Sealing nasal devices for use while sleeping

• US 8,215,308 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2010
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Theravent, Inc
• Original Assignee: Ventus Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Doshi, Rajiv, Hatanaka, Motohide, Howard, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco, Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Tarla
• Application Number:
  US12/884,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20110056499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/205.27, 128/205.29, 128/206.11, 128/207.18
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/002 with air flow regulating means
• 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 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0688 by means of an adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0694 Chin straps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/106 in a path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1065 in the expiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 23/06 Nose filters

Abstract

Described here are devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the mouth and nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical diseases, particularly those that may benefit from “pursed-lip” breathing and non-invasive ventilation, such as COPD, heart failure, sleep apnea, and other medical disorders. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed over or in a respiratory cavity to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. Removable oral and removable nasal devices are described. Oral and nasal devices that filter inhaled airflow of debris and allergens are also provided. A nasal device that increases patency of the nares is also provided.

Claims

1. A nasal respiratory device for use while sleeping and adapted to be secured at least partially outside a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity, the device comprising:

an opening configured to communicate with the nasal cavity;

an airflow resistor in communication with the opening and configured to increase the resistance to air exhaled through the opening to be more than the resistance to air inhaled through the opening;

a holdfast configured to secure the device to or around one or both of the subject'"'"'s nostrils and

a seal configured to seal the nasal respiratory device to or around one or both of the subject'"'"'s nostrils without covering the subject'"'"'s mouth.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast comprises an adhesive holdfast.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast secures the device in communication with both nasal cavities.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast secures the device in communication with a single nasal cavity.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast at least partially surrounds the opening.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising an active agent selected from the group consisting of:

a drug or medicament, and an odorant.