US6029667A — Heart failure mask and methods for increasing neg…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 143 words

A method for treating a patient suffering from heart failure, the method comprising: sealing a facial mask around the patient's mouth and nose, the mask including a one-way expiration valve and an inspiratory threshold valve which is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the mask is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O; the patient breathing while the mask is sealed to the face, wherein respiratory gases are substantially completely prevented from entering the patient's lungs during inhalation until such time as the patient produces a pressure within the mask that is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O, whereupon the inspiratory valve opens to allow respiratory gases into the lungs; and mechanically altering the negative intrathoracic pressure of the patient.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 143 words

A method for treating a patient suffering from heart failure, the method comprising: sealing a facial mask around the patient's mouth and nose, the mask including a one-way expiration valve and an inspiratory threshold valve which is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the mask is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O; the patient breathing while the mask is sealed to the face, wherein respiratory gases are substantially completely prevented from entering the patient's lungs during inhalation until such time as the patient produces a pressure within the mask that is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O, whereupon the inspiratory valve opens to allow respiratory gases into the lungs; and mechanically altering the negative intrathoracic pressure of the patient.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method as in claim 1, wherein the negative intrathoracic pressure is mechanically altered by placing the patient in an iron lung device or by placing a vest around the patient's chest.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method as in claim 1, wherein during exhalation the exhaled respiratory gases pass through the expiration valve without substantial resistance.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 36 words

A method as in claim 1, wherein the seal is sufficient to maintain a pressure gradient between the pressure outside the mask and the pressure within the mask of at least +20 cm H 2 O.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as in claim 1, wherein the mask further includes a port, and further comprising introducing a gas into the port.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 44 words

A method as in claim 1, wherein the mask further includes a back-up inspiratory threshold valve which is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the mask is about 10% to about 100% greater than the threshold pressure of the other threshold valve.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as in claim 6, further comprising a whistle which produces an audible signal when respiratory gases flow through the back-up threshold valve.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

A method as in claim 1, wherein the sealing step further comprises strapping the mask to the patient's face.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method as in claim 1, further comprising allowing the patient to breath spontaneously or periodically supplying ventilation to the patient.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 143 words

A method for treating a patient that is suffering from heart failure, the method comprising: sealing a facial mask around the patients mouth and nose, the mask including a one-way expiration valve and an inspiratory threshold valve which is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the mask is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O; the patient breathing while the mask is sealed to the face, wherein respiratory gases are substantially completely prevented from entering the patient's lungs during inhalation for a time sufficient to allow a negative intrathoracic pressure that is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O to develop within the patient, whereupon the inspiratory valve opens to allow respiratory gases into the lungs; and periodically ventilating the patient.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 143 words

A method for treating a patient that is suffering from heart failure, the method comprising: sealing a facial mask around the patients mouth and nose, the mask including a one-way expiration valve and an inspiratory threshold valve which is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the mask is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O; the patient breathing while the mask is sealed to the face, wherein respiratory gases are substantially completely prevented from entering the patient's lungs during inhalation for a time sufficient to allow a negative intrathoracic pressure that is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O to develop within the patient, whereupon the inspiratory valve opens to allow respiratory gases into the lungs; and periodically ventilating the patient.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method as in claim 10, wherein during exhalation the exhaled respiratory gases pass through the expiration valve without substantial resistance.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 36 words

A method as in claim 10, wherein the seal is sufficient to maintain a pressure gradient between the pressure outside the mask and the pressure within the mask of at least 20 cm H 2 O.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as in claim 10, wherein the mask further includes a port, and further comprising ventilating the patient through the port.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 44 words

A method as in claim 10, wherein the mask further includes a back-up inspiratory threshold valve which is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the mask is about 10% to about 100% greater than the threshold pressure of the other threshold valve.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as in claim 14, further comprising a whistle which produces an audible signal when respiratory gases flow through the back-up threshold valve.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 19 words

A method as in claim 10, wherein the sealing step further comprises strapping the mask to the patient's face.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as in claim 10, wherein the sealing step further comprises placing an adhesive between the mask and the patient's face.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 71 words

A method for treating a patient suffering from heart failure, the method comprising: during normal breathing of the patient, preventing respiratory gases from entering the patient's lungs until a negative intrathoracic pressure that is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O is developed within the patient and then allowing respiratory gases to flow into the lungs; and periodically ventilating the patient.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 71 words

A method for treating a patient suffering from heart failure, the method comprising: during normal breathing of the patient, preventing respiratory gases from entering the patient's lungs until a negative intrathoracic pressure that is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O is developed within the patient and then allowing respiratory gases to flow into the lungs; and periodically ventilating the patient.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method as in claim 18, further comprising repeating the step of preventing respiratory gases from entering the patient's lungs each time the patient inhales.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 71 words

A device for treating a patient suffering from heart failure, the device comprising: an endotracheal tube comprising an elongate body which is insertable into a patient's airway, the tube further including a one-way expiration valve and an inspiratory threshold valve which is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the endotracheal tube is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 71 words

A device for treating a patient suffering from heart failure, the device comprising: an endotracheal tube comprising an elongate body which is insertable into a patient's airway, the tube further including a one-way expiration valve and an inspiratory threshold valve which is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the endotracheal tube is in the range from about -3 cm H 2 O to about -25 cm H 2 O.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

A device as in claim 20, wherein the exhalation valve allows the exhaled respiratory gases to pass therethrough without substantial resistance.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 46 words

A device as in claim 20, wherein the endotracheal tube further includes a back-up inspiratory threshold valve which is biased to open when a threshold pressure within the endotracheal tube is about 10% to about 100% greater than the threshold pressure of the other threshold valve.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 24 words

A device as in claim 22, further comprising a whistle which produces an audible signal when respiratory gases flow through the back-up threshold valve.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-02-28	2003-08-30	2004-02-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-02-28	2007-08-30	2008-02-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-02-28	2011-08-30	2012-02-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Heart failure mask and methods for increasing negative intrathoracic pressures

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