197 results about "Bronchial obstruction" patented technology

Methods and devices for rhinoplasty and treating nasal valve stenosis are disclosed herein. The nasal valve acts as a flow-limiter and can contribute to airway obstruction if resistance within the nasal valve is excessive. In one embodiment, a system for treating nasal valve stenosis includes a first elongate implant and a second elongate implant configured to support the nasal valves when implanted. The implants can be coupled together by connecting elements, such as eyelets, tethers, complementary socket joints, and button-rivet supports.

Methods and devices are provided that are effective to remove an obstruction in a human airway and / or maintain an open airway. The methods and devices are particularly useful for patients suffering from snoring and / or OSA, and / or preventing upper airway obstructions in patients undergoing anesthesia. In one embodiment, the device includes a mouthpiece that is adapted to form a substantially sealed cavity within a human mouth, and a hollow elongate member having a first end that is coupled to the mouthpiece and that is in communication with the substantially sealed cavity, and a second end that is adapted to be coupled to a negative pressure generator. In use, a negative pressure generator can be attached to the hollow elongate member to create a negative pressure in a human mouth in response to an obstructed airway, thereby removing the obstruction. In particular, this device is effective to counteract the collapse of a patient's soft tissues of the upper airway to reopen the airway. The mouthpiece can also be used in combination with a nasal mask. In another embodiment, the oral appliance above also comprises a nasal mask, wherein the nasal mask provides a means of ventilation support, including but not limited to total mechanical ventilation, positive-end expiratory pressure, or continuous positive airway pressure. In use, such a device can provide complete patient ventilation and maintain an open upper airway.

A system for reducing airway obstructions of a patient may include a ventilator, a control unit, a gas delivery circuit with a proximal end in fluid communication with the ventilator and a distal end in fluid communication with a nasal interface, and a nasal interface. The nasal interface may include at least one jet nozzle, and at least one spontaneous respiration sensor in communication with the control unit for detecting a respiration effort pattern and a need for supporting airway patency. The system may be open to ambient. The control unit may determine more than one gas output velocities. The more than one gas output velocities may be synchronized with different parts of a spontaneous breath effort cycle, and a gas output velocity may be determined by a need for supporting airway patency.

Methods and devices are provided that are effective to remove an obstruction in a human airway related to snoring and / or OSA. In one embodiment, the device includes mouthpiece having a hollow body configured to be disposed in a user's mouth. The body includes superior and inferior outer surfaces as well as anterior and posterior surfaces, a channel configured to receive a user's teeth formed in at least one of the superior and inferior surfaces, an inner cavity formed between the superior, inferior, anterior, and posterior surfaces, and at least one aperture formed in the posterior surface that extends into the inner cavity. In one exemplary embodiment the at least one aperture is oriented to extend away from the user's teeth and toward a user's tongue when the mouthpiece is in use. In another embodiment, the hollow body is substantially c-shaped, and the at least one aperture includes a plurality of apertures spaced a distance apart from one another along the posterior surface between first and second terminal ends of the c-shaped inner portion of the hollow body. In still another embodiment, the mouthpiece includes an outer portion having an opening extending therethrough such that the outer portion is coupled to the hollow body and is in fluid communication with the cavity in the hollow body. A one-way valve can be disposed in the opening and can be configured to allow air to flow out of a user's oral cavity when the mouthpiece is in use.

Methods and devices for the treatment of airway obstruction, sleep apnea and snoring are disclosed. In some embodiments, a glossal suspension system includes a tissue tensioner that includes a suture loop made of one or more sutures configured to suspend the tongue with at least one portion configured to extend laterally through the tongue, and a securement mechanism configured to be attached to a patient's mandible that includes one more adjustment assemblies for engaging the one or more sutures and adjusting tension on the suture loop. Various tethers and anchors that can be used with the glossal suspension system are also disclosed.

An intra-bronchial device provides a medicant intra-bronchially. The medicant may be used for controlling biological interaction of an intra-bronchial obstruction device with the patient, to treat a disease or condition of the lungs such as pneumonia or lung cancer, or to treat a systemic disease or condition. The medicant is provided by associating a medicant with the intra-bronchial device, either before, at the time of placement, or after placement. The medicant may overlie at least a portion of the intra-bronchial device, be absorbed into at least a portion of the intra-bronchial device, or be carried in a chamber. The intra-bronchial device may further include an absorptive member, and the medicant is absorbed by the absorptive member.

