42 results about "Work of breathing" patented technology

A breathing support system is provided. The system may include a breathing support device configured to deliver gas to a patient and a display device associated with the breathing support device. The display device may be configured to display a graphic indicating one or more measures regarding the patient's work of breathing.

There is disclosed an endotracheal tube which has a minimal cross-sectional profile for easy viewing of anatomical features during intubation. After the tube is placed into the trachea, the tube is adapted to increase the diameter. In this manner the tube diameter may be expanded to allow for decreased Work of Breathing (WOB) for patient, while not having so large a diameter as to cause tracheal discomfort.

A swim and skin-dive snorkel for providing positive end-expiratory pressure for pressure-balanced exhalation.The snorkel may include inhalation and exhalation conduits. Air can be exhaled into a chamber and released when exhalation pressure within the chamber exceeds a threshold pressure. The threshold pressure that must be overcome to achieve exhalation may be balanced against the compressive forces of the ambient water pressure acting against the user's chest and lungs, which may greatly reduce the resting expiratory flow rate, the minute respiratory rate, and therefore the overall work of breathing. The exhalation pressure may be linearly matched to the ambient water pressure as a function of dive depth, thereby discouraging exhalation while diving. A purge valve may also be placed at the lower aspect of the snorkel.

A closed-circuit heliox delivery system and methods for alleviating symptoms of COPD and related disorders are provided. The system is self-monitoring and can be used outside of a hospital environment. The system contains a gas supply fluidly connected to a breathing circuit. The breathing circuit contains an upper airway device, such as a mask. The system contains a sensor(s) and controller. The sensors measure parameters in the system, the ambient environment, or related to the physiological state of the user. The controller can adjust the system to maintain parameters within the device, i.e. pressure, temperature, humidity, within predetermined ranges. The controller can adjust the system to maintain a target physiological state of the user, i.e. target blood oxygen levels or Work of Breathing (WOB).

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the work of breathing. Heated and humidified air is delivered through a nasal cannula to the nasal passageway of a patient at a flow rate above 20 liters / min thereby reducing inspiratory work.

There is disclosed an endotracheal tube which has a minimal cross-sectional profile for easy viewing of anatomical features during intubation. After the tube is placed into the trachea, the tube is adapted to increase the diameter. In this manner the tube diameter may be expanded to allow for decreased Work of Breathing (WOB) for patient, while not having so large a diameter as to cause tracheal discomfort.

A method of creating a noninvasive predictor of both physiologic and imposed patient effort of breathing from airway pressure and flow sensors attached to the patient using an adaptive mathematical model. The patient effort is commonly measured via work of breathing, power of breathing, or pressure-time product of esophageal pressure and is important for properly adjusting ventilatory support for spontaneously breathing patients. The method of calculating this noninvasive predictor is based on linear or non-linear calculations using multiple parameters derived from the above-mentioned sensors.

Methods for non-invasively and accurately estimating and monitoring resistance and work of breathing parameters from airway pressure and flow sensors attached to the ventilator-dependent patient using an adaptive mathematical model are provided. These methods are based on calculations using multiple parameters derived from the above-mentioned sensors. The resistance and work of breathing parameters are important for: assessing patient status and diagnosis, appropriately selecting treatment, assessing efficacy of treatment, and properly adjusting ventilatory support.

There is disclosed an endotracheal tube which has a minimal cross-sectional profile for easy viewing of anatomical features during intubation. After the tube is placed into the trachea, the tube is adapted to increase the diameter. In this manner the tube diameter may be expanded to allow for decreased Work of Breathing (WOB) for patient, while not having so large a diameter as to cause tracheal discomfort.

A system for providing ventilation support to 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 at the distal end of the gas delivery circuit; and at least one spontaneous respiration sensor for detecting respiration in communication with the control unit. The system may be open to ambient. The control unit may receive signals from the at least one spontaneous respiration sensor and determine gas delivery requirements. The ventilator may deliver gas at a velocity to entrain ambient air and increase lung volume or lung pressure above spontaneously breathing levels to assist in work of breathing, and deliver ventilation gas in a cyclical delivery pattern synchronized with a spontaneous breathing pattern.

A gas assisted re-breathing device is disclosed for life support of individuals venturing into harsh environments, particularly the underwater environment, which results in reduced work of breathing. Similar to prior art re-breathers, hoses connect a mouthpiece to direct the flow of breathing gas in a loop like fashion, passing in and out of a flexible gas storage container and a CO2 scrubbing device prior to re-breathing. Disclosed is a pressurized gas assisted re-breathing device, driven by pressurized gas, actuated by the breathing pressure local to the mouthpiece, that acts to move the flexible gas storage container on behalf of the individual and a loop seal valve that is forcibly shut during assisted breathing, which seals the assisted breathing loop to prevent premature venting of breathing gas to the surrounding environment, unless the assisted breathing loop is full, whereupon the loop seal valve opens to allow excess breathing gas to escape into the surrounding environment through forcible exhalation by the individual through one or more conventional one way valves that prevent backflow from the surrounding environment back into the loop. This device significantly reduces work of breathing without unwanted breathing gas loss and further facilitates additional safety features that would otherwise not be practical due to the resultant increase in work of breathing.

There is disclosed an endotracheal tube which has a minimal cross-sectional profile for easy viewing of anatomical features during intubation. After the tube is placed into the trachea, the tube is adapted to increase the diameter. In this manner the tube diameter may be expanded to allow for decreased Work of Breathing (WOB) for patient, while not having so large a diameter as to cause tracheal discomfort.

A gas assisted re-breathing device is provided for life support of individuals venturing into harsh environments, particularly the underwater environment, which results in reduced work of breathing. In the pressurized gas assisted re-breathing device, pressurized gas, actuated by the breathing pressure local to the mouthpiece, acts to move a flexible gas storage container on behalf of the individual and a loop seal valve is forcibly shut during assisted breathing, which seals the assisted breathing loop to prevent premature venting of breathing gas to the surrounding environment, unless the assisted breathing loop is full, whereupon the loop seal valve opens to allow excess breathing gas to escape into the surrounding environment through forcible exhalation by the individual through one or more conventional one way valves that prevent backflow from the surrounding environment back into the loop.

A breathing apparatus has an expiratory flow sensor unit, an expiratory pressure sensor unit, an expiratory pressure regulator, and an expiratory control unit operatively connected to the expiratory pressure sensor unit for a feedback control of an expiratory pressure during an expiratory phase of a breathing cycle. The expiratory control unit is adapted to provide a real time target pressure value during the expiratory phase to the expiratory pressure regulator for adjusting a desired positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) level (PEEPset) based on an inspiratory tidal volume of an inspiratory phase of the same breathing cycle and a currently accumulated expiratory tidal volume measured by the expiratory flow sensor unit. In this manner advantageous regulation of PEEP with minimized work of breathing is obtained.

A method includes obtaining a first physiological parameter indicative of a non-invasively measured airway pressure of a subject, obtaining a second physiological parameter indicative of a non-invasively measured air flow into the lungs of the subject, and estimating a third physiological parameter indicative of an intra-pleural pressure of the subject based on the first and second physiological parameters and generating a signal indicative thereof. An other method includes obtaining a first physiological parameter indicative of a non-invasively estimated intra-pleural pressure of a subject, determining a second physiological parameter indicative of a lung volume of the subject that is based on a third physiological parameter indicative of a non-invasively measured air flow into the lungs of the subject, and determining a work of breathing based on the first and second physiological parameters and generating a signal indicative thereof.

This invention discloses a novel nasal insert which reduces the effect of upper airway resistance syndrome. The insert comprises a short, hollow, flexible tube with the central portion of one side being removed. The insert is inserted into each nostril to allow increased airflow and reduce the work of breathing. The efficiency of the insert may be increased by its impregnation with aroma-therapy essential oils.

Apparatus and methods are provided for applying negative pressure to tissues of a patient that are transmitted to the vertebral venous system of the patient and thereby lowering intracranial pressure. Intracranial pressure is thus lowered easily without increasing the work of breathing, without needing to be intubated, and without breathing through a valve in patients with elevated increased intracranial pressure.