Systems and methods for therapeutic intrathoracic pressure regulation

1. A system for providing intrathoracic pressure regulation (IPR) to an individual comprising:

a patient connection port for coupling with an airway of the individual;

a vent configured to be in fluid communication with a pressure source or ambient air;

a housing comprising a fluid flow passage extending between the patient connection port and the vent;

a blower disposed within the fluid flow passage of the housing between the patient connection port and the vent; and

a motor configured to be operatively coupled with the blower for the blower to extract gas from the patient connection port,

wherein the blower, motor and fluid flow passage in operation are configured to allow retrograde airflow from the vent to the patient connection port and compel airflow from the patient connection port to the vent simultaneously with the retrograde airflow.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to operate the blower to provide a reduction in pressure in the airway of the individual.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the blower comprises an impeller.

4. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the impeller is operatively associated with the motor by way of a magnetic clutch.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the blower, motor and fluid flow passage in operation are configured to generate a pressure differential within a range of between about 0 cm H 2 O and about 20 cm H 2 O.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the blower, motor and fluid flow passage in operation are configured to generate a pressure differential within a range of between about 3 cm H 2 O and about 16 cm H 2 O.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the blower, motor and fluid flow passage in operation are configured to permit airflow between the patient connection port and the vent, without forming a physical barrier that prevents airflow therebetween.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the blower, motor and fluid flow passage in operation are configured to maintain sub-atmospheric pressures within the thorax of the individual.

9. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor that monitors the individual's airway pressure, and further comprising a controller configured to receive information from the pressure sensor and control operation of the motor based on the information.

10. The system according to claim 9 , further comprising a display configured to provide a visual indication of the individual's airway pressure.

11. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the visual indication comprises airway information including at least one of peak inspiratory pressure, expiratory pressure, an indication of intrathoracic pressure regulation therapy administered to the patient, and a pressure waveform of the patient's airway.

12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the external pressure source comprises at least one of a manual ventilation device, a bag-valve mask, and a ventilator.

13. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the motor and the blower are configured to be coupled and decoupled from one another.

14. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the motor is reusable and the blower is disposable.

15. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the blower, motor and fluid flow passage in operation are configured to allow for intermittent airflow between the vent and the individual's lungs.

16. A device for providing intrathoracic pressure regulation (IPR) to an individual, comprising:

a housing having at least two ports, a first port configured to be in fluid communication with ambient air and a second port configured to be in fluid communication with the individual's airway, and a fluid flow passage extending between the first port and the second port;

a blower disposed within the housing and configured to provide negative intrathoracic pressure within the individual by moving air from the individual's airway, through the second port, through the fluid flow passage, and through the first port, the blower positioned such that at least one secondary passage exists between the blower and the housing, the secondary passage being in fluid communication with the first port and the second port and allowing retrograde airflow from the first port through the secondary passage, and through the second port to the individual's airway, against the movement of air caused by the blower; and

a motor in operative association with the blower.

17. The device according to claim 16 , further comprising a pressure sensor that monitors the individual's airway pressure between the blower and the individual, and a controller that receives information from the pressure sensor and controls operation of the motor based on the information.

18. The device according to claim 16 , wherein the motor is configured to operate the blower to provide a reduction in pressure in the airway of the individual.

19. The device according to claim 16 , wherein the blower, motor and fluid flow passage in operation are configured to allow retrograde airflow between the first port and the second port.

20. The device according to claim 16 , wherein the blower comprises an impeller.

21. The device according to claim 20 , wherein the impeller is operatively associated with the motor by way of a magnetic clutch.

22. The device according to claim 16 , wherein the blower, motor and fluid flow passage in operation are configured to generate a pressure differential within a range of between about 0 cm H 2 O and about 20 cm H 2 O.

23. The device according to claim 16 , wherein the blower, motor and fluid flow passage in operation are configured to permit airflow between the first port and the second port, without forming a physical barrier that prevents airflow therebetween.

24. The device according to claim 16 , wherein the motor and the blower are configured to be coupled and decoupled from one another.