Pressure application method

• US 5,343,878 A
• Filed: 06/01/1993
• Issued: 09/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Respironics Incorporated (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Scarberry, Eugene N., Handke, Patrick M., Sanders, Mark H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DVORAK, LINDA C
• Application Number:
  US08/069,739
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.26, 128/202.12, 128/205.19, 128/200.24, 128/897, 128/898, 128/848, 128/30.2, 600/21, 600/22, 602/13, 602/18, 602/902
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0161 Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1645 contoured to fit the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/02 "Iron-lungs" , i.e. involving chest expansion by applying underpressure thereon, whether or not combined with gas breathing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0605 Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0627 with sealing means on a part of the body other than the face, e.g. helmets, hoods or domes
• 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 2016/0661 with customised shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0238 the material being a coating or protective layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks

Abstract

A method of treating sleep apnea by the novel application of pressure varying from ambient pressure to external portions of a patient'"'"'s neck, and a novel breathing mask seal apparatus.

Claims

1. In the medical treatment of sleep apnea syndrome, the method of treatment comprised of applying to frontal portions of a patient'"'"'s neck a pressure sufficiently less than ambient pressure to distend adjacent neck tissue in a manner effective for alleviating obstruction of the patient'"'"'s airway in sleep.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 including the additional step of simultaneously applying an elevated pressure greater than the first mentioned said pressure within the patient'"'"'s airway.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said elevated pressure is of a magnitude greater than ambient atmospheric pressure.