The present invention relates to a system for measuring respiratory function of living organisms. More particularly, signals indicative of the change in lung volume, defined as active and passive work, required to breathe and the airflow through the respiratory system of the living organism are obtained and processed as waveforms to provide a signal indicative of the respiratory restriction. The methods of the present invention measure clinical forms of airway obstruction, airway reactivity and lung volume and may be used to continuously or intermittently monitor patients with compromised respiratory function. In a preferred embodiment, a head-out, breath in respiratory plethysmograph system provides the signals indicative of change in lung volume as related to pressure changes in a chamber. Further, flowmetric variables are generated that provide a characterization of airway obstructions.

Devices and methods are provided for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. An implantable device is inserted into the tongue. The implantable device is a flexible elongated structure, which may be a curved or jointed filament; of a sufficient length and diameter to provide support, when implanted, sufficient to restrain obstructive movement of the tongue during sleep.

A custom, sized and fitted, integrated oral appliance is provided to treat breathing obstruction and restriction in the upper airway during sleep. Several novel features are integrated in a single device, which includes mandible repositioning to open the airway, and tongue restraint to prevent airway blockage. This device is comprised of a built-in air conduit to bypass nasal restriction and airway occlusion. In operation, the appliance is positioned in the oral cavity to firmly grip the upper and lower dentition using customized unshaped trays. Appliance positioning advances the mandible to an adjustable predetermined position and simultaneously restrains the tongue using flexible bristles attached to a spring-loaded, tongue-restraint-ac (TRAC) component. A hollow air conduit, built into the TRAC, spans the area between the users' lips and soft palate. It facilitates the flow of self-heated, moisturized air directly to (and from) the oropharynx to bypass airway obstructions and / or nasal restrictions.

Methods and devices are provided that are effective to remove an obstruction in a human airway related to snoring and / or OSA. In one embodiment, the device includes a mouthpiece that is adapted to form a sealed cavity within a human mouth, and a hollow elongate member having a first end that is coupled to the mouthpiece and that is in communication with the sealed cavity, and a second end that is adapted to be coupled to a negative pressure generator. In use, a negative pressure generator can be attached to the hollow elongate member to create a negative pressure in a human mouth in response to an obstructed airway, thereby removing the obstruction. In particular, this device is effective to pull a patient's tongue and / or soft tissues of the upper airway up and away from the posterior pharyngeal wall to reopen the airway.

A method and apparatus for treating sleep disordered breathing. An arousal index is determined for use in an outer loop of a control algorithm, the arousal index being a measure of the frequency of sleep arousals. The respiratory airflow signal in an inner loop of the control algorithm is monitored to detect an airway obstruction. If the arousal index is high, then the sensitivity of obstruction detection and / or the aggressiveness of the treatment is increased, and if the arousal index is low, then the sensitivity of the obstruction detection and / or the aggressiveness of the treatment is decreased

A CPAP apparatus has a variable rise time (iii) from a base level of positive air pressure during expiration (EPAP) to a higher level during inspiration (IPAP). The rise time is adjusted in order to reduce obstruction, resistance or instability in the upper airway.

A method of determining whether an individual's breathing is obstructed. The method includes measuring a transthoracic impedance of the individual over a predetermined time interval, identifying a baseline impedance and selecting an impedance cycle. The method also includes identifying a maximum impedance during the selected impedance cycle, determining an upper difference between the maximum impedance and the baseline impedance, identifying a minimum impedance during the selected impedance cycle, and determining a lower difference between the minimum impedance and the baseline impedance. The method includes determining whether an amplitude of the upper difference is less than about seventy percent of an amplitude of the lower difference, and notifying an observer that the amplitude of the upper difference is less than about seventy percent of the amplitude of the lower difference.

