Respiratory apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea
AssigneeBryggs Medical LLC
InventorsMajid Rashidi, Geoffrey Sleeper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP) device disclosed herein fits at or around the a person's nose, and incorporates at least one bi-resistance air flow cartridge which allows air to enter the nose freely upon inspiration, while it produces a prescribed back pressure against the discharging air from the nose upon expiration. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of detachable bi-resistance air flow cartridges is attached to the underside of a frame, in alignment with two flexible nasal pillows that connect the device to a person's nostrils.
Claims20
A cartridge assembly for an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) device, the cartridge assembly comprising:
- housing having an air flow path therethrough;
- at least one bi-resistance air flow assembly oriented in the air flow path that includes a thin-walled, flexible shell having a closed, first end and an open, second end that (i) allows air flow through the air flow path freely and without resistance upon inspiration, and (ii) expands upon expiration whereby the shell seals along a substantial perimeter portion thereof with the housing to produce a prescribed back pressure during expiration;
- and
- a connector that mechanically joins the flexible shell to the housing, the connector including at least one protruding first portion on one of the flexible shell and housing that is received in at least one corresponding recess in the other of the flexible shell and housing.
The cartridge assembly further comprising a bypass assembly that opens a bypass path at a predetermined level of back pressure during expiration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.