# US 10,245,397 B2 · Device and method for performing respiratory training > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,397 B2 - Document ID: US10245397B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/759,131 - Filed: 2014-02-05 - Published: 2015-12-10 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-05 - Assignees: Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen - Applicants: Rheinisch-Westfaelische-Technische Hochschule Aachen - Inventors: Ahmad Ali Kashefi-Khorasani; Rainer Dautzenberg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245397B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/0045: {Means for re-breathing exhaled gases, e.g. for hyperventilation treatment} - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/1005: {with O2 features or with parameter measurement} - A61M 16/208: {Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves} - A61M 16/22: Carbon dioxide-absorbing devices {; Other means for removing carbon dioxide}(cartridges with absorbing substances for respiratory apparatus A62B19/00) - A63B 23/18: for improving respiratory function - A61M 16/107: {in the inspiratory path} - A61M 2202/0225: Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide - A61M 2205/17: with redundant control systems - A61M 2205/7536: allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes - A63B 2213/006: under hypoxy conditions, i.e. oxygen supply subnormal - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract The invention relates to a device for performing respiratory training, in particular altitude training, comprising a mouthpiece (1) through which a person can exhale respiratory gas into a volume (2, 3a, 7) or can inhale it out of the volume (2, 3a, 7), wherein this volume (2, 3a, 7) is formed at least in part by a container (2) which is adjustable in terms of its volume and which is connected to the mouthpiece, wherein the volume (2, 3a, 7) adjoins one side of at least one gas-permeable membrane (4), to the other side of which at least one gas exchange chamber (3b) is connected, through which a fluid provided for the gas exchange, in particular CO2 and/or O2 gas exchange, can actively flow. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for performing respiratory training, in particular altitude training, wherein a person exhales into a training device through a mouthpiece (1) and inhales from this training device, wherein the O2 and/or CO2 partial pressure in the respiratory gas inhaled from the device is influenced by exchange of O2 and/or CO2 between the respiratory gas in the training device and a fluid provided for the gas exchange through at least one gas-permeable membrane (4). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for respiratory training, the apparatus comprising: a mouthpiece through which a person is able to exhale and inhale respiratory gas; a variable-volume container forming at least part of a closed space connected to the mouthpiece; at least one gas-permeable membrane delimiting a part of the closed space on one side and forming on an opposite side a gas-exchange chamber; and means operated by the respiratory gas flow of the inhaled and exhaled respiratory gas for flowing an O2 or CO2 gas-exchange fluid over the opposite side of the membrane. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container is closed to ambient air. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a breath-gas reservoir forming part of the closed space immediately adjacent the variable-volume container, the breath-gas reservoir comprising movable or flexible wall regions so that the volume of the breath-gas reservoir can be made larger or smaller by inflowing and outflowing respiratory gas. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: means for limiting movement and thus a maximum volume of the breath-gas reservoir the limiting means including at least one adjustable stop against which the movable or flexible wall regions of the breath-gas reservoir can engage at maximum filling with the respiratory gas. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a valve in the closed space so as to release respiratory gas through the valve out to the environment from the closed space when there is a positive pressure relative to the outside environment or to draw fresh air in through the valve to the closed space when there is a negative pressure relative to the outside environment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the closed space adjoins respective outer surfaces of a plurality of gas-permeable tubular fibers in the interior of which the CO2 or O2 gas-exchange fluid flows actively in use. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the gas-permeable tubular fibers are formed by a modularly assemblable mount comprising at least one module having a plurality of the tubular fibers. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container is a variable-length bellows or comprises at least two container sections that telescope relative to one another.