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Device and method for opening an airway

  • US 9,820,881 B2
  • Filed: 05/20/2009
  • Issued: 11/21/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for alleviating obstruction of an airway, comprising:

  • a therapy appliance comprising a peripheral surface configured to mate with and thereby enclose an external area of the throat overlying the upper respiratory passage, whereby, when mated, said therapy appliance provides a space-filled chamber lying between the inner surface of the therapy appliance and the throat having an enclosed volume of between 0.5 and 12 in3, wherein said peripheral surface is configured to provide a pressure along the contact surface with the user'"'"'s skin of 60 mm Hg or less at a partial vacuum level within said enclosed volume of between about 7.6 cm to about 61 cm of water;

    an air pump operably connected to the chamber and configured to maintain a partial vacuum within said chamber; and

    a vacuum control module comprising a microcontroller operatively coupled to a vacuum or pressure sensor and motor control circuitry which controls the air pump on/off cycles and/or speed to maintain the partial vacuum level,wherein the air pump, driving motor, vacuum control module, and a battery providing power to the driving motor and vacuum control module are wearably supported by the therapy appliance, thereby providing an ambulatory therapy apparatus.

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