METHODS AND DEVICES FOR IMPROVING BREATHING IN PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY DISEASE

• US 20080173309A1
• Filed: 01/14/2008
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ventus Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Doshi, Rajiv
• Granted Patent: US 7,992,563 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12036 partial occlusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12172 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12177 comprising additional materials, e.g. thrombogenic, having filaments, having fibers or being coated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/20 Epiglottis; Larynxes; Tracheae combined with larynxes or for use therewith tracheae, bronchi per se A61F2/04 ; tracheostomy tubes A61M16/0465
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/24 Heart valves ; Vascular valves, e.g. venous valves; Heart implants, e.g. passive devices for improving the function of the native valve or the heart muscle; Transmyocardial revascularisation [TMR] devices; Valves implantable in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/043 Bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0493 with means for protecting the tube from damage caused by the patient's teeth, e.g. bite block
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/18 for improving respiratory function

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient'"'"'s trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A method of reducing breathing rate in a sleeping patient comprising:

placing a device in the patient'"'"'s mouth that creates a resistance to expiratory flow that exceeds a resistance to inspiratory flow.

27. The method of claim 26, and observing a reduction in breathing rate of the patient

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising allowing the patient to sleep while wearing the device.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the device is placed in the patient'"'"'s mouth such that it does not protrude therefrom.

30. The method of claim 26, further comprising obstructing air flow through the patient'"'"'s nose.

31. A method of increasing oxygen saturation in a patient, the method comprising placing in a patient'"'"'s mouth a flow restricting device configured to resist expiration to a greater degree than inspiration.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising measuring a change in oxygen saturation in the patient.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising obstructing air flow through the patient'"'"'s nose.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising allowing the patient to sleep while wearing the device.