Non-invasive ventilation via an air entrainment patient interface

A device, comprising:

• a conduit means disposed about a longitudinal axis, the conduit means defining an entrainment opening and a nasal opening at opposing ends of the conduit means such that the longitudinal axis passes through both the entrainment opening and the nasal opening;
• an orifice means proximate to the entrainment opening and configured to expel a jet of gas;
• and
• a surface means having a first end and a second end, the first end being proximate to the orifice and extending substantially parallel to a direction of the jet of gas expelled from the orifice means, the second end being closer to the nasal opening than the first end;
• wherein, in an operational state, the jet of gas adheres to the surface means via Coanda effect, thereby entraining ambient air into the entrainment opening to deliver the jet of gas and the ambient air through the nasal opening of the conduit means.

A method, comprising:

• providing a conduit disposed about a longitudinal axis, the conduit defining an entrainment opening and a nasal opening at opposing ends of the conduit such that the longitudinal axis passes through both the entrainment opening and the nasal opening;
• configuring an orifice proximate to the entrainment opening to expel a jet of gas;
• and
• providing a surface having a first end and a second end, the first end being proximate to the orifice and extending substantially parallel to a flow direction of the jet of gas expelled from the orifice, the second end being closer to the nasal opening than the first end;
• wherein the orifice and the surface are arranged to adhere, in an operational state, the jet of gas to the surface via Coanda effect, thereby entraining ambient air into the entrainment opening to deliver the jet of gas and the ambient air through the nasal opening of the conduit.