Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100137736 | INVOLUNTARY CONTRACTION INDUCED PRESSURE AS A MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC TOOL USING INVOLUNTARY REFLEX COUGH TEST - A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient. | 06-03-2010 |
20100204602 | NEBULIZER HAVING FLOW METER FUNCTION - In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air. | 08-12-2010 |
20110040211 | ORAL-ESOPHAGEAL-GASTRIC DEVICE TO DIAGNOSE REFLUX AND/OR EMESIS - A system and method diagnoses esophageal reflux in a patient. A catheter includes a first pressure sensor configured to measure intra-abdominal pressure when the catheter is inserted into the stomach of a patient. A second pressure sensor is located proximal to the distal tip and configured to measure intra-thoracic pressure. A pH indicator is carried by the catheter body and configured to indicate that reflux has occurred in response to an involuntary reflex cough test. A processing device is configured to receive data regarding the first and second pressure sensors and regarding the pH indicator and process that data and assess if reflux is present during the involuntary epoch. | 02-17-2011 |
20110046653 | ORAL-ESOPHAGEAL-GASTRIC DEVICE WITH ESOPHAGEAL CUFF TO REDUCE GASTRIC REFLUX AND/OR EMESIS - A nasogastric/orogastric (Ng/Og) airway protection device includes an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. A main lumen extends the length of the device and is configured for at least one of gastric decompression, enteral feeding and enteral medication administration. A sump port is at the distal end. A sump lumen is formed the length of the device body and configured for venting gas and preventing adherence of the device against the gastric wall. An inflatable esophageal cuff is carried by the device body mid-esophagus and an inflation lumen is formed within the device body and connects the inflatable esophageal cuff through which the esophageal cuff is inflated and deflated. Upon inflation of the esophageal cuff, emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus to protect a patient's airway. | 02-24-2011 |
20110105936 | NEBULIZER HAVING FLOW METER FUNCTION - In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air. | 05-05-2011 |
20120186582 | NEBULIZER THAT IS ACTIVATED BY NEGATIVE INSPIRATORY PRESSURE - A nebulizer includes a body, an air channel section and medication reservoir. An air line extends through the air channel section. A venturi nozzle is configured to form at its end a low pressure mixing chamber. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the low pressure mixing chamber through which medication is drawn upward into the low pressure mixing chamber and mixed with air from the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through a nebulizer outlet. The venturi nozzle, low pressure mixing chamber and air channel section are configured such that at standard temperature and pressure (STP) a differential pressure results in no medication that is drawn upward through the primary suction line for nebulization and discharged the through the nebulizer outlet until a negative inspiratory pressure is created from inhalation by a user. | 07-26-2012 |
20120190938 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DIAGNOSING ACID REFLUX USING INVOLUNTARY REFLEX COUGH TEST - A system and method diagnoses acid reflux. A nasogatric/orogastric (Ng/Og) device is inserted through the esophagus and into the stomach of a patient. The Ng/Og device includes a pressure sensor configured to measure intra-abdominal pressure and a plurality of pH sensors positioned along the Ng/Og device. An involuntary reflex cough epoch is induced within the patient. The intra-abdominal pressure and elevation of reflux along the Ng/Og device is measured. A subsequent step determines the functional status of the gastric valve based on the measured intra-abdominal pressure and the elevational reflux along the catheter created by the increased intra-abdominal pressure that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough epoch. | 07-26-2012 |
20120190999 | PEDIATRIC NEBULIZER - A nebulizer includes a body having an air channel section, medication reservoir and nebulizer outlet configured to be received within an oral cavity of a patient. A nebulizer suction member encloses the body and is configured as an infant pacifier. An air line extends through the air channel section and has a venturi nozzle and at its end configured to form a low pressure mixing chamber. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the low pressure mixing chamber through which medication is drawn upward and mixed with air passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through the nebulizer outlet. | 07-26-2012 |
20120277547 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF TESTING THE GASTRIC VALVE AND URETHRAL SPHINCTER - A system and method tests the gastric valve and urethral sphincter in a patient. A contrast agent is administered into the esophagus of a patient followed by inducing an involuntary reflex cough epoch within the patient to isolate the gastric valve from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and isolate the external urethral sphincter from the internal urethral sphincter. An imaging sensor detects the flow of the contrast agent during the involuntary reflex cough epoch and determines whether stomach reflux occurred indicative of a malfunctioning gastric valve. A determination is made if urine leakage occurs indicative of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). | 11-01-2012 |
20120277583 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING THE GASTRIC VALVE - A system and method tests the gastric valve in a patient. A contrast agent is supplied into the stomach of the patient. An involuntary reflex cough epoch is induced within the patient to isolate the gastric valve from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). A fluoroscopic instrument is used to detect whether stomach reflux has occurred indicative of a malfunctioning gastric valve. | 11-01-2012 |
20130192594 | NEBULIZER THAT IS ACTIVATED BY NEGATIVE INSPIRATORY PRESSURE - A nebulizer includes an air channel section and medication reservoir. An air line extends through the air channel section. A venturi nozzle is at its end and configured to form a low pressure mixing chamber. A vent is formed in the body and communicates with the air channel section and medication reservoir to vent the air channel section and medication reservoir to outside ambient air. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the low pressure mixing chamber through which medication is drawn upward and mixed with air passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge. The vent is configured to vent the air channel section and medication reservoir to atmospheric pressure such that at standard temperature and pressure (STP), a differential pressure results between the venturi nozzle and medication reservoir such that no medication is drawn upward through the primary suction line. | 08-01-2013 |
20130204313 | SYSTEM TO DIAGNOSE THE FUNCTION OF INTRINSIC SPHINCTERS - A system treats at least one of the urethral and anal sphincters. A muscle contraction device is located on at least one of the urethral and anal sphincters. A controller is connected to the muscle contraction device and operative to transmit control signals to the muscle contraction device located on at least one of the urethral and anal sphincters to contract the muscle during an inspiratory phase of respiration. | 08-08-2013 |
20130267864 | NEBULIZER WITH INTRA-ORAL VIBRATING MESH - A nebulizer includes a main body that has a nebulizer outlet and an air channel in communication with the nebulizer outlet. The main body supports a medicine reservoir and a mesh that engages the medicine reservoir and air channel and vibrates to atomize medicine from the medicine reservoir into the air channel for discharge through the nebulizer outlet. The nebulizer outlet and mesh are configured to be received within the oral cavity of the patient when the nebulizer is in use. | 10-10-2013 |
20130289363 | METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING THE FUNCTIONOF INTRINSIC SPHINCTERS - A method for treating at least one of the urethral and anal sphincters in a patient includes inducing an involuntary reflex cough event within the patient to determine whether a dysfunction exists in at least one of the urethral and anal sphincters. If a dysfunction is determined to exist, then contracting a muscle located at one of at least the urethral and anal sphincters during an inspiratory phase of respiration. | 10-31-2013 |
20130303862 | INVOLUNTARY CONTRACTION INDUCED PRESSURE AS A MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC TOOL USING INVOLUNTARY REFLEX COUGH TEST - A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient. | 11-14-2013 |
20140034051 | NEBULIZER HAVING HORIZONTAL VENTURI - In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air. | 02-06-2014 |
20140046145 | INVOLUNTARY CONTRACTION INDUCED PRESSURE AS A MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC TOOL USING INVOLUNTARY REFLEX COUGH TEST - A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient. | 02-13-2014 |
20140148722 | NEBULIZER THAT IS ACTIVATED BY NEGATIVE INSPIRATORY PRESSURE - A nebulizer includes a body, an air channel section and medication reservoir. An air line extends through the air channel section. A venturi nozzle is configured to form at its end a low pressure mixing chamber. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the low pressure mixing chamber through which medication is drawn upward into the low pressure mixing chamber and mixed with air from the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through a nebulizer outlet. The venturi nozzle, low pressure mixing chamber and air channel section are configured such that at standard temperature and pressure (STP) a differential pressure results in no medication that is drawn upward through the primary suction line for nebulization and discharged the through the nebulizer outlet until a negative inspiratory pressure is created from inhalation by a user. | 05-29-2014 |
20140174435 | NEBULIZER HAVING REPLACEABLE NOZZLE ASSEMBLY AND SUCTION LINE - A medication reservoir is formed in the lower portion of a nebulizer body and covered to form an enclosed medication reservoir. A nozzle assembly is supported by a reservoir cover and includes an air line having an inlet at one end and an outlet and a venturi nozzle and venturi outlet. The air line, venturi nozzle and discharge outlet are horizontally oriented when in use and the venturi nozzle is located within a patient's oral cavity when the nebulizer is in use. Medication is drawn upward through a suction line and mixed with air passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through the nebulizer outlet. The venturi nozzle and suction line are formed together and replaceable as one unit. | 06-26-2014 |
20140202457 | METERED DOSE NEBULIZER - A nebulizer includes a venturi nozzle positioned at the outlet end of an air line and oriented horizontally and located within a patient's oral cavity when in use. A canister port is located at the inlet end of the air line and receives a gas canister. A valve is actuable to allow a metered flow of gas at a predetermined pressure and time to flow from the gas canister through the air line and venturi nozzle. A medication receiver is carried by the nebulizer body proximal to the venturi nozzle. A suction line extends from the venturi nozzle to the medication receiver and draws medication upward from a medication container and mixes it with air passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulizes the medication. | 07-24-2014 |
