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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A respiratory interface comprising:
 an inlet aperture configured to allow air into at least one nostril of a patient;   a valve located near the inlet aperture, the valve configured to resist airflow during exhalation of the patient; and   an exhale aperture located at or proximate the valve.   
     
     
         2 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , further comprising a nasal insert adjacent the inlet aperture, the nasal insert configured to fit at least partially into the at least one nostril of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The respiratory interface of  claim 2 , wherein the nasal insert is tapered slightly from a wide base proximal the inlet aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The respiration interface of  claim 2 , wherein the nasal insert is flexible and resilient. 
     
     
         5 . The respiration interface of  claim 2 , wherein the nasal insert has a diameter sufficient to form a seal between the nasal insert and the at least one nostril of the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The respiration interface of  claim 2 , wherein the nasal insert comprises a flange on an exterior surface of the nasal insert. 
     
     
         7 . The respiration interface of  claim 6 , wherein the flange is formed as a bead. 
     
     
         8 . The respiratory interface of  claim 2 , wherein the walls of the nasal insert have a hardness that ranges from about 15 to 40, as tested on a type A Shore durometer. 
     
     
         9 . The respiratory interface of  claim 8 , wherein the hardness of the walls of the nasal insert is about 30, as tested on a type A Shore durometer. 
     
     
         10 . A respiratory interface for the treatment of a breathing problem, configured to provide a continuous flow path for the passage of inhaled and exhaled gases, the respiratory interface comprising:
 at least one body;   at least one nasal aperture defined within the at least one body; and   at least one valve assembly comprising at least one valve member, the valve assembly coupled to the at least one body;   wherein the valve assembly is configured to impede flow in a first direction more than a second direction.   
     
     
         11 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , wherein the first direction is an exhalation direction and the second direction is an inhalation direction. 
     
     
         12 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one valve member is suitable for use in positive airway pressure therapy or intermittent mechanical positive pressure ventilation therapy. 
     
     
         13 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one nasal aperture is located within a nasal insert configured to fit at least partially into one or more nostrils of a patient. 
     
     
         14 . The respiratory interface of  claim 13  wherein the nasal insert has walls with a hardness that ranges from about 15 to 40, as tested on a type A Shore durometer. 
     
     
         15 . The respiratory interface of  claim 10 , further comprising a bleed port located at or proximate the valve assembly. 
     
     
         16 . A respiratory interface comprising:
 an inlet aperture configured to allow air into at least one nostril of a patient comprising at least one nasal insert adapted to seal against the at least one nostril of the patient without the aid of a harnesses or a head strap;   a valve located near the inlet aperture, the valve configured to resist airflow during exhalation of the patient; and   a bleed port located at or proximate the valve.   
     
     
         17 . The respiratory interface of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one nasal insert is tapered slightly from a wide base proximal the inlet aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The respiratory interface of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one nasal insert is flexible and resilient. 
     
     
         19 . The respiratory interface of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one nasal insert comprises a flange on an exterior surface of the nasal insert. 
     
     
         20 . The respiratory interface of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one nasal insert has walls with a hardness that ranges from about 15 to 40, as tested on a type A Shore durometer.