Nasal respiratory devices for positive end-expiratory pressure

• US 20070295338A1
• Filed: 06/07/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Theravent, Inc
• Original Assignee: Ventus Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Howard, Robert, Doshi, Rajiv, Loomas, Bryan, Pierce, Ryan, Hatanaka, Motohide
• Granted Patent: US 7,806,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/002 with air flow regulating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/08 Inhaling devices inserted into the nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/085 Fixing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/003 with a flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

Described herein are nasal respiratory devices, in particular, nasal respiratory devices configured to achieve positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in a subject wearing the device. PEEP devices may have a threshold pressure for opening during expiration. In some variations, these devices have a threshold pressure for closing during expiration.

Claims

1. A nasal respiratory device for inducing positive end-expiratory pressure adapted to be secured in communication with a nasal cavity comprising:

a passageway,

an airflow resistor in communication with the passageway, wherein the airflow resistor is configured to have a non-zero threshold pressure for opening during expiration so that the airflow resistor is closed during expiration when the pressure across the airflow resistor is below the threshold pressure for opening, but the airflow resistor opens during expiration when the pressure across the airflow resistor exceeds the threshold pressure for opening during expiration; and

a holdfast configured to secure the airflow resistor in communication with the nasal cavity without covering the subject'"'"'s mouth.

2. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the threshold pressure for opening during expiration is less than about 20 cm H₂O.

3. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the threshold pressure for opening during expiration is less than about 10 cm H₂O.

4. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the threshold pressure for opening during expiration is more than about 4 cm H₂O.

5. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the threshold pressure for opening during expiration is between about 4 cm H₂O and about 20 cm H₂O.

6. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the airflow resistor further comprises a non-zero threshold pressure for closing, such that the airflow resistor closes during expiration when the pressure across the airflow resistor falls below the threshold pressure for closing.

7. The respiratory device of claim 6, wherein the threshold pressure for closing during expiration is greater than about 4 cm H₂O.

8. The respiratory device of claim 6, wherein the threshold pressure for closing during expiration is greater than about 10 cm H₂O.

9. The respiratory device of claim 6, wherein the threshold pressure for closing during expiration is between about 0.5 cm H₂O and about 20 cm H₂O.

10. The respiratory device of claim 6, wherein the threshold pressure for closing during expiration is approximately the same as the threshold pressure for opening during expiration.

11. The respiratory device of claim 6, wherein the threshold pressure for closing during expiration is different from the threshold pressure for opening during expiration.

12. A nasal respiratory device for inducing positive end-expiratory pressure adapted to be secured in communication with a nasal cavity comprising:

a passageway;

an airflow resistor in communication with the passageway, wherein the airflow resistor comprises a biased valve having a non-zero threshold pressure for opening during expiration, so that the airflow resistor is closed during expiration when the pressure across the valve is below the threshold pressure for opening, but the valve opens during expiration when the pressure across the valve exceeds the threshold pressure for opening during expiration; and

a holdfast configured to secure the airflow resistor only in communication with the a nasal cavity or both nasal cavities.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the airflow resistor comprises a second valve.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the biased valve comprises a nested valve.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the biased valve comprises a bistable valve.

16. A nasal respiratory device for inducing positive end-expiratory pressure adapted to be secured in communication with a nasal cavity comprising:

a passageway;

an airflow resistor in communication with the passageway, the airflow resistor including

a first valve configured to open during inspiration and close during expiration, and

a second valve configured to open during exhalation and close during inspiration;

wherein the second valve is configured so that it does not open until the pressure across the second valve exceeds a non-zero threshold pressure for opening; and

a holdfast configured to secure the airflow resistor in communication with the nasal cavity.

17. The nasal respiratory device of claim 16, wherein the second valve is nested with the first valve.

18. The nasal respiratory device of claim 16, wherein the first valve comprises a flap valve.

19. The nasal respiratory device of claim 16, wherein the second valve comprises a biased valve.

20. The nasal respiratory device of claim 16, wherein the second valve comprises a bistable valve.

21. A nasal respiratory device for inducing positive end-expiratory pressure adapted to be secured in communication with a nasal cavity, the nasal respiratory device comprising:

a first passageway and a second passageway;

an airflow resistor comprising a first valve in communication with the first passageway and a second valve in communication with the second passageway, wherein

the first valve is configured to open during inspiration and close during expiration, and

the second valve is configured to close during inspiration and open during expiration when the pressure across the second valve exceeds a non-zero threshold pressure for opening; and

a holdfast configured to secure the first and second passageways in communication with the nasal cavity.

22. The nasal respiratory device of claim 21, wherein the first valve comprises a flap valve.

23. The nasal respiratory device of claim 21, wherein the second valve comprises a biased valve.

24. The nasal respiratory device of claim 21, wherein the second valve comprises a bistable valve.

25. A method of treating a disorder comprising:

securing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity without covering the subject'"'"'s mouth, wherein the respiratory device comprises an airflow resistor configured to have a non-zero threshold pressure for opening during expiration so that the airflow resistor is closed during expiration when the pressure across the airflow resistor is below the threshold pressure for opening, but the airflow resistor opens during expiration when the pressure across the valve exceeds the threshold pressure for opening during expiration; and

allowing the subject to breathe at least partly through the nasal respiratory device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the disorder treated is selected from the group consisting of:

respiratory disorders, sleep disorders, gastroenterologic disorders, and cardiovascular disorders.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the nasal respiratory device is secured at least partially within the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the nasal respiratory device is secured at least partially over the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity.