3432 results about "Respiratory tract" patented technology

Low temperature electronic vaporization devices and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein the devices generate an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract.

Devices, cartridges, and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein a device generates an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract, while reducing Hoffman analytes and mutagenic compounds delivered to the user as compared to a common tobacco cigarette.

This relates to methods and devices for treating reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and more particularly, relates to a device for exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in the airway of human lungs. The exchange of energy with this airway tissue in the airways reduces the ability of the air ways to constrict and / or reduces the resistance within the airway to the flow of air through the airway. This also relates to a method for decreasing responsiveness or decreasing resistance to airflow of airways involves the transfer of energy to or from the airway walls to prevent or reduce airway constriction and other symptoms of lung diseases. The treatment reduces the ability of the airway to contract during an acute narrowing of the airways, reduces mucus plugging of the airways, and / or increases the airway diameter. The methods according to the present invention provide a longer duration and / or more effective treatment for lung diseases than currently used drug treatments, and obviate patient compliance issues. This also includes additional steps that reduce the ability of the lung to produce at least one of the symptoms of reversible obstructive pulmonary disease and to reduce the resistance to the flow of air through a lung.

A device and method are provided for managing the treatment of a patient with respiratory disorders or symptoms. Respiratory parameters are sensed and recorded and communicated to an external device to provide information to a patient and / or provider for further treatment or diagnosis. Also respiratory disorders such as apnea or hypoventilation may be treated by electrically stimulating the diaphragm muscle or phrenic nerve in response to a sensed respiratory parameter or characteristic.

Improved aerodynamically light particles for drug delivery to the pulmonary system, and methods for their synthesis and administration are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the aerodynamically light particles are made of a biodegradable material and have a tap density less than 0.4 g / cm3 and a mass mean diameter between 5 mum and 30 mum. The particles may be formed of biodegradable materials such as biodegradable polymers. For example, the particles may be formed of a functionalized polyester graft copolymer consisting of a linear alpha-hydroxy-acid polyester backbone having at least one amino acid group incorporated therein and at least one poly(amino acid) side chain extending from an amino acid group in the polyester backbone. In one embodiment, aerodynamically light particles having a large mean diameter, for example greater than 5 mum, can be used for enhanced delivery of a therapeutic agent to the alveolar region of the lung. The aerodynamically light particles incorporating a therapeutic agent may be effectively aerosolized for administration to the respiratory tract to permit systemic or local delivery of wide variety of therapeutic agents.

The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for controlling delivery of aerosolized formulations to patients in need of treatment, which optimizes aerosol deposition to the respiratory tract of the patient and can be adapted for use in spontaneously breathing patients or in those requiring mechanical ventilation.

Low temperature electronic vaporization devices and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein the devices generate an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract.

CPAP treatment apparatus is disclosed having a controllable flow generator (34, 38, 40) operable to produce breathable gas at a treatment pressure elevated above atmosphere to a patient by a delivery tube (32) coupled to a mask (30) having connection with a patient's airway. A sensor (44, 50, 56, 58) generates a signal representative of patient respiratory flow, that is provided to a controller (54, 62, 64). The controller (54, 62, 64) is operable to determine the occurrence of an apnea from a reduction in respiratory airflow below a threshold, and if an apnea has occurred, to determine the duration of the apnea and to cause the flow generator (34, 38) to increase the treatment pressure. In one preferred form the increase in pressure is zero if the treatment pressure before the apnea exceeds a pressure threshold. Below the pressure threshold the increase in pressure is an increasing function of the duration of the apnea multiplied by the difference between the pressure threshold and the current treatment pressure.

A high frequency pressure oscillation device that selective restricts the flow of breathing gas to or from a patient to produce pressure spikes in the patient's airway that facilitate clearing secretions from the patient's airway. The device includes a patient circuit that defines a closed path between a source of breathing gas and the patient's airway. A valve is disposed in the patient circuit such that in an open position the path between the source of breathing gas and the airway of the patient is substantially unobstructed. When the valve is in a closed position, the path between the source of breathing gas and the patient's airway is at least partially obstructed to create the pressure spikes. An actuating system associated with the valve alternatively places the valve in the open position and in the closed position at a predetermined oscillation rate that is independent of patient effort.

At least one elongated body is sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in an epiglottis and / or in a muscle along an upper respiratory tract. An array of projections extends from the elongated body, which is sized and configured to engage tissue and resist a reorientation of the elongated body within the tissue region out of the desired orientation.

A closed suction system module is provided. In one embodiment, the closed suction system module comprises a coupling member configured to couple to a suction port of a multi-port manifold or endotracheal tube adapter (e.g., dual-port or tri-port adapter). In one embodiment, the closed suction system module comprises a suction catheter configured to clean the interior surfaces of body-inserted tubes or artificial airways (alone or in addition to suctioning natural airways or portions of the respiratory tract or other body lumens). The suction catheter may comprise a cleaning portion at a distal portion of the suction catheter (e.g., near the distal end or tip of the suction catheter). In some embodiments, the cleaning portion comprises at least one expandable cleaning member (e.g., balloon, sleeve, wiper).

Engineered particles are provided may be used for the delivery of a bioactive agent to the respiratory tract of a patient. The particles may be used in the form of dry powders or in the form of stabilized dispersions comprising a nonaqueous continuous phase. In particularly preferred embodiments the particles may be used in conjunction with an inhalation device such as a dry powder inhaler, metered dose inhaler or a nebulizer.

The present invention is directed to small interfering RNA molecules targeted against a gene of interest in respiratory epithelial cells, and methods of using these RNA molecules.

An apparatus for selectively positioning intraoral anatomic features of a human patient to enhance upper airway stability for use alone or in combination with positive airway pressure as therapeutic treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and other conditions, such as snoring, which are symptomatic of upper airway instability.

Methods for treating respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases mediated by a P2X3 and / or a P2X2 / 3 receptor antagonist, the methods comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein D, X, Y, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are as defined herein.

A system and method for the automatic diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in a centralized hospital critical care monitoring system for the monitoring of a plurality of patients in at least one of a critical care, step down, and cardiac ward by telemetry. The system includes a central processor having a display, and a plurality of telemetry unit for mounting with patients, each of the telemetry units has a plurality of sensors for connection with each patient, the telemetry unit is capable of the transmission of multiple signals derived from the sensors to the central processor, in one preferred embodiment the method comprising steps of programming the system to analyze the signals and to automatically identify the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea and to provide an indication of the identification.

A method for delivering a therapeutic dose of a bioactive agent to the pulmonary system, in a single, breath-activated step, comprises administering from a receptacle enclosing a mass of particles, to a subject's respiratory tract, particles which have a tap density of less than 0.4 g / cm3 and deliver at least about 50% of the mass of particles. Another method of delivering a therapeutic dose of a bioactive agent to the pulmonary system, in a single breath, includes administering from a receptacle enclosing a mass of particles, to a subject's respiratory tract, particles which have a tap density of at least 0.4 g / cm3 and deliver at least about 10 milligrams of the bioactive agent. The receptacle can have a volume of at least 0.37 cm3.

Disclosed are safe, simple and effective broad-spectrum treatments for halitosis and other microbial infections of the nondental upper respiratory tract useful to treat bacterial and other microorganism species, including anaerobic bacteria. Electromagnetic radiative energy including visible, and optionally, thermal, RF and / or microwave wavelengths, is topically applied to internal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract to destroy or incapacitate superficial microorganisms without the use of antibiotics. One useful apparatus is a handheld energy applicator having a light output head suitable for treating the back of the tongue and the tonsils and which may be interchangeably provided with extensions to reach the sinuses. The energy applicator can be supported and guided by a mounting device held between the subject's teeth, if desired. Useful embodiments of the invention include preparative treatment of the target surfaces with a photosensitizing agent such as an oxidizing agent or a complementary stain. Optionally a pre-treament procedure may be employed to remove detritus and microfloral overgrowths that may mask more deeply resident target microorganisms. Novel treatments include treatment of halitosis by destruction of bacterial species associated with halitosis, such as Atopobium parvulum, by application of non-ionizing radiative energy to the tonsils and the back of the tongue. Another embodiment comprises a candy bar incorporating a halitosis treatment lamp disposed within the candy.

The invention relates to a composition for killing virus and preventing influenza and a cold prevention plaster prepared by the composition. An aromatic traditional Chinese medicine volatile extract product and fragrant plant essential oil are used as effective components of the plaster; high-molecular colloid, which can be compatible with the effective components and has a stereo network structure, and an excipient are used to wrap the effective components to prepare a microcapsule; the microcapsule is used to coat on a matrix to prepare a tablet; a double faced adhesive tape is used to plaster the tablet at the position close to mouth and nose (such as collar, shoulder, chest and the like) so as to allow the effective components to slowly release at uniform speed. The plaster can be used to kill pathogen and virus in the air and enhance the immunity of upper respiratory tract, has an obvious effect of preventing influenza, and has a certain prevention effect for common cold, hand-foot-mouth disease, varicella, measles, epidemic encephalitis B, epidemic mumps, chronic respiratory tract diseases and the like. The plaster is convenient to use, has fragrant smell and is safe without side-effect.

A device and method are provided for managing the treatment of a patient with respiratory disorders or symptoms. Respiratory parameters are sensed and recorded and communicated to an external device to provide information to a patient and / or provider for further treatment or diagnosis. Also respiratory disorders such as apnea or hypoventilation may be treated by electrically stimulating the diaphragm muscle or phrenic nerve in response to a sensed respiratory parameter or characteristic.

The present invention provides a vaccine which protects pigs from a virus and / or an infectious agent causing a porcine respiratory and reproductive disease, a method of protecting a pig from a disease caused by a virus and / or an infectious agent which causes a respiratory and reproductive disease, a method of producing a vaccine against a virus and / or an infectious agent causing a porcine reproductive and respiratory disease, and a biologically pure sample of a virus and / or infectious agent associated with a porcine respiratory and reproductive disease, particularly the Iowa strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and an isolated polynucleotide which is at least 90% homologous with a polynucleotide obtained from the genome of a virus and / or infectious agent which causes a porcine respiratory and reproductive disease.

A device and method are provided for managing the treatment of a patient With respiratory disorders or symptoms. Respiratory parameters are sensed and recorded and communicated to an external device to provide information to a patient and / or provider for further treatment or diagnosis. Also respiratory disorders such as apnea or hypoventilation may be treated by electrically stimulating the diaphragm muscle or phrenic nerve in response to a sensed respiratory parameter or characteristic.

An apparatus is provided for delivering heated and humidified air to the respiratory tract of a human patient for respiratory tract therapy and treatment. The apparatus includes a supply unit (11) and a delivery tube (28) that can be releasably connected to the supply unit (11). Methods of respiratory tract therapy and treatment are also provided.

A nozzle comprised of a thin, flexible membrane material having a plurality of pores is disclosed. In one embodiment, the pores have an unflexed exit aperture diameter in the range of about 0.5 to about 2 microns (preferably about 1 micron) and are positioned substantially uniformly in the material, preferably about 50 microns apart. The nozzle preferably has a conical or trumpet-shaped cross-section. In another aspect of the invention, the exit aperture of the nozzle is surrounded by an elevated area protruding above the substantially planar exit side of the membrane in order to prevent intrusion of liquid back into the nozzle. The nozzle can be used to form an aerosol containing a pharmaceutical composition from the exit side of the nozzle upon forcible application of the composition to the entrance side of the nozzle. This aerosol can be used to administer the pharmaceutical composition, for example, to the eye or to a selected portion of the respiratory tract. The nozzle is preferably a component of a container which holds a formulation of drug.