Method and device for performing orientation dependent oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy

• US 9,149,589 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2011
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Original Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Inventors: Meyer, Adam, Gulka, Noel
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, WENG WAH
• Application Number:
  US13/154,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20110290240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,583 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/200.14, 128/205.19, 128/205.16, 128/204.18
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/02 operated by air or other gas pressure applied to the liquid or other product to be sprayed or atomised sprayers for horticulture A01G, A01H; killing insects A01M; air humidifying by nozzles F24F6/14, F24F6/18; cooling by spraying F28B, F28C
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/002 with air flow regulating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0006 with means for creating vibrations in patients' airways
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/021 operated by electrical means A61M16/202 – A61M16/205 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0866 Passive resistors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/14 by mixing different fluids, one of them being in a liquid phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/215 Tilt detection, e.g. for warning or shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/18 for improving respiratory function

Abstract

A respiratory device comprising a housing enclosing a chamber and an orientation indicator moveable with respect to the housing between a first position indicative of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device, and a second position indicative of an orientation of the respiratory device predetermined to be less suitable for operation of the respiratory device. The orientation indicator is positioned in a location on the respiratory device visible to a user during the operation of the respiratory device.

Claims

1. A respiratory device comprising:

a housing enclosing a chamber; and

an orientation indicator moveable with respect to the housing between a first position indicative of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device, and a second position indicative of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be less suitable for operation of the respiratory device, wherein the orientation indicator is positioned in a location on the respiratory device visible to a user during the operation of the respiratory device; and

wherein the orientation indicator is a fluid.

2. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the orientation indicator moves in response to a change in the orientation of the housing.

3. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein a weight of the orientation indicator biases the orientation indicator in the direction of gravity.

4. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the orientation indicator is moveable in at least one direction.

5. The respiratory device of claim 1 further comprising a capsule enclosing the orientation indicator, the capsule comprising an indicia for identifying a portion of the capsule in which the presence of the orientation indicator indicates an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device.

6. The respiratory device of claim 5, wherein the capsule is shaped so that the orientation indicator moves to the first position in response to a change in the orientation of the housing to an orientation predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device.

7. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the respiratory device is an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device.

8. The respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the respiratory device is a nebulizer.

10. The respiratory device of claim 7, further comprising:

a chamber inlet;

a chamber outlet;

a channel positioned in an exhalation flow path between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet; and

,

an air flow regulator moveable with respect to the channel.

9. A respiratory device comprising:

a housing enclosing a chamber; and

,

an orientation indicator configured to provide visual or auditory feedback to a user indicative of a suitability of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for administration of a respiratory therapy; and

,

wherein the orientation indicator comprises a micro electro-mechanical system gyroscope configured to sense the orientation of the housing.

11. A respiratory device comprising:

a housing enclosing a chamber; and

,

an orientation indicator moveable with respect to the housing between a first position indicative of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device, and a second position indicative of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be less suitable for operation of the respiratory device, wherein the orientation indicator is positioned in a location on the respiratory device visible to a user during the operation of the respiratory device; and

,

wherein the orientation indicator is a sphere.

12. The respiratory device of claim 11, wherein the orientation indicator moves in response to a change in the orientation of the housing.

13. The respiratory device of claim 11, wherein a weight of the orientation indicator biases the orientation indicator in the direction of gravity.

14. The respiratory device of claim 11, wherein the orientation indicator is moveable in at least one direction.

15. The respiratory device of claim 11, further comprising a capsule enclosing the orientation indicator, the capsule comprising an indicia for identifying a portion of the capsule in which the presence of the orientation indicator indicates an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device.

16. The respiratory device of claim 11, wherein the capsule is shaped so that the orientation indicator moves to the first position in response to a change in the orientation of the housing to an orientation predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device.

17. The respiratory device of claim 11, wherein the respiratory device is an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device.

18. The respiratory device of claim 11, wherein the respiratory device is a nebulizer.

19. The respiratory device of claim 17, further comprising:

a chamber inlet;

a chamber outlet;

a channel positioned in an exhalation flow path between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet; and

,

an air flow regulator moveable with respect to the channel.

20. A respiratory device comprising:

a housing enclosing a chamber; and

,

an orientation indicator moveable with respect to the housing between a first position indicative of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device, and a second position indicative of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be less suitable for operation of the respiratory device, wherein the orientation indicator is positioned in a location on the respiratory device visible to a user during the operation of the respiratory device; and

,

wherein the orientation indicator is a meter needle.

21. The respiratory device of claim 20, wherein the orientation indicator moves in response to a change in the orientation of the housing.

22. The respiratory device of claim 21, wherein a weight of the orientation indicator biases the orientation indicator in the direction of gravity.

23. The respiratory device of claim 21, wherein the orientation indicator is moveable in at least one direction.

24. The respiratory device of claim 21, further comprising a capsule enclosing the orientation indicator, the capsule comprising an indicia for identifying a portion of the capsule in which the presence of the orientation indicator indicates an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device.

25. The respiratory device of claim 20, wherein the capsule is shaped so that the orientation indicator moves to the first position in response to a change in the orientation of the housing to an orientation predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device.

26. The respiratory device of claim 20, wherein the respiratory device is an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device.

27. The respiratory device of claim 20, wherein the respiratory device is a nebulizer.

28. The respiratory device of claim 26, further comprising:

a chamber inlet;

a chamber outlet;

a channel positioned in an exhalation flow path between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet; and

,

an air flow regulator moveable with respect to the channel.

29. A respiratory device comprising:

a housing enclosing a chamber; and

,

an orientation indicator configured to provide visual or auditory feedback to a user indicative of a suitability of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for administration of a respiratory therapy;

wherein the orientation indicator comprises at least one light for indicating the suitability of the orientation of the housing for the administration of the respiratory therapy.

30. A respiratory device comprising:

a housing enclosing a chamber; and

,

an orientation indicator configured to provide visual or auditory feedback to a user indicative of a suitability of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for administration of a respiratory therapy;

wherein the orientation indicator comprises an audio signaling device for indicating the suitability of the orientation of the housing for the administration of the respiratory therapy.