VENTILATION INTERFACE FOR SLEEP APNEA THERAPY
The ventilation interface for sleep apnea therapy interfaces a ventilation device to the patient's airways. The ventilation interface includes a pair of nasal inserts made from flexible, resilient silicone which are oval shaped in cross-section and slightly tapered from a base proximal the ventilation supply to the distal tip end. A bead flange is disposed about the exterior of each insert at the distal end of the insert. A bleed port for release of exhaled air is defined through a conical vent projecting normally to the path of the incoming air flow, and continues through a nipple extending to the exterior of the air conduit. In one embodiment, a pair of nasal inserts are integral with a nasal cannula body, with bleed ports axially aligned with each insert. In another embodiment, each insert is independently connected to a separate, thin-walled, flexible supply line.
1 . A respiratory interface comprising:
an inlet aperture configured to allow air into at least one nostril of a patient;
a valve located near the inlet aperture, the valve configured to resist airflow during exhalation of the patient; and
an exhale aperture located at or proximate the valve.
2 . The respiratory interface of claim 1 , further comprising a nasal insert adjacent the inlet aperture, the nasal insert configured to fit at least partially into the at least one nostril of the patient.
3 . The respiratory interface of claim 2 , wherein the nasal insert is tapered slightly from a wide base proximal the inlet aperture.
4 . The respiration interface of claim 2 , wherein the nasal insert is flexible and resilient.
5 . The respiration interface of claim 2 , wherein the nasal insert has a diameter sufficient to form a seal between the nasal insert and the at least one nostril of the patient.
6 . The respiration interface of claim 2 , wherein the nasal insert comprises a flange on an exterior surface of the nasal insert.
7 . The respiration interface of claim 6 , wherein the flange is formed as a bead.
8 . The respiratory interface of claim 2 , wherein the walls of the nasal insert have a hardness that ranges from about 15 to 40, as tested on a type A Shore durometer.
9 . The respiratory interface of claim 8 , wherein the hardness of the walls of the nasal insert is about 30, as tested on a type A Shore durometer.
10 . A respiratory interface for the treatment of a breathing problem, configured to provide a continuous flow path for the passage of inhaled and exhaled gases, the respiratory interface comprising:
at least one body;
at least one nasal aperture defined within the at least one body; and
at least one valve assembly comprising at least one valve member, the valve assembly coupled to the at least one body;
wherein the valve assembly is configured to impede flow in a first direction more than a second direction.
11 . The respiratory interface of claim 10 , wherein the first direction is an exhalation direction and the second direction is an inhalation direction.
12 . The respiratory interface of claim 10 , wherein the at least one valve member is suitable for use in positive airway pressure therapy or intermittent mechanical positive pressure ventilation therapy.
13 . The respiratory interface of claim 10 , wherein the at least one nasal aperture is located within a nasal insert configured to fit at least partially into one or more nostrils of a patient.
14 . The respiratory interface of claim 13 wherein the nasal insert has walls with a hardness that ranges from about 15 to 40, as tested on a type A Shore durometer.
15 . The respiratory interface of claim 10 , further comprising a bleed port located at or proximate the valve assembly.
16 . A respiratory interface comprising:
an inlet aperture configured to allow air into at least one nostril of a patient comprising at least one nasal insert adapted to seal against the at least one nostril of the patient without the aid of a harnesses or a head strap;
a valve located near the inlet aperture, the valve configured to resist airflow during exhalation of the patient; and
a bleed port located at or proximate the valve.
17 . The respiratory interface of claim 16 , wherein the at least one nasal insert is tapered slightly from a wide base proximal the inlet aperture.
18 . The respiratory interface of claim 16 , wherein the at least one nasal insert is flexible and resilient.
19 . The respiratory interface of claim 16 , wherein the at least one nasal insert comprises a flange on an exterior surface of the nasal insert.
20 . The respiratory interface of claim 16 , wherein the at least one nasal insert has walls with a hardness that ranges from about 15 to 40, as tested on a type A Shore durometer.