Pulmonary exercise device

• US 6,726,598 B1
• Filed: 12/14/2001
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Powerlung, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Powerlung, Inc.
• Inventors: Jarvis, Barry M. F., Morse, Carolyn E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mathew, Fenn C
• Application Number:
  US10/018,122
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 482/13, 128/200.24, 128/202.16, 128/205.24, 128/269.12, 128/200.22
• US Class Current: 482/13
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/18 for improving respiratory function

Abstract

A pulmonary exercise device includes a tubular body with an air inlet, an air outlet and a mouthpiece. The air inlet is closed by a one-way valve arrangement which is resiliently biased using a spring. The air outlet is closed by a one-way valve arrangement which is resiliently biased closed by using a spring. In another aspect, the inlet and outlet are closed off by respective one way valves which prevent airflow in one direction and allow only a restricted flow in the other.

Claims

1. A pulmonary exercise device comprising:

a tubular body having a reedless interior passageway;

a first one-way valve cooperative with said tubular body and communicating with said interior passageway, said first one-way valve movable between an open position and a closed position, said first one-way valve comprising;

a valve body slidably received within said interior passageway of said tubular body; and

a valve seat formed in said interior passageway and interactive with said valve body, said valve body comprising;

a main body section; and

a valve closure member extending from said main body section, said valve closure member being interactive with said valve seat;

a first urging means disposed against said first one-way valve for urging said first one-way valve to said closed position during an exhalation of a user;

a first adjusting means receiving said first urging means for adjusting a resistance of said first urging means against movement to said open position during an inhalation of the user, said first adjusting means having an exterior surface positioned exterior of said tubular body;

a second one-way valve disposed against said tubular body and communicating with said interior passageway, said second one-way valve moveable between an open position and a closed position;

a second urging means cooperative with said second one-way valve for urging said second one-way valve toward said closed position during an inhalation of the user;

a second adjusting means receiving said second urging means for adjusting a resistance of said second urging means against movement to said open position during an exhalation of the user, said second adjusting means having an exterior surface positioned exterior of said tubular body; and

a mouthpiece connected to said tubular body and communicating with said interior passageway.

2. The device of claim 1, said first adjustment means comprising:

an adjustment member threadedly interconnected to said main body section, said first urging means being a spring having one end resiliently urging against said main body section and an opposite end resiliently urging against said adjustment member;

an elongate screw threaded shaft extending from said main body section; and

a cup-shaped member extending outwardly of said tubular body, and cup-shaped member having an internally screw threaded tube, said tube receiving said shaft therein, said opposite end of said spring received within said cup-shaped member, said cup-shaped member having said exterior surface thereon positioned exterior of said tubular body.

3. The device of claim 1, said second one-way valve comprising:

an aperture formed in a wall of said tubular body; and

a valve assembly resiliently interactive with said aperture, said valve assembly moveable away from said aperture during the exhalation by the user and covering said aperture during the inhalation by the user.