STIMULATOR COMBINED WITH AN INTRANASAL RESPIRATORY METHOD AND DEVICE FOR IMPROVED BREATHING

• US 20090012573A1
• Filed: 07/02/2007
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Manuel L. Karell
• Original Assignee: Manuel L. Karell
• Inventors: Karell, Manuel L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,676,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/002 with air flow regulating means
• 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 16/0495 with tongue depressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/054 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0643 Tongue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0546 Nasal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0548 Oral electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs

Abstract

A nasal respiratory device combined with a neuromuscular stimulator adapted to provide electrical stimulation intraorally and/or intranasally to a patient for improving breathing and treating a respiratory disorder.

Claims

1. A removably secured nasal respiratory device combined with a neuromuscular stimulator adapted to provide electrical stimulation intraorally or intranasally to a user comprising:

a passageway means in communication with a least one nasal cavity of a user;

an intraoral holdfast means operatively connected to said passageway for removably securing said nasal respiratory device, wherein said holdfast contains a at least one stimulator means connected to at least one electrode means for providing energy to said electrode contacting an intraoral or intranasal surface for neuromuscular stimulation to the user.

2. A respiratory device of claim 1 wherein said holdfast additionally comprises at least one airway means operatively communicating with the passageway.

3. A respiratory device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said holdfast is adapted to engage a user'"'"'s upper or a user'"'"'s lower dentition or structures associated with the dentition.

4. A respiratory device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least one airflow resistor means is in communication with said passageway or said airway for increasing resistance to air flow.

5. A respiratory device of claim 4 wherein the airflow resistor means increases the resistance to air exhaled through the passageway means or airway but does not substantially increase the resistance to air inhaled through the passageway or airway.

6. A device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said intraoral holdfast comprises a first member adapted to engage a structure associated with a user'"'"'s upper dentition;

a second member adapted to engage a structure associated with a user'"'"'s mandible;

a connecting assembly connecting the first member and the second member so as to limit movement of the first member relative to the second member, thereby controlling a position of the user'"'"'s mandible relative to the upper dentition.

7. A device of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 6 wherein said holdfast additionally comprises a tongue holding means for holding the tongue of a user in a position to enhance patency of the user'"'"'s respiratory tract.

8. A method of providing enhanced airflow during sleep and treating a respiratory disorder of a user comprising:

a nasal passageway operatively attached to a holdfast and inserting the nasal passageway into a user'"'"'s nose allowing the user to breathe through the passageway;

inserting the holdfast into the user'"'"'s mouth for removably securing the nasal passageway;

having the holdfast contain a stimulator attached to at least one electrode making contact with an intraoral or an intranasal surface and having the stimulator energize the electrode to stimulate muscles or nerves thereby enhancing airflow to treat the respiratory disorder.

9. A method of providing enhanced airflow during sleep and treating a respiratory disorder comprising:

a nasal passageway operatively attached to a holdfast and inserting the nasal passageway into a user'"'"'s nose allowing the patient to breathe through the passageway;

inserting the holdfast into the user'"'"'s mouth for removably securing the nasal passageway;

having the holdfast contain a stimulator attached to at least one electrode making contact with an intraoral or an intranasal surface and having the stimulator energize the electrode to stimulate muscles or nerves thereby enhancing airflow; and

additionally providing continuous positive air pressure to the nasal passageway further enhancing airflow to treat the respiratory disorder.

10. A method of providing enhanced airflow during sleep and treating a respiratory disorder comprising:

a nasal passageway operatively attached to a holdfast and inserting the nasal passageway into a user'"'"'s nose allowing the patient to breathe through the passageway;

inserting the holdfast into the user'"'"'s mouth for removably securing the nasal passageway;

having the holdfast contain a stimulator attached to at least one electrode making contact with an intraoral or an intranasal surface and having the stimulator energize the electrode to stimulate muscles or nerves; and

additionally having an airflow resistor inserted into the nasal passageway for mimicking pursed lip breathing, for enhancing patency of the respiratory tract, and treating the respiratory disorder.