Nasal ventilation as a treatment for stroke

• US 6,336,454 B1
• Filed: 05/15/1998
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pace, Gary William, Farrell, Peter Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEISS JR, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US09/079,848
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 128/202.12, 128/204.18, 128/204.21, 128/204.25, 128/200.24
• US Class Current: 128/200.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A new treatment and apparatus for acute and chronic treatment is described here which incorporates nasal ventilation, with or without concomitant drug therapy, using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bi-level pressure treatment or variants thereof, including devices which automatically set their pressures based on physiologic data inputs.

Claims

1. A method for the treatment of a patient who is suffering a stroke, said method comprising:

identifying the stroke in an acute phase, said acute phase being defined as the first three hours from onset of the stroke; and

applying continuous positive airway pressure to said patient at least during said acute phase of said stroke in order to improve the patient'"'"'s blood oxygen level.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said pressure is applied in a bi-level fashion.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said patient'"'"'s carbon dioxide blood level is reduced.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein auto regulation of blood pressure, cardiac output and ventilation is improved.