Device and method for opening an airway
AssigneeSommetrics, Inc.
InventorKent GANDOLA
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides devices and methods for creating and/or maintaining a seal between a pump element and a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber device is configured to fit on the skin of a subject, for example at an external location corresponding approximately with the subject's internal soft tissue associated with the neck's anterior triangle. The sealing device includes structural elements designed to optimize ease of use for the user while providing optimal sealing of device components, achieved through features that avoid excessive forces during assembly and disassembly while maintaining the integrity of the chamber device shape and air-tight seals during operation of the device.
Claims12
A negative pressure therapy device, comprising
- a chamber body comprising
- (iv) a skin interface at the periphery of the chamber body configured to provide a skin contact surface with the individual, wherein when the skin interface is in contact with the individual, the chamber body defines an external aspect facing the ambient environment, an internal aspect facing the skin tissue, and an enclosed interior volume overlying the skin tissue that is enclosed by the chamber body,
- (v) an aperture through the chamber body,
- (vi) a sealing interface at the periphery of the aperture, the sealing interface comprising
- a lip seal comprising a resilient sealing lip projecting toward the interior of the chamber body,
- a first recess posterior to the resilient sealing lip relative to the aperture,
- a first backing support posterior to the first recess relative to the aperture,
- a second recess posterior to the backing support relative to the aperture, and
- a second backing support posterior to the second recess relative to the aperture,
- wherein the lip seal and the first and second backing supports are configured as unitary components of the chamber body;
- an air pump configured to insert into the aperture from the external aspect of the chamber body and comprising a first collar interface surface, wherein upon insertion into the aperture the air pump is operably connected to the chamber body to remove air from the enclosed volume when energized, the air pump deflects the resilient sealing lip into the first recess, thereby forming an airtight seal with the chamber body, and the first collar interface surface is accessible from the interior of the chamber body;
- a rigid or substantially rigid retainer collar comprising a continuous peripheral edge region configured to insert into the second recess and a second collar interface surface configured to cooperatively engage with the first collar interface surface from within the interior aspect of the chamber body, wherein insertion of the peripheral edge region into the second recess and engagement of the first and second collar interface surfaces reversibly retains the air pump and retainer collar to the chamber body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.