Oscillating positive respiratory pressure device

• US 9,808,588 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2017
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Original Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Inventors: Meyer, Adam, Engelbreth, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Young, Rachel
• Application Number:
  US15/453,767
• Time in Patent Office: 244 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0006 with means for creating vibrations in patients' airways
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0096 High frequency jet ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• 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 16/20 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

Abstract

An oscillating positive respiratory pressure apparatus and a method of performing oscillating positive respiratory pressure therapy. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, an exhalation flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet, and a restrictor member rotatably mounted within the interior chamber. The restrictor member has an axis of rotation that is substantially perpendicular to the flow path at the inlet, and includes at least one blocking segment. Rotation of the restrictor member moves the at least one blocking segment between an open position and a closed position. Respiratory pressure at the chamber inlet oscillates between a minimum when the at least one blocking segment is in the open position and a maximum when the at least one blocking segment is in the closed position. By exhaling into the apparatus, oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy is administered.

Claims

1. A respiratory treatment device comprising:

an inlet configured to receive exhaled air into the device;

an outlet configured to permit air to exit the device;

an opening positioned in an exhalation flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet;

a blocking segment configured to rotate relative to the opening between a closed position where the flow of air through the opening is restricted, and an open position where the flow of air through the opening is less restricted; and

,

a vane configured to rotate the blocking segment between the closed position and the open position in response to the flow of air through the opening;

wherein a size of a blocking surface of the blocking segment is equal to or greater than a size of the opening.

2. The respiratory treatment device of claim 1, wherein the blocking segment is mounted on the vane.

3. The respiratory treatment device of claim 2, wherein the blocking segment is mounted to the vane at an obtuse angle.

4. The respiratory treatment device of claim 1, wherein the blocking segment and the vane are rotatable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to a direction of the flow of air through the opening.

5. The respiratory treatment device of claim 1, wherein the blocking segment and the vane have a combined center of gravity offset from the axis of rotation.

6. The respiratory treatment device of claim 1, wherein the blocking segment and the vane are biased during a period of no air flow through the opening solely by a weight of gravity.

7. The respiratory treatment device of claim 1, wherein the flow of air through the opening is completely blocked when the blocking segment is in the closed position.

8. The respiratory treatment device of claim 1, wherein the blocking surface of the blocking segment contacts the opening when the blocking segment is in the closed position.

9. A respiratory treatment device comprising:

an inlet configured to receive exhaled air into the device;

an outlet configured to permit air to exit the device;

an opening positioned in an exhalation flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet, the opening having a generally oblong cross-sectional shape comprising a shorter first dimension and an elongated second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension; and

,

a blocking segment configured to translate relative to the opening along the shorter first dimension between a closed position where the flow of air through the opening is restricted, and an open position where the flow of air through the opening is less restricted;

wherein a size of a blocking surface of the blocking segment is equal to or greater than a size of the opening.

10. The respiratory treatment device of claim 9, wherein the oblong cross-sectional shape is generally rectangular.

11. The respiratory treatment device of claim 9, further comprising a conduit having a length terminating at the opening, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the conduit along the length matches the cross-sectional shape of the opening.

12. The respiratory treatment device of claim 11, wherein a cross-sectional area of the conduit is less than a cross-sectional area of an opening associated with a patient interface located upstream of the conduit.

13. The respiratory treatment device of claim 9, further comprising a vane configured to move the blocking segment between the closed position and the open position in response to the flow of air through the opening.

14. The respiratory treatment device of claim 13, wherein the blocking segment is mounted on the vane.

15. The respiratory treatment device of claim 9, wherein a side profile of the blocking segment, in the direction of the elongated second dimension, is shaped to mate with a side profile of the opening, when the blocking segment is in the closed position.

16. The respiratory treatment device of claim 9, wherein the flow of air through the opening is completely blocked when the blocking segment is in the closed position.

17. The respiratory treatment device of claim 9, wherein the blocking surface of the blocking segment contacts the opening when the blocking segment is in the closed position.

18. A respiratory treatment device comprising:

an inlet configured to receive exhaled air into the device;

an outlet configured to permit air to exit the device;

an opening positioned in an exhalation flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet, and,

a blocking segment configured to translate relative to the opening between a closed position where the flow of air through the opening is restricted, and an open position where the flow of air through the opening is less restricted;

wherein a side profile of the blocking segment is shaped to mate with a side profile of the opening, when the blocking segment is in the closed position; and

,

wherein a size of a blocking surface of the blocking segment is equal to or greater than a size of the opening.

19. The respiratory treatment device of claim 18, wherein the side profile of the blocking segment and the side profile of the opening are curved to mate with one another.

20. The respiratory treatment device of claim 18, further comprising a vane configured to move the blocking segment between the closed position and the open position in response to the flow of air through the opening.

21. The respiratory treatment device of claim 20, wherein the blocking segment is mounted on the vane.

22. The respiratory treatment device of claim 18, further comprising a conduit having a length terminating at the opening, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the conduit along the length matches a cross-sectional shape of the opening.

23. The respiratory treatment device of claim 22, wherein the opening has a generally oblong cross-sectional shape comprising a shorter first dimension and an elongated second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension.

24. The respiratory treatment device of claim 23, wherein the blocking segment is configured to translate relative to the opening along the shorter first dimension between the closed position and the open position.

25. The respiratory treatment device of claim 18, wherein the flow of air through the opening is completely blocked when the blocking segment is in the closed position.

26. The respiratory treatment device of claim 18, wherein the blocking surface of the blocking segment contacts the opening when the blocking segment is in the closed position.