Nasal positive airway pressure apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A device for treatment of sleep apnea comprising:
- a source of pressurized air;
a plenum chamber in communication with the source of pressurized air;
a pair of nasal delivery members connected to and in communication with the plenum chamber, the nasal delivery members being configured and dimensioned to delivery pressurized air from the plenum to the nares of a patient;
at least one variable orifice member defining a variable orifice which assumes a first position having a first diameter at a first gas pressure and a second, expanded position having a second diameter greater than said first diameter at a second, increased gas pressure.
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Abstract
A nasal positive airway pressure device is provided having a plenum chamber, a pair of nasal delivery members, and a variable orifice venting aperture member. The variable orifice venting aperture member preferably is mounted to the plenum chamber, but may be mounted at other locations in communication with the nasal delivery members. The variable orifice vent aperture member expands under increased pressure, e.g., during exhalation, and contracts to its original diameter at lower pressures, e.g., during inhalation, to provide variable venting capacity during positive airway pressure treatment.
572 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for treatment of sleep apnea comprising:
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a source of pressurized air; a plenum chamber in communication with the source of pressurized air; a pair of nasal delivery members connected to and in communication with the plenum chamber, the nasal delivery members being configured and dimensioned to delivery pressurized air from the plenum to the nares of a patient; at least one variable orifice member defining a variable orifice which assumes a first position having a first diameter at a first gas pressure and a second, expanded position having a second diameter greater than said first diameter at a second, increased gas pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device for treatment of sleep apnea comprising:
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a source of pressurized air; a plenum chamber in communication with the source of pressurized air; a pair of nasal delivery members connected to and in communication with the plenum chamber, each nasal delivery member including a cannula having at least one aperture through the side wall of the cannula and an inflatable cuff secured to the outer surface of the cannula surrounding at least a portion of the cannula and overlying the aperture, the cannula and inflatable cuff configured and dimensioned for insertion into a patient'"'"'s nares. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method of treating for sleep apnea comprising:
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connecting a source of pressurized air to a plenum chamber, the plenum chamber having a pair of nasal delivery members connected to and in communication with the plenum chamber configured and dimensioned for insertion into the nares of a patient, the plenum further including at least one variable orifice member defining a variable orifice which assumes a first position having a first diameter at a first gas pressure and a second, expanded position having a second diameter greater than said first diameter at a second, increased gas pressure; inserting the nasal delivery elements into the nares of a patient; activating the source of pressurized air to supply positive air pressure to the nasal delivery element through the plenum, the variable orifice member assuming the first diameter during inhalation by the patient and the second, enlarged diameter during exhalation by the patient.
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Specification