Device for manipulating respiratory air flow and use thereof
First Claim
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1. A device comprising:
- a unit through which a subject can breathe,the unit comprising an opening to allow airflow communication with the outside of the device,a mouthpiece element through which the subject can breathe air in from the device;
said mouthpiece element is adapted for insertion into the mouth of a subject and is in fluid communication with the unit;
a diaphragm having a variable resistance to airflow positioned between the opening and mouthpiece element, such that all airflow passing from outside the device to inside the device, through the mouthpiece element, must pass through the diaphragm and the opening;
the variable resistance to airflow of the diaphragm being controllable to provide both increasing and decreasing variable resistance during a single inspiratory breath;
said variable resistance to airflow always allowing some airflow through the unit;
the unit further comprising a pressure sensing device; and
a data processor which is in electrical communication with said pressure sensing device and with said diaphragm;
said data processor can further perform one or more of the functions selected from the group consisting of acquisition, display and recordation of data from the pressure sensing device, and control of the variable resistance of said diaphragm as the subject breathes in.
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Abstract
A device comprising a unit (1) through which a subject can breathe, the unit comprising: an opening (AA) to allow airflow communication to the outside of the device; a mouthpiece element (2) through which the subject can breathe air in from and out into the device; and means for providing resistance (4) to airflow positioned between the opening and the mouthpiece element, said means being arranged to controllably vary the resistance to airflow during inspiration or expiration. Also provided are methods for the use of such a device.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a unit through which a subject can breathe, the unit comprising an opening to allow airflow communication with the outside of the device, a mouthpiece element through which the subject can breathe air in from the device;
said mouthpiece element is adapted for insertion into the mouth of a subject and is in fluid communication with the unit;a diaphragm having a variable resistance to airflow positioned between the opening and mouthpiece element, such that all airflow passing from outside the device to inside the device, through the mouthpiece element, must pass through the diaphragm and the opening; the variable resistance to airflow of the diaphragm being controllable to provide both increasing and decreasing variable resistance during a single inspiratory breath; said variable resistance to airflow always allowing some airflow through the unit; the unit further comprising a pressure sensing device; and a data processor which is in electrical communication with said pressure sensing device and with said diaphragm;
said data processor can further perform one or more of the functions selected from the group consisting of acquisition, display and recordation of data from the pressure sensing device, and control of the variable resistance of said diaphragm as the subject breathes in. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A device comprising:
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a unit through which a subject can breathe, the unit comprising an opening to allow airflow communication with the outside of the device, a mouthpiece element adapted for insertion into the mouth of a subject, said mouthpiece element being in fluid communication with the unit and through which the subject can breathe air in from the device; a diaphragm having a variable diameter orifice positioned between the opening and mouthpiece element, such that all airflow passing from outside the device to inside the device, through the mouthpiece element, must pass through the diaphragm and the opening;
the diameter of the orifice always being greater than zero and being electronically controllable to provide both increasing and decreasing variable resistance during a single inspiration;a connector adapted to engage the outlet of a nebulizer device so as to provide a fluid connection between the outlet of the nebulizer and the mouthpiece element of the unit; and the diaphragm further being adapted to maintain a fixed orifice diameter during an initial phase of the inspiratory breath and then increase the variable diameter orifice during the remainder of the inspiratory breath so as to cause the reduction of driving pressure at the mouth which causes a decrease in the airflow velocity resulting in a significant decrease in airflow deeper within the lungs which facilitates inhaled drug deposition at a desired lung volume when the connector is attached to a nebulizer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification