Nasal devices

• US 7,987,852 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2009
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Theravent, Inc
• Original Assignee: Ventus Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Lebas, Sandrine, Sandoval, Arthur G., Doshi, Rajiv, Servaites, Jeffrey W., Pierce, Ryan Kendall, Loomas, Bryan, Sather, Elliot, Durack, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas; Steven O
• Application Number:
  US12/369,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20090188493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.11, 128/204.12, 128/204.11, 128/207.18, 128/206.18, 128/206.15
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/08 Devices for correcting deformities of the nose ; Devices for enlarging the nostril, e.g. for breathing improvement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/08 Inhaling devices inserted into the nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/085 Fixing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0688 by means of an adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0866 Passive resistors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/106 in a path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 23/06 Nose filters

Abstract

Described herein are adhesive nasal devices. In particular, the adhesive nasal respiratory devices described herein are configured to be worn in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity and may include a rim body having a passageway therethrough, an airflow resistor in communication with the passageway of the rim body, and a flexible, adhesive holdfast layer extending outward from the periphery of the rim body. The rim body region may be formed from multiple parts (e.g., a first and a second rim body region), and the airflow resistor may be secured between the parts forming the rim body. Methods of manufacturing and assembling these adhesive nasal devices are also described.

Claims

1. A nasal device adapted to be secured in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity, the device comprising:

a rim having an opening therethrough;

an airflow resistor in communication with the opening of the rim, wherein the airflow resistor is configured to inhibit airflow during expiration more than airflow during inspiration; and

a flexible, adhesive holdfast extending outward from the rim.

2. The nasal device of claim 1, wherein the rim comprises an outer rim body secured to an inner rim body.

3. The nasal device of claim 1, wherein the rim is flexible.

4. The nasal device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive holdfast is configured to seal the nasal device around the subject'"'"'s nostril.

5. The nasal device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive holdfast is configured to secure the airflow resistor in communication with both nostrils.

6. The nasal device of claim 1, wherein the airflow resistor comprises a flap valve.

7. The nasal device of claim 1, wherein the opening through the rim comprises an opening into a passageway through the rim.

8. The nasal device of claim 1, further comprising a protective cover configured to be removed from the adhesive holdfast to expose at least a portion of the biocompatible adhesive.

9. The nasal device of claim 1, wherein the rim comprises a rim body configured to project at least partially into a nostril when the adhesive holdfast is secured to a subject'"'"'s nose.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive holdfast extends from the periphery of the rim in a direction that is normal to the opening through the rim.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the airflow resistor is configured to have a resistance to expiration between about 5 cm H₂O/(L/sec) and about 250 cm H₂O/(L/sec) when resistance is measured at a flow rate of 100 ml/sec.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a leak pathway through the nasal device configured to be open during both expiration and inspiration.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adapter configured for use with an airflow or pressure measuring element.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the adapter is a cannula adapter configured to connect to a cannula to measure airflow or pressure.

15. A nasal device adapted to be secured in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity, the device comprising:

a flexible adhesive holdfast extending outward from an opening, the adhesive holdfast configured to secure the nasal device at least partially over or at least partly within a subject'"'"'s nostril; and

an airflow resistor in communication with the opening, wherein the airflow resistor is configured to inhibit airflow during expiration more than airflow during inspiration.

16. The nasal device of claim 15, further comprising a rim body around the opening, wherein the flexible adhesive holdfast extends outward from the periphery of the rim body.

17. The nasal device of claim 16, wherein the rim body is flexible.

18. The nasal device of claim 15, wherein the airflow resistor comprises a flap valve.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the airflow resistor is configured to have a resistance to expiration between about 5 cm H₂O/(L/sec) and about 250 cm H₂O/(L/sec) when resistance is measured at a flow rate of 100 ml/sec.

20. The nasal device of claim 15, further comprising a protective cover configured to be removed from the adhesive holdfast to expose at least a portion of the biocompatible adhesive.

21. The nasal device of claim 15, further comprising a rim configured to project at least partially into a nostril when the adhesive holdfast is secured to a subject'"'"'s nose.

22. The device of claim 15, further comprising an adapter configured for use with an airflow or pressure measuring element.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the adapter is a cannula adapter configured to connect to a cannula to measure airflow or pressure.

24. A method of treating a subject, the method comprising:

adhesively securing a nasal device at least partly over or at least partly within at least one of a subject'"'"'s nostrils, the nasal device comprising

a flexible adhesive holdfast extending outward from an opening, and

an airflow resistor in communication with the opening, wherein the airflow resistor is configured to inhibit airflow during expiration more than airflow during inspiration; and

inhibiting expiration more than inspiration through the at least one nostril.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising measuring airflow through the nasal device.

26. A method of treating a subject with a nasal device, the method comprising:

aligning an opening of the nasal device with an opening of a nostril of the subject;

securing the nasal device to skin surrounding the nostril opening; and

breathing through the opening of the nasal device to inhibit expiration more than inspiration through the nostril.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the nasal device comprises an adhesive holdfast, the securing step comprising adhering the holdfast to the skin.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the adhesive holdfast surrounds the opening of the nasal device.

29. The method of claim 26 further comprising sealing the nasal device to or around the nostril opening, the breathing step comprising passing all air entering the nostril through the nasal device.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein the nasal device comprises an airflow resistor, the breathing step comprising breathing through the airflow resistor.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein the nasal device comprises a rim, the aligning step comprising aligning the rim with the nostril opening.