Nasal respiratory devices

• US 20070277832A1
• Filed: 05/22/2007
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Theravent, Inc
• Original Assignee: Ventus Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Doshi, Rajiv, Loomas, Bryan, Pierce, Ryan
• Granted Patent: US 7,856,979 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.180
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/08 Devices for correcting deformities of the nose ; Devices for enlarging the nostril, e.g. for breathing improvement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0688 by means of an adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• 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 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/003 with a flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/75 with filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 23/06 Nose filters

Abstract

Described herein are nasal respiratory devices and methods for treating a variety of medical diseases including snoring and sleep apnea through the use of such devices. In general, these devices include an airflow resistor, such as a flap valve and a holdfast for securing the device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity. The devices may be configured to include leak paths to regulate the expiratory pressure when worn by a subject. Methods for using these devices may include securing a device over or at least partially within (or both of) a subject'"'"'s nasal cavities.

Claims

1. A nasal respiratory device comprising:

a passageway configured to communicate with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity,

a flap valve in communication with the passageway;

a flap valve support adjacent to the flap valve, wherein the flap valve support is configured to prevent the flap valve from opening in more than one direction; and

a holdfast configured to secure the passageway in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity without covering the subject'"'"'s mouth.

2. The respiratory device of claim 1, further comprising at least one leak path through the device.

3. The respiratory device of claim 1, further comprising at least one leak path that is not formed through a flap of the flap valve.

4. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the flap valve is continuously flexible.

5. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the flap valve is made of silicone.

6. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast is configured to secure the respiratory device at least partially over the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity.

7. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast is configured to secure the respiratory device at least partially within the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity.

8. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast is configured to secure the respiratory device in communication with at least one of the subject'"'"'s nostrils.

9. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, further comprising a substantially tubular body forming the passageway.

10. The nasal respiratory device of claim 9, wherein the substantially tubular body comprises an elliptical cross-section.

11. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, further comprising a valve seal surface within the passageway configured to seat the edge of the flap valve when the flap valve is closed.

12. The nasal respiratory device of claim 11, wherein the valve seal surface comprises a lip protruding into the passageway.

13. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the flap valve support comprises at least one crossbeam spanning the passageway.

14. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the flap valve support comprises a pair of intersecting crossbeams.

15. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, further comprising a flap valve aligner projecting from or into a crossbeam spanning the passageway, wherein the flap valve aligner orients the flap valve within the passageway.

16. The nasal respiratory device of claim 15, wherein the flap valve aligner comprises one or more posts configured to pass through an opening on the flap valve.

17. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast is made from a foam.

18. The nasal respiratory device of claim 1, wherein the holdfast is foamed polyurethane.

19. A nasal respiratory device configured to be secured in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity, the device comprising:

an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inspiration; and

a holdfast configured to secure the device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity without covering the subject'"'"'s mouth;

wherein the nasal respiratory device has a resistance to expiration that is between about 0.001 and about 0.25 cm H₂O/ml/sec, and a resistance to inhalation that is between about 0.0001 and about 0.05 cm H₂O/ml/sec, when resistance is measured at 100 ml/sec.

20. The nasal respiratory device of claim 19, wherein the nasal respiratory device has a resistance to expiration that is between about 0.03 cm H₂O/ml/sec and about 0.2 cm H₂O/ml/sec.

21. The nasal respiratory device of claim 19, wherein the nasal respiratory device has a resistance to expiration that is between about 0.03 and about 0.15 cm H₂O/ml/sec.

22. The nasal respiratory device of claim 19, wherein the nasal respiratory device has a resistance to inhalation that is between about 0.001 and about 0.02 cm H₂O/ml/sec.

23. The nasal respiratory device of claim 19, wherein the nasal respiratory device has a resistance to inhalation that is between about 0.001 and about 0.01 cm H₂O/ml/sec.

24. The nasal respiratory device of claim 19, wherein the airflow resistor comprises a flap valve.

25. The nasal respiratory device of claim 19, further comprising at least one leak path.

26. The nasal respiratory device of claim 25, wherein the at least one leak path is not formed though a movable portion of the airflow resistor.

27. A nasal respiratory device comprising:

a passageway configured to communicate with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity having an opening;

a flap valve in communication with the opening;

a flap valve aligner aligning a flap of the flap valve in communication with the opening; and

a holdfast configured to secure the passageway in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity.

28. The nasal respiratory device of claim 27, further comprising at least one leak path.

29. The nasal respiratory device of claim 27, further comprising at least one leak path that is not formed though the flap of the flap valve.

30. The nasal respiratory device of claim 27, wherein the flap valve is continuously flexible.

31. The nasal respiratory device of claim 27, wherein the flap valve comprises silicone.

32. The nasal respiratory device of claim 27, wherein the flap valve is non-circular.

33. The nasal respiratory device of claim 27, wherein the holdfast is configured to secure the respiratory device at least partly over the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity.

34. The nasal respiratory device of claim 27, wherein the holdfast is configured to secure the respiratory device at least partially within the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity.

35. The nasal respiratory device of claim 27, wherein the holdfast is configured to secure the respiratory device in communication with at least one of the subject'"'"'s nostrils.

36. The nasal respiratory device of claim 27, further comprising a flap valve support.

37. The nasal respiratory device of claim 27, further comprising a flap valve support including at least one crossbeam spanning the passageway.

38. A method of treating a disorder comprising:

allowing the subject to breathe through the mouth without additional resistance while inhibiting nasal expiration more than nasal inhalation; and

inhibiting nasal expiration more than nasal inspiration by providing a resistance to nasal expiration that is between about 0.001 and about 0.25 cm H₂O/ml/sec, and a resistance to nasal inhalation that is between about 0.0001 and about 0.05 cm H₂O/ml/sec measured at a flow rate of 100 ml/sec.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising securing a respiratory device in communication with the subject'"'"'s nasal cavity, wherein the respiratory device comprises an airflow resistor that inhibits expiration more then inhalation.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the disorder treated is selected from the group consisting of:

sleep disordered breathing or snoring.

41. A method of treating a disorder comprising:

securing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity but not covering the subject'"'"'s mouth, wherein the respiratory device comprises a flap valve and a flap valve support adjacent to the flap valve, wherein the flap valve support is configured to prevent the flap valve from opening in more than one direction.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the disorder treated is selected from the group consisting of:

sleep disordered breathing or snoring.

43. A method of treating a disorder comprising:

securing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a subject'"'"'s nasal cavity, wherein the respiratory device comprises a flap valve and a flap valve aligner aligning a flap of the flap valve in communication with an opening through the nasal respiratory device.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the disorder treated is selected from the group consisting of:

sleep disordered breathing or snoring.