measured parameter. A method of measuring effectiveness of an oral appliance is also described. The method includes positioning an oral appliance in the mouth of a subject, measuring at least one parameter of airflow from the subject's nose or mouth, and determining effectiveness based on the at least one measured parameter. | 11-27-2014 |
20150065904 | Nitric Oxide Upper Airway Delivery system and Method - The present invention provides a system and method for delivery of nitric oxide to the upper respiratory tract without resulting in nitric oxide delivery to the lungs. In certain embodiments, the invention comprises the use of a flow sensor to sense the exhalation of the subject, and delivering a nitric oxide containing gas upon sensed exhalation. | 03-05-2015 |