Nasal devices with respiratory gas source

• US 8,365,736 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2010
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Theravent, Inc
• Original Assignee: Ventus Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Doshi, Rajiv, Hatanaka, Motohide, Howard, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TARLA R
• Application Number:
  US12/884,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20110005528A1
• Time in Patent Office: 873 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 method of treating a subject, the method comprising:

securing a nasal device in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal passage, wherein the nasal device comprises an airflow resistor configured to inhibit exhalation through the nasal device more than inhalation through the nasal device; and

providing a source of respiratory gas to the subject wearing the nasal device wherein air flow resistor partially or completely occludes respiratory gas supply, thereby only providing release of gas when the subject is inhaling and the airflow resistor is at least partially open.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the source of respiratory gas to the nasal device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling a source of respiratory gas to a respiratory gas inlet on the nasal device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the securing step comprises adhesively securing the nasal device to the subject.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the securing step comprises inserting the nasal device at least partially into the subject'"'"'s nose.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising instructing the subject to wear the nasal device while sleeping.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing comprises securing the nasal device in communication with one or both of a subject'"'"'s nostrils.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing comprises securing the nasal device in communication with the nasal passage of a subject suffering from COPD.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing comprises securing the nasal device in communication with the nasal passage of a subject suffering from sleep apnea.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing comprises securing the nasal device in communication with the nasal passage of a subject suffering from heart failure.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing comprises securing the nasal device in communication with the nasal passage of a subject suffering from a respiratory or cardiovascular condition.

12. A nasal respiratory device configured to be worn in or on a subject'"'"'s nose without covering the subject'"'"'s mouth, the device comprising:

an opening configured to communicate with a 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;

a holdfast configured to secure the nasal respiratory device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity; and

a respiratory gas inlet configured to connect to a respiratory gas supply.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the respiratory gas inlet is coupled to the holdfast.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the respiratory gas inlet is coupled to the airflow resistor.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the holdfast is configured to seal the nasal respiratory device to the subject.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the airflow resistor comprises a flap valve.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the holdfast comprises an adhesive.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein the holdfast comprises a compressible material.

19. The device of claim 12, wherein the holdfast is configured to secure the device in communication with a single nostril.

20. The device of claim 12, wherein the holdfast is configured to secure the device in communication with both nostrils.