SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STIMULATING AIRWAYS

Abstract

Described is a method of stimulating airways of a mammal comprising: cyclically occluding a nasal air stream at a frequency rate between 50 Hz to 650 Hz. Also described is an apparatus for stimulating airways of a mammal, comprising: a fluid connection to each of a first and second naris of the mammal; and an occluding device configured to cyclically occlude a nasal air stream within each fluid connection at a frequency rate between 100 Hz to 650 Hz.

Claims

1. A method of stimulating airways of a mammal comprising: cyclically occluding a nasal air stream at a frequency rate between 50 Hz to 650 Hz.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein stimulating the airways of a mammal improves the inhaled Nitric Oxide in the mammal.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein stimulating the airways of a mammal improves airway infection by enhancing airway hydration and/or mucociliary transport.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein stimulating the airways of a mammal improves nasal airflow by decongesting nasal obstruction in the mammal.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mammal has two nares, a first naris and a second naris and cyclically occluding the nasal air stream comprises simultaneously cyclically occluding the nasal air stream of both nares.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mammal has two nares, a first naris and a second naris and during a first mode cyclically occluding the nasal air stream comprises cyclically occluding only the nasal air stream of the first naris.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the nasal air stream to the second naris is unrestricted.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the nasal air stream to the second naris is restricted.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the restriction is partial.

10. The method of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the during the first mode the first naris is the congested naris and the second naris is the patent naris.

11. The method of any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein during a second mode cyclically occluding the nasal air stream comprises cyclically occluding only the nasal air stream of the second naris.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the nasal air stream to the second naris is unrestricted.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the nasal air stream to the second naris is restricted.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the restriction is partial.

15. The method of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein during the second mode the second naris is the congested naris and the first naris is the patent naris.

16. The method any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the change between the first mode and the second mode is controlled by a controller.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the period of operation of the first mode or the second mode is between 1 and 15 minutes.

18. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the nasal air stream is cyclically occluded during both inhalation and exhalation.

19. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the nasal air stream is cyclically occluded during inhalation only.

20. The method of any one of claims 1 to 19, the method including controlling the occlusion by controlling an average percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the average percentage of obstruction is between 5 and 95 percent.

22. The method of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein controlling the average percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream includes controlling a percentage of time in a cycle in which the nasal air stream is at least partial obstructed and controlling a maximum percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the maximum percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream is between 5 and 95 percent.

24. The method of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the frequency rate is between 100 Hz to 450 Hz.

25. The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the mammal is a human.

26. An apparatus for stimulating airways of a mammal, comprising: a fluid connection to each of a first and second naris of the mammal; and an occluding device configured to cyclically occlude a nasal air stream within each fluid connection at a frequency rate between 100 Hz to 650 Hz.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein stimulating the airways of a mammal improves the inhaled Nitric Oxide in the mammal.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 or claim 27, wherein stimulating the airways of a mammal improves nasal airflow by decongesting nasal obstruction in the mammal.

29. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein stimulating the airways of a mammal improves airway infection by enhancing airway hydration and/or mucociliary transport.

30. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein cyclically occluding the nasal air stream comprises simultaneously cyclically occluding the nasal air stream of both nares.

31. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the apparatus in a first mode cyclically occludes only the nasal air stream of the first naris.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein in the first mode the nasal air stream to the second naris is unrestricted.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein in the first mode the nasal air stream to the second naris is restricted.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the restriction is partial.

35. The apparatus of any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein in the first mode the first naris is the congested naris and the second naris is the patent naris.

36. The apparatus of any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the apparatus in a second mode cyclically occludes only the nasal air stream of the second naris.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 in the second mode the nasal air stream to the second naris is unrestricted.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein in the second mode the nasal air stream to the second naris is restricted.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the restriction is partial.

40. The apparatus of any one of claims 36 to 39, wherein in the second mode the second naris is the congested naris and the first naris is the patent naris.

41. The apparatus any one of claims 36 to 40, wherein the change between the first mode and the second mode is controlled by a controller.

42. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the period of operation of the first mode or the second mode is between 1 and 15 minutes.

43. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 42, wherein the nasal air stream is cyclically occluded during both inhalation and exhalation.

44. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 42, wherein the nasal air stream is cyclically occluded during inhalation only.

45. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 44, the apparatus including controlling the occlusion by controlling an average percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the average percentage of obstruction is between 5 and 95 percent.

47. The apparatus of claim 45 or claim 46, wherein controlling the average percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream includes controlling a percentage of time in a cycle in which the nasal air stream is at least partial obstructed and controlling a maximum percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the maximum percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream is between 5 and 95 percent.

49. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 48, wherein the frequency rate between 100 Hz to 450 Hz.

50. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 49, wherein the mammal is a human.

51. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 50, further including a flow direction sensor.

52. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 51, further including a pressure sensor.

53. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 52, wherein the apparatus includes a battery and is configured to be worn under the nose.

54. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 53, wherein the apparatus is a standalone device.

55. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 54, further comprising an air supply device.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the air supply device is selected from the group comprising CPAP, Bi-PAP, Auto-PAP and other assisted breathing devices.

57. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 56, wherein the occluding device is a linear slide shutter system including a liner solenoid actuator.

58. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 56, wherein the occluding device is a linear shutter system with crank actuator.

59. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 56, wherein the occluding device is a rotating shutter system.

60. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 56 wherein the occluding device is a transverse rotating partially blocking shutter inline in the fluid connection.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the transverse rotating partially blocking shutter is a barrel and the barrel include cut outs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, in which:

[0084] FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating paranasal and iNO concentrations during normal nasal cycling;

[0085] FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating paranasal and iNO concentrations during absence of nasal cycling;

[0086] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating paranasal and iNO concentrations during sustained equal internasal airflow apportionment;

[0087] FIG. 4 is an example embodiment of a linear slide shutter system with a liner solenoid actuator;

[0088] FIG. 5 is an example embodiment of a slide linear shutter system with a crank actuator;

[0089] FIG. 6 is a side view of an example embodiment of a linear shutter system;

[0090] FIG. 7 is an example embodiment of a rotating shutter system with a motor actuator;

[0091] FIG. 8 is a side view of an example embodiment of a rotating shutter system;

[0092] FIG. 9 is an example embodiment of an oscillating shutter system with a 4-bar linkage actuator;

[0093] FIG. 10 is an example embodiment of an oscillating shutter system with a motor-crank actuator;

[0094] FIG. 11 is a side view of an example embodiment of an oscillating shutter system;

[0095] FIG. 12 is a diagram of the example sensors of the system;

[0096] FIG. 13 is an example embodiment of a rotating barrel shutter;

[0097] FIG. 14 is a cross section of the rotating barrel shutter inline in an air flow pipe;

[0098] FIG. 15 is an example embodiment of a rotating partially blocking shutter;

[0099] FIG. 16 is a cross section of the rotating partially blocking shutter inline in an air flow pipe;

[0100] FIG. 17 is a front view of a person wearing an example embodiment of the apparatus;

[0101] FIG. 18 is a side view of a person of FIG. 17 wearing an example embodiment of the apparatus;

[0102] FIG. 19A is an example embodiment featuring a single rotating shutter, central air inlet/outlet port and side naris manifolds;

[0103] FIG. 19B is a sectional side view of FIG. 19A;

[0104] FIG. 19C is a pictorial view of housing with naris manifolds of an example embodiment featuring a single rotating shutter, central air inlet/outlet port and side naris manifolds;

[0105] FIG. 19D is a top side view of FIG. 19C;

[0106] FIG. 20A is a sectional assembly side view showing air flow paths in an example embodiment featuring a single rotating shutter, central air inlet/outlet port and side naris manifolds;

[0107] FIG. 20B is a pictorial view of the housing of FIG. 20A;

[0108] FIG. 21A is top view of an example embodiment featuring a single rotating shutter, central air inlet/outlet port and side naris manifolds;

[0109] FIG. 21B is a sectional side view of FIG. 21A; and

[0110] FIG. 21C is a pictorial view of the rotating shutter of FIG. 21A;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0111] FIGS. 4 to 11 and 13 to 22 illustrates various shutter systems and an example apparatus according to various example embodiments.

[0112] The linear slide shutter system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4, delivers pressure oscillations into the inhaled air stream path 450 entering the nose to elevate the levels of iNO and/or provide mechanical stimulation to the airway mucosa. In one embodiment this is realised by using an airflow interrupter 460, such as air airflow shutter, that cyclically partially occludes the incoming air stream at a frequency rate replicating that found during low-frequency humming (100 Hz to 650 Hz, preferably 100 Hz to 450 Hz). Motors 410 are connected to the airflow interrupters 460 using linear actuators 420. The motors 410 move the airflow interrupters 460 backwards and forwards in a linear motion to partially occlude the incoming air stream.

[0113] FIGS. 4 though to 11 and 13 to 16 illustrate various potential embodiments of airflow shuttering systems. Other embodiments that occlude the incoming air stream at a frequency rate replicating that found during low-frequency humming (100 Hz to 650 Hz, preferably 100 Hz to 450 Hz) may also be used.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 5 motors 510 are connected to the airflow interrupters 560 using rotating 570 disks 530, that are in turn connected to a link 520. The disks 530 and link 520 provide a linear motion to the airflow interrupter 560. The motors 510 move the airflow interrupters 560 backwards and forwards in a linear motion to partially occlude the incoming air stream in the air stream path 550.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 6 a motor 610 is connected to an airflow interrupter 660. The motor 610 moves the airflow interrupter 660 backwards and forwards in a linear motion to partially occlude the incoming air stream 670 in the air stream path 650.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 7 motors 710 are connected to airflow interrupters 760. The motors 710 rotate 720 airflow interrupters 770 in a circular motion to partially occlude the incoming air stream in the air stream path 750.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 8 a motor 810 is connected to an airflow interrupter 860. The motor 810 rotates the airflow interrupters 860 in a circular motion to partially occlude the incoming air stream 870 in the air stream path 850.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 9 rotating 990 motors 910 are connected to the airflow interrupters 960 using links 930. The links 930 move 920 the airflow interrupters 960 to partially occlude the incoming air stream in the air stream path 950.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 10 a motor 1010 is connected to an airflow interrupter 1060 using links 1090. The links 1090 move 1020 the airflow interrupter 1060 to partially occlude the incoming air stream in the air stream path 1050.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 11 a motor 1110 is connected to an airflow interrupter 1160 using a rotating disk 1130, that is in turn connected to a link 1120. The disk 1130 and link 1120 provide a linear motion to the airflow interrupter 1160. The motor 1110 moves the airflow interrupters 1160 backwards and forwards in a linear motion to partially occlude the incoming air stream 1170 in the air stream path 1150.

[0121] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 a rotating barrel 1410 with alternating slots 1420, 1430 and solid portions 1440, 1445 to allow airflow could be utilised to partially occlude the incoming air stream 1470 in the air stream path 1450.

[0122] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16 a rotating shutter 1610 with alternating blocking 1630 and non-blocking 1620 portions to allow airflow could be utilised to partially occlude the incoming air stream 1670 in the air stream path 1650.

[0123] A single rotating barrel slide shutter system is illustrated by FIGS. 19A to 19D, 20A and 20B and 21A to 21C. A single rotating barrel slide shutter 1950, 2050, 2150 has slots 1955, 2055, 2155 and solid portions in the barrel. The barrel 1950, 2050, 2150 delivers pressure oscillations into the inhaled air stream 1970, 2070, 2170 entering the nose via a common manifold 1990, 2090, 2190. The air flowing to each nostril via first 1903, 2003, 2103 and second 1904, 2004, 2104 outlets.

[0124] Airflow shuttering could occur for just the inhalation breath phase or both inhalation and exhalation phases. Breath phase could be sensed via pressure sensors 1210, 1215 illustrated in FIG. 12 detecting low or high pressure during the inhalation or exhalation phases of breathing respectively. Alternatively, the system could use flow sensors 1220, 1225 to sense the flow. In a further alternative, if the rotating flow interrupter 1230, 1235 had slightly inclined blades, motor torque could be sensed to provide an indication of airflow direction.

[0125] FIGS. 17 and 18 show the shutter system 1702 being used by a mammal/person 1701. Each naris 1703, 1704 receives a separate airflow.

[0126] Airflow shuttering could be applied to just one nostril, periodically alternating between either the right or left nostrils or simultaneously to both nostrils.

[0127] Shuttering of airflow could also be directed to a specific nostril depending upon the status of the user's nasal cycle where, for example, the paranasal sinuses within the congested nasal airway contain the highest NO levels. In a preferred embodiment airflow shuttering is applied to the congested nostril improving discharge of stored NO.

[0128] Periodically switching airflow shuttering between each side of the nose enables the NO concentration within the paranasal sinuses on one side to build up while the other is be discharged.

[0129] In one embodiment the device may be small enough that it could be worn discreetly under the nose and be battery powered.

[0130] Augmented iNO use assists in restoring sympathovagal balance and when combined with cyclically occluded air flow shear and pressure stresses also may potentially bring a multitude of therapeutic benefits that include: [0131] 1. Treating nasal congestion. [0132] 2. Improving airway hydration and mucociliary clearance to assist treating upper airway infection. [0133] 3. Post-operative recovery. [0134] 4. Pre-event build for high-performance sports. [0135] 5. Aid post-event muscle recovery. [0136] 6. Aiding sleep homeostasis in the elderly or insomniacs. [0137] 7. Aid sleep onset for shift workers. [0138] 8. Assist ventilation and blood oxygenation in COPD sufferers. [0139] 9. Prevent the onset of metabolic disease and assist in the management of Type-2 diabetes. [0140] 10. Assist blood pressure reduction. [0141] 11. Long-term benefits in reducing cardiovascular disease. [0142] 12. Treat traumatic brain injury. [0143] 13. Treat neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

[0144] In an embodiment a method of stimulating airways of a mammal is provided by cyclically occluding a nasal air stream at a frequency rate between 50 Hz to 650 Hz.

