METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MAINTAINING AN OPEN AIRWAY
First Claim
1. A system for maintaining an open airway, comprising:
- a mouthpiece adapted to form a substantially sealed cavity within a patient'"'"'s mouth and adapted to be coupled to a negative pressure generator that is effective to create a negative pressure within the substantially sealed cavity to prevent the patient'"'"'s soft tissues of the upper airway from collapsing; and
a nasal mask adapted to deliver gases through the patient'"'"'s nasal passageway.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided that are effective to remove an obstruction in a human airway and/or maintain an open airway. The methods and devices are particularly useful for patients suffering from snoring and/or OSA, and/or preventing upper airway obstructions in patients undergoing anesthesia. In one embodiment, the device includes a mouthpiece that is adapted to form a substantially sealed cavity within a human mouth, and a hollow elongate member having a first end that is coupled to the mouthpiece and that is in communication with the substantially sealed cavity, and a second end that is adapted to be coupled to a negative pressure generator. In use, a negative pressure generator can be attached to the hollow elongate member to create a negative pressure in a human mouth in response to an obstructed airway, thereby removing the obstruction. In particular, this device is effective to counteract the collapse of a patient'"'"'s soft tissues of the upper airway to reopen the airway. The mouthpiece can also be used in combination with a nasal mask. In another embodiment, the oral appliance above also comprises a nasal mask, wherein the nasal mask provides a means of ventilation support, including but not limited to total mechanical ventilation, positive-end expiratory pressure, or continuous positive airway pressure. In use, such a device can provide complete patient ventilation and maintain an open upper airway.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A system for maintaining an open airway, comprising:
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a mouthpiece adapted to form a substantially sealed cavity within a patient'"'"'s mouth and adapted to be coupled to a negative pressure generator that is effective to create a negative pressure within the substantially sealed cavity to prevent the patient'"'"'s soft tissues of the upper airway from collapsing; and
a nasal mask adapted to deliver gases through the patient'"'"'s nasal passageway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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10. A system for maintaining an open airway, comprising:
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a mouthpiece adapted to form a substantially sealed cavity within a patient'"'"'s mouth and including an outlet port positioned during use adjacent the opening of the patient'"'"'s mouth, the outlet port being adapted to couple to a negative pressure generator to create a negative pressure within the substantially sealed cavity; and
a tubular member adapted to be disposed over a patient'"'"'s nose and to deliver gases to the patient'"'"'s nasal airway. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for maintaining an open airway, comprising:
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forming a substantially sealed cavity within a patient'"'"'s mouth;
creating a negative pressure within the substantially sealed cavity effective to prevent the patient'"'"'s soft tissues of the upper airway from collapsing; and
delivering gases through the patient'"'"'s nasal passageway.
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Specification