Aerosol delivery apparatus with positive expiratory pressure capacity
AssigneeTrudell Medical International
InventorsJames N. Schmidt, Daniel Engelbreth, Rick Blacker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for performing positive pressure (PP) therapy alone or in combination with an aerosol delivery apparatus. The positive pressure apparatus includes a positive pressure valve having a continuously variable respiratory window. The PP valve may be associated with a patient respiratory system interface alone, such as, but not limited to, a mask or mouthpiece, or in combination with an aerosol delivery apparatus.
Claims32
A positive respiratory pressure apparatus comprising:
- a patient respiratory system interface;
- and
- a valve assembly in fluid communication with the patient respiratory system interface, the valve assembly comprising:
- a valve configured to pass a fluid traveling in a predetermined direction from a first side to a second side of the valve;
- and
- a variable resistance bypass window positioned adjacent the valve and having a resistance to a fluid traveling in a direction opposed to the predetermined direction, wherein the variable resistance bypass window is continuously adjustable between a first fluid resistance and a second fluid resistance.
A positive respiratory pressure apparatus comprising:
- a patient respiratory system interface;
- an aerosol delivery apparatus in fluid communication with the patient respiratory system interface;
- and
- a valve assembly in fluid communication with the patient respiratory system interface, the valve assembly comprising:
- a valve configured to pass a fluid traveling in a predetermined direction from a first side to a second side of the valve;
- and
- a variable resistance bypass window positioned adjacent the valve and having a resistance to a fluid traveling in a direction opposed to the predetermined direction, wherein the variable resistance bypass window is continuously adjustable between a first fluid resistance and a second fluid resistance.
A method of performing positive expiratory pressure therapy in combination with providing an aerosolized medicament, the method comprising:
- providing a positive expiratory pressure apparatus, the positive expiratory pressure apparatus comprising a positive expiratory pressure valve having a continuously variable resistance exhalation window, where the valve is positionable in a mouthpiece attached with an aerosol holding chamber;
- performing a series of therapeutic breaths, comprising inhalation and exhalation, wherein exhalant is directed through the continuously variable resistance window;
- providing a variable back pressure to the exhalant with the continuously variable resistance window;
- triggering the loosening of sections with a therapeutic cough;
- and
- inhaling an aerosolized medicament from the aerosol holding chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.