20140202458 | METERED DOSE ATOMIZER - An atomizer has a venturi nozzle positioned at an outlet end of an air line and has a discharge end and is oriented horizontally when in use and forms a mixing chamber at its discharge end. A valve is positioned at a canister port and actuable to allow a metered flow of gas at a predetermined pressure and time through the air line and venturi nozzle. A suction line extends from the venturi nozzle and mixing chamber to a medication receiver and draws medication upward and mixes it with gas passing through the venturi nozzle into the mixing chamber and atomizes the medication into a mist. | 07-24-2014 |
20140207016 | PULSED NEBULIZER - A nebulizer includes a nebulizer body having an air channel section, medication reservoir and nebulizer outlet. An air line has an inlet at one end and extends through the air channel section and has a venturi nozzle oriented horizontally when in use and an outlet and configured to form a low pressure mixing chamber. The air line provides a pulsed flow of gas between the inlet and outlet end. The venturi nozzle and medication reservoir are received within an oral cavity of a patient when in use. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the low pressure mixing chamber through which medication is drawn upward and mixed with gas passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for pulsed discharge through the nebulizer outlet during nebulization. | 07-24-2014 |
20140235957 | DEVICE WITH PASSIVE VALVE TO BLOCK EMESIS AND/OR REFLUX AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM AND METHOD - A device to block emesis and/or reflux includes a tube insertable into the esophagus. A valve is carried by the tube and includes a flexible sheath having an upper edge secured onto the tube and an unsecured lower circumferential edge and configured such that upon contact with emesis and/or reflux from the stomach, the flexible sheath opens in a concave configuration towards the stomach and the unsecured lower circumferential edge engages the esophageal wall and blocks emesis and/or reflux from the stomach passing into the esophagus past the valve. | 08-21-2014 |
20140235958 | DEVICE WITH ACTIVE VALVE TO BLOCK EMESIS AND REFLUX BLOCKAGE DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM AND METHOD - A device blocks emesis and/or reflex and includes a tube insertable into the esophagus. The tube includes an inflation lumen. A valve is carried by the tube and includes a flexible sheath having an upper edge secured onto the tube and a lower circumferential edge. An inflatable balloon is associated with the flexible sheath and in communication with the inflation lumen. Upon inflation of the balloon, the flexible sheath opens in a concave configuration towards the stomach and the unsecured lower circumferential edge engages the esophageal wall and blocks emesis and/or reflux from the stomach passing into the esophagus past the valve. | 08-21-2014 |
20140235960 | DEVICE TO BLOCK EMESIS AND REFLUX AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM AND METHOD - A nasogastric/orogastric (Ng/Og) device includes a main lumen configured for at least one of gastric decompression, enteral feeding and enteral medication administration. An expandable esophageal cuff is carried by the device body and configured in a normally expanded position such that when inserted within the esophagus, the esophageal cuff conforms to the interior surface of the esophagus and emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach and past the esophageal cuff. A vacuum lumen is carried by the device body and connected to the expandable esophageal cuff. When vacuum is applied, the esophageal cuff is contracted against the device body to permit the device to be inserted and placed within the esophagus. When the vacuum is released, the esophageal cuff expands against the interior surface of the esophagus. | 08-21-2014 |
20140261400 | INTRA-ORAL NEBULIZER ACTIVATED BY NEGATIVE INSPIRATORY PRESSURE - A medication reservoir is contained within a nebulizer body. An air line includes a distal end within the nebulizer body and venturi nozzle. A medication suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the venturi nozzle through which medication is drawn upward and mixed with air after passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through the nebulizer outlet. A valve is positioned within the air line proximal to the venturi nozzle and normally configured in a closed position until a negative inspiratory pressure is applied by a user to open the valve and allow air through the air line and venturi nozzle from a source of air and draw medication upward through the medication suction line for nebulization and discharge through the nebulizer outlet. | 09-18-2014 |
20140288612 | SYSTEM TO TREAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE URETHRAL AND ANAL SPHINCTERS - A system to prevent incontinence in a patient includes transducers positioned subcutaneously at the interior surface of the medial border of the costal margin of at least one of ribs 8, 9 and 10 that detect movement of at least one of those ribs and generates signals indicative of that movement during the inspiratory phase of respiration. Muscle stimulators include electrodes connected to muscles of the urethral sphincter. A controller is connected to the electrodes and the transducers. This controller receives the signals generated from the transducers indicative of the movement of the ribs during the inspiratory phase of respiration and in response, generates and transmits electrical control signals to the electrodes connected to the muscles of the urethral sphincter to stimulate electrically the muscles of the urethral sphincter to close the urethral sphincter during the inspiratory phase of respiration. | 09-25-2014 |