Heart failure mask and methods for increasing negative intrathoracic pressures
US6029667A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M16/04
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides methods and devices for treating a patient suffering from heart failure. According to one exemplary method, a facial mask is sealed around the patient's mouth and nose, with the mask including a one-way expiration valve and an inspiratory threshold valve. The threshold valve is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the mask is in the range from about -3 cm H.sub.2 O to about -25 cm H.sub.2 O. With this arrangement, the patient breathes while the mask is sealed to the face, with the respiratory gasses being prevented from entering the patient's lungs during inhalation until the patient produces a pressure within the mask that is within the range from about -3 cm H.sub.2 O to about -25 cm H.sub.2 O. At this point, the inspiratory valve opens to allow respiratory gasses into the lungs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.