Stimulator combined with an intranasal respiratory method and device for improved breathing

• US 7,676,276 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2007
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Manuel L. Karell
• Original Assignee: Manuel L. Karell
• Inventors: Karell, Manuel L
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, ERICA SHENGKAI
• Application Number:
  US11/772,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20090012573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 600/534, 600/545, 128/848, 607/42, 607/134, 607/135
• US Class Current: 607/135
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/002 with air flow regulating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0493 with means for protecting the tube from damage caused by the patient's teeth, e.g. bite block
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0495 with tongue depressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/054 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0643 Tongue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0546 Nasal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0548 Oral electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs

Abstract

A nasal respiratory device and method adapted to provide electrical stimulation comprising an intraoral holdfast having a neuromuscular stimulator with electrodes adapted to provide electrical stimulation to a user for improving breathing and treating a respiratory disorder. The device and method affords access to ambient atmosphere or may be connected pressure devices such as CPAP. The device and method may also contain an airway resistor.

Claims

1. A nasal respiratory device adapted to provide electrical stimulation intranasally to a user comprising:

a passageway means for sealed air communication with a user'"'"'s respiratory system;

a holdfast means for removably securing said nasal respiratory device operatively connected to said passageway means;

at least one neuromuscular stimulator means for providing electrical stimulation operatively connected to said holdfast means;

and at least one electrode means for contacting the user intranasally, operatively connected to and deriving energy from said neuromuscular stimulator means.

2. A nasal respiratory device of claim 1 wherein said holdfast means additionally comprises at least one airway means for allowing air flow operatively communicating with said passageway means.

3. A nasal respiratory device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said holdfast means is adapted to engage a user'"'"'s upper or a user'"'"'s lower dentition or to engage with structures associated with the dentition.

4. A nasal respiratory device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least one air flow resistor means is in communication with said passageway means or said airway means for increasing resistance to air flow.

5. A nasal respiratory device of claim 4 wherein said air flow resistor means increases the resistance to air exhaled through the passageway means or airway means but does not substantially increase the resistance to air inhaled through the passageway means or airway means.

6. A nasal respiratory device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said holdfast means comprises:

a first member adapted to engage a structure associated with a user'"'"'s upper dentition;

a second member adapted to engage a structure associated with a user'"'"'s mandible;

a connecting assembly connecting the first member and the second member so as to limit movement of the first member relative to the second member, thereby controlling a position of the user'"'"'s mandible relative to the upper dentition.

7. A device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said holdfast additionally comprises a tongue holding means for holding the tongue of a user in a position to enhance patency of the user'"'"'s respiratory tract.

8. A device of claim 6 wherein said holdfast additionally comprises a tongue holding means for holding the tongue of a user in a position to enhance patency of the user'"'"'s respiratory tract.

9. A method for providing sealed air flow with intranasal electrical stimulation in an upper airway system of a user, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a nasal passageway operatively connected to a holdfast having a neuromuscular stimulator operatively connected to one or more intranasal electrodes;

inserting said nasal passageway and said holdfast into the user;

additionally having said one or more electrodes contact the user intranasally; and

then providing electrical stimulation to enhance air flow to the user.

10. Method according to claim 9 wherein continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) is additionally provided and wherein the user inserts the CPAP into said sealed air flow.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein additionally provided is the further step of inserting an air flow resistor into the nasal passageway for mimicking pursed lip breathing in the user.