Flow based incentive spirometer

• US 6,656,129 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2001
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: David T. Middleton, Deborah A. Laun, Patrick W. Olin, Stephen D. Diehl
• Inventors: Laun, Deborah A., Middleton, David T. Jr., Niles, Rex A., Diehl, Stephen D., Olin, Patrick W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): Erezo, Darwin P.
• Application Number:
  US09/764,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20020151813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 600/540, 600/538, 600/541, 600/539, 600/543, 600/532
• US Class Current: 600/540
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0875 using means carried by the fluid stream, e.g. free floating balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/40 respiratory characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/18 for improving respiratory function

Abstract

An improved flow based incentive spirometer operable through a range of user set flow rates and being adapted to receive a supplemental flow of Oxygen without requiring any change in the calibration of the device or effecting the patient'"'"'s monitoring of usage. In this manner the spirometer may be utilized by a range of patients having quite distinct therapy needs. The device also features an integral information display receptacle in the base for storage of operational instructions. A portion of the base is transparent to that the information contained in the storage receptacle can be viewed by a patient while the device is in use, thereby permitting a patient to observe such things as the instructions for proper use of the incentive spirometer while using the device.

Claims

1. A flow based incentive spirometer through which a patient withdraws inspiratory air for receiving respiratory therapy, comprising:

an air flow rate chamber for setting an inspiratory air flow rate to permit a patient to inhale inspiratory air at a predetermined rate of air flow;

said air flow rate chamber including an inlet opening and an air-flow-metering aperture for controlling the rate of air flow therethrough,

said air flow rate chamber further including a plurality of mutually exclusively patient positionable air-flow-control orifices of different sizes selectively positionable in fluid communication with said air-flow-metering aperture to control the rate of air flow therethrough;

a monitoring chamber in fluid communication with said air flow rate chamber to receive inspiratory air passed through said inlet opening in fluid communication therewith; and

said monitoring chamber including an indicator responsive to the flow rate of inspiratory air passed from an outlet of said monitoring chamber and the air-flow-metering aperture into said air flow rate chamber to enable a patient to monitor the rate of flow of inspiratory air being drawn into the spirometer.

2. The flow based incentive spirometer of claim 1 further including an inlet for communicating a source of oxygen to said air flow rate chamber for mixing with the inspiratory air passing into said air flow rate chamber through said air flow rate chamber inlet opening.

3. The flow based incentive spirometer of claim 1 wherein said spirometer further includes a support base having a portion thereof which is transparent, and

a plurality of support pads formed on said support base adjacent to said transparent portion for receiving display information visually observable to a patient through said transparent portion when self-administering respiratory therapy.

4. The flow based incentive spirometer of claim 1 further including a closed loop handle for carrying said spirometer and an open hook by which said spirometer may be hung.

5. The flow based incentive spirometer of claim 1 wherein said indicator responsive to the flow rate of inspiratory air received into said air flow rate chamber from said monitoring chamber comprises a puck of a predetermined weight moveable in response to the rate at which a patient inhales inspiratory air.

6. The flow based incentive spirometer of claim 5, further including indicia carried by said monitoring portion to facilitate the inhalation of inspiratory air at a desired rate of air flow.

7. The flow based incentive spirometer of claim 1 further including a retainer portion for receiving and retaining a mouthpiece for use by a patient when inhaling inspiratory air.

8. The flow based incentive spirometer of claim 7 wherein said retainer portion is formed as a recessed portion of a front wall of said spirometer and a complementary outwardly extending offset portion of a back wall of said spirometer.

9. The flow based incentive spirometer of claim 1 wherein the flow of inspiratory air through said inlet opening establishes an air-flow-rate base and the flow of inspiratory air through said air-flow rate chamber is variable in response to the positioning of one of said plurality of mutually exclusively positionable air-flow-control orifices of different sizes selectively positionable in fluid communication with said air-flow rate chamber.

10. A flow based incentive spirometer through which a patient withdraws inspiratory air for receiving respiratory therapy comprising:

an air flow rate chamber for setting an inspiratory air flow rate to permit a patient to inhale inspiratory air at a predetermined rate of air flow;

said air flow rate chamber including an inlet opening and an air-flow-metering aperture for controlling the rate of air flow therethrough,

said air flow rate chamber further including a plurality of mutually exclusively positionable air-flow-control orifices of different sizes selectively positionable in fluid communication with said air-flow-metering aperture to control the rate of air flow therethrough;

said plurality of mutually exclusively positionable air-flow-control orifices of different sizes selectively positionable in fluid communication with said air-flow-metering aperture to control the rate of air flow therethrough being carried on a rotatable hub,

a monitoring chamber in fluid communication with said air flow rate chamber to receive inspiratory air passed through said inlet opening in fluid communication therewith; and

said monitoring chamber including an indicator responsive to the flow rate of inspiratory air passed from an outlet of said monitoring chamber and the air-flow-metering aperture into said air flow rate chamber to enable a patient to monitor the rate of flow of inspiratory air being drawn into the spirometer.

11. The flow based incentive spirometer of claim 10 wherein at least one of said air-flow-control orifices includes a tapered rim portion encircling said orifice to facilitate a seal between said air-flow-control orifice and said air flow rate chamber.

12. The flow based incentive spirometer of claim 11, wherein said air-flow-control orifices are carried on a petal-shaped flap cantilever connected to said rotatable hub.

13. A method for post-surgical prevention and treatment of atelectasis, and for sustained maximal inspiration exercise comprising the steps of:

inhaling inspiratory air from an inspiratory air withdrawal port of a flow based spirometer;

introducing said inspiratory air into said flow based spirometer through an air flow monitoring chamber in said flow based spirometer having an inlet opening in a bottom portion of said air flow monitoring chamber;

said air flow monitoring chamber including an air flow indicator movable within said air flow monitoring chamber in response to the flow of inspiratory air out from said air flow monitoring chamber and through said inspiratory air withdrawal port;

dividing said air flow of inspiratory air passing out from said air flow monitoring chamber into

a first air flow path extending from said inlet opening in a bottom portion of said air flow monitoring chamber through an upper discharge opening of said air flow monitoring chamber and through said inspiratory air withdrawal port, and

into a second air flow path extending from said inlet opening in a bottom portion of said air flow monitoring chamber through a patient operable adjustable air flow metering aperture formed in said air flow monitoring chamber at a location removed from and below said upper discharge opening and through said inspiratory air withdrawal port; and

varying the flow of air from said air flow monitoring chamber in said second air flow path extending from said inlet opening in a bottom portion or said air flow monitoring chamber through said air flow metering aperture in response to said air flow indicator movable within said air flow monitoring chamber.

14. The method of claim 13 including the step of controlling the flow rate of inspiratory air from said inspiratory air withdrawal port by varying the flow rate of inspiratory air passing out from said air flow monitoring chamber through said second air flow path.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said flow rate of inspiratory air passing out from said air flow monitoring chamber through said second air flow path is selectively varied to vary the flow rate of inspiratory air inhaled from said inspiratory withdrawal port.