Systems and methods for enhancing blood circulation

• US 6,986,349 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2002
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc. (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Lurie, Keith G.
• Primary Examiner(s): MITCHELL, TEENA KAY
• Application Number:
  US10/224,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20030037784A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/202.28, 128/202.29, 128/203.11, 128/205.13, 128/205.14, 128/205.15, 128/202.16, 128/205.17, 128/202.24, 128/205.25, 128/206.21, 128/207.12, 128/207.14, 128/207.16, 137906-909, 600/484, 600/485, 600/500, 600/529, 600533-538
• US Class Current: 128/202.28
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0173 Means for preventing injuries
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1238 with hydraulic or pneumatic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5048 Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5058 Sensors or detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5071 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5089 Gas sensors, e.g. for oxygen or CO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/207 partial O2-value
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/42 Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/005 with feedback for the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/006 Power driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/007 Manual driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0084 self-reinflatable by elasticity, e.g. resuscitation squeeze bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/022 Control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/106 in a path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 : Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 : electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 : Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/209 : Relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 : with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 : pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0033 : electrical
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 5/042 : comprising compounds containing carbon and hydrogen only

Abstract

A method for increasing circulation in a breathing person utilizes a valve system that is interfaced to the person'"'"'s airway and is configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event. The person is permitted to inhale and exhale through the valve system. During inhalation, the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to increase blood flow back to the right heart of the person, thereby increasing cardiac output and blood circulation.

Claims

1. A method for increasing circulation in a breathing person, the method comprising:

interfacing a valve system to the person'"'"'s airway, the valve system being configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event, wherein the valve system is interfaced for a time period in the range from about 30 seconds to about 24 hours;

permitting the person to inhale and exhale through the valve system, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to increase blood flow back to the right heart of the person, thereby increasing cardiac output and blood circulation.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the valve system is incorporated into a facial mask, and further comprising coupling the facial mask to the person'"'"'s face.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the valve system includes a pressure responsive inflow valve, and further comprising setting an actuating pressure of the valve to be in the range from about 0 cm H₂O to about −

40 cm H₂O.

4. A method as in claim 1, further comprising varying the actuating pressure of the valve over time.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein the valve system is further configured to prevent or decrease exhaled gases from exiting the person'"'"'s lungs during at least a portion of an exhalation event to further increase blood circulation.

6. A method as in claim 1, further comprising adding a supply of oxygen through the valve system to supplement oxygen delivery to the person.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the person is suffering from a disease that is related to impaired venous blood flow.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the person is suffering from a disease resulting at least in part from poor blood circulation, and wherein the valve system functions to increase blood circulation to treat the disease.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein the disease is selected from a group consisting of venous stasis ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, wound healing, and lymphedema.

10. A method as in claim 8, wherein the disease comprises renal failure.

11. A method for increasing circulation in a breathing person, the method comprising:

interfacing a valve system to the person'"'"'s airway, the valve system being configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event;

permitting the person to inhale and exhale through the valve system, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to increase blood flow back to the right heart of the person, thereby increasing cardiac output and blood circulation, and wherein the person is suffering from a disease that is related to impaired venous blood flow.

12. A method for increasing circulation in a breathing person, the method comprising:

interfacing a valve system to the person'"'"'s airway, the valve system being configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event;

permitting the person to inhale and exhale through the valve system, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to increase blood flow back to the right heart of the person, thereby increasing cardiac output and blood circulation, wherein the person is suffering from a disease resulting at least in part from poor blood circulation, and wherein the valve system functions to increase blood circulation to treat the disease.