Ventilation interface for sleep apnea therapy

Abstract

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:
 at least one nasal insert comprising;
 a hollow body; 
 at least one inlet aperture for allowing gas to enter the hollow body; and 
 at least one nasal aperture for allowing gas to exit towards a patient. 
   
     
     
         2 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nasal insert is oval shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one of an indentation, aperture, slot, perforation, or opening defined in the nasal insert. 
 
     
     
         4 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of indentations, apertures, slots, perforations, or openings defined in the nasal insert.   
     
     
         5 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a connection area on the nasal insert that may connect the nasal insert to one of a headgear and chin strap.   
     
     
         6 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one second nasal insert.   
     
     
         7 . The respiratory interface of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a connecting member that joins the at least one nasal insert and the at least one second nasal insert.   
     
     
         8 . The respiratory interface of  claim 7 , wherein the connecting member is detachable from the at least one nasal insert and the at least one second nasal insert. 
     
     
         9 . The respiratory interface of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one nasal insert and the at least one second insert are variable in size. 
     
     
         10 . A respiratory interface, comprising:
 at least one nasal insert comprising;
 a hollow body; 
 at least one inlet aperture for allowing gas to enter the hollow body; 
 at least one nasal aperture for allowing gas to exit towards a patient; and 
 a valve operatively associated with the nasal insert. 
   
     
     
         11 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , wherein the valve is located proximate the at least one nasal aperture of the at least one nasal insert. 
     
     
         12 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , wherein the valve located proximate the at least one inlet aperture of the at least one nasal insert. 
     
     
         13 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , wherein the valve is integral to the at least one nasal insert. 
     
     
         14 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , wherein the valve is assembled between the at least one nasal insert and a second component. 
     
     
         15 . The respiratory interface of  claim 14 , wherein the second component is at least one of a flange or an inlet aperture cover. 
     
     
         16 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 at least one bleed port for expelling or exhausting gas.   
     
     
         17 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , wherein the bleed port is located at the valve or between the valve and the nasal aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , wherein the valve is a one direction valve. 
     
     
         19 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10  wherein the valve is at least one of a flapper valve, a check valve, a biased valve, a pucker valve, a duckbill valve, a dome valve, a spring-loaded valve, a propeller valve, a shuttle valve, a plunger valve or a piston valve. 
     
     
         20 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , wherein the valve opens when a pressure threshold is exceeded. 
     
     
         21 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , wherein the valve is electronically adjustable. 
     
     
         22 . A respiratory interface comprising:
 a first nasal insert;   a second nasal insert; and   a chamber coupled to the first nasal insert and the second nasal insert.   
     
     
         23 . The respiratory interface of  claim 22 , wherein the chamber is hollow.