Nasal devices for use while sleeping

• US 8,235,046 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2010
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• 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:
  US12/884,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20110067708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 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 entirely outside of 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, wherein the airflow resistor is configured to increase the resistance to air exhaled through the opening more than the resistance to air inhaled through the opening; and

a holdfast configured to secure the nasal respiratory device so that the device is entirely outside of the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity without covering the mouth.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast is configured to seal the device around the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity or face.

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

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

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

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

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

a drug or medicament, and an odorant.

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

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast comprises straps or bands.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a respiratory gas inlet configured to connect to a respiratory gas supply.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a source of respiratory gas.

12. A nasal respiratory device to support an airway of a sleeping subject, the device comprising:

a body configured to communicate with one or more nasal orifices;

a flap valve attached to the body, wherein the flap valve is oriented to limit exhalation more than inhalation through the body; and

a sealing surface on the body configured to seal the device over the subject'"'"'s nose so that the airflow through the nasal orifice passes through the device.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising a holdfast configured to secure the device to or around the subject'"'"'s nasal orifice.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the holdfast comprises an adhesive holdfast.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the holdfast secures the device in communication with both nasal cavities.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the holdfast secures the device in communication with a single nasal cavity.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the holdfast at least partially surrounds the body.

18. The device of claim 12, further comprising an active agent selected from the group consisting of:

a drug or medicament, and an odorant.

19. The device of claim 12, further comprising a respiratory gas inlet configured to connect to a respiratory gas supply.

20. The device of claim 12, further comprising a source of respiratory gas.

21. A method of treating a disorder, the method comprising:

securing a nasal respiratory device entirely outside of a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity without covering the subject'"'"'s mouth, wherein the device includes an airflow resistor that increases the resistance to air exhaled through the device more than the resistance to air inhaled through the device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the securing step comprises sealing the device around the nasal cavity.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the securing step comprises adhesively securing the device around the nasal cavity.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising sleeping while wearing the device.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising aligning the airflow resistor with one or both nostrils.