Pressure indicator for an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device
Inventors
Alizoti, Neritan • Dobson, Chris • Schmidt, James
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12194236-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
A pressure indicator for a respiratory treatment device, the pressure indicator including an instrument for measuring pressures, a conduit configured to transmit a pressure within the respiratory treatment device to the instrument, and a pressure stabilizer orifice positioned within the conduit.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an ergonomic, portable pressure indicator for respiratory oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) devices. The indicator includes a pressure-measuring instrument connected via a short conduit to the OPEP device to receive oscillating air pressure during therapy, and it enables readable visual feedback and, in some embodiments, auditory feedback, including numerical indicia and/or color/shape indicia correlated with the dampened oscillating air pressure.
The pressure indicator dampens the oscillating air pressure using a pressure stabilizer orifice positioned in the conduit and/or within the manometer to reduce pressure oscillations. The stabilizer orifice has a quantitative cross-sectional area smaller than the conduit area, with ranges disclosed as 0.196–1.767 mm^2 and preferred 0.283–0.636 mm^2.
Different embodiments position the stabilizer orifice and integrate the indicator with OPEP devices through different connection points, such as a mouthpiece connection and an inhalation port connection. Installation-restriction features, including flange or collar contours with keyed patterns, are described to prevent unintended mounting on non-approved devices.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover feedback methods for OPEP therapy that include dampening oscillating air pressure with a pressure stabilizing orifice defined by a quantitative cross-sectional area range, and sensing and providing feedback. Across the independent claims, the core inventive structure is the pressure stabilizing orifice having a cross-sectional area between 0.196 mm^2 and 1.767 mm^2 in a conduit in fluid communication with an OPEP device.
Feedback method with dampened oscillating air pressure and predetermined-period determination
Receiving an oscillating air pressure through a conduit in fluid communication with an OPEP device; dampening the oscillating air pressure with a pressure stabilizing orifice having a cross-sectional area between 0.196 mm^2 and 1.767 mm^2; sensing the dampened oscillating air pressure; providing feedback regarding the dampened oscillating air pressure; and monitoring the feedback during a predetermined period of time to determine whether appropriate dampened oscillating air pressure is achieved during the predetermined period of time.
User-feedback with dampened oscillating air pressure and device setting adjustment
Receiving an oscillating air pressure through a conduit in fluid communication with an OPEP device; dampening the oscillating air pressure with a pressure stabilizing orifice having a cross-sectional area between 0.196 mm^2 and 1.767 mm^2; sensing the dampened oscillating air pressure; providing feedback regarding the dampened oscillating air pressure to a user of the OPEP device; and adjusting a setting of the OPEP device based on the feedback.
Feedback method with monitoring for inappropriate dampened oscillating air pressure
Receiving an oscillating air pressure through a conduit in fluid communication with an OPEP device; dampening the oscillating air pressure with a pressure stabilizing orifice having a cross-sectional area between 0.196 mm^2 and 1.767 mm^2; sensing the dampened oscillating air pressure; providing feedback regarding the dampened oscillating air pressure; and monitoring the feedback during a predetermined period of time to determine whether inappropriate dampened oscillating air pressure is achieved during the predetermined period of time.
The independent claims consistently anchor coverage around dampening oscillating air pressure for OPEP therapy using a pressure stabilizing orifice with a specified cross-sectional area range in a conduit in fluid communication with an OPEP device. They then require sensing of the dampened oscillating air pressure and providing feedback, with monitoring during a predetermined period in two independent claims and feedback to a user plus adjusting a setting of the OPEP device in the remaining independent claim.
Stated Advantages
Substantially reduced pressure oscillations when the stabilizer orifice is used.
Readable visual/auditory feedback during therapy based on dampened oscillating air pressure.
Use does not adversely affect OPEP performance or aerosol delivery.
Documented Applications
Providing feedback regarding administration of oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) therapy, including monitoring during a predetermined period to determine whether appropriate dampened oscillating air pressure is achieved.
Providing feedback to a user of an OPEP device and adjusting a setting of the OPEP device based on the feedback.
Providing feedback during OPEP therapy to a caregiver for the user.
Preventing unintended mounting on non-approved devices using installation-restriction features.
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