Method and apparatus for maintaining airway patency
US6595212B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M16/107
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method is provided for effecting improved airway ventilation of a patient during sleep which involves delivering a burst or pulse of pressurized air through the patient's nose and into the patient's airway upon the termination of each breath exhalation. The apparatus of the invention includes an expandable-contractible chamber for collecting and then delivering a bolus of air through a nasal device providing sealed entry of the patient's airway, and means responsive to the exhaled breath of the patient that triggers delivery of the bolus of air, all of the foregoing preferably being contained in a compact housing that is positionable near the head of the patient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.