Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221470 | RESPIRATORY SENSOR ADAPTERS FOR NASAL DEVICES - Described herein are nasal respiratory devices including an attachment site for a sensors and sensor adapters for securing at least a portion of a sensor to a nasal respiratory device. Sensor adapters typically have a body frame having at least two regions: an attachment region for securing the sensor adapter to the nasal respiratory device; and a sensor connector region for securing a sensor across from an outlet of the nasal respiratory device. | 09-11-2008 |
20090050144 | ADHESIVE NASAL RESPIRATORY DEVICES - Whole-nose nasal respiratory devices and methods of making and using whole-nose nasal respiratory devices are described and illustrated herein. These devices are typically configured to be adhesively secured to a subject so that they engage both of the subject's nostrils and allow airflow from both nostrils to communicate with an airflow resistor. The airflow resistor is configured so that it inhibits exhalation through the nostrils more than it inhibits inhalation through the nostrils. | 02-26-2009 |
20090145441 | DELAYED RESISTANCE NASAL DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE - Delayed resistance nasal devices include an airflow resistor that is configured to normally have a higher resistance to exhalation than inhalation, but the higher resistance to exhalation may be suspended, or delayed by activation of an airflow resistor bypass. Activation of an airflow resistor bypass bypasses or decreases the effect of the airflow resistor on nasal airflow through the nasal device, decreasing the resistance to exhalation. Methods of decreasing, suspending, or delaying the onset of the inhibition of the exhalation through such nasal respiratory devices are described. | 06-11-2009 |
20090194109 | CPAP INTERFACE AND BACKUP DEVICES - Described herein are combined active PAP/passive EPAP interface devices to transmit positive air pressure from a PAP source to the user, but provide passive EPAP when the PAP source is disabled. These interface device may continue to provide benefit to the user even if the PAP source becomes disconnected or otherwise fails. The interface devices described herein include a passive EPAP airflow resistor configured to provide expiratory positive airway pressure (“EPAP”). These interface devices may also include quick connects and/or disconnects for releasably connecting to the source of pressurized breathable gas, a quick release for disconnecting from the source of pressurized breathable gas, and an adhesive user interface region that connects the device the user's face. Also described are adapter for converting a PAP interface devices into combined active PAP/passive EPAP interface devices, and methods of using these devices. | 08-06-2009 |
20090241965 | NASAL DEVICES WITH NOISE-REDUCTION AND METHODS OF USE - Described herein are nose-reduced nasal devices configured to reduce or eliminate the unwanted noises associated with use of a nasal device. These noise-reduced nasal devices include a flap-valve airflow resistor and a noise-reduction feature that is a noise-reduction element, a noise-reduction flap valve, or both. The noise-reduction feature typically prevents the flap valve from oscillating or vibrating and producing an audible sound during use, particularly during inhalation through the device. The method and devices described herein may prevent the flap, and particularly the edge region of the flap face or tip of the flap, from oscillating during inhalation. | 10-01-2009 |
20090308398 | ADJUSTABLE RESISTANCE NASAL DEVICES - Described herein are adjustable-resistance respiratory devices, and particularly nasal devices that have an adjustable expiratory resistance while providing a greater resistance to exhalation than to inhalation. The resistance to exhalation may be manually adjustable by a user or remotely adjustable by a third party. For example, described herein are nasal devices having a greater resistance to exhalation than inhalation that includes one or more resistance-modifying members for modifying the resistance of a nasal device. A resistance modifying member may include a cover, a shutter or an adjustable valve for opening/closing a leak pathway through the nasal device. An adjustable-resistance nasal respiratory device may include a control or controls for adjusting the resistance to exhalation. Methods of adjusting the resistance of a nasal device, and systems including nasal devices allowing the resistance to be optimized and/or adjusted are also described. | 12-17-2009 |
20110108041 | NASAL DEVICES HAVING A SAFE FAILURE MODE AND REMOTELY ACTIVATABLE - Described herein are devices, methods and systems that regulate the failure of a nasal device by including a pre-determined failure mode, thereby minimizing the risk. Also described herein are nasal respiratory devices that may be remotely activated or inactivated to turn on and off an increased resistance to exhalation compared to inhalation. | 05-12-2011 |
20110203598 | NASAL DEVICES INCLUDING LAYERED NASAL DEVICES AND DELAYED RESISTANCE ADAPTERS FOR USE WITH NASAL DEVICES - Described herein are layered nasal devices including layered nasal devices having one or more stiffening members supporting the holdfast region of the nasal device. The stiffening member may be a stress-distributing member or a separate stress-distributing element or member may be included. In some variations the layered nasal device includes a stress distributing element to help prevent wrinkling, de-laminating, buckling, or otherwise disrupting the shape and/or activity of the nasal device. Also described herein are delayed resistance adapters that may be used with a nasal devices that inhibit exhalation more than inhalation (including, but not limited to the adhesive nasal devices described herein). A delayed resistance adapter may be activated to suspend or bypass the increased expiratory resistance of the nasal device. Suspending the increased expiratory resistance may allow the user to allow a user to acclimate to the use of the nasal device. | 08-25-2011 |
