Respiratory interface
Inventors
Collazo, Louis Javier • Caruso, Angelo • Hernandez, Shara • Sher, Bruce
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10926051-B2
Publication Date
2021-02-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to respiratory interfaces for use in treating various respiratory issues including, but not limited to, sleep disorder breathing (e.g. snoring, sleep apnea), and in other forms of assisted and unassisted respiration. Embodiments disclosed herein further relate to nasal prongs, flanges and valves for use with respiratory interfaces. Embodiments disclosed herein further relate to evaluating patient compliance with a respiratory interface and harvesting energy for the respiratory.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a respiratory interface for the treatment of breathing problems configured to be in flow communication with at least one of a user's nostrils. The respiratory interface includes at least one body with a gas passageway and a sealing portion configured to contact the user's nose, with a distal end configured to allow gas to enter the at least one body and a proximal end configured to allow gas to exit the at least one body into the at least one nostril during inhalation, and wherein the proximal end allows gas to enter the at least one body from the at least one nostril and the distal end allows gas to exit during exhalation.
The respiratory interface further includes at least one nasal aperture at the proximal end of the at least one body. The document also describes coupling one or more elements within the gas passageway between the distal end and the proximal end to evaluate when the respiratory interface has been used, while the respiratory interface is not connected to a gas supply during use for treatment.
The invention includes embodiments where the evaluating element is a sensor and where the evaluating element is configured to change color in response to conditions associated with use, including exhaled breath and factors such as cleaning, use duration, gas pressure, chemical reaction, humidity, and temperature. The document additionally describes energy harvesting from exhaled breath and returning the energy as pressurized air/positive pressure during inhalation, with passive or active embodiments using energy conversion elements.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies two independent claims that share a common structure: a nostril-flow respiratory interface with a sealing portion, a gas passageway with inhalation/exhalation gas routing, a nasal aperture, and a coupled evaluating element (one claim broad to an element, the other specifies a sensor). Across both claims, the interface is not connected to a gas supply during use and is configured to resist flow more during exhalation than during inhalation. Overall, the independent claims emphasize 2–3 main inventive features: sealed nostril-contact gas passageway, evaluating when used while not connected to a gas supply, and exhalation-biased flow resistance.
Sealed nostril-contact gas passageway with inhalation/exhalation gas routing
at least one body with a gas passageway, wherein the at least one body has a sealing portion configured to contact the user's nose, a distal end configured to allow gas to enter the at least one body and a proximal end configured to allow gas to exit the at least one body into the at least one nostril during inhalation, wherein the proximal end is configured to allow gas to enter the at least one body from the at least one nostril and the distal end is configured to allow gas to exit the at least one body during exhalation
Evaluating when used while not connected to a gas supply
at least one element coupled within the gas passageway between the distal end and the proximal end for evaluating when the respiratory interface has been used, wherein the respiratory interface is not connected to a gas supply during use for treatment
Exhalation-biased flow resistance
the respiratory interface is configured to resist flow more during exhalation than during inhalation during use
Sensor-based evaluating element within the gas passageway
at least one sensor coupled within the gas passageway between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the respiratory interface is not connected to a gas supply during use for treatment
Independent claim coverage centers on a respiratory interface that provides a sealing nasal contact and a gas passageway enabling inhalation/exhalation routing into and out of the user's nostrils, while remaining not connected to a gas supply during use. Both independent claims additionally require an evaluating element coupled in the gas passageway, broadly as an element or specifically as a sensor, and both require resisting flow more during exhalation than during inhalation.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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