AIRFLOW RESTRICTION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for restricting flow through a nasal passage, comprising:
- securing a bridging member over or upon an exterior surface of a patient'"'"'s nose;
monitoring respiratory activity of the patient through one or more cycles of unaltered respiration;
actuating the bridging member to press upon the exterior surface of the nose such that an underlying nasal passage is at least partially constricted and exhalation is extended to result in an altered respiration;
calculating a difference between the unaltered respiration and altered respiration; and
,adjusting an actuation amount of the bridging member based upon the calculated difference.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Airflow restriction systems are described herein which may be used to treat various disorders by creating expiratory positive airway pressure while providing for patient comfort regardless of the patient'"'"'s anatomical variances. Such a device may be removably secured externally over the patient'"'"'s nose rather than within the nasal passages to increase patient comfort. The restriction device may be secured, e.g., via an adhesive, to the patient and actuated via any number of mechanical or electromechanical mechanisms. Moreover, the restriction device may include one or more sensors to detect the patient'"'"'s respiration activity such that the device may be actuated to correspond to the patient'"'"'s exhalation and squeeze or otherwise constrict the nasal passages at least partially by pressing against the exterior surface of the nose to restrict the expiratory airflow.
76 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for restricting flow through a nasal passage, comprising:
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securing a bridging member over or upon an exterior surface of a patient'"'"'s nose; monitoring respiratory activity of the patient through one or more cycles of unaltered respiration; actuating the bridging member to press upon the exterior surface of the nose such that an underlying nasal passage is at least partially constricted and exhalation is extended to result in an altered respiration; calculating a difference between the unaltered respiration and altered respiration; and
,adjusting an actuation amount of the bridging member based upon the calculated difference. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification