Methods and devices for treating sleep apnea

A method of treating sleep apnea, the method comprising:

• inserting a transtracheal ventilation catheter with a distal tip into a trachea;
• measuring a breathing cycle with one or more sensors;
• controlling a ventilator with a control system based upon signals from the one or more sensors;
• delivering ventilation gas from the ventilator to the transtracheal ventilation catheter through a ventilation gas delivery circuit in synchrony with the breathing cycle;
• and
• wherein the distal tip of the transtracheal ventilation catheter directs the ventilation gas in a direction selected from the group consisting of superiorly from the transtracheal ventilation catheter towards an upper airway, inferiorly from the transtracheal ventilation catheter towards a lung, and combinations thereof.

A ventilation apparatus for treating sleep apnea, the apparatus comprising:

• a ventilator for delivering ventilation gas;
• a control system for the ventilator;
• a trans-oral ventilation catheter for insertion into an oral cavity;
• a distal tip on the trans-oral ventilation catheter;
• one or more first sensors;
• one or more second sensors;
• wherein signals from the one or more first sensors and the one or more second sensors are combined to determine a breathing cycle;
• a ventilation gas delivery circuit connecting the ventilator to the trans-oral ventilation catheter;
• wherein the control system operates the ventilator such that ventilation gas is delivered in synchrony with the breathing cycle;
• and
• wherein the distal tip delivers the ventilation gas in a direction inferiorly from the trans-oral ventilation catheter towards a lung.

A method of treating sleep apnea, the method comprising;

• inserting a trans-oral ventilation catheter with a distal tip into an oral cavity;
• measuring a breathing cycle with one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors;
• controlling a ventilator with a control system based upon signals from the one or more first sensors and the one or more second sensors;
• delivering ventilation gas from the ventilator to the trans-oral ventilation catheter through a ventilation gas delivery circuit in synchrony with the breathing cycle;
• and
• wherein the distal tip of the trans-oral ventilation catheter directs the ventilation gas in a direction inferiorly from the trans-oral ventilation catheter towards a lung.

A ventilation apparatus for treating sleep apnea, the apparatus comprising:

• a ventilator for delivering ventilation gas;
• a control system for the ventilator;
• a trans-nasal ventilation catheter for insertion into an nasal cavity;
• a distal tip on the nasal-oral ventilation catheter;
• one or more first sensors;
• one or more second sensors;
• wherein signals from the one or more first sensors and the one or more second sensors are combined to determine a breathing cycle;
• a ventilation gas delivery circuit connecting the ventilator to the trans-nasal ventilation catheter;
• wherein the control system operates the ventilator such that ventilation gas is delivered in synchrony with the breathing cycle;
• and
• wherein the distal tip delivers the ventilation gas in a direction inferiorly from the trans-nasal ventilation catheter towards a lung.

A method of treating sleep apnea, the method comprising;

• inserting a trans-nasal ventilation catheter with a distal tip into an nasal cavity;
• measuring a breathing cycle with one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors;
• controlling a ventilator with a control system based upon signals from the one or more first sensors and the one or more second sensors;
• delivering ventilation gas from the ventilator to the trans-nasal ventilation catheter through a ventilation gas delivery circuit in synchrony with the breathing cycle;
• and
• wherein the distal tip of the trans-nasal ventilation catheter directs the ventilation gas in a direction inferiorly from the trans-oral ventilation catheter towards a lung.