Portable respiratory apparatus

• US 3,902,486 A
• Filed: 08/28/1973
• Issued: 09/02/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul Guichard
• Original Assignee: Paul Guichard
• Inventors: Guichard, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Application Number:
  US05/392,341
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 128/14N,142.3,146.3,146.4,146.5,146.6,147,192,198,200,206,207,211,212,145.5 137/102,512.15,512.4
• US Class Current: 128/203.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0016 located downstream of the dispenser, i.e. traversed by the product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0018 with exhalation check valves
• 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 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3613 by body heat
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0625 Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 23/06 Nose filters

Abstract

A portable nasal diffuser comprising a respiratory assembly having a nasal mask to be worn over the nose, or two sleeves to be inserted into the nostrils of a user, the assembly being provided with two apertures constituting air inlet and outlet apertures respectively. First and second respective valves are mounted at the apertures, and the valves operate alternately during exhalation and inhalation by the user, such that when one aperture is open the other is closed. The outlet aperture communicates via the respective valve with the atmosphere. A reservoir is connected to the inlet aperture of the respiratory assembly by a flexible conduit and the reservoir has an air inlet and contains filter material for treating air admitted into the reservoir. Upon inhalation, the valve associated with the inlet aperture is opened and air is admitted to the reservoir and flows through the filter material to the respiratory assembly and to the user. The filter material is heated by a suitable energy source or by the body of the user.

Claims

1. Portable nasal diffuser apparatus comprising a respiratory assembly including means for communicating with the respiratory tract of a user and provided with two apertures, first and second respective valve means at said apertures operating alternately during exhalation and inhalation by the user such that when one aperture is open the other is closed, one of said apertures communicating via the respective valve means with the atmosphere, a reservoir having an inlet and containing means for treating air admitted into the reservoir, means connecting the reservoir to the respiratory assembly at the other of the apertures thereof, such that upon inhalation said valve means associated with the said other aperture is opened and air is admitted to the reservoir and flows through the treating means therein to the respiratory assembly and to the user, and means for effecting heating of the air supplied to the reservoir including means for enabling the reservoir to be positioned proximate the body of the user to capture heat therefrom, said treating means comprising a filter substance and a housing containing said filter substance and having openings for passage of air through said filter substance, said means for communicating with the respiratory tract of the user comprising a flexible nasal mask engagable over the nose of the user, a hollow body of relatively small size coupled to said nasal mask, said body including a first portion with said one aperture therein, and a second portion connected to said connecting means, said first and second valve means being supported in said body, each said valve means comprising a flat member pivotably connected in said body adjacent its respective aperture, said flat members being disposed horizontally, said one aperture being disposed in said one portion of said body below its respective flat member, said connecting means extending below the other flat member, and abutment means extending internally in said body proximate said apertures to support the respective valve members in a position of rest such that each valve member is movable in one direction only to be opened.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for communicating with the respiratory tract of the user comprises two flexible tubular elements adapted for insertion into the nostrils of the user.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said treating means includes a volatile substance in said reservoir adapted for being entrained in the air flow.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flat members of the valve means are joined together as a single element centrally anchored in said body with free opposite ends constituting valves.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means connecting the reservoir to the respiratory assembly comprise a flexible conduit.