NASAL RESPIRATORY DEVICES FOR POSITIVE END-EXPIRATORY PRESSURE

• US 20100326447A1
• Filed: 09/08/2010
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Theravent, Inc
• Original Assignee: Theravent, Inc
• Inventors: Doshi, Rajiv, Howard, Robert A., Pierce, Ryan Kendall, Loomas, Bryan, Hatanaka, Motohide
• Granted Patent: US 9,238,113 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 that is configured to be worn in communication with a subject'"'"'s nose, the device comprising:

an opening;

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

a holdfast configured to secure the entire device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nose without covering the subject'"'"'s mouth.

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

3. 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.

4. The respiratory device of claim 3, wherein the threshold pressure for closing during expiration is between about 0.5 cm H₂O and about 20 cm H₂O.

5. The respiratory device of claim 3, wherein the threshold pressure for closing during expiration is approximately the same as the threshold pressure for opening during expiration.

6. The respiratory device of claim 1 further comprising a nasal airflow monitor to measure nasal airflow.

7. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the airflow resistor provides a resistance to expiration that is greater than the resistance to inspiration, and the resistance to expiration is adjustable.

8. The respiratory device of claim 1 further comprising a leak path configured to be open during expiration.

9. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast is an adhesive holdfast.

10. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast is a shapeable holdfast.

11. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the airflow resistor comprises a valve configured to open during inspiration and close during expiration.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the airflow resistor is configured to close a first pathway during expiration, and further wherein the airflow resistor is configured to close a second pathway during inspiration.

13. A nasal respiratory device for inducing positive end-expiratory pressure that is configured to be worn in communication with a subject'"'"'s nose, the device comprising:

an opening;

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

a holdfast configured to secure the device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity or both nasal cavities but not the subject'"'"'s mouth.

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

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the biased valve comprises a nested valve.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the biased valve comprises a bistable valve.

17. The respiratory device of claim 13 further comprising a nasal airflow monitor to measure nasal airflow.

18. The respiratory device of claim 13, wherein the airflow resistor provides a resistance to expiration that is greater than the resistance to inspiration, and the resistance to expiration is adjustable.

19. The respiratory device of claim 13 further comprising a leak path configured to be open during expiration.

20. The respiratory device of claim 13, wherein the holdfast is an adhesive holdfast.

21. The respiratory device of claim 13, wherein the holdfast is a shapeable holdfast.

22. The device of claim 13, wherein the airflow resistor is configured to close a first pathway during expiration, and further wherein the airflow resistor is configured to close a second pathway during inspiration.

23. A method of treating a disorder using a nasal device configured to be worn by a sleeping subject, the method comprising:

securing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity without covering the subject'"'"'s mouth, wherein the nasal respiratory device includes an airflow resistor that has a non-zero threshold pressure for opening during expiration;

opening the airflow resistor from a closed position during expiration through the device when the pressure across the airflow resistor exceeds the threshold pressure for opening during expiration.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising closing the airflow resistor during expiration through the device when the pressure across the airflow resistor is below the threshold pressure for opening.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the disorder treated is selected from the group consisting of:

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

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the nasal respiratory device is secured at least partially within the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the nasal respiratory device is secured at least partially over the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity.

28. The method of claim 23 further comprising adjusting a resistance to expiration provided by the airflow resistor.

29. An adjustable nasal respiratory device for inhibiting expiration more than inspiration in a sleeping subject when worn in communication with a subject'"'"'s nose, the device comprising:

an opening;

an adjustable airflow resistor in communication with the opening, wherein the airflow resistor is configured to inhibit expiration more than it inhibits inspiration, further wherein the resistance to expiration is adjustable; and

a holdfast configured to secure the nasal device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nose without covering the subject'"'"'s mouth.

30. The device of claim 29 further comprising a nasal airflow monitor to measure nasal airflow.

31. The device of claim 29 further comprising a leak path configured to be open during expiration.

32. The device of claim 29, wherein the holdfast is an adhesive holdfast.

33. The device of claim 29, wherein the holdfast is a shapeable holdfast.

34. The device of claim 29, wherein the airflow resistor is configured to have a non-zero threshold for opening during expiration that is adjustable.