Portable oral positive expiratory pressure-generating devices with variable expiratory airflow resistances
AssigneeUniversity of Cincinnati
InventorsMuhammad Ahsan Zafar, Ralph J Panos
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A positive expiratory pressure-generating device for reducing breathlessness in a subject with one or more pulmonary disorders is disclosed. The device is rigid and hollow and can be held in the mouth of the subject. The device has at least one air chamber, at least one opening in the portion of the device that is held in the mouth and at least one additional airflow orifice. The device is configured to increase expiratory resistance and can be supported by the mouth of the subject without the need for additional support by hands, another device or other means.
Claims16
A positive expiratory pressure-generating device for reducing breathlessness in a subject with one or more pulmonary disorders comprising a rigid hollow device that is configured to be held in a mouth of the subject, the rigid hollow device having at least one air chamber, at least one opening in the portion of the rigid hollow device that is configured to be held in the mouth and at least one additional airflow orifice;
- wherein the rigid hollow device is configured to increase expiratory resistance and further, is configured to be supported by the mouth of the subject without the need for additional support by hands or another device, additionally, wherein the rigid hollow device has a width and a height, and the width is at least twice the height of the rigid hollow device, and further, wherein the rigid hollow device is a solid molded piece with no additional parts or moving parts and wherein the at least one air chamber has a conical shape and has a volume of at least 3 cubic centimeters.
A method of reducing a subject's respiratory rate compared to the subject's normal respiratory rate comprising the subject placing a rigid hollow device in their mouth and breathing through the rigid hollow device for a period of time, the rigid hollow device having at least one air chamber, at least one opening in the portion of the rigid hollow device that is held in the mouth and at least one additional airflow orifice;
- wherein the rigid hollow device is configured to be supported by the mouth of the subject without the need for additional support by hands or another device, and further, wherein the subject has a breathing cycle with an exhalation phase and, when the rigid hollow device is in use, it prolongs the exhalation phase of the subject's breathing cycle, additionally, wherein the rigid hollow device has a width and a height, and the width is at least twice the height of the rigid hollow device, and further, wherein the rigid hollow device is a solid molded piece with no additional parts or moving parts and wherein the at least one air chamber has a conical shape and has a volume of at least 3 cubic centimeters.
A method of maintaining an oxygen saturation level for a subject with one or more pulmonary disorders who experiences exertional desaturation comprising the subject placing a rigid hollow device in their mouth and breathing through the rigid hollow device for a period of time, the rigid hollow device having at least one air chamber, at least one opening in the portion of the rigid hollow device that is held in the mouth and at least one additional airflow orifice;
- wherein the rigid hollow device is configured to be supported by the mouth of the subject without the need for additional support by hands or another device, and further, wherein, during exertion, the subject maintains an oxygen saturation level at or above 88% of a resting oxygen saturation level, additionally, wherein the rigid hollow device has a width and a height, and the width is at least twice the height of the rigid hollow device, and further, wherein the rigid hollow device is a solid molded piece with no additional parts or moving parts and wherein the at least one air chamber has a conical shape and has a volume of at least 3 cubic centimeters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.