An apparatus and method deploy a self-expandable bronchial obstruction device in an air passageway. The apparatus includes a catheter configured to be passed down the trachea. The apparatus further includes a capsule for housing the self-expandable bronchial obstruction device in a sterile environment. The capsule is configured to be advanced down the catheter. The capsule further includes a tubular extension. The capsule has a breakable seam so as to release the bronchial obstruction device in the air passageway upon a proximal force being exerted upon the bronchial obstruction device. The method includes guiding a conduit down a trachea into the air passageway. The method further includes advancing a capsule having a bronchial device therein down an internal lumen of the conduit into the air passageway. The method further includes releasing the bronchial device from the capsule. The method further includes deploying the bronchial device into the air passageway.

A method and system for detecting the presence of restriction to expired airflow in humans or animals by analyzing the expired capnogram and oxygram, as well as the geometric analysis of the real-time plot of the waveform that depicts the instantaneous ratio of CO2 to O2 (the carboxygram ratio). Airway obstructions causes an increase in the Q-angle between the slope of phase 11 and slope of phase III in the expired carboxygram. The diagnostic accuracy of the detection of airways obstruction is further enhanced by measuring the ratio of time spent in exhalation (Te) versus inhalation (Ti). The system uses the combination of an increased carboxygram Q-angle, and a prolonged Te / Ti to detect presence of airways obstruction.

The present invention relates, in general, to prevention of false, annoying, or oversensitive alarms, providing early detection by a sensitive test, generating silent, semi-overt, or overt alarm conditions and / or initiating early passive or active interventions to untoward events. The invention buys time by providing an early intervention in the event that a highly sensitive early detection is later confirmed by a specific test. A particular embodiment of the invention is directed to the early detection of hypoventilation, including apnea and airway obstruction, and the pausing or interrupting of an action such as drug delivery during medical procedures.

Systems, methods and devices for diagnosing sleep apnea are provided herein. In one example, a device for detecting airway obstructions may be provided where the device may include a wearable hollow nasal tube to be positioned in an upper airway above a constriction point and an end imaging sensor coupled to the nasal tube to collect airway image data. The device further may include a controller and communication interface to communicatively link and relay airway image data to a select remote device to determine airway obstructions. In some examples, a method may be provided including receiving airway image data from a remote end imaging sensor coupled to a nasal tube disposed within an upper airway above a constriction point, and analyzing the airway image data and displaying in a sleep study report the airway image data to identify airway closures related to obstructive sleep apnea.

Methods, devices, and computer program products facilitate characterization of a patient's upper airway including nose, palate, oral cavity, epiglottis, pharynx and larynx. Identification of full or partial obstructions in the upper airway enables the production of a full assessment the patient's airway. A report is produced that details the various contributing factors to the patient's airway obstructions. The comprehensive assessments can be utilized to effectively carry out various surgical and non-surgical procedures for treating sleep apnea.

Methods and Devices for treating airway openings and breathing disorders including obstructive sleep apnea are disclosed. Structures and methods disclosed herein maintain and preserve airway openings against posterior collapse of the tongue.

Methods and apparatus for assessing the condition of and treating patients for heart failure by the delivery of continuous positive airway pressure are disclosed. Treatment of obstruction due to reflex vocal cord closure often experienced by heart failure patients is distinguished from treatment of upper airway obstruction typically associated with Obstructive Sleep Disorder. Treatment may also be implemented by delivering synchronized cardiac pressure oscillations superimposed on a respiratory pressure level to provide assistance for the heart. Heart treatment pressure dose indicator may be calculated for prescribing and monitoring the delivery of treatment. The apparatus may also generate data to track heart failure condition that may be indicative of the degree of severity of heart failure based upon breathing patterns to assist in the diagnosis and management of heart failure patients.

A pair of pads is held against the remus of a patient's jaw, to prevent the jaw from slipping back and causing an airway obstruction, while the patient's neck is hyperextended to also cause the patient's airway to stay open. A device including the adjustable jaw pads as well as a triangularly shaped portion over which the patient's neck rests is not required to be attached to the surface on which the patient is lying, and permits the patient to be rolled on either side while still maintaining the patency of the patient's airway.

