Nasal respiratory devices
First Claim
1. A nasal respiratory device configured to be worn while sleeping and to be secured in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity, the device comprising:
- an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inhalation; and
a holdfast configured to secure the device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity;
wherein the nasal respiratory device has a resistance to expiration that is between about 0.001 and about 0.25 cm H2O/(ml/sec), and a resistance to inhalation that is between about 0.0001 and about 0.02 cm H2O/(ml/sec), when resistance is measured at 100 ml/sec.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein are nasal respiratory devices and methods for treating a variety of medical diseases including snoring and sleep apnea through the use of such devices. In general, these devices include an airflow resistor, such as a flap valve and a holdfast for securing the device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity. The devices may be configured to include leak paths to regulate the expiratory pressure when worn by a subject. Methods for using these devices may include securing a device over or at least partially within (or both of) a subject'"'"'s nasal cavities.
328 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A nasal respiratory device configured to be worn while sleeping and to be secured in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity, the device comprising:
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an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inhalation; and a holdfast configured to secure the device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity; wherein the nasal respiratory device has a resistance to expiration that is between about 0.001 and about 0.25 cm H2O/(ml/sec), and a resistance to inhalation that is between about 0.0001 and about 0.02 cm H2O/(ml/sec), when resistance is measured at 100 ml/sec. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of treating a disorder in a sleeping subject, the method comprising:
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allowing the subject to breathe through the mouth without additional resistance while inhibiting nasal expiration more than nasal inhalation while sleeping; and inhibiting nasal expiration more than nasal inhalation by providing a resistance to nasal expiration that is between about 0.001 and about 0.25 cm H2O(ml/sec), and a resistance to nasal inhalation that is between about 0.0001 and about 0.02 cm H2O/(ml/sec), measured at a flow rate of 100 ml/sec. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of treating a disorder in a sleeping subject, the method comprising:
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securing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity, wherein the respiratory device comprises a flap valve and a flap valve support adjacent to the flap valve, wherein the flap valve support is configured to prevent the flap valve from opening in more than one direction; and inhibiting nasal expiration more than nasal inhalation in the sleeping subject by providing a resistance to nasal expiration that is between about 0.001 and about 0.25 cm H2O/(ml/sec), and a resistance to nasal inhalation that is between about 0.0001 and about 0.02 cm H2O/(ml/sec), measured at a flow rate of 100 ml/sec. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of treating a disorder in a sleeping subject, the method comprising:
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securing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity, wherein the respiratory device comprises an airflow resistor configured to inhibit nasal expiration more than nasal inhalation; and inhibiting nasal expiration more than nasal inhalation in the sleeping subject by providing a resistance to nasal expiration that is between about 0.001 and about 0.25 cm H2O/(ml/sec), and a resistance to nasal inhalation that is between about 0.0001 and about 0.02 cm H2O/(ml/sec), measured at a flow rate of 100 ml/sec. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method of increasing a subject'"'"'s tolerance of a nasal device when treating a sleep disorder by reducing the sensation of expiratory resistance when awake, the method comprising:
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placing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity but not covering the subject'"'"'s mouth, wherein the nasal respiratory device includes an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inspiration; securing the nasal respiratory device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity; and instructing the subject to breathe through the mouth when awake or falling asleep. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method of monitoring treatment of a sleep disorder comprising:
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securing a nasal respiratory device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity, wherein the respiratory device includes an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inspiration; attaching a nasal airflow monitor to the nasal respiratory device or the patient'"'"'s face; and monitoring nasal airflow. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A nasal respiratory device configured to be secured in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity to treat a sleeping disorder, the device comprising:
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an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inhalation; a holdfast configured to secure the device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity but not covering the subject'"'"'s mouth; and a connector for a nasal airflow monitor configured to connect a nasal airflow monitor to the nasal respiratory device and monitor the subject'"'"'s respiration. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A method of increasing a subject'"'"'s tolerance of a nasal device when treating a sleep disorder by reducing the sensation of expiratory resistance when awake, the method comprising:
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placing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a nasal cavity but not covering the mouth, wherein the nasal respiratory device includes an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inspiration; securing the nasal respiratory device in communication with the nasal cavity; breathing through the mouth when awake or falling asleep; and breathing through the nose when asleep.
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Specification