VIBRATORY POSITIVE EXPIRATORY PRESSURE DEVICE
First Claim
1. A positive expiratory pressure device (2), comprising:
- a chamber (10) structured to receive an expiratory airstream of a patient, the chamber having a fluid pathway (14) passing therethrough;
a magnetic duckbill valve (26) provided along the fluid pathway, the magnetic duckbill valve (26) having a first wall (30A) supporting a number of first magnets (28) having a first polarity and a second wall (30B) supporting a number of second magnets (28) having a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the first magnets (28) and the second magnets (28) being configured to create a resistive cracking force in the magnetic duckbill valve wherein the magnetic duckbill valve is structured to open only in response to at least a certain back pressure being created in the chamber (10); and
a vibratory ball check valve (32) provided along the fluid pathway downstream of the magnetic duckbill valve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of providing airway clearance therapy to a patient includes receiving an expiratory airstream from the patient in a chamber, causing a back pressure to be created in the chamber (10) in response to receiving the expiratory airstream, causing a one-way valve, such as a magnetic duckbill valve (26), located downstream of the chamber to open only in response to the back pressure being at least equal to a certain predetermined level, causing a vibratory effect to be generated downstream of the one-way valve, for example using a vibratory ball check valve (32), when the one-way valve is open and in response to the expiratory air-stream passing therethrough, and delivering a percussive sensation to the patient through the chamber responsive to the vibratory effect.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A positive expiratory pressure device (2), comprising:
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a chamber (10) structured to receive an expiratory airstream of a patient, the chamber having a fluid pathway (14) passing therethrough; a magnetic duckbill valve (26) provided along the fluid pathway, the magnetic duckbill valve (26) having a first wall (30A) supporting a number of first magnets (28) having a first polarity and a second wall (30B) supporting a number of second magnets (28) having a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the first magnets (28) and the second magnets (28) being configured to create a resistive cracking force in the magnetic duckbill valve wherein the magnetic duckbill valve is structured to open only in response to at least a certain back pressure being created in the chamber (10); and a vibratory ball check valve (32) provided along the fluid pathway downstream of the magnetic duckbill valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A positive expiratory pressure device (2), comprising:
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a chamber (10) structured to receive an expiratory airstream of a patient; a one-way valve (26) provided downstream of the chamber (10), wherein the one-way valve (26) is structured to open only in response to at least a certain back pressure being created in the chamber (10); and a vibratory ball check valve (32) provided downstream of the one-way valve (26), wherein the chamber (10), the one-way valve (26) and the vibratory ball check valve (32) are provided along a linear fluid flow pathway (14). - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of providing airway clearance therapy to a patient, comprising:
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receiving an expiratory airstream from the patient in a chamber (10); causing a back pressure to be created in the chamber (10) in response to receiving the expiratory airstream; causing a one-way valve (26) located downstream of the chamber (10) to open only in response to the back pressure being at least equal to a certain predetermined level; causing a vibratory effect to be generated downstream of the one-way valve (26) when the one-way valve (26) is open and in response to the expiratory airstream passing therethrough; and delivering a percussive sensation to the patient through the chamber (10) responsive to the vibratory effect. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification