System for conditioning expiratory muscles for an improved respiratory system
First Claim
1. A method for conditioning respiratory muscles in a patient wherein said method comprises using a pressure relief valve comprising a spring constant capable of having a pressure threshold above about 50 cmH2O;
- and wherein said method comprises positioning said pressure relief valve in the patient'"'"'s mouth during exhalation of at least one breathing cycle, such that said pressure threshold resists the patient'"'"'s exhalation until sufficient force is produced to overcome the pressure threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to breathing methods and devices, which increase intra-airway pressure, thus causing a positive expiratory pressure (PEP) which is not airflow dependent. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides methods that utilize a pressure relief valve, preferably a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) valve, for providing positive expiratory pressure (PEP). The PEP is caused by directing the flow of gases exhaled by the patient through the PEEP valve, so that gases must be exhaled against the PEEP valve held closed by threshold pressure. In this way, gases exhaled by the patient are subject to positive exhalation pressure set by the threshold pressure, which in turn increase the pressure in the patient'"'"'s airway. When the expiratory pressure exceeds the threshold pressure of the valve, the valve opens and air is exhaled. The present invention is further directed to a unique training system, which uses the PEEP valve to increase respiratory muscle strength. More specifically, the present invention provides methods to increase the expiratory airflow rate and endurance of the expiratory muscles in a person by increasing the ability of these muscles to force air out of the lungs.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for conditioning respiratory muscles in a patient wherein said method comprises using a pressure relief valve comprising a spring constant capable of having a pressure threshold above about 50 cmH2O;
- and wherein said method comprises positioning said pressure relief valve in the patient'"'"'s mouth during exhalation of at least one breathing cycle, such that said pressure threshold resists the patient'"'"'s exhalation until sufficient force is produced to overcome the pressure threshold.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A pressure relief valve device for conditioning respiratory muscles in a patient comprising:
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a mouthpiece;
at least one threshold pressure valve; and
a spring in contact with the valve, wherein the spring produces a spring constant capable of having a threshold pressure above about 50 cmH2O to open the valve. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for treating a patient having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome comprising:
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measuring the maximum expiratory pressure that the patient normally generates during exhalation;
selecting a pressure relief valve comprising a pressure threshold above about 50 cmH2O;
adjusting the pressure threshold such that when the patient uses the pressure valve, the pressure threshold resists the patient'"'"'s exhalation until the patient produces at least about 75% of the patient'"'"'s maximum expiratory pressure to overcome the pressure threshold; and
positioning the pressure relief valve in the patient'"'"'s mouth during exhalation of at least one breathing cycle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for treating a patient diagnosed with a vocal disorder comprising:
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measuring the maximum expiratory pressure that the patient normally generates;
selecting a pressure relief valve comprising a pressure threshold above about 50 cmH2O;
adjusting the pressure threshold such that when the patient uses the pressure valve, the pressure threshold resists the patient'"'"'s exhalation until the patient produces at least about 75% of the patient'"'"'s maximum expiratory pressure to overcome the pressure threshold; and
positioning the pressure relief valve in the patient'"'"'s mouth during exhalation of at least one breathing cycle. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for treating a patient diagnosed with a chronic obstructive airways disease comprising:
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measuring the maximum expiratory pressure that the patient normally generates;
selecting a pressure relief valve comprising a pressure threshold above about 50 cmH2O;
adjusting the pressure threshold such that when the patient uses the pressure valve, the pressure threshold resists the patient'"'"'s exhalation until the patient produces at least about 75% of the patient'"'"'s maximum expiratory pressure to overcome the pressure threshold; and
positioning the pressure relief valve in the patient'"'"'s mouth during exhalation of at least one breathing cycle. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification