Neonatal chest brace and method of using same to prevent collapse of a chest wall
First Claim
1. A method of preventing collapse of a chest of a patient during spontaneous respiration, comprising:
- securing a rigid anterior member to a patient'"'"'s chest;
supporting the rigid anterior member at least a first distance from a fixed reference point over a plurality of respiratory cycles of such a patient, wherein the first distance corresponds to a distance in which a chest of such a patient is in a non-collapsed position;
allowing expansion of such a patient'"'"'s chest beyond a second distance from the fixed reference point by enabling the rigid anterior member to move with the patient responsive to expansion of such a patient'"'"'s chest beyond the second distance;
and preventing the rigid anterior member from moving closer than the first distance from the fixed reference point over the plurality of respiratory cycles.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A chest brace and method of using same that prevents the chest wall from buckling inwards during patient breathing by providing a distending force on the patient'"'"'s thorax. The chest brace also restores the normal anterior-to-posterior chest dimensions by providing a distending force in this direction. The chest brace includes an anterior member adapted to overly a patient'"'"'s chest. An adhesive mechanism secures the anterior member to a surface of such a patient. A support structure is coupled to the anterior member such that, in use, the support structure imparts a force on the anterior member in a manner so as to distend a thorax of such a patient.
52 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of preventing collapse of a chest of a patient during spontaneous respiration, comprising:
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securing a rigid anterior member to a patient'"'"'s chest; supporting the rigid anterior member at least a first distance from a fixed reference point over a plurality of respiratory cycles of such a patient, wherein the first distance corresponds to a distance in which a chest of such a patient is in a non-collapsed position; allowing expansion of such a patient'"'"'s chest beyond a second distance from the fixed reference point by enabling the rigid anterior member to move with the patient responsive to expansion of such a patient'"'"'s chest beyond the second distance; and preventing the rigid anterior member from moving closer than the first distance from the fixed reference point over the plurality of respiratory cycles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A chest brace comprising:
- a rigid anterior member;
securing means for operatively coupling the rigid anterior member to a patient'"'"'s chest; and
supporting means for (a) supporting the rigid anterior member at least a first distance from a fixed reference point over a plurality of respiratory cycles of such a patient, wherein the first distance corresponds to a distance in which a chest of such a patient is in a non-collapsed position, (b) allowing expansion of such a patient'"'"'s chest beyond a second distance from the fixed reference point by enabling the rigid anterior member to move with the patient responsive to expansion of such a patient'"'"'s chest beyond the second distance, and (c) preventing the rigid anterior member from moving closer than the first distance from the fixed reference point over the plurality of respiratory cycles. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
- a rigid anterior member;
Specification