US6568387B2
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Method for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder
Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation Inc
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Filing: 2001-07-18
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Granted: 2003-05-27
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Expires: 2021-07-18
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates generally to the field of breathing exercise devices and more particularly to expiratory breathing methods which promote proper resistance breathing by the user. More specifically, the present invention discloses a method which utilizes a pressure relief valve, preferably a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) valve, for providing positive expiratory pressure (PEP). The PEP is provided by obstructing the flow of gases exhaled by the patient through the PEEP valve, so that such gases must be exhaled against the PEEP valve's pressure threshold.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul W. Davenport
- 👤 Anatole D. Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/20; A61M16/208; A61M16/209; A63; A63B; A63B21/00; A63B21/00058; A63B21/00069; A63B21/008; A63B21/0085; A63B23/00; A63B23/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure (PEP) in a patient's respiratory system using a pressure relief valve comprising: a) selecting a pressure threshold of the pressure relief valve between about 1 cmH 2 O and 50 cmH 2 O such that the patient can overcome said pressure threshold upon forced exhalation through said pressure relief valve; and b) positioning said pressure relief valve in the patient's mouth during exhalation of at least one breathing cycle, such that said pressure threshold resists the patient's exhalation until sufficient force is produced to overcome said pressure threshold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure (PEP) in a patient's respiratory system using a pressure relief valve comprising: a) selecting a pressure threshold of the pressure relief valve between about 1 cmH 2 O and 50 cmH 2 O such that the patient can overcome said pressure threshold upon forced exhalation through said pressure relief valve; and b) positioning said pressure relief valve in the patient's mouth during exhalation of at least one breathing cycle, such that said pressure threshold resists the patient's exhalation until sufficient force is produced to overcome said pressure threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure threshold is between about 1 cmH 2 O and 40 cmH 2 O.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure threshold is between about 1 cmH 2 O and 30 cmH 2 O.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure threshold is between about 1 cmH 2 O and 20 cmH 2 O.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure threshold is between about 1 cmH 2 O and 10 cmH 2 O.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure threshold is between about 10 cmH 2 O and 50 cmH 2 O.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure threshold is between about 20 cmH 2 O and 50 cmH 2 O.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure threshold is between about 30 cmH 2 O and 50 cmH 2 O.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure threshold is between about 40 cmH 2 O and 50 cmH 2 O.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure threshold is between about 5 cmH 2 O and 15 cmH 2 O.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure threshold is between about 1 cmH 2 O and 5 cmH 2 O.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure threshold is about 10 cmH 2 O.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 wherein the pressure relief valve is positioned throughout a plurality of breathing cycles.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for creating an airflow in dependent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the duration of the plurality of breathing cycles is about 0.05 minutes to 30 minutes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for creating an airflow in dependent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the duration of the plurality of breathing cycles is about 5 minutes to 30 minutes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for creating an airflow in dependent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the duration of the plurality of breathing cycles is about 10 minutes to 30 minutes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for creating an airflow in dependent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the duration of the plurality of breathing cycles is about 20 minutes to 30 minutes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for creating an airflow in dependent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the duration of the plurality of breathing cycles is about 0.05 minutes to 20 minutes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for creating an airflow in dependent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the duration of the plurality of breathing cycles is about 0.05 minutes to 10 minutes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for creating an airflow in dependent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein the duration of the plurality of breathing cycles is about 0.05 minutes to 5 minutes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method for creating an airflow in dependent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the duration of the plurality of breathing cycles is about for about 0.05 minutes to 1.5 minutes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the breathing cycles comprises about 2 to 30 exhalations.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the breathing cycles comprises about 10 to 20 exhalations.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the breathing cycles comprises about 2 to 20 exhalations.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the breathing cycles comprises about 2 to 10 exhalations.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the breathing cycles comprises about 10 to 30 exhalations.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 13 , wherein the breathing cycles comprises about 20 to 30 exhalations.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure relief valve is a positive end-expiratory pressure valve.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure in a patient's respiratory system according to claim 1 , wherein the patient inhales through said pressure relief valve and exhales through said pressure relief valve.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
103 words
A respiratory exercise method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure (PEP) in a patient's respiratory system using a pressure relief valve comprising: a) selecting a pressure threshold of the pressure relief valve between about 1 cmH 2 O and 50 cmH 2 O such that the patient can overcome said pressure threshold upon forced exhalation through said pressure relief valve; and b) positioning said pressure relief valve in the patient's mouth during exhalation while exercising for about 0.05 minutes to 30 minutes, such that said pressure threshold resists the patient's exhalation until sufficient force is produced to overcome said pressure threshold.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
103 words
A respiratory exercise method for creating an airflow independent positive expiratory pressure (PEP) in a patient's respiratory system using a pressure relief valve comprising: a) selecting a pressure threshold of the pressure relief valve between about 1 cmH 2 O and 50 cmH 2 O such that the patient can overcome said pressure threshold upon forced exhalation through said pressure relief valve; and b) positioning said pressure relief valve in the patient's mouth during exhalation while exercising for about 0.05 minutes to 30 minutes, such that said pressure threshold resists the patient's exhalation until sufficient force is produced to overcome said pressure threshold.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for increasing the intra-airway pressure in a patient's respiratory system comprising: a) selecting a means for creating a positive expiratory pressure in the patient's respiratory system; and b) positioning said means for creating a positive expiratory pressure in the patient's mouth during exhalation while exercising for about 0.05 minutes to 30 minutes, such that said pressure threshold resists the patient's exhalation until sufficient force is produced to overcome said pressure threshold.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for increasing the intra-airway pressure in a patient's respiratory system comprising: a) selecting a means for creating a positive expiratory pressure in the patient's respiratory system; and b) positioning said means for creating a positive expiratory pressure in the patient's mouth during exhalation while exercising for about 0.05 minutes to 30 minutes, such that said pressure threshold resists the patient's exhalation until sufficient force is produced to overcome said pressure threshold.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-05-26 | 2006-11-25 | 2007-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-05-26 | 2010-11-25 | 2011-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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