The intubating airway of the present invention has a shape of a long curved spatula with two channels underneath. The present invention its design, size, shape and adjustable depth of insertion provide it with unique ability to open the airway tract completely, reliably and consistently from the mouth to the larynx. This ability makes it a multifunction device: It can relieve any degree of airway obstruction when all available airway devices have failed. It convert fiber optic intubation and optical stylet intubation from difficult, time consuming and need a lot of experience into quick, easy and simple even by first time user could intubate with high success rate. It facilitates lighted stylet intubation and the intubation of a double lumen tube or nasal tube when it is difficult to intubate, and also facilitate the insertion of a TEE probe or gastroscope or bronchoscope.

The present invention provides a medical support pillow and method for supporting a patient in the lateral position while maintaining an open airway. The Lateral Airway Support Pillow includes a chest support, a shoulder recess, a head support, and a posterior bolster. The orientation of these components support the patient in the lateral position, with the spine and airway in a straight position, thus eliminating possible airway obstruction. One embodiment of the invention contains a head support with a posterior recess and a neck support which provides for straightening the neck and airway and aligning the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes of the airway. Other embodiments position and elevate the patient in such a manner to treat or prevent soft tissue pressure injury, gastroesophageal reflux, congestive heart failure, or sleep apnea.

An airway obstruction correction apparatus including an expandable bladder configured to fit within a user's external auditory canal, a pump configured to expand the bladder with a pumped fluid, a passage coupled with the pump and with the bladder and configured to convey a fluid between the pump and the bladder, a microcontroller coupled with the pump and configured to affect an activation condition of the pump, and a reservoir coupled with the pump and configured to retain sufficient fluid to expand the bladder into contact with a surface of the auditory canal when transferred to the bladder by the pump. At least one of a local data processing means and / or a remotely located data processing means can be configured to receive data from the apparatus and transmit data to the apparatus via a data networking means and / or at least one of a wired or wireless signal. According to a method using an apparatus configured as described, a detected indication of an obstructed airway causes the apparatus to stimulate a user and induces an involuntary airway clearing response.

The present invention is related to a device for acoustically monitoring a subject's airway to determine airway obstruction(s) and their location(s). The device is particularly useful when performing sleep analysis and sleep therapy, but is also highly useful in determining airway obstructions of any subject when the subject is sleeping or otherwise unconscious, and can further be used in certain applications when the subject is awake or conscious. The device, in its simplest form, is comprised of a supporting body (e.g. a mask, mouthpiece, or nasal cannula) used to position at least one acoustic generator and at least one acoustic sensor at a location essentially proximal to a subject's airway, the acoustic generator and acoustic sensor generating and / or sensing sound waves useful in determining obstruction(s) and their location(s) within the airway of a subject.

The present invention provides a medical support pillow and method for supporting a patient in the lateral position while maintaining an open airway. The lateral airway support pillow includes a chest support, a shoulder recess, a head support and a posterior bolster. The orientation of these components support the patient in the lateral position, with the spine and airway in a straight position, thus eliminating possible airway obstruction. One embodiment of the invention contains a head support with a posterior recess and a neck support which provides for straightening of the neck and airway and aligning the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes of the airway. Other embodiments position and elevate the patient in such a manner to treat or prevent soft tissue pressure injury, gastroesophageal reflux, congestive heart failure, or sleep apnea.

A pair of pads is held against the remus of a patient's jaw, to prevent the jaw from slipping back and causing an airway obstruction, while the patient's neck is hyperextended to also cause the patient's airway to stay open. A device including the adjustable jaw pads as well as a triangularly shaped portion over which the patient's neck rests is not required to be attached to the surface on which the patient is lying, and permits the patient to be rolled on either side while still maintaining the patency of the patient's airway.

A device (100) for measuring a concentration of NO in exhaled air is provided. The device (100) comprises a mouthpiece (11), an NO sensor (12), an airway obstruction measurement and an analysis module. The mouthpiece (11) receives the exhaled air during an exhalation. The NO sensor (12) measures the concentration of NO in the exhaled air. The airway obstruction measurement module determines an airway obstruction parameter. The analysis module (16) analyzes an inflammatory status of a respiratory system based on a combination of the measured concentration of NO and the determined airway obstruction parameter.