Apparatus and methods for assisting breathing
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a subject comprising:
- (a) sensing an onset of the subject'"'"'s expiratory phase of breathing with one or more sensors; and
(b) delivering a stimulus to the subject'"'"'s lower anterior thorax or abdomen during at least part of the expiratory phase of breathing in response to said sensing, said stimulus being delivered by mechanical compression using a device comprising an inflatable compartment and effective to cause a contraction in the subject'"'"'s abdominal muscle so as to assist the subject with ventilation with the proviso that a stimulus is not delivered while the subject is inhaling.
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Abstract
The present invention provides, among other things, apparatus and methods of use for treating a subject in need of assistance with breathing. In some embodiments the subject suffers from airflow obstruction. In some embodiments, the subject suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
48 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of treating a subject comprising:
- (a) sensing an onset of the subject'"'"'s expiratory phase of breathing with one or more sensors; and
(b) delivering a stimulus to the subject'"'"'s lower anterior thorax or abdomen during at least part of the expiratory phase of breathing in response to said sensing, said stimulus being delivered by mechanical compression using a device comprising an inflatable compartment and effective to cause a contraction in the subject'"'"'s abdominal muscle so as to assist the subject with ventilation with the proviso that a stimulus is not delivered while the subject is inhaling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- (a) sensing an onset of the subject'"'"'s expiratory phase of breathing with one or more sensors; and
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14. An apparatus comprising:
- (a) one or more sensors suitable for detecting when a subject is exhaling; and
(b) a device comprising an inflatable compartment adapted to deliver a stimulus to the subject'"'"'s thorax or abdomen by mechanical compression of the inflatable compartment during at least part of an expiratory phase of the subject'"'"'s breathing in response to a signal generated by said one or more sensors, said stimulus effective to cause a contraction in the subject'"'"'s abdominal muscle, with the proviso that the apparatus does not include a device adapted to deliver a stimulus during inhalation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- (a) one or more sensors suitable for detecting when a subject is exhaling; and
Specification