Nasal respiratory devices
AssigneeVentus Medical, Inc.
InventorsRajiv Doshi, Ryan Kendall Pierce, Bryan Loomas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described herein are nasal respiratory devices and methods for treating a variety of medical diseases including snoring and sleep apnea through the use of such devices. In general, these devices include an airflow resistor, such as a flap valve and a holdfast for securing the device in communication with the subject's nasal cavity. The devices may be configured to include leak paths to regulate the expiratory pressure when worn by a subject. Methods for using these devices may include securing a device over or at least partially within (or both of) a subject's nasal cavities.
Claims26
A nasal respiratory device configured to be worn while sleeping and to be secured in communication with a subject's nasal cavity, the device comprising:
- an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inhalation;
- and
- a holdfast configured to secure the device in communication with the subject's nasal cavity;
- wherein the nasal respiratory device has a resistance to expiration that is between about 0.001 and about 0.25 cm H2O/(ml/sec), and a resistance to inhalation that is between about 0.0001 and about 0.02 cm H2O/(ml/sec), when resistance is measured at 100 ml/sec.
A method of treating a disorder in a sleeping subject, the method comprising:
- allowing the subject to breathe through the mouth without additional resistance while inhibiting nasal expiration more than nasal inhalation while sleeping;
- and
- inhibiting nasal expiration more than nasal inhalation by providing a resistance to nasal expiration that is between about 0.001 and about 0.25 cm H2O(ml/sec), and a resistance to nasal inhalation that is between about 0.0001 and about 0.02 cm H2O/(ml/sec), measured at a flow rate of 100 ml/sec.
A method of treating a disorder in a sleeping subject, the method comprising:
- securing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a subject's nasal cavity, wherein the respiratory device comprises a flap valve and a flap valve support adjacent to the flap valve, wherein the flap valve support is configured to prevent the flap valve from opening in more than one direction;
- and
- inhibiting nasal expiration more than nasal inhalation in the sleeping subject by providing a resistance to nasal expiration that is between about 0.001 and about 0.25 cm H2O/(ml/sec), and a resistance to nasal inhalation that is between about 0.0001 and about 0.02 cm H2O/(ml/sec), measured at a flow rate of 100 ml/sec.
A method of treating a disorder in a sleeping subject, the method comprising:
- securing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a subject's nasal cavity, wherein the respiratory device comprises an airflow resistor configured to inhibit nasal expiration more than nasal inhalation;
- and
- inhibiting nasal expiration more than nasal inhalation in the sleeping subject by providing a resistance to nasal expiration that is between about 0.001 and about 0.25 cm H2O/(ml/sec), and a resistance to nasal inhalation that is between about 0.0001 and about 0.02 cm H2O/(ml/sec), measured at a flow rate of 100 ml/sec.
A method of increasing a subject's tolerance of a nasal device when treating a sleep disorder by reducing the sensation of expiratory resistance when awake, the method comprising:
- placing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a subject's nasal cavity but not covering the subject's mouth, wherein the nasal respiratory device includes an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inspiration;
- securing the nasal respiratory device in communication with the subject's nasal cavity;
- and
- instructing the subject to breathe through the mouth when awake or falling asleep.
A method of monitoring treatment of a sleep disorder comprising:
- securing a nasal respiratory device in communication with the subject's nasal cavity, wherein the respiratory device includes an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inspiration;
- attaching a nasal airflow monitor to the nasal respiratory device or the patient's face;
- and
- monitoring nasal airflow.
A nasal respiratory device configured to be secured in communication with a subject's nasal cavity to treat a sleeping disorder, the device comprising:
- an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inhalation;
- a holdfast configured to secure the device in communication with the subject's nasal cavity but not covering the subject's mouth;
- and
- a connector for a nasal airflow monitor configured to connect a nasal airflow monitor to the nasal respiratory device and monitor the subject's respiration.
A method of increasing a subject's tolerance of a nasal device when treating a sleep disorder by reducing the sensation of expiratory resistance when awake, the method comprising:
- placing a nasal respiratory device in communication with a nasal cavity but not covering the mouth, wherein the nasal respiratory device includes an airflow resistor configured to inhibit expiration more than inspiration;
- securing the nasal respiratory device in communication with the nasal cavity;
- breathing through the mouth when awake or falling asleep;
- and
- breathing through the nose when asleep.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.