[0145] Stimulating the airways of a mammal can improve nasal airflow by decongesting nasal obstruction in the mammal. Further stimulating the airways of a mammal can improve airway infection by enhancing airway hydration and mucociliary transport. Yet still further stimulating the airways of a mammal can improve the inhaled Nitric Oxide in the mammal.

[0146] When the mammal has two nares, a first naris and a second naris cyclically occluding the nasal air stream comprises simultaneously cyclically occluding the nasal air stream of both nares.

[0147] When the mammal has two nares, a first naris and a second naris and during a first mode of operation cyclically occluding the nasal air stream comprises cyclically occluding only the nasal air stream of the first naris. In this mode the nasal air stream to the second naris can be fully or partial restricted or unrestricted.

[0148] During the first mode the first naris is the congested naris and the second naris is the patent naris and cyclically occluding the nasal air stream comprises cyclically occluding only the nasal air stream of the second naris. In this mode the nasal air stream to the second naris can be fully or partial restricted or unrestricted.

[0149] During the second mode the second naris is the congested naris and the first naris is the patent naris. The change between the first mode and the second mode can be controlled by a controller.

[0150] The period of operation of the first mode or the second mode can be between 1 and 360 minutes, preferably between 1 and 15 minutes, more preferably between 1 and 5 minutes.

[0151] The nasal air stream can be cyclically occluded during both inhalation and exhalation or alternatively the nasal air stream can be cyclically occluded during inhalation only. Controlling the occlusion can be implemented by controlling an average percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream. The average percentage of obstruction is between 5 and 95 percent.

[0152] Controlling the average percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream includes controlling a percentage of time in a cycle in which the nasal air stream is at least partial obstructed and controlling a maximum percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream. The maximum percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream is between 5 and 95 percent.

[0153] In one embodiment the frequency rate is between 100 Hz to 450 Hz.

[0154] In one embodiment the mammal can be a human.

[0155] In an embodiment there is provided an apparatus for stimulating airways of a mammal, comprising a fluid connection to each of a first and second naris of the mammal, and an occluding device configured to cyclically occlude a nasal air stream within each fluid connection at a frequency rate between 100 Hz to 650 Hz.

[0156] Stimulating the airways of a mammal can improve nasal airflow by decongesting nasal obstruction in the mammal. Further stimulating the airways of a mammal can improve airway infection by enhancing airway hydration and mucociliary transport. Yet still further stimulating the airways of a mammal can improve the inhaled Nitric Oxide in the mammal.

[0157] Cyclically occluding the nasal air stream can comprise simultaneously cyclically occluding the nasal air stream of both nares.

[0158] The apparatus in a first mode cyclically occludes only the nasal air stream of the first naris and in the first mode the nasal air stream to the second naris can be unrestricted. Alternatively, in the first mode the nasal air stream to the second naris can be partially or fully restricted.

[0159] In the first mode the first naris can be the congested naris and the second naris can be the patent naris. The apparatus in a second mode can cyclically occludes only the nasal air stream of the second naris. In the second mode the nasal air stream to the second naris can be unrestricted. Alternatively, in the second mode the nasal air stream to the second naris can be partially or fully restricted.

[0160] Alternatively, in the second mode the second naris can be the congested naris and the first naris can be the patent naris. The change between the first mode and the second mode can be controlled by a controller.

[0161] The period of operation of the first mode or the second mode can be between 1 and 360 minutes, preferably between 1 and 15 minutes, more preferably between 1 and 5 minutes. The nasal air stream can be cyclically occluded during both inhalation and exhalation. Alternatively the nasal air stream can be cyclically occluded during inhalation only.

[0162] The apparatus can include a controller for controlling the occlusion by controlling an average percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream. The average percentage of obstruction can be between 5 and 95 percent.

[0163] Controlling the average percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream can include controlling a percentage of time in a cycle in which the nasal air stream is at least partial obstructed and controlling a maximum percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream. The maximum percentage of obstruction of the nasal air stream can be between 5 and 95 percent.

[0164] In one embodiment the frequency rate is between 100 Hz to 450 Hz.

[0165] The mammal can be a human.

[0166] The apparatus can include a flow direction sensor and/or a pressure sensor. Further the apparatus can include a battery and can be configured to be worn under the nose. The apparatus can be a standalone device or can include an air supply device. The air supply device being selected from the group comprising CPAP, Bi-PAP, Auto-PAP and other assisted breathing devices.

[0167] The occluding device can be a linear slide shutter system including a liner solenoid actuator. Alternatively the occluding device can be a linear shutter system with crank actuator.

[0168] The occluding device can be a rotating shutter system. Alternatively, the occluding device can be a transverse rotating partially blocking shutter inline in the fluid connection. The transverse rotating partially blocking shutter can be a barrel and the barrel can include cut outs.

[0169] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.

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