20110218451 | NASAL DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Described herein are passive nasal device having a resistance to exhalation that is greater than the resistance to inhalation. Also described are devices, methods and systems for sensing and measuring intranasal pressure when a subject is wearing a passive nasal respiratory device that is configured to inhibit exhalation more than inhalation. Also described are adapters for nasal devices and methods of using a nasal device adapter. Adapters may be used so that a passive nasal device may be applied indirectly in communication with a subject's nose; in some variations this may allow the passive nasal device to be re-used. Also described herein are nasal devices having a billowing airflow resistor that is configured to have a greater resistance to exhalation than to inhalation. The billowing airflow resistor typically includes a first layer that is adjacent to a second layer; the first layer is flexible and billows opens during inhalation so that the first layer remains separated from the second layer, but remains substantially parallel to the second layer. During exhalation, the first layer collapses back down against the second layer. Additional passive nasal devices, systems and methods of using them are also described. | 09-08-2011 |
20110290256 | LAYERED NASAL RESPIRATORY DEVICES - Described herein are nasal devices, including nasal devices formed in layers having four or fewer layers. In some variations, the nasal devices include a single integrated layer from which the flap of the airflow resistor is formed as well as the base of the holdfast region. The nasal devices may include a single aligner or rim body on the side of the device facing the subject. The aligner may protect the airflow resistor, and may help center or position the nasal device. In some variations, these nasal devices may include a noise-reduction feature. Also described herein are systems, devices and methods for determining if a passive nasal respiratory device having an airflow resistor configured to inhibit exhalation more than inhalation has been worn by a subject, and thereby confirming compliance. | 12-01-2011 |
20120055488 | ADHESIVE NASAL RESPIRATORY DEVICES - Whole-nose nasal respiratory devices and methods of making and using whole-nose nasal respiratory devices are described and illustrated herein. These devices are typically configured to be adhesively secured to a subject so that they engage both of the subject's nostrils and allow airflow from both nostrils to communicate with an airflow resistor. The airflow resistor is configured so that it inhibits exhalation through the nostrils more than it inhibits inhalation through the nostrils. | 03-08-2012 |
20120285470 | NASAL DEVICES WITH NOISE-REDUCTION AND METHODS OF USE - Described herein are nose-reduced nasal devices configured to reduce or eliminate the unwanted noises associated with use of a nasal device. These noise-reduced nasal devices include a flap-valve airflow resistor and a noise-reduction feature that is a noise-reduction element, a noise-reduction flap valve, or both. The noise-reduction feature typically prevents the flap valve from oscillating or vibrating and producing an audible sound during use, particularly during inhalation through the device. The method and devices described herein may prevent the flap, and particularly the edge region of the flap face or tip of the flap, from oscillating during inhalation. | 11-15-2012 |
20140109907 | CPAP INTERFACE AND BACKUP DEVICES - Described herein are combined active PAP/passive EPAP interface devices to transmit positive air pressure from a PAP source to the user, but provide passive EPAP when the PAP source is disabled. These interface device may continue to provide benefit to the user even if the PAP source becomes disconnected or otherwise fails. The interface devices described herein include a passive EPAP airflow resistor configured to provide expiratory positive airway pressure (“EPAP”). These interface devices may also include quick connects and/or disconnects for releasably connecting to the source of pressurized breathable gas, a quick release for disconnecting from the source of pressurized breathable gas, and an adhesive user interface region that connects the device the user's face. Also described are adapter for converting a PAP interface devices into combined active PAP/passive EPAP interface devices, and methods of using these devices. | 04-24-2014 |
20140275756 | Devices, Systems and Methods for Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Other Conditions - Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland). | 09-18-2014 |
20140345623 | NASAL DEVICES WITH VARIABLE LEAK PATHS, NASAL DEVICES WITH ALIGNERS, AND NASAL DEVICES WITH FLAP VALVE PROTECTORS - Improved passive resistance nasal devices for treating a patient (and particularly, but not exclusively, a sleeping patient) that inhibit exhalation more than inhalation. For example, described herein are passive-resistance nasal devices having a variable sized opening leak path that change the size of the leak path opening depending on the pressure extended across the nasal device. Also described herein are passive nasal devices including a deployable insertion guide member. Also described herein are passive nasal devices including an extension member to hold the airflow resistor portion of the nasal device slightly apart from the subject's nose, even as the nasal device itself may be secured against the nose or nostril openings. Methods of operating these nasal devices and methods of treating patients using these devices are also described. | 11-